Design Wall Monday, September 29, 2025

 

There are times when I need a break from tiny sewing to applique.  Because of this I picked up a kit that is already cut out.  This is Gleaming from the 2025 Liberty Box (Fat Quarter Shop).  I really enjoyed working with this fabric line.  All that is left on this one is sewing the blocks together and adding two borders.  Wait until you see the outer border fabric; it really adds to this simple design.

What you see poking out of the top are the houses for Kottages and from the left Krowkissed.  I plan to start cutting out Home for the Holly Days, Scatter Garden, and Pumpkin Sitting projects this week.  Need to have something "sewy" to work on come Friday at Rosie's.

 My Design Wall is full =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, September 28, 2025

 

I am getting so excited.  This 2025 UFO will be done this year!  I have the left side vine sewn down and the right side vine glued down.  As you can see the left side bottom blossom and the crow are basted down.  I will be doing the same thing with the right side.

These are the pieces that remain to attach to the block.  The piece at the top of the photo is the top of the vase.  The two light gray pieces are the wings of the two crows.  That container holds 42 leaves =^.^=

My stash count this week adds one yard received during the week, the binding for Krowkissed.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 228 yards 
Purchased this week: 1 yard
Purchased YTD: 114.75 yards
Net used in 2025: 113.25 yards

Wednesday Workings, September 24, 2025

 

Here is my 100th house block!  It really seemed like the tremendous amount of these 2.5 inch unfinished blocks would never get done for Kottages (2022 UFO).  Slowly but surely here it is my pumpkin house number 100.  The picket fence is next.  Let me say I think the fence might stretch me a bit in its making.  I have read and reread the instructions and boy oh boy I will need all the patience I posses to get this done.  Just reading the instructions is a nightmare!  My attention right now though is to complete Krowkissed (2025 UFO).

This is the big block at the bottom of Krowkissed.  I have the crows legs, stems of two blossoms, and the start of the middle sunflower sewn in place.

When the yellow thread ran out in the needle I switched to teal to finish the second of three pieces that make up the vase.  I will go back to the sunflower next.  I cannot wait to get done with the sunflowers.  They are the worst to applique.

The binding fabric arrived on Monday.  This is the last of the fabrics that I need for Krowkissed.

Guess what I will be doing the rest of today... =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, September 22, 2025

 

Well it is nearly time to applique again.  Here is Week 11 that is the Crow and Vines Block.  I have put the Avery Label material that is used for 1/4 turn applique onto fabric.  The final trim of fabric around the templated shape is in progress in this photo.  The instructions called for 47 F-5s, but then there were only 42 used in the block.  I counted a couple of times so either there are plans to use the extra five in the special label or there is a mistake in the instructions.  Well no matter for now I march on with 42 F-5s.

I'm thrilled that this block has a placement diagram.  The lack of this for the other blocks didn't make me too happy.  So much guess work...  The placement diagram will be used in this direction then flipped for the other side.  Right now it seems that I will only need to guess on the two sunflowers that will be under the vine and to the right and left of the vase.

I should be starting in on the basting down part after my first Spanish language lesson with Gloria.  Adiós for now =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, September 21, 2025

 I have cut the Avery Label material into the shapes for Week 11 (that empty spot at the bottom).  Next I will be working on applying to fabric and cutting the shapes for stitching.  I've been waiting a bit for my fingers to be happy after so much applique.

Thursday I finished the Sunshine BOM coordinated by Teresa W.  Someone will need to make a squirrel!

At Rosie's on Friday I built six more houses.  I also purchased four pieces of fabric for the last seven.  I've already found coordinating fabric for the roofs in my stash.  Starting to get real close to the 100 Houses :)

I also picked up a pattern from Suzanne's Art House.  Not like I need another pattern, but this one for Spring, well it just had to come home with me.

Friday after Rosie's and the USPS delivery the 2025 Spooky Box arrived from Fat Quarter Shop.  I like the Pumpkin Sitting project and needed the Finishing Kit which came on Saturday.  Another project to work on and usually get done during a Rosie's day.  Cute how they added a fancy cat within all the fancy pumpkins.

I also received the backing for Krowkissed.  The binding is yet to arrive from Justin Fabric.  I suspect everything needed for Krowkissed will arrive this week.

My puppy has been stitched.  I think there are eight or nine now made.  This will be a very cute fundraiser for Rady Childrens' Therapy Dog Program.

Thanks to Janet and Christy for getting this to a donation stage.  This is the tenth donation quilt made for Sunshine in 2025.

Tomorrow I start my very first Spanish language lesson.  We shall see how this goes =^.^=

So not much on the used side this time, but there is some purchased to get projects to a completion.

Used this week: .5 yards
Used YTD: 228 yards 
Purchased this week: 9.25 yards
Purchased YTD: 113.75 yards
Net used in 2025: 114.25 yards

Wednesday Workings, September 17, 2025

I am excited to have Week 10 complete.  The blue acorn and the squirrel arms were the last applique pieces to stitch down.  

Putting the stars together (sashing) was also part of Week 10.  I have yet to put the sashing to the stars in the second photo (top and bottom).  Week 11 will be a doosey requiring much more applique.

This project's binding was finished and is ready for Sunshine Charity donation.  I'm working on the last binding project I have in the queue for now.  It too is a Sunshine Charity donation.

I have a few projects to sew, now that fabrics have been collected for them from my stash.  This acorn is the Sunshine BOM.  Anyone recognize the bottom fabric?  It is Sock Monkey fabric.  Well this time it's going to be for the bottom of an acorn.

I will be using these fabrics for the puppy block.  I wanted to make Clifford, but I didn't have the right reds to give the all red dog definition.  Maybe I can find a similar background and give a red dog a try with what I have on hand.  Many Sunshine members are making one.  Our hope is to present it to Rady's Childrens Hospital for the Therapy Dog Fundraising going on presently.

Finally I'm building houses again.  13 are needed to get to 100 and this makes about half of them.  I have a couple of bright green houses already and thought adding a bright pink (two fabrics on the bottom) would be good.  Going to bring out my featherweight sewing machine for this project.  I think it works better than my Pfaff for these tiny houses.  I'm heading towards a picket fence build for the border.  It will have me learning a new technique.

Seems like I'm busy...  =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, September 15, 2025

It is all about Krowkissed getting done!  Autumn with heart was completed in an earlier week.  It was the first part of stitching on Week 10.  The two ovals and the squirrel's tail are the first to applique down.  All three are positioned for the stitch.  Another oval goes on top of these two ovals to make a pumpkin (there are several pumpkins in the project).  Once the tail is stitched the squirrel's body gets put in place.  The two designs (pumpkin and squirrel) get repeated on the other side of the front door.

I have all the pieces ready and waiting for their turn.  

Enjoy Monday =^.^=  Here is where mine will start after Aqua Fit.

Sunday Stash Report, September 14, 2025

 This project is one from the collection of kits brought home from Maryland.  It is the most recent to finish.  I created several kits for Sunshine Charity and mom wanted one of her own.  I used all of her fabrics.  I especially like the outer border as it looks like a wood frame.  Funny, I had already made a blue binding and forgotten about it until after making a brown binding.  Oh well whom ever binds it can make the decision on which color works best.

This was the first of mom's kits to complete.  A simple eight inch checkerboard with a matching binding.  The back of this one is a blue check.  The binding is blue solid.

This story book quilt about an angel is adorable.  I used every bit of the yellow that was left for the binding but also included a bit of the blue dot just in case the yellow wasn't enough.  The top left corner is the cover of the book.  The story continues through the top row and then left to right on the second row and so on finishing at the bottom right.  The blue polka dot was perfect.  It is also the back. 

I made more labels for mom's projects with label paper also from her stash.  Aren't they precious?

When I traveled to mom's there were three Sunshine Charity quilts to bind.  This is the first one to finish.  I am working on the second while watching TV in the evenings.

Finally Week 9 of Autumn Love is in the books.  I have already started with Week 10.  I traced and cut the Avery Label templates and hope to be placing on the fabrics they will use.  I'm loving the squirrels.  Getting close to the end with only Week 11 and 12 to finish.  Krowkissed is looking great.  I'll share progress with you on my Design Wall tomorrow.

I used about two yards to complete mom's quilts.  I should have three of them in the mail this week.

Used this week: 2 yards
Used YTD: 227.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 104.5 yards
Net used in 2025: 123 yards

Wednesday Workings, September 10, 2025

 

Today was aqua aerobic swimming.  I have missed my routine this past week and a half.  Afterwards I head to TSA Pre application appointment.  I figure with my three trips a year it is worth the expense.  It will cut lots of worry getting through Security on time.

Yesterday I made Raggedy Robins cookies for the first month of my guild's 2025-2026 membership year.  I had a lot of quilts to share that have been finished since our last month of the 2024-2025 membership year that was in June.  The cookies were a departure from the ice cream the board members usually offer at the beginning of membership year.  I think it was received well.  We discussed a lot of guild business, shared projects, ate cookies, and had a make a name tag or stitch a cat ornament activity.

I have the Seasonal Opportunity Quilt for September/October to offer chances on.  I made a second Millie's Dresses with leftover scraps from the group of us who swapped dresses/border/binding.  This drawing will be in October.

The guild also distributed $20 worth of tickets (part of the membership fee) on this lovely Opportunity Quilt.  This drawing will be in June 2026.  I have tickets should you be interested.

Well it is time to get some much needed laundry done.  Sit back and catch up on Krowkissed.

Happy Wednesday =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, September 8, 2025

 

Today is a travel day to home sweet home.  I have my Kittens cross stitch project with me, but I think I will take a nap instead.  If I do wake my ear buds and my audio book Yellowface are within my reach.  I have a window seat just behind the wing so I can get fairly comfortable.

My flight arrives at 3pm with hubby picking me up.  I sure hope he plans on taking me out for a late lunch that will likely turn into an early dinner as well.

Nothing to share today.

Sunday Stash Report, September 7, 2025

 

My sister had a surprise for me during our drive to mom and dad's home on Saturday.  We stopped at a quilt shop she just learned about called the Quilters Studio.  I certainly enjoyed our hour plus stop.  It is a very nice store with lots of great fabrics.  It happened to be the last day of the Mid-Atlantic Shop Hop and I was gifted their pattern offering.  Karen gifted me an early Birthday present.  Thought I'd try out the wool mat cleaning tool.

Karen gave me a new project.  This one is cute, Santa's Hat Shop Quilt by Melissa Mortenson.  I picked up a few backgrounds and the binding (stripe).

She fell in love with the Four Seasons table runner project by Jacqueline de Jonge.  I'll be picking up all the colors from my stash except for blue when I make it for her.  This will be her Birthday present.  Her Birthday is just two days away from mine in early October.

Nothing changes my stash this week.  Gift fabric is not part of the count!

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 225.5 yards 
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 104.5 yards
Net used in 2025: 121 yards

Bingo was last night as it is each and every Saturday night.  There were no winners at our table although everyone was close.  Kwiltnkats Kloset arrived YIPPEE!  I sewed down the binding and hand stitched until 2am. I sewed the rest this morning and the sleeve during the drive to sister's home.  So happy to have this need to be done project done.

Had a tasty dinner at a restaurant managed by my nephew.  A popular place to dine in the area.  Did catch the football game, but left before all the unexpected win by the Buffalo Bills.  I'm a fan of Josh Allen :).

Tomorrow I fly home.  Sad to leave my family, but excited to be home with my man and my cats.  I will be returning in December for another week stay.  First part of that trip will be in Tampa where my brother and his wife reside.  I haven't visited them at their home and it's always hit or miss in Maryland.

Happy Sunday=^.^=

Wednesday Workings, September 3, 2025

While at mom's home these projects were found.  Mom isn't doing too much sewing except for pillow cases these days.  I sent them home to finish.

Today I attended mom's quilt guild.  They had a wonderful presentation on Calvert County's Barn Quilt Trail.  I was very impressed by what I heard.  These Barn Quilts are displayed on barns all over the United States I have come to learn.  Here is a glimpse of a few of the Barn Quilts in Calvert County, Maryland.

We also brought in dozens of patterns and yards of various fabrics for members to take for free.  What wasn't taken was dropped off with the Amish in mom's area.  As we work to clear mom's stash there will be several more fabrics for both members of her guild and the Amish yet to come.  Our next time to visit the Amish will be Saturday morning.  Mom's quilt guild will have more opportunity at their next meeting for free fabrics and the Amish will be gifted as well.

On Saturday USPS packages were dropped off for Pam (an avid bag maker) in my area and one to me.  Just can't take all the fabrics and notions home in my luggage due to the weight considerations.

Was hoping to sell and bring home mom's Janome Gem Gold 2 sewing machine and all it's equipment.  No luck, but it will come home with me eventually.  Let me know if you have an interest...

Janome Gem Gold 2

Model 661

Portable Sewing Machine

with a 15 x 11.5 Sew Steady Table Extension 

and a Rolling Luggage/Storage Case

no damage to machine, table or case

$300.00

Great for retreats and travel

Just under 20 lbs

Machine comes with a manual

Accessory case that includes: 13 bobbins

8 presser feet, and 1 walking foot

Sold as one unit

Second quilt done.  I was surprised just how well the green border looked with the other fabrics.  Next up is a patriotic quilt.  I am not certain I will finish this one.  I am expecting Kwiltnkats Kloset to arrive on Friday from Kerry.  I need to finish it up before going home.  Fingers crossed there are no problems with USPS Priority Mail.

Quite a lot going on sorting through fabrics that need a new home.  I won't get to all of it, but I'll make a big dent this week.  Tomorrow is Technology Day!

Design Wall Monday, September 1, 2025

Say Happy Birthday to this girl!  Mom says she has been getting happy birthday greetings, birthday cakes, and flowers for the past two weeks.  Of course she is loving every bit of it.  This photo is at the bingo hall.  My sister was very lucky on August 30th...

I captured this shot of North Island and the Coronado Bridge on my August 29th flight.  I don't usually take photos from the airplane, but this sight as I headed to Dulles International was worth the click.

I started right in on binding quilts that my mom had waiting.  She made the paper pieced heart blocks and I created a simple layout to finish it off.  I had just enough of the jumbo rick rack to add to the border.  It turned out sweet.  I'm already on to the next quilt...  This one will go to a charity in mom's area.