Little house sew along

 Melva released the latest block today and after a trip to visit my FIL and then a visit to his house to check on the handyman and pay him, and a lunch date with hubby at Millers Ale House, I got home a little before 2PM. Doggie, kitty and chicken tending and some pool checking and I got a little time to check blogs. I forgot today was a release day but I was looking forward to this block. I had fun picking fabrics and sewing this one up. All 7 blocks are put back onto the shelf with the box of the jelly roll I am using. Linking up with Melva and her fun sew along.

This photo is sideways, but I needed something as a leader and ender and had cleared off the house block things when I pinned the quilt last Thursday. I cut some 'ends' of the purple and creams and made some 2.5 inch four patches. Then I dug into a bin and found these extra's from cutting out Brimfield parts from a charm pack. I'm trimming them to 2.5 inch hst's and will just sew them into sets of 4. No plan, but making use of extra bits. 

I'll move onto cutting some more Bear Paw parts to add more of those blocks for Aidan's graduation quilt... which is coming up way too quickly!

Greg and Emily finished off the Cat run on Sunday and other than me and Aidan grabbing the cats (while the dog is shut in a room) and placing them onto the run... the promptly run right back into the master. We will see how long it takes them to try it out.  We did have one fail, one shelf needed some help to keep it into the wall. Turns out the bit above the slider is solid concrete! Em had fun drilling through that! Greg did a little modification with suggestions from Aidan and it appears to be holding up better. Once the cats start using it, we will see how it goes. I need to rehang my quilts and the hangers that were taken down to put these up.

Flower garden is officially finished

 I finished the hand stitching of the binding last night while rewatching The Residence on Netflix. I do like mysteries and this is a fun series. I really hope they do another one. This one is hand pieced, hand appliqued, machine quilted and hand stitching on the binding. 82x93. It was fun revisiting all the pretty fabrics in this from the last 10 years. 

Sunday, I had a afternoon at Painting with a Twist with Girl Scout Volunteers. I'm not sure about this one. I did not like the 'henna' type stuff that is really light on mine around the edges. It was a fun couple of hours though. 

Now to pin the big quilt on the frame that is not getting hand quilted. Pinning and then a machine swiggle is going to call it good I think. Hoping to get that one finished in May. Not sure about June yet, but I'm shooting for one a month this quarter.

Oh, if you are interested in the MSQC Christmas box, it is on pre-order through the end of April. It is a fun gift to yourself in December and I have loved opening the box for 25 days. I hear there is more fabric this year? Time will tell.

Almost done a UFO

 

An old rsc quilt getting towards the finish line. I just measured this and it is 82x93 inches. I started hand stitching the yellow binding down last night. 

In 2014 I started hand stitched (not epp) the flowers. Another year I basted the edges down and appliqued to the black squares.  Sewed them all together another year and added borders. Then it sat. I rolled it onto boards last month.  I finally pinned and did minimal machine quilting down the long column lines as a squiggly in black. The around either side of the blue border. I added the yellow binding to pull the yellow center color out and finish it off. I'll be hand stitching the binding during hockey games this week. It feels good to move a old quilt top into the almost completed column!

Linking up with the RSC.... sometimes it takes a while but those RSC quilts do get finished eventually!  

Friday

 

I love my Merlin bird app. I think Diann pointed me to this a couple of years ago. The birds were chirping a lot yesterday. 

I spent time Thursday working on this. It got pinned, machine quilted and then I got frustrated making the binding. No discernible right side for my fabric choice threw me. I've not made binding in a while.  Ill try again this afternoon, sine I have hockey time tonight and hand stitching binding wold be a good fit. This is a big quilt, I think 84x93ish? 

Hoping for a finish this month.

Hexagon qayg

 

I was stitching on these Sunday while watching my lightning lose in overtime. The column on each side is completed. 

 I prepped some reds and a couple others to go with 2 that were done as a set of two. No clue where their partners are.  That should fill the three empty spots with the pinks I prepped this weekend. I should have all for this row completed by the time game 2 ends tonight. Then it will be assembly time.

I think I'll just get these 3 sets done, washed a few times to shrink a bit to better match the existing quilt, then add them on and call it done.

That will have this checked off the list so I can work on Brimfield.  I might have got more fabrics for that project last Saturday. 😁

Little house sew along

 

I was able to get the next block completed! I love the little block in this one. So fun to make.

Linking up with The Little House Sew Along over at Melva loves scraps.

Sunday slow stitching.

 I've been plugging away at these Hexagon QAYG blocks to add to the existing quilt. I was thinking 4 rows but might just do 3 as these will become the third row to be added. It is a little blue heavy, but will work overall in the scrappy quilt. I purchased some pinks yesterday at a quilt show and prepped 4 of those to stitch this week. I'll be working the rest into sets of four and then will stitch them together into a column. These are all hand stitched. I've been enjoying stitching these on the back screened in porch in my new comfy chairs while listening to audio books. I finished a CJ Box book Back of Beyond this week. Thank you for the recommendation of the author (Jenny I think?) I'm waiting on my Libby app to have a copy of the next audio book available... but I might just get it off Audible. It was that good!

I've been adding to the bottom grassy part of the cross stitch this week. I'll probably work on the last part in the quilt and then go back to the grassy area this week. Linking up with Kathy and the other Slow Sunday Stitchers.

I was able to attend a local quilt show on Saturday. Lots of pretty quilts, although almost all were long arm quilted. I did see some variety with machine embroidery, cross stitch worked into quilts - I forgot to get a photo of that one, but it was really neat with various Halloween themed stitcheries. Lots of 1st time showing a quilt awards were noted with a pretty red ribbon on their quilt, at their Ruby anniversary of the guild. I took a few photos and made sure to get the quilter information on the quilt tag.

I loved this one. Lots of hand work went into this one.

A Kim Diehl quilt. Which reminds me I have a kit of her pattern to do!

This one made me smile! Actually, one of the awards to vote on.

There were two of these quilts. I saw this one and went WOW! Two friends bought the kits and worked on them together. I like how this one finished. Although the use of colorful buttons was a neat addition in the below quilt.

A little retail therapy. I felt it was only fair to support those vendors. I think I got something from all but 3 of them. I was low on pinks so was trying to add there. There is a new cross stitch shop opening across town (45 minutes away or so from me) next month. I'll have to go check it out. I might check out the guild and see if I 'fit in' there or not. Now that I don't need to shuttle kids and they are pretty independent, I can get back to doing a few things for me!

Pink Chickens for the RSC

I made a couple of pink chickens this week. I had made 2 pink ones a couple of years ago and decided to add a couple to the collection. I have 4 purple and blue ones so will work away at adding other colors of chickens to the mix this year. Linking up with the RSC on Saturday morning.

I had some yellow hexagons prepped and got them stitched up and quilted this week. I need to make a set of 4 pink ones to stitch this month.

I saw another Little House block was released on Thursday, so I grabbed some pretty purples and made the 6 inch block. I will be adding some log cabin strips to surround it this weekend for that sew along over at Melva Loves Scraps. 

I saw there is a local quilt show on Saturday, so I plan on heading to see that and oooh and awww over quilts, vendors booths and raffles! The boy is having a long day and enjoying Grad Bash at Universal on Friday evening with lots of other high school seniors around Florida. He should get back to school around 4AM... and has the car there so can get himself home. The girl was home with an ear ache and all stuffed up and slept until after 10. She will be helping her Dad build some cat walks in the house this weekend so the cats can venture into the living room and kitchen area up high in the recessed walls. We will see if they venture out. They do not mix well with the dog..... they run and he chases.

Good news, we put my FIL's house on the market last month and it is under contract for a 30 day closing! Fingers crossed all goes smoothly with the buyer.

 

Bear paw

 

Aidan went with the traditional layout for the Bear Paw quilt I am making him. I will be setting it in a diagonal setting since I showed him one I had done as a baby quilt that way and he liked it. So, decisions made and lots of sewing to go! The Graduation quilt - so far. Each block will finish at 14 inches. I have not calculated how many I need yet.

Slow Sunday Stitching

 So far, the day has started off nice and slowly. I got to sleep in, which was nice since we got home from a dinner and visit with Grandma close to 11 last night. It was a nice dinner out and then some CLR games at the dining room table and chatting. Good family times. 

I took this photo on Saturday when I was out gathering eggs. That reminds me, I need to let them roam today since I forgot to let them out yesterday. They have been out in the back yard roaming most of the week as we got some rain... and that means good bugs on the ground to gobble up! 4 eggs - not bad for 3 chickens we got in September 2000 and the other 2 I think we got a few years ago. Looking at the colors - Either Poppy or Eggnog did not lay as they both provide green eggs.

Aidan got me this set of puzzles by Thomas Kinkade for Christmas and I picked up this puzzle board that swivels and has 4 side pull out drawers at Aldi this year. I realized after laying out the pieces, that the plastic is to go over the puzzle while you are not working on it... I'll do it correctly on the next puzzle. I started with getting the pieces turned over and out and started the edges. Aidan has done the majority of the puzzle, but I do add a few here and there as I walk by. 

I've been stitching on the back porch a little this week and got these into sets of four. I dug into the bag and have some more prepped and ready to stitch. I need to add some pink and red to the mix on the next prep round. These will make row three that I want to add to my existing QAYG hexagon quilt that is asking to be made a little bigger. I have 2 columns done and plan 2 more. 

This is the existing quilt at 88x66. 

Lots of progress has been made on the cross stitch this week.

Last Sundays for a reference. I'm going to work on the bottom grassy area before I finish off the last quilt block area, then move onto the first page of the pattern which is to the left of this.

Linking up with the Slow Sunday Stitchers. Hope you all enjoy a little relaxing stitching today. 

Rsc houses

 These are the last two pink houses for the month. Notice the dinosaur peeking out the window? 

We won't mention that I sewed the house top on wrong... three times before it came out correctly. I might have left them after the first try for lunch.... then managed to sew them wrong again two more times before I got it right. Thankfully it is a 6 inch block so the seams that kept being pulled out were not too big. 

I've been enjoying the low humidity in Florida and cooler temps for April (unusual) and stitching out on the back porch in my new chairs in the afternoon for a bit after work. The dog is not happy with me. Seems he can't fit in the chair with me and is not happy with that fact. I tried putting his quilt onto the other rocking chair and patted the chair for him to jump up. He disliked his quilt being outside the living room and tried to pull it off the chair to put it back where it belongs! I thought it was funny. My dog does not like a change in his routine... and it was sit in the recliner with Mom while she cross stitches time! 

Linking up with the RSC on a peaceful Saturday. 

Bear paw and a concert

 

It was All County band last night with a guest conductor from FSU.  Got a smile. With 3 practices and all day yesterday,  they played some amazing and challenging music. It sounded great.

There are four identical blocks in each pile.  I added the light blue yesterday and have another blue in process.  I think I have a few more somewhere so I guess I need to go searching and organize the sewing area this weekend. 

Sauces?

 I've been trying out different sauces for things in the kitchen lately. I'm going to make some Tzatziki today to go with some falafel I have in the freezer, Greek pita and a greek salad (lettuce, red onion, cuke, tomato, feta) for dinner this evening. 

Over the weekend we had some grilled chicken and I had bought a package of parsley planning to make chimichurri. I used this recipe from Love and Lemons. Really simple and tastes great on chicken and steak and veggies.

I like the Good Seasons Italian Seasoning packet, but don't like the sugar in it or the price, so I've been making my own version for years. I have a pint mason jar of the seasoning mix in the pantry and use that to make a jar of Italian dressing for the fridge. 

Italian Dressing Mix:

1Tbsp Garlic Powder

1 Tbsp Onion Powder

2 Tbsp Oregano

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp basil

1 Tbsp Parsley

1/2 tsp celery salt

2 Tbsp salt

Mix and store in an air tight container. It makes quite a few batches.

To make: 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 Tbsp water, 2 Tbsp mix. Mix well, then add 2/3 cup oil. Shake well. You can also use the lines on the old Good Seasons salad dressing containers. I have two of them =).

I have lots of lemons, so was doing a lemon/oil and some herbs blend last week for my salads for lunch. I cooked up some quinoa and add a few spoonfuls of it to my salads at lunch.

Taco seasonings - I stopped buying the packages years ago and just make my own version from a recipe I found online. I use this one. 

All that to say.... what sauces do you have in your rotation of foods that you like and enjoy? 

I'm trying to mix things up a bit and try new things.

Monday - I went back to an oldie but good recipe -  a Lemon Chicken with thyme. I added rice and some peas for a veggie.

Tuesday was a rainy and dreary day - so I swapped things and did a baked green chicken enchilada.

Wednesday will be Greek - I do need to shred a cuke to make the tzatziki.  I need to find the pita in the freezer and pull it out. I already pulled one baggie of falafel out of the freezer as I made a double batch the last time I made them. Since Emily is not home for dinner, it was a good night to make this one! Lactose intolerant girl doesn't do tzatziki since its made with yogurt.

Thursday - no clue but I'm assuming the boy is expecting something to be made for dinner. We have Emilys concert across town that evening. 

A little stitching has happened. Must put the phone down tonight and actually do something rather than death scroll. Was pretty nervous last night with the worldwide threats. Just waiting for someone to find some straight jackets and take care of things. 

 The girls enjoying the rain!

 

Little house sew along

 I got some sewing time in on Saturday and was able to pick fabrics and sew up block 5 of the sew along. When it was done, I realized that my middle block is not matching what was presented... but I'm leaving it. I guess I tend to just put my rail fence blocks in this design, despite it not being correct! 

Linking up with Melva and the others following along with the Little House Sew Along.

Here are the first four blocks. 

Easter Sunday

 I've been plugging away at the November Cross Stitch from the book A quilt for all Seasons by Paula Vaughn. I filled in more of the blue sky and one partial block in red and started the orange one in the top left corner. This is just the second page of the pattern... I still have the left side to do for page one. I do love how it is turning out. I am using 14 count Aida.

This is where I was last Sunday, so a good bit of progress.

The dog is waiting for a walk. The Easter Bunny came this morning and could not find the real easter baskets, so they have Tupperware with the fake grass in it for the kids. The parents just have a little pile and the Sams package of Peeps (yuck!) are for the other 3 to divide and conquer. I was considering putting things in eggs and hiding them like when they were little.... but I went to bed instead!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter to those that celebrate it. A Happy Sunday to everyone!

Linking up with the Slow Sunday Stitchers.

Rsc in pink

 I'm posting late but wanted to get the errands done in the morning thinking the crowds would be less. We are having a non-traditional Easter lunch tomorrow. Emily has a birthday Tuesday (17 years old!) and neither kid is keen on ham, so I let Emily choose the menu. She went with steaks on the grill, baked potato, prosciutto wrapped asparagus and grilled veggies. I picked up some mini croissants to go with it. Emily and Grandma did their birthday shop and lunch today. The girl is very busy next week with All County band rehearsals and a concert on Thursday evening. 

I got some afternoon sewing in and added these four pink houses to the collection. I think I need two more, but my pinks are a bit lacking in variety. I did pull a couple of 2 inch strips from a drawer for two of these houses. I'll dig around in there and see if I can find a couple more. I cut out more roof and chimney parts and have two more of those ready to add to the last two pink houses. Linking up with the RSC.

This week the boy was up in Tallahassee for a Skills USA competition. He and Issiac were a team in the 3D printing category (I can't remember the actual technical name). Their task was to design and print a catapult or trebuchets that would propel a Lego man and was rated on distance and accuracy. They had to have all parts 3-D printed and brought with them. Then do a presentation with tech specs on how they chose, designed, worked through issues and got to their final result. They took home 1st place and will be headed to Nationals in Atlanta in June. These two have been friends since Middle school and were on a Robotics team together in 8th grade. I have a feeling they are going to have a blast up in Atlanta with the other 8-10 people headed there from their school. 

Spring Ravelry UFO Challenge 2026

One removed as finished from the Winter quarter. I think this was one of my oldest UFO's. It is very happy to be a finished quilt. 

In it's spot I added the Graduation quilt of bear paw blocks. I really thought I had more of these made! Yikes, I better get moving on those. I'm guessing he is going to get it well AFTER Graduation!

 The list of UFO's -

 1.) I know I have at least one more cut somewhere to fill that open spot for a 7x6 setting. *** found the parts in a baggie!  These are hand pieced.... and might need a little fixing along the way on some of those middle joins. From Inklingo lemoyne stars.  The blocks are 4.5 inches.

 

2.)  I think it's a 6.5 inch cut center of greys and 2.5 inch strips. Finishes 10 inches. 

3.) Midget Applique quilt from Sentimental Stitches. I need to add more flowers and leaves and the vines... and the last border. Hand pieced and hand appliqued. Started January 2015 as a car line project. One block a week.

4.) triangle pyramids. started June 2024. I need to find these!

5.) Midget block collection - I started these in Vermont in 2010! I have a light blue for sashing.

6.) Erin's Butterfly - I made the wings in 2021.  Need to add one more set of wings... thinking 9 is a nice number? These have been machine stitched onto the background. Need to add body and antenna to each. Also need to add 1 block in another color.

7.) Flying Snowballs - hand pieced shoo fly and flowering snowball blocks in blue, purple and green from 2025. Will plan to machine piece them together into a top about 84x84.

8.) Aidan Graduation requested quilt... for after college as he wants a queen size Bear Paw in civil war style green and blues. 

9.) I forgot I had this. It is a cute birdhouse wall hanging but is foundation pieced, which I dislike. Maybe I can deal with it enough to get this done? Or rework it?

10,) This is a kit I purchased mid-90s - butterfly's. I think all the parts are there and I did start arranging them.

11.) Quilters Patch. A sew along that I completely did not meet my goals on in 2022. One block is done.

12.) Alternate BITA blocks from RSC 2025 collection

** I need to get a photo of these

13.) 16 patch blocks from 2.5 inch squares

** I need to get a photo of these.

14.) chicken blocks... these have not had much love this year.

15.) Bittersweet Briar - pattern in Kim Deihl's book and kit of fabric.

16) Brimfield Awakening EPP. I did start this and have the first fabric thread basted in purple!

17.) Bonnie Hunter Mystery - On Ringo Lake - maybe step #2?

18) Bonnie Hunter Mystery - Grassy Creek (2020) Think I am on step #4.

19.) 30's log cabin tulip quilt.

Quilt Tops: 

20.) Birds in the Air block collection - this is now a top and loaded onto the quilting frame at a 90x90 size.

 21) Ella Maria Deacon Blocks. Hand pieced, machine stitched together into a top. Patterns from Sentimental Stitches.

 I need to measure and see if it is happy with it's size or now. All my quilts seem to have a mind of their own!

22) Vermont Quilt Festival Booth Hop from either 2008 or 2009.  it is 71x71.

23.) Y2K Joann's BOM - quilt top

24.) 1857 Quilt Along Top - This one is in the hoop for hand quilting as of December 2024. ** Might unpin this one so it doesn't rust and do something smaller first with the big BITA on the frame...

25.) Spring Hexagons - not sure if this wants to be bigger or not.... 

26.) Triple Irish Chain - green. 80x80 I think. I did find both fabrics extra with it... Might need a green or cream border first or both... Made in the early 2000's. circular feathers in open spaces.

27.) Hexagon flowers on a black background. These are a stack of blocks I hand pieced a few years ago then hand appliqued to the black background a couple years after that!  

This is rolled onto the boards for pinning with the batting and backing. *** Finished April 27,2026

28.) String of Beads is a top. I do want to add green circles to the meeting points of the green peels I think as well. The yellow ones really helped the colored parts of the peel flowers. I need a new photo of this one as I did get it to a top on 10/5/25. I promise!