crafts – Bowtiesnstars

Lori, from Humble Quilts blog, hosts a Doll Quilt exchange over the month of April. Just a few requirements: reproduction fabrics, under 25″, nicely made. I think this is the 13th year and I have participated in at least 5 different years. I do enjoy participating and it is always fun to make something for someone you can assume has similar tastes. Although I always stress myself if the recipient will be happy with it. Every year I wish I had made twice the blocks so that I could keep one for myself. I didn’t take the time, but I did keep all the fabrics together and my scraps so maybe this summer I could do that. Here is the quilt I made:

I also like doing this to try new blocks. I have done log cabin blocks before, but not courthouse steps blocks. I quilted in the ditch around the shapes and down the middle of the larger shapes. I love the color mix! Some of the fabrics I have had for a long time, and some are from current fabric lines. I used a black square in the center of each block and a black backing and binding. It now resides in California! Before starting, I drew a diagram to keep like colors apart, but missed marking edges, and soon didn’t keep to it as marked.

This was fun to do and I look forward to working with this block again! I have also been making Fancy Four Patch blocks! This is a sew along sponsored by Taryn, of Repro Quilt Lover. They are tiny blocks. 1 1/4″ blocks. I started behind because that size makes me a little anxious so I ordered half-square triangle paper. But it was the wrong size so I just jumped in once the doll quilt was done. Still haven’t caught up, but I have enjoyed the process and the blocks that I have made so far. It is not a race.

I have 12 blocks done so far. In one of them, I have one of the ‘butterfly’ blocks turned the wrong way, but I think I am ok with it. I have also finished another pattern test quilt. I will post pictures of that once Jeanette releases the pattern. You can find her patterns on Etsy! Just search for Poplar Lane Quilts!

Well it wasn’t my intention to not post for six months, but such is life. I was able to go back to Minnesota this summer and saw friends and family again. I dropped off quilts with Jeanette and she did another fabulous job! She has another career ahead of her when she retires from her day job!

She finished my Turkey Round Robin for me! So happy I will get to use it this fall!

While I was home, I visited with my cousin Phyllis. Where they live, the town has had so much rain that the area has flooded. They had to leave their home and stay in a shelter on higher ground. So demoralizing to see your house become uninhabitable and nothing you can do. We went shopping, to a fabric store, of course, and she picked out a quilt that I can make for their new bedroom. I had to clear out my space when I had company so haven’t gotten back to this one. I think I have 6 blocks to go.

She wanted a quilt with the colors of the Northern Lights so I added the pinks – hope Norm will still like it!

While driving home, I talked to my SIL for awhile and she shared how my nephew is going through a bit of a rough patch right now. I think he is a great young man and deserving of another quilt. In fact, I think it is time to do another round of quilts for nephews!

This is a Laundry Baskets Quilts pattern, “Perfect Union”. Saw this cool panel and used it for the backing. I actually cut the fabric for the blue stars wrong so have enough cut to make another one for myself, someday! I can live with those errors.

Before school started, a couple ladies from guild and I signed up for a class. Well the instructors got Covid so it was delayed. Made for a little more stress, which is a long story that won’t be shared here. But it was a good, fun day. We each got one shoe finished! Most expensive shoes I own, but it was a good experience, and have fun foot wear!