Wednesday Workings, April 30, 2025

 

This was the hardest part of my Sunshine Retreat 2025 block to figure out.  I looked for easy flower drawings...and looked...until this one caught my eye.  I have been working most of the week on this applique project.  As with most applique projects it will take a bit of time to complete.  You will need to come back later to see how my "In the Garden" theme block turned out.

Design Wall Monday, April 28, 2025

Kirilowii is ready for hand stitching.  This is a huge quilt 88 x 88.  It will take me a while to get around it!  The binding will have a surprise by any who view my project.  You will probably notice it easy enough once I show it off fully.

I worked quite some time on the sleeve.  I put as much (usually all) of leftover units into its construction along with using all the trimmed off parts of the back.  Waste not want not...

Millie's Dresses was the first project to cut into the background.  I plan to sew this at the Sunshine Retreat coming up soon.  My goal for this project will be to construct the 16 blocks.  I will want to use my Design Wall to figure out what dress (block) should go where in the layout.  I will also be working on the pieced border at Retreat and then doing the same thing with the units as the dresses figuring out where to put it in the top.

Next I tackled the background for the Cats in Pajamas.  Have I mentioned this is a 2025 UFO?  Just as I discussed layout plans with my Design Wall with Millie's Dresses; I will be doing a similar thing after the cats (blocks) are sewn at Retreat.  Placement is everything in my opinion.

I don't have a photo to share yet, but plans for the In My Garden block swap at the Retreat are formulating.  I just need to transfer designs to fabric and sew =^.^=  Maybe I will have something to share on Wednesday; definitely on Sunday.

The Sunshine Rise & Shine Boutique on Saturday was a huge success.  Shoppers are already asking if we will hold this event again.  It was lots of work, but the payoff was grand and will help towards all sorts of Guild activities.  Thanks to Lorna for letting me stay the night in her lovely home.

Now let me start some hand stitching on Kirilowii!

Sunday Stash Report, April 27, 2025

Karolina Krossroads (Carolina Crossroads)

Karolina Krossroads is completely finished.  I love the way it turned out.  The solid fabric last two borders were needed to calm the quilt down.  All those 1 1/2" squares made for a busy project.  I enjoyed the sewing on this one.  Carolina Crossroads is one of Bonnie Hunter's earliest mysteries.  As I have been saying there is only Double Delight to sew before I've made all of her mysteries back to 2006.

Kirilowii (Indigo Way)

Kirilowii is also a mystery from Bonnie Hunter.  Because of a mix up in the size of the back on my part (Kerry to the rescue); it arrived yesterday.  In the grand sequence of things Karolina Krossroads was sewn with many of the scraps from Kirilowii.  Yep there is a reason why they look similar.  Kirilowii is 
Bonnie Hunter's Indigo Way; her 2024 mystery.  I love the pieced border.  Thinking of what should be the binding fabric...one solid piece or a pieced?  I'll have to open my stash to see what's available that will compliment this project.  Another 2024 UFO complete!

Stash

Purchased

These fabrics complete the requirements for Cats in Pajamas project (2025 UFO).  From Stash comes the last three cats.  From Purchased comes the last three pajamas.  I got the new fabrics from Missouri Star.  If you are in need of flannels I'd check Missouri Star first as they have a very big selection to choose from.

All my dress/collar & belt kits to be swapped in the Millie's Dresses project are done.  I will be cutting the background out for my project this week.  Our swap is only for the dress/collar & belt.  The background is of our own selection.  Pretty clever is our coordinator, Pam, to orchestrate the swap in this fashion.

My stash is growing this week as I get through the collection of fabrics for two projects; both of which will be sewn during the Sunshine Retreat happening May 8 - May 11 in Temecula, CA.  It will be a little while before I will be claiming used =^.^= 

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 97 yards 
Purchased this week: 2.5 yards
Purchased YTD: 58.5 yards
Net used in 2025: 38.5 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 23, 2025

I am continuing to work on the cutting of Cats in Pajamas and Millie's Dresses.  I want to have this part out of the way before the Sunshine Retreat take place just a couple of weeks from now.  Above you might realize is the first nine cats.  I'm sticking with mostly brown cats.  My babies are brown =^.^=

This photo was taken a while back, but you can see my two playfully in the laundry baskets as I start the laundry.  They still do this today.  Kassy especially likes to go for "rides".  She will jump in a basket and be carried anywhere.  (Kassy is on the left.)

I had to do a little bit of shopping for the remaining fabrics needed for Millie's Dresses.  The FQ on the bottom is for my last Bonnie Hunter Mystery, Double Delight, that will be started before too long!  For now that's it; enjoy your day.

Design Wall Monday, April 21, 2025

 

I got straight with the pattern to be used in the swap; the one above.  Christy noticed a difference in my pattern and what we were to use.  I'm surprised there are two versions of this pattern.  The one I thought we were swapping dresses is what you see below.

What I couldn't understand is why we were swapping 16 dresses, unfortunately I never asked about it.  Fortunately, I cut the dresses to the hand out Pam created to make it easier to manage what to swap.  All figured out, no mistakes made.  This is where I stand now.

Dresses cut out for the swap and the one on the background I'll be using for my project.  Next up the collars and belts.

Fabrics selected now time to cut these collars and belts.  I may be lean on the green.  It looks the best on the dress so I may need more.  I did think about black for the orange dress, but that might not be a good choice considering we are to make "like the pattern".  Don't see any black :(.

This is the second project that I am cutting.  I have three more FQs yet to arrive from Missouri Star to finish the cats pajamas pictured on the right.  Going to do something fun with a diagonal chest with the stripe.  Yep I caught the piece that's at the neck to make diagonal too.

These are the fabrics that my cats will be.  I will be paying close attention to how they show up on the background as it is dark.  I saw a same project previously where the maker used a fabric where the cat got lost.  It looked, unless you looked closely, like a ghost cat wearing pajamas.  I won't be making that mistake.  All the cheeks and nose/eyes are the same off white/black.  My gray cat may end up with gold eyes and a light gray nose so the black doesn't get lost.  All part of trial and a good Design Wall!

A picture of the Elizabeth Hartman pattern.  It is so darned cute!  All my pajamas will be flannel.

My Design Wall is empty for now, but soon will be filled with 90 10" squares to make the back for Krushed.  I did find a solid red fabric for the binding of Karolina Krossroads.  Boy do I love my AccuQuilt =^.^=

Remember that this weekend is Sunshine Quilters of San Diego, Rise & Shine Boutique.  Here are the details:

Sunday Stash Report, April 20, 2025

 

Krushed is complete.  I opted for the pieced border rather than one piece orange.  Nothing like finishing with a pieced border.  I will be using 90 10" squares for a back.  My AccuQuilt will get some use today.  A red binding is what's on my mind today from the red print used consistently in the top.  With my Orange Crush by Bonnie Hunter finished, I am left with only Double Delight to complete all of her mysteries going back as far as 2006.

Karolina Krossroads came in from Kerry, as a matter of fact it arrived the day I returned from my parents home.  I have it trimmed down and sleeve being put together from the trimmings.  A red one fabric binding is my preference.  A search in my stash will take place today.  Carolina Crossroads is much like all of Bonnie Hunter's designs in that the tops are busy and the eye needs a place to rest when you get to binding selection.

Kirilowii is with Kerry for quilting.  A back was provided that was not wide enough for the quilt.  Not certain how I messed this up, but Kerry has rescued me by picking up a fabric that matches and will sew it into the too lean width.  This will be my next project to get back from her.

I took home with me two projects that mom hasn't gotten around to completing.  They are both a bit overwhelming for her right now I think.  The first is a patriotic top made with the Broken Courthouse Steps pattern that is finished now.  I pulled together 42 10" squares for a back.  That's what is currently on my design wall.  Not sure if there is enough or that it will work at all are strips using fabrics from the back for a binding.  I may just end up with a navy binding.

Stash Builders

Millie's Dresses Back

Cats in Pajamas Project

Friday was a Rosie's day of quilting for me.  A few fabrics were purchased for stash building and for two projects, Millie's Dresses and Cats in Pajamas.  The Millie's Dresses back was not a Rosie's purchase rather from one Christy proctored for several participating in the swap.  I did a bunch of cutting units for these two projects on this day.  My Design Wall Monday post will share more about these two projects so do return tomorrow. 

Used this week: 19.25 yards 
Used YTD: 97 yards 
Purchased this week: 9.5 yards
Purchased YTD: 56 yards
Net used in 2025: 41 yards

Have an eggceptionally fabulous Easter Day =^.^=

Wednesday Workings, April 17, 2025

 

This table runner is now gracing our table.  Kluckies turned out really cute.  I got the eyes stitched down today just after breakfast.  The cats are already enjoying sitting on it while they watch the birds.

I have been spending time working on Orange Crush.  The blocks are being sewn into rows and the rows into the top.  It is on point so takes a bit longer to work through; at least it always seems to.  Next will be to put the inner border in place.  I will be picking up the black print that was used in the blocks.  It is looking like a finish is on the way for "USED" on Sunday.  I will share a photo on Sunday of my project.  I will be calling it Krushed.

Friday is a day sewing at Rosie's with my group.  Not certain what project I will work on; perhaps cutting the Millie's Dresses units that I will be swapping.

Anxious to be moving onto another project.  I will be sending Koxcomb and Krushed to Kerry for quilting soon.  I hope you are working on something fun...maybe something that gives off a Spring vibe =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, April 14, 2025

 

My flight home left early evening today.  It was surprisingly uneventful even though San Diego had a shake up today with a 5.2 magnitude earthquake.  Nothing disturbed the skies, yeah.

I will have more to talk about and share on my Wednesday Workings post.  This girl goes to bed after necessities for the evening are unpacked.  The kitties are hovering after my week away from home.  Got to get a few plays in with each of them before the covers are tucked up around me =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, April 13, 2025

 

Karen and I are spending our last full day at our parents.  We have some cleaning yet to be done.  It has been a week of cleaning and assisting with Mom's needs as she recovers from her leg ailments.  Dad took us out to dinner and a few errands this evening.  During the week I finished Mom's binding and my own.  I'll be sharing photos of my finishes tomorrow.

My niece, Tiffany, and her family visited yesterday.  This was a first time for both me and parents to meet 11 week old Levi.  They also brought lunch!  Greyson turns five in June which might be a next visit.  No flights arranged yet, but I do want to return sometime in June.  Thanks Matt for driving the four our round trip.

You can check out my Mom's blog, SewWhatElse, to see the two charity quilts I bound for her to donate.   

Nothing changes my stats this week.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 77.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 46.5 yards
Net used in 2025: 31.25 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 9, 2025

 

I have the center done so now is the time to deal with those itty bitty HSTs.  They come together to make an inner border.

And here it is all complete!  Koxcomb can be checked off the 2022 UFO List.  The project is just a little over 17" square.

Design Wall Monday, April 7, 2025

 

I thought I was done with Part 4 of Orange Crush, but heck no...there was a block to be made!

All Spinning Star blocks are done.  I am really pleased by the way all the scraps are playing with the red and black that makes the block.

I knew this Part 5 was to make the Album block, but it also had you make so many other units.

All these are done.  I'm loving it!

On it's side because it won't fit up and down on my Design Wall.  The black strips will be the inner border and the pieced units off to the right make the pieced border that comes after the black.  I stopped at this point and will put it all together along with a 10" square set of blocks for the back when I return home.

Koxcomb is coming along nicely too.

Sunday Stash Report, April 6, 2025

Kluckies arrived from Kerry on Wednesday.  I had it all set for my flight east yesterday.  Hey, it's a long non-stop flight, a girl whose a quilter needs something to do!  I also had in my carryon my Children's Zoo cross stitch just incase binding Kluckies didn't last the entire 5+ hours flight.

In my luggage is my 2024-2025 Idiom Challenge project ready for hand stitched binding.  The reveal isn't until May's meeting so you still need to wait a while before I can share.

Although I was really busy getting my sewing projects in order before my flight, there are no changes to stash to report.  Rest assured I will be busy with  Mom's projects during my visit.

Used this week: 0 yards 
Used YTD: 77.75 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 46.5 yards
Net used in 2025: 31.25 yards

Wednesday Workings, April 2, 2025

Orange Crush Part 4 was easy with my new AccuQuilt 3" strip dye and of course Bonnie Hunter's Easy Angle ruler made this part a piece of cake.  I like how this long held back black and the red prints played together.

Orange Crush Pat 5 was quite another story.  It started out seeming so easy...just cut into the orange and blue yardage...the pattern read.  Then read on...  There were 20 of the Album block 18 of the Half Album block, and of course four corners (a Fourth Album block?).  There is only one more part to go and it's on deck after the pool this morning.  I'm thinking Krush as a name still; although something else would be considered if it's uncovered.

I'm moving along on Koxcomb too.  Last night I was able to get down the last two purple parts.  My cats are very interested in sitting in my lap while watching TV, but when the Lori Holt miniature design panel comes out they just want to sit on it.  Drives me batty!

Hope you had a fun April Fool's Day.