This past week was quiet for me -- especially after all the fun and action while my friend was visiting. I took afternoon naps... not necessarily on purpose. I would be reading after lunch on the sun porch and all of a sudden I would wake up an hour later with my Kindle in my lap and feeling way too warm. I figured I must have needed the extra sleep. I did finish some books and I've halfway finished another ebook. Although I did pretty well on my goals I didn't spend as much time being productive in the studio.
8/11/25
✅Keep working on project bag — one sheep done.
✅Read a book or two — finished 2 audio books and 1 ebook.
✅Wash and iron new fabric and put it away — only a few pieces to finish.
✅Quilt one of my tops — a RWB sampler quilt is loaded.
✅Make blocks for various projects — 3 blocks made, more still needed to be done.
This red, white and blue sampler top was from Sherri McConnell's block of the month in 2022. Earlier this year I put the blocks together with sashing and borders. I have to say I really like this top. I've decided to keep it rather than give it to my local quilt guild to give away. We have a quilt hanger in our entry way which can take this size quilt so that is the plan for it. I probably won't get back to quilting it until Tuesday.
Here's my Rainbow Scrap Challenge block in aquamarine. Unlike my normal method, this month I decided to focus on turquoise fabrics that lean more to the green side. I haven't made the opposite color way with more light blocks yet. Hopefully I will get it done this week.
I also realized this week that I missed some of the monthly colors for RSC this year. I need to make blocks for orange and purple. I'll be trying to get caught up on those colors over the next several weeks.
Here's the last Happy Block I made using the popsicle fabric I used at the retreat.
I've got another Happy Block quilt almost ready to sew together. Here's the current layout.
The blocks need to be moved around a bit still. Because these blocks have all sorts of colored frames I like to look at the grayscale version. Hum, just what I thought. There are three blocks that read dark in column three. I think I've substituted some thing else for the 4 row, 2nd column block also very dark. I'll be playing around with these using this photo as my guide. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the top and find a backing for it soon.
Here's my plan for the upcoming week.
8/18/25
Keep working on project bag
Quilt RWB Sampler
Make some more blocks: RSC, nine patches with the white center,
Sew current Happy Blocks into a top
Put borders on a 3 yard top and possibly quilt it.
Finish binding two quilts.
I've maintained my 15 minutes of stitching this week. I knit hats for an organization that needs around 300 in the fall so I always have a hat on my needles and can knit a couple of rows to make up my stitching time each evening if I haven't already done some quilty "stuff."
W/ending 8/17/25. 222 days of 2025
- 15 minute days/August = 17/17
- 15 minute days/2024 = 222/222 days
- Success rate = 100%
I keep finding mistakes in my postings. I'm pretty sure next year I'll change up this report to make the math more accurate or easy. Did I ever mention that I went to 11 different schools from kindergarten through high school? Once my folks took me out of public school to put me into private school. Sometimes I went to a different school in the same school district. And, a couple of times we moved mid school year or at the beginning of a school year. What I finally figured out rather late in life is I did not have a good grounding in arithmetic. I'm lousy at math in general. I say all of the above to explain why I keep finding mistakes in my stitching reports! I do know that 222 days is as of Sunday, 8/17. So this report looks accurate.
That pile of new fabric I shared last week has been ironed and put away with the exception of the top fabric. This week I washed 5 or 6 yards from a bolt of fabric I purchased from Marshall Dry Goods. It's a mottled beige and I plan to use it as the borders and backing of one of the 3 yard quilts I started at retreat. If I get the borders done I'll share pictures then.
As usual I am linking up with four Linky parties. Please take a some time to visit and check out some of the blogs that are listed on the parties. I keep getting way too many ideas but I like to see what everyone is working on!
And before I call it a night I want to mention the administration's assault on Washington, DC. DC is not a state although they would like to be. Because they are a federal district the administration can send troops into the city to patrol. From local news reports these troops have been working in the areas that are more visible -- near where federal buildings and parks are located. One of the things that has been said is that DC is a crime ridden area. That there are awful people in the city. Just to put the record straight DC's crime rate is down. "Total violent crime for 2024 in the District of Columbia is down 35% from 2023 and is the lowest it has been in over 30 years, according to data collected by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves." You can read more about it here.
One of the scary things about federal troops "policing" the District is they have no training in that area. I keep waiting for some one to be killed or seriously hurt because of the wrong people "policing" the area.
I, for one, do not think DC is in an emergency and it does not need federal assistance. I am hoping that the troops are only there for the 30 days allowed for this "emergency". America is NOT a police state.
That's it for me.
Happy Quilting All! Bonnie
RWB is beautiful, I can see why you want to keep it! Love your aqua potato chip block. I hope you are all rested up and will have a productive week ahead.
ReplyDeleteooh la, I LOVE those green teals ! I think I need to start hoarding them. I have been that way with aquas but these green teals, hmmm, another avenue to follow.
ReplyDeleteRed, White and Blue is gorgeous. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI like the quilt on the frame--very pretty! The naps after having company is a good thing!
ReplyDeleteI love the RWB sampler! So pretty! Awesome aqua block-maybe I should adopt THAT block for RSC2026. The Happy Block quilt is looking good and you'll get it arranged how you like it! :)
ReplyDeleteThe sampler quilt is a keeper -- I really like how the churn dash frame unifies the blocks. Naps are wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteSome weeks are like that - more naps are needed! Your RWB quilt on the frame is a pretty one - lots of great blocks. That is interesting about your moving around to so many schools, and feeling like your math skills are lacking as a result. My husband's growing up was similar and he feels like that's the reason he can't spell! Being a teacher and working with lots of kids - I've seen those things happen, too. Thanks for speaking out about the situation in D.C. It seems that daily there is something newly outrageous being said or done. And the actual facts never back up what the regime is saying or doing. So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with you on the topic of DC. It's a very scary precedent to keep sending troops anywhere he doesn't like the leadership. The red/white/blue sampler is stunning. As a teacher I also saw gaps in kids' preparation when they had been in and out of different schools especially if moved from state to state.
ReplyDeleteI like that RWB Sampler!! So pretty - and your potato chip is beautiful. From some friends that live in DC in a not so nice area - they are in favor of the policing - I find it very interesting - and of course, don't live there so don't know about the crime. I do have a friend who is an ADA there and she has had some horrible cases... lots of viewpoints I guess.
ReplyDeleteI love your Sherri McConnell quilt, especially the churn dash around the block! And the patriotic colors look great. You do such nice work. I am in admiration of your goal setting each week. Kudos to you, I have never been able to stick with it; I am too spontaneous.
ReplyDeleteI like DC the times we have been there - my sister used to live about 40 miles away and when visiting we would take the metro into the city to wander around - always felt just fine - no terror!
ReplyDelete