I'm Back With A Design Wall Monday Post

I certainly didn't intent to take a long blog break, I thought maybe a week or so but it turned into 3 weeks.  I don't know how consistent I'll be now but I'll give it a go today.

I've been putting blocks together!

Virginia Bound and Chunky Churndash leader/ender blocks.

(VB is in Scraps and Shirttails and CC is a free pattern on the Quiltville blog.)

I hope the next time (after the reveal at retreat) you see VB,

it will be a completed quilt.

That's my plan right now. 

In my last blog post I told you about getting sidetracked with these blocks.

I had planned to take these to retreat and work on them.

But my plans changed as I sewed and trimmed just a few more and a few more.

Pretty soon there were no more blocks to take to retreat.

Survivor was on so I grabbed the stack of blocks and an empty trash bag

and plopped myself down on the couch to watch TV and depaper.

On Saturday I got out the Go! Cutter and took care of a pile of scraps.

When that was finished, I decided to go ahead and get the blocks into

4s so I could sew my big blocks at retreat.

Bahahahaha,

I have several of them already sewn together.

I'm now hoping to reveal the finished quilt at retreat 

since I how have a new roll of batting and renewed energy.

We spent a couple weekends at the beach.

The beach always refreshes my soul.

I took along some fabric strips with a plan to cut and kit up some blocks.

I think there are 40 little blocks ready to go.

These will to taken to retreat.

Maybe. 😉

Now I'm headed over to check on what everyone else is working on at

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Until next time,

Have a wonderful week.

Design Wall Monday

What a week!

Sickies everywhere.

I spent several days with the kids while they coughed and hacked

and napped and worked through the headaches.

I took my Antique Star pieces to work on.

Baste, baste, baste.

I put a few components together.

It felt good to make some good progress.

But mostly I spent time with the kids.

The only time I went into my sewing room was Tuesday morning at 5:30.

I need to cut quarter square triangles for my leader/ender project.

I'm doing Chunky Churndash and almost all the Chunky parts are finished.

So I set my self up at the kitchen table and cut fabric.

Needles to say, I made a big mistake.

I cut half square triangles instead of quarter square triangle parts.

No biggie, I have lots of fabric and heck,

they might become part of the outer border.

Or they are seeds for another project. 

Check out what others are working on at

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

2019 UFO Challenge--March

I am on a mission to cross 32 projects off my UFO list.

I have a list of 20 Finishes Before 2020 where I am listing my finished and

Judy L's 2019 UFO Challenge where my 12 projects are listed and updated.

(both lists are in the tab section above)

For March, Judy L chose #4 which is my Oklahoma  Backroads.

This is a free pattern from Quiltville.

I used this as my 2017 leader/ender project.

There is a story behind my wanting this quilt. As a young child, my dad told me about coming from Oklahoma in the back of a covered wagon. One day, maybe I was 10 or so, I asked my Gramma to tell me about that trip. She had a look on her face that I will never forget. When she asked me what I meant, I told her the story I had heard numerous times. All of the sudden she glared at dad and said

"Charles! How dare you lie to these children!" She was serious. I chuckled out loud because dad got in trouble from his mom. Oh she was mad! 

I'm sorry Gramma but that this had become a funny story that has been shared over the years. 

I'm sure you still don't think it's as funny as I do.

So I had wanted to make this quilt and finally started.

I had asked daughter Crystal if she ever saw covered wagon fabric to buy me a couple yards.

She just happened to have this in her stash and gifted it to me.

Then dad got sick.

I couldn't work on the quilt.

Then dad passed away last year,

I couldn't look at the quilt.

I decided to work my way through it and put it on my list.

I lovingly put it in the UFO bin.

When I took it out, it brought a few tears to my eyes.

But I think I'll be OK working on it.

If not, I'll work on it when I can.

Monday Mystery Link-Up and Design Wall Monday

Clue 2 was to make blue and neutral half square triangles.

While l was reading the clue, I started laughing!

Blue HSTs! 

I love them!!

Needless to say, my blue strip stash has now been almost depleted.

Good thing I just bought new blue yardage. 

In May, I finished Jamestown Landing. 

In August I used my Triangle Gathering blocks with neutral string blocks to make this top. 

I thought I'd be slick and use my brand new Go! die.

That bit me right in the keester!

The blades just made a mess of my fabric so

I got out my ruler and rotary cuter and cut the old way.

I was happily sewing along when I remembered I had a bunch already cut 

from the other quilts.

(Do you like my Dollar Store bin that I saved with red duct tape?)

I got that bin down and finished sewing those up.

I chose the ones I wanted and put the remaining ones in the bin labeled HSTs of this size.

Here is my final few ready to press and trim.

I've been using Chunky Churndash (Free pattern at Quiltville) 

as my leader/ender project 

and made a bit of progress on it this weekend.

Whenever I needed to take a break, 

I sewed a l/e seam.

Today I'm linking up with 

Quiltville-Monday Mystery Link-Up

and

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Enjoy your day in Blogland. 

Design Wall Monday

Nothing on my design wall this week!

I am so close to being finished with this month's UFO from 

the 2018 UFO Challenge at Patchwork Times.

I am still 2 behind but I'm ok with that.

I need to add the binding but it's ready to go.

I wanted to grab a picture before dark.

Tumblers was the Quiltville 2015 Leader/Ender Challenge.

I used my Accuquilt 3" tumbler die to cut my pieces.

At some point I decided I wanted a dark border.

I used up so many little pieces of fabric!

I still have so many little pieces of fabric!

A few years ago, my friend Harriet gave me bags of panels.

I have used some of them for the back of my

Ultimate Scrap Quilt Like Julie's.

This time I cut 4 different fabrics into 10 1/2" squares.

It's kinda hard to tell that I arranged them in a diagonal pattern.

I love this piece.

I used lots of fun prints. 

Why do I always have to fold over the backing?

Guess it's not fun until the seam ripper comes out.

See fabulous design walls at

 Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday. 

Design Wall Monday

I chased another squirrel! 

There is a super fun Block of the Month that started this month.

Eleanor Burns is doing Fun On The Farm.

Search for this group on your Facebook page.

 How stinkin' cute is block 1!

My piggie has a butterfly on her hip.

I cut more kits for my leader/ender project-Chunky Churndash.

The pattern is a freebie at Quiltville.

Sunday, 4 grands stayed while mom and dad went shopping.

We all had a super long, excited day Saturday so we were all pretty much a bunch of slugs.

Miss MaeMae sat out on the deck with me while I cut some fabric.

I needed to cut more diamonds for my Antique Start project.

I love the chatty chats that we have.

Talking about the new school year, going to a new school but with her same friends,
 how she misses her friends and how excited she is to meet her teacher.

How much she will miss summer vacation and

 how excited she is to take band and learn to play the clarinet.

We talked about the quilt I made her and we sat out here doing the same thing.

The deck is a magical place where peanut butter and jelly picnics happen
and in depth conversations with tow people or 12. 

Saturday was the wedding of our youngest daughter and our newest favorite son in law Vern.

(Old joke, they are all my favorites. All 2 of them.)

Her sister and my other favorite son in law Mike hosted the wedding in their back yard.

Oldest daughter Jenny was able to come from Texas to celebrate.

It was wonderful having all my adult children together for this celebration.

It was a perfect day, my heart was overflowing. 

Head over to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday 

for lots of quilty inspiration.

Beware of the squirrels.

Design Wall Monday

I'm late, very late. I have a good reason.

It was hot here so on Thursday, we went to the beach.

Any excuse to go to the beach but this is the best one.

I finished up all the blocks that I was using for my leader/enders. 

These were the blocks for the Triangle Gathering quilt.

I mentioned last week that I had been thinking of doing Quiltville's Chunky Churndash.

It's one of Bonnie's free patterns.

I pulled out the strips I needed, sewed a while, cut a while.

I have several blocks kitted up ready for leader/enders while I work on the next project.

Ernie had volunteer to help our friend Bill put new windows in their house.

So he was gone for 2 days and I sewed on Wild & Goosey.

I forgot to take any pictures.

We took a drive last night because I wanted to see the sunset.

No sunset to be seen, it was soon socked in with fog

The across the street neighbors were putting a new roof on their house.

I was so nervous watching them up there. 

I felt it was my job to keep an eye on them.

So lots of knitting happened. 

This pair of socks was finished and the next pair started.

Today on the way home, I set a couple goals on these socks.

First was to get the ribbing finished before we got to the Rainier bridge.

I finished the last row as we crossed over into Oregon.

Then it was just plain knit, knit, knit.

Love Opal yarn. 

This colorway is Robin Hood.

I'm late to the party but I'm still linking up with

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

We spent last week at the beach with family.

Loads of fun for 3 days and then it was very quiet.

So I pulled out Wild & Goosey and started sewing block parts together.

I need to take more scraps with me next time we go for more variety,

We came home Friday and on Saturday,

I set up my outside office.

I printed 2 more patterns so I bound the instructions and glued the sheets together.

Then traced and cut out for my size.

I started with Patterns for Pirates Grampa Cardigan.

I had gotten this fabric on the clearance table at JoAnn's.

I sewed it up that night and know where to make my adjustments.

It is a wearable muslin.

Very soft and drapey.

I need to topstitch and hem and I think I'll add patch pockets.

Sunday was hot so I hid in my sewing room for a while.

I love Doug Leko's new mini Simple Folded Corner ruler.

I got mine in the Quiltville store when I ordered some other things.

It was fun using it on these spools. 

I need to do some work on that red one.

It's not quite right.

Anyhooo, all the blocks for the 30s Saturday Sampler are finished.

Time to cut some sashing and cornerstones and a couple borders and the binding.

Another step closer to busting this UFO.

All the blocks I'm going to make for Triangle Gathering are complete.

This final one will be made into quarters for the 4 corner blocks for the outside border. 

I'm ready to lay these blocks out and sew this into a top.

Now I need a new leader/ender project.

I've been wanting to make another Chunky Churndash.

I made this one in 2007 so it's time to make another.

 I love a good plan. 

Check out great Design Wall Monday posts that are linked up to 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

I've been watching Anina of Twiddletails on Instagram as she's sharing her Garden Party progress.

Soon I was chasing an old squirrel. 😎😎😎

I got mine out to lay out a few blocks just to see.

(I'm laying this one out straight instead of on point like my red one.)

I had planned to take this to our retreat that's coming up in a few week but

once I pulled it out, I just had to make a few blocks.

Soon I had my remaining 9 patches complete and started framing them.

I love setting up the next Triangle Gathering block for my leader/ender.

When I sew on my framing strips, I work in groups of 10.

Sew until one side is finished on all 10, 

grab a l/e to make progress on that block too.

Win, win!

Of course I had to make a Diamond Tile block from Bonnie's Addicted to Scraps column.

Are you sewing along?

Read her details here. 

I have a few more cut and ready to sew.

You all know I'm not starting any new projects, right?!?

Bahahaha

I'm headed over to have my morning coffee with Blogland friends at 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

Enjoy your day~

Design Wall Monday

Last week we went to the beach for a few days.

One afternoon we went for a drive along the ocean.

In Washington, you can drive on the beach.

It was super windy and rainy but that's fine with us.

Because we were only there for a couple of days,

I just took a cutting project to work on besides my knitting. 

I needed to cut more half square triangles for my newest leader/ender project.

Last year, Lisa Bongean shared Triangle Gatherings.

I printed off most of the patterns and I'm glad I did.

They are no longer available on line as she is publishing them in a soon to be released book. 

I love using my Marti Michell template for cutting my HSTs.

I just snip off that dog ear as I'm cutting them out.

I took pictures with my phone of a couple of my completed blocks 

but for some reason unknown to me, my phone and blog aren't syncing up. 

I'll have my tech guru work on that for me.

Why did I choose this for my new leader/ender? 

Because a few weeks after Jamestown Landing was finished,

I found a bin with oodles of blue and neutral HSTs that I had forgotten about.

And I am in Use It Up Mode!

Since each block uses 16 HSTs, 

and I have lots of blue and neutral strips from swaps,

this was the perfect project.

I already have my quilt designed, 

using these blocks with cool connector blocks.

Speaking of connector blocks,

 I decided to pull out my Garden Party #2 connector blocks.

These poor things have been shoved away since last September.

Since we are headed back to the beach this coming weekend,

I will take these and my new l/e with me to work on.

I love sewing at the beach in the evenings while we watch a movie or 2. 

Or all day long if the weather is nasty!

Check out all the quilty goodness today at 

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts Design Wall Monday.

WhooHoo, I figured it out all by myself!  

I lay the blocks out on my little design board.

Then sew them into quarters, 

then in half, then the whole block.

When it's finished,

it goes into the page protector in the notebook.

I think I have blocks 9, 10 and 11 layed out ready to stitch.

But I might hold off until I have more variety with the HSTs.

Design Wall Monday

The sewing mojo has returned home! 

On Ringo Lake is a finished quilt top!

Even that one sashing block has been turned the right direction.

I'm waiting on the backing to arrive this week and the basting will begin.

After ORL, I grabbed the board the had these cute 6" calendar blocks layed out on it.

These were our Christmas Club exchange blocks for 2017.

I knew all last year how I was going to sash them!

This will hang in the bus at the beach when it's completed.

Then I started sewing Oklahoma Backroads blocks into a top.

I've been making these blocks as leader/enders for a while.

The pattern is at Quiltville in the free patterns tab.

Sorry for the horrible picture.

It needs a good pressing and then the sashing will go on.

Lots of tv time with the Olympics and then yesterday was the Daytona 500.

We have really missed watching NASCAR the past couple years.

I sat down thinking I could get the last row finished on The On The Road Quilt

(found at MDQuilts)

but I was wrong.

I had one yellow/orange rosette stitched wrong so unsewing and resewing had to happen

before anything else.

I have the final 4 finishing rosettes and 1 little edge section left.

Today? Maybe~

Snow and ice and freezing temps are here again.

Spring tried to show herself around here.

Daffodils are up with buds ready to open, trees are starting to grow their buds,

then WHAM!! Winter tells us who is still boss.

These days are perfect sew days. 

See what's happening in Blogland at

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.