I Couldn't Wait for September

This is the daughter's quilt.  They are finished, and will hopefully be in the mail Monday, after they are washed and packed.

The back, but if you compare it with the back below, you can see that my camera lens was fogged up due to going from the AC to the hot and humid outside.

I just wanted to show that on the first back the top and bottom are opposites of this second one.  I used two sheets and just swapped them up a bit.

The mother's quilt.  I hope they like them, they are about 57 x 84 I believe, so plenty big for a nap or reading or to take on a trip, etc.
Not very good lighting, but I was afraid to wait if I wanted to take them outside, as it will probably storm later.  Sorry.

August Finish

I have my finish for August, Tucker's baby quilt.  Now I just need to get the quilt and the pillowcases for his brothers and sisters in the mail.  I have my first bow tie quilted, and the second one one-third quilted, but I'm not sure I want to finish them until the first of September.  September will be crazy, as DH will be having a heart cath and stint and heart surgery.  Don't know when yet for the cath and stint (or is it shunt), but he is scheduled to go in the hospital for the heart surgery September 18th.  It would be nice to have my September finish done the first of September.  Looking at the letter of my goal, not the spirit.

You probably already guessed that this is the back of Tucker's quilt.  It is plaid flannel, but I figure that his dad will like that, he likes flannel shirts.
PS  That's Goofy at the bottom trying to swing into the plant.

New Rocker

Her birthday isn't until December, when she will be two, but the rocking chair is an early present.  Isn't she adorable, even with bed head, lol.  I think she needs some cushions, a pillow and a little quilt.

New Blog to Visit

I've mentioned my friend Ruth before, she is my new quilting buddy.  She now has 3 quilts under her belt and is working on several more.  She is retired, but has two jobs and also makes time for traveling, babysitting her great-granddaughter, and lots more.  In other words, she is an interesting person and she's started a new blog here.  I know that she would love it if you visited and left a comment. 

Mostly the Same

I wanted the two bow tie quilts to look the same but different, but even though the fabrics are all different except for the bow tie backgrounds and the inner border, I'm afraid that they look mostly the same.  Anyway, I now have 3 flimsys to quilt, I'd better get busy on the last 2 bindings and backs and then get to my basting and quilting if I have a hope of finishing them by the end of the month. 

First of Two Bow Tie Flimsys

The first bow tie flimsy.  Mistakes a plenty in here, but hopefully it'll be liked anyway.  She won't know the corner bow ties were supposed to have been turned differently, etc.  It's funny, they will probably look almost alike, but only the backgrounds of the bow ties, and the pink inner borders are the same fabrics, everything else is different fabrics.  I'm curious to see how alike they look.

Can I Do It

I have kept to my goal thus far, of at least one finish per month.  Nothing yet for August, and it's already the 13th.  This stack will be two bow tie quilts, everything is all cut out and ready to go.  You can't see them very well, but at the bottom of the stack are the (30) 12 inch completed what I call circle bow tie blocks.  Here are 6 of them.   There is nothing done about backs yet though.  By the way, that little tool on the far left is one of my favorites.  It's just a little approximately 1 1/4 inch wide wallpaper roller, but it is also my heatless iron for doing my seams on string blocks and such.  It works pretty well.

This quilt is for Tucker, who was born a few days ago.  Since this picture, the top is a finished flimsy, the back is done, except for the label, and the binding is done.  Also, the pillowcases are completed for the siblings.   The question is, with the way that I have been working on one thing and then the other, can I finish something by the end of the month?  Can I accomplish my add on goal of finishing all three by the end of the month?   I have 2 1/2 weeks to find out.  I've already googled C'est la vie  and am practicing it, just in case.

This baby rabbit hopped out of a bush while my Grandson, Micah and I were mowing the yard yesterday.  He caught him and was going to try to keep him, but then decided he better put him back.  He was adorable though.

My grandson, Micah, is pretty adorable too, he's my birthday buddy born on my birthday, only 50 years later.  He's my daughters son, and another one of her sons is my husband's birthday buddy, born on his birthday.   These last two pictures were taken on my blackberry, so they are a little sub par, even for me.

Back to the Bow Ties

I was going to make one bow tie quilt from 140 blocks which would have finished 60 inches by 84 inches, no borders. Now I think that I am going to make 2 quilts with 60 blocks each for the centers and 4 blocks in the border for a total of 64 blocks. I plan to use sashing not positive of the size, but I think probably 1 1/2 inch finished, then a 1 inch small border and a 6" outer border. Ill do a bow tie in each corner of the quilt border. If my figures are correct each quilt will measure 56" by 83". Also, since I already made the 140 bow ties, I'll have 6 blocks each to use on the backs.   According to my figures, which I think are correct, making 12 inch blocks from sets of 4 bow ties, I'll have the 15 blocks that I'll need (3 blocks x 5 blocks) and then using 1 1/2 inch sashing, I'll need (13) 2 inch strips or about 1 yard of fabric for the sashing.  Using (6) 1 1/2 inch strips for the small border, I'll need about 1/3 yard, and for the 6 inch finished borders, with the bow ties in each corner, I'll need (7) 6 1/2 inch strips or about 1 1/3 yards.  Clear as mud?   The top fabrics are two different whites for the sashings, the pink is for the small border, the florals for the 2 large borders, and the bottom fabric for the binding.  I'll need about (7) 2 1/2" strips for each binding, by the way.   I have a one time co-worker and her daughter, who I have been wanting to make quilts for, and I think these will be perfect.  Very similar, but a lot different, too. 
PS   Or maybe I should make myself a cute little 12" x 36" tablerunner.  Decisions, decisions.
PPS  My math was faulty, I only had 4 leftover blocks, not 12.  Bye Bye tablerunner. 
PPPS  08-13  I found the other 8 bow ties.  I thought that I had already made 15 - 12 inch blocks, but I had made 17.  The tablerunner is back on, lol.

Bright Colors for a 'Happy' Change

I wish that I had gotten these fabrics at the beginning of the 36 patch.   Connecting Threads had two of their fat eighth sampler packs on sale for less than nine dollars, with 21 different fabrics in each one.  Each set of two fat eighths is enough for one block, plus a nice little strip about 3 inches of each left over.  I thought that these nice bright colors would be just right to add a little 'happy' to my 36 patch blocks.   I also decided that I'm going to add sashing and borders to my bow ties and make them into two quilts.  I've had a mother-daughter duo in mind for quite a while to make quilts for, and I think they would be just right.   It seems the quilting wheels are always turning, either that or as I had mentioned last post, I'm wishy washy.

More Blue String Blocks

My first 12 string blocks for my Roll Roll Cotton Boll 2 blue version.  They aren't the greatest string blocks, I blame the undersized paper, but they will be ok I think.  I don't know what to work on now, I'm in RRCB mode, and I need to work on my bow ties and 32 patches (not to mention my Paintbox nbr. 2, Iowa ((Carolina)) Christmas, Amy's 2010 BOM, etc.), but the baby was born this morning at 9:12 central time 8 lbs 6 oz., 20 3/4 inches long.  Tucker Alan Carson.   Hmm, I could probably finish the baby quilt in a day or two, have my August finish, and then vacillate some more.   I'm really good at vacillating, I might even say I'm downright wishy washy.

It's Ok to Look Now

It occurred to me that regular readers of my blog may have had the urge lately to come over and smack me.  I was afraid that one more bow tie might have done it.  So, I decided to work a little on my Roll Roll Cotton Boll Nbr. 2.  These are my first 4 string blocks, only 26 more to go, somehow that doesn't sound nearly as scary as 56 more to go, lol.  I got the idea of using the blues from another blogger, right now I'm having a senior moment, but when I remember the blog I'll give credit to my inspiration. 

These will be the colors of my RRCB 2.  The pinks and browns will still be there, and the strings will be light blues.  The dark blues will be for the 300 tiny half square triangles and some of the blocks themselves.  Not sure exactly how much will be blue.  I'm anxious to see how it all looks together.   Now, back to my bow ties maybe, last time I sidetracked to my RRCB I ended up finishing it.  I figure either way, I will have a finish for August, as the baby is due anyday and the baby quilt is ready to go just needs the date for the label.  Have a nice weekend.

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First 6 Blocks

I got up early this morning to do a few blocks before I have to get ready for my routine Dr's appointment.  These are my first 6 12" blocks assembled, but not sewn together.  I will have a total of 35 blocks for the quilt top 60" by 84".  A generous sized couch quilt.
I couldn't decide whether to sort them by backgrounds or colors, but my curiosity about how many of each color I ended up with got me and I sorted by colors.  I had the most by far of blues, so I divided them into dark blues and light blues.  I also had quite a few purples and greens, but nothing like the blues.  The least was orange.  It surprised me that as much as I like orange and pink, I don't seem to have that many of them.  Is it because I don't pick them in the stores, or that the stores don't have that many either?

Last Batch

Last batch, batch number 8.  Now I have my total of 140 blocks to assemble for my bow tie quilt, which if my calculations are correct, will result in a quilt about 60" x 84".   

Oops!

I'm sure that I had more than plenty of warning if I had read it, but I didn't and I only have parts 1-3 of Roll Roll Cotton boll printed.  I was having problems with my printer so was just using the instructions from my computer when I was finishing up my first RRCB.  I wonder if I can wing it if I get right to it.  It's a good chance.  I have the first one to compare it to, and I have quite a bit of it already done.  I think it's worth a try, but it is a big OOPS.

Mother Nature and Bow Ties

Being a woman of the suburbs, brushes with mother nature are very exciting to me.  I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing the Sand Hill Cranes.  This morning this big guy (I don't know he may be a hawk) decided he liked visiting our yard and sitting in our tree.  He was here at least a half hour.  I didn't go outside, as I figured he'd be long gone, so these pictures were taken through the window and the screen.  Sorry about the quality.

I sat by the window with my camera and was able to get him when he flew off.   If anyone is knowledgeable about birds and can tell what kind he is even with the bad pictures, I'd love to know.

This is my next to the last packet of bow ties, only 20 more, I'll have my 140, and I'll be starting to assemble my quilt.  I'm anxious to see it.  I think that is a lot of why I enjoy quilting, because I want to see how it turns out.  My brothers were here last night and left this morning, it was certainly good to see them.  This afternoon we are taking one of my DGD's to the doctor.   My granddaughter in law and the baby, Mackenzie, are off on a 2000+ mile ride to get together with DH and daddy.  I'm so proud of Marcy.  She is certainly going to be a super woman after such a long grueling driving trip with a 20 month old.  Yesterday she left Memphis, Tn. area and drove about 700 miles, leaving about noon and driving until about 11:30.  Today, she is not going to try to drive quite so long or far to give her and the baby a little break.  My Grandson, Nathan, just graduated from boot camp.  I'm very proud of him, too.  While he was there he had pneumonia, plus his poor feet have been and still are resembling hamburger, or so it sounded when Marcy was telling me about how they still look.  He still graduated second in the group in physical training, quite an accomplishment.  He is going to training now for something to do with linguistics.  I'm very proud of them both, and of the baby for enduring the riding mostly in good spirits.  I'm so excited for them to be together again, and to have their own home together after being apart and living with others for the past several months.

Even More Blocks

My daughter and her husband caught strep throat from his daughter, so my brothers decided to wait until Monday and not possibly get it, too.  So, did I take advantage and get the house looking its best, no I made more blocks.  I have 24 out of 35 of these now.  I also realized that one of these equals 4 of the bow ties and at some point I may have to see what kind of chaos results from mixing them.   I also have enough paintbox blocks for a quilt, and they would also equal into the same size.  I probably won't mix them, but I have to look and see what it would look like.

I think I must be brain tired as the last row seems to have had a mind of its own. 

More Blocks Done

The doctor called and changed our appointment from Monday to tomorrow, and my brothers are visiting over the weekend, so I decided to do another batch of blocks.  This was supposed to be mostly pink, but it didn't work out that way.  I got into my long quarter yards, and liked these fabrics too much to go on looking.

I was on a roll so I did batch number five of my bow ties while I was at it.  I was still in a pink mood and was thinking great, pinks or reds or greens coming up.  What a disappointment.  The only reason that one odd green is there is because when I started sorting things out I had a duplicate of one of the fabrics.   I'm sure the next batch will be something other than blue or black or purple, at least I think so.

Keeping Up

Second week, second set of blocks.  Check.   Keeping up to date with Crazy Mom Quilts quilt along.

At least one bow tie block done a day.  Check.  Fourth batch of blocks done.  Sixty-eight done, seventy-two left to go, "but" they are cut out and waiting for me.   DH had his heart cath on Monday, and did well.  One blockage, but not bad enough to do any surgery.  We'll find out more next Monday when we go to the surgeon about his leaky valve, and a few days later when we go to his follow up appointment with his cardiologist.   Oh, I have my cheddar fabric, but I haven't started my cheddar bow ties yet.  That one, with Bonnie Hunter, doesn't really have a set time line, so I'm not officially behind, but I need to get started.  Oh well, two out of three, not bad, and usually I'm worse.

No Quilting This Weekend

Didn't get any quilting done this weekend, although some projects were calling my name.  I was thinking that I had until the end of August to do the pillowcases that I had promised to Carol at Brown Quilts.   Luckily, I thought I'd just take a look at the email to double check, and oh-oh, it was August 1st.  I hurried up and did two pillowcases and got them in the mail, (then I realized that she only lives about 15 miles from me, so if worse came to worse, I could have delivered them myself, lol).   I figured while I was at it I might as well do the 7 pillowcases that I want to send along with the baby quilt that I'm working on.  So, no quilting, but i did get 9 pillowcases done in the last 2 days.  My new quilting buddy Ruth, is coming over one day this week to do pillowcases, but I can show her how and I can work on my bow ties, or my 36 patches or my RRCB string blocks,  you get the picture, I'm not without projects.   Hope your weekend is good.

I Need Another Project (Not)

Let's see, I have my second RRCB, my second Paintbox, my Iowa (Carolina) Christmas, the last half of Amy's BOM sampler from 2010 and a couple of other quilts to finish, not to mention the baby quilt that I have in progress.   I have the top back and batting ready for the baby quilt, but can't finish it until I have a definite birth date.   Also, I have 10 pillowcases to do by the end of August at the latest.  Sooo, what did I do.  Yes, you are right.  I started 3 quilt alongs.   I have already blogged about the Summer Bow Tie Quilt Along, and I have Cheddar fabric coming today for Bonnie Hunter's Sister's 2011 Leader/Ender Challenge.   So, of course, I needed to start another quilt along, as things come in threes.  These blocks are my first six from Crazy Mom Quilts 36 Patch Quilt along.     The only good thing is that I'm using up lots of scraps.

Baby Quilt

Here are some blocks laid out on my "design bed".  I have a small design wall, but sometimes the bed just works better, and the blocks don't get blown off by the fan.  I hope that this gets a lot better when it's sewn together.  I think as usual, my idea of a baby quilt is more like a small child quilt (maybe not even that small)  It will be a little under 42 inches by 54 inches finished.   I don't plan on a border, and I plan on using a red binding.  A long time ago I saved a picture of a quilt that I liked and that looked easy in my folder "Quilts to Make", and this is my take on it.  The one I got the idea from was green and red with plain blocks.  I would show the picture, but I don't want to offend someone, since I can't remember where I saw it.