Halloween Bags - Check

The last 7 of the 14 Halloween bags, done.  Now, I need to make a few Christmas bags, not 14 though.  I don't think so anyway.

Rainbow Doll Quilts

I've kept up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge until this month, but I did use some of my RSC nine patches to make doll quilts for three little sisters.  Since I wasn't doing all twelve months, I didn't want three blues, so I substituted a brown nine patch.  They are only tops now, but I hope to finish them soon.

I'm going to let their mama pick who gets which, I'm just hoping that no one will be disappointed because they wanted a different one. 

I know there is one pink lover, but I can't remember which.  I do know though, that if you want to see lots of pretty baby blues you can visit Soscrappy here. 
I hope to catch up, but between medical issues and company coming, it may not be for a month or two.

And if you're disappointed that there were no baby blues, here are some that most any quilting lady can admire.

Nabby's Dowry Two Done

This is what was left before Nabby's Dowry Two. 

Not pretty, but not too bad, and free.

This is all the binding scraps that I have left now.  I did have a large magazine basket smashed down with batting scraps and a large very full garbage bag sitting on top of it full.  I'm rather proud of myself, that's 14 bags, 2 small quilts, and I think I can get another bag or two. 

Not a good picture, but it's done and it's a little busy, but I think it's going to have a place on my wall.

Mackenzie's Dolly has a Quilt

And it's very very pink. 

Even the back.  Mackenzie's favorite color is pink, I hope her dolly's is, too.
31 inches by 31 inches.  Probably 30 x 30 after it's washed.

Nabby's Dowry Top No. 2

Still a bit wild and crazy, but I like it.

Meanwhile

Meanwhile, the Halloween bags are coming along.  9 of the original 13 are finished, and a couple have been given to the chosen recipients.  They both liked them so much that they decided to start using them now and not wait until October.  I decided to make one more from scraps, and it somehow grew to be larger than the others.  I decided to use 2 1/2" squares, so it had to be 1 inch bigger all around or 1 inch smaller all around than the others.  I opted for bigger.  Then, I decided that it needed a row of black on the top and purple on the bottom, so that added a bit more.  Oh well, I like big bags, I just wish that I had made the handles a little shorter. 

Nabby's Dowry Top No. One

Mackenzie's doll quilt is a top now.  I'm very happy with the pattern, it was fun to do and it turned out cute.  The colors aren't true here, it is cuter in person, and it's a good thing that Mackenzie's favorite color is pink.   I hit some snags with the side and corner triangles, as I had made a little smaller version (5 1/2 inch blocks instead of 6 1/2) and I had to redo them, but with the help of a couple or three or four websites, I figured it out.   I've only done two other quilts on point, and they were Bonnie Hunter mysteries, and I stuck to her sizes, so I just followed directions.  I'm a little wiser now, lol.   Hope Mackenzie and her dolly like it.
PS   I hope my wild and crazy version turns out as cute.

Nabby's Dowry Step Eleven of Twelve

Surprise, this step had 4 blocks, so there are thirteen now.  Anxious to see the reveal on Friday.

Kathy of Kathy's Quilts has an interesting guess of the reveal.  It's very pretty.   http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2013/09/design-wall-monday.html 

Working With My Daughter

My daughter came over yesterday and we worked on the Halloween bags.  We got somewhat of a late start, but managed to finish 4 bags.  I had  2 finished already, and I finished one more this morning, so 7 down and five to go.   She had the ones we did yesterday gathered up ready to go (along with her keys) and I thought I'd get a quick last minute picture.

Is it Worth It?

Most of my afternoon has been spent getting my long skinny batting scraps ready to reuse.  First of course, I had to cut them into the proper lengths and then trim them to neat rectangle size.  I have to ask myself was it worth it, do we save much when we spend our time trying to save money.  I still have a good bit of time left before they're finished, as I have to sew these into approximate 17 by 27 inch sizes.   A queen sized batt is on sale at Joanns for $26.99 and according to my math, I could get about 20 of my required size pieces from said batt.  I only need 10, so i am saving approximately $13.40 and using up several hours of my time.  I'm not so sure that I can stop trying to save (there is a certain feeling of accomplishment and self righteousness), but I'm very unsure that the tradeoff in time is worth it.  If I just cut a batting into pieces, in the same time, I could probably have them all meandered and ready for my daughter and I to make the Halloween trick or treat bags when she comes in a few days.  Also, if I found someone who made dog beds or such and wanted them, they wouldn't be taking up a good bit of room in my closet.  I can't help but wonder what others think.

On the other hand, this was on sale today at Hobby Lobby for half price, and I guess that I can say that my thriftiness paid for it and more.  How do you like my pin cushions, they are socks that I filled the toes with batting and stuffed in the pocket.  Hopefully, at some point I'll make something a little more attractive, plus, they are good socks that I may want this winter.