Random Thoughts....

In April, I promised better photos of my UFO finish, the 365 Challenge quilt.
One thing I needed to do before getting improved pictures was to do a repair. While quilting I nicked a ruler causing a broken needle which punched a hole in my quilt top--ack! I marked the area with a pin and continued quilting.

The most concerning thing was that I may not have any of the damaged fabric left. After digging through my bag of scraps, I found this piece--just large enough to replace the bad patch--disaster avoided!  

 

I picked out the errant piece, slip stitched in the replacement piece, and finished up the non-quilted area on my domestic machine. Whew--that was a bit of a heart--stopper!

And here is a better photo of the completed quilt--so big!!!

The back..... 

....and the label. 

Even though I had vowed not to do anymore sampler quilts, I pulled these scraps of fabric from my stash to make some 4" x 5" Anthology blocks. 

Using the  Amazon free preview of the book, I sewed up the first five blocks and  knew I was hooked---they're pretty addictive!

So, of course I ordered the book.
I'm planning to do the blocks in the order they are presented. My colors are pretty much like the Anthology, aside from the pink. I don't have much pink in my stash, so I am substituting yellow. 

Sssshhh...I shouldn't admit this, but there are over 800 blue and cream half square triangles in this bin....along with a bazillion cream colored strips, 80+ 4.5" squares of phone book paper, a Bonnie Hunter book and Bonnie's new ruler.

 Yes!!! I am taking a class in August with Bonnie Hunter--yeehaw!!I may have jumped the gun on making all those HST's, but I was so excited (and I also wanted to use up a package of triangle paper---that's my excuse). I know Bonnie will show us how to use her ruler to make triangles, and I still need about 60 more, so I will be plenty busy in class. Plus there are a lot of string blocks to be sewn. I'll finally be making that Jamestown Landing quilt that has been on my bucket list for years! 

While tidying up (yeah, I do that sometimes!) I found these hourglass blocks. I'm not sure when or why I made them, so I've been playing around--maybe a mug rug??

May Finish!

My May UFO is finished--all made with scraps as a leader/ender project inspired by Bonnie Hunter. This was my One Monthly Goal for May as well as on my Finish-Along List.

It's quilted with  simple loops using Signature Mother Goose thread. 

The backing was made from a print that I had in my stash and leftover pieces from the borders. Amazingly, I had enough binding scraps in red to go all the way around the quilt and then some!
I'm waiting on attaching the label, as this quilt will be donated. 

I've been keeping up with my Primitive Garden blocks.
I may have posted this one already. The bird houses are the block of the month for the Primitive Garden Facebook group. I'm making pretty good progress on the June block now--the rake. They are so fun to stitch, it's hard to stop!

A few weeks ago, I had picked up this McCalls Quilting magazine. I was attracted to the lovely house quilt on the cover designed by Wendy Sheppard. And now I am the lucky winner of a bundle of the fabrics from Windham used to make the model--I see houses in my future!!

May Goals

I have a few things I want to accomplish this month. The most pressing is my guild challenge quilt that is due to be turned in on Monday. I heard today that the deadline may have been relaxed, but I would just like to be done and not worry about it. I'll be working furiously on it this weekend!

My OMG plan is to get this project finished.
 I got the spool blocks put together at quilt camp.
I plan to donate the finished quilt, so I think it needs a border to make it a bit larger. 

(Sorry for the blurry photo!)
I found this denim printed quilt fabric in my stash--I think it will be okay for the borders....

....and I think I have more than enough binding pieces to make a fun scrappy binding. 

This was the Primitive Garden block I finished for the April Facebook SAL, so I am working on the next block (the rake). Actually, we had a free month, so I don't need to stress myself out if I don't get it done in May--I'm already ahead! 

 Linking up with Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal HERE