We have had amazingly beautiful weather lately, calling for time outside in the garden or just soaking up the rays. I bought a bunch of plants Monday and have slowly been getting them into the ground. There are still some petunias to plant among the tulips that just stopped blooming. I need to buy some impatiens for the flower boxes in the front of the house and also a couple of bags of "Moo Doo" to spread around. Hope to do that today or tomorrow, with Paul's help.
My Fat Quarter Shop order of foundation papers came, so I made one of each this week. I love the way "Double Date" came together and plan to make a few 6" blocks in green and cream each month until I have enough for a quilt. Paper piecing seems the only way to make this block accurately.
"Wensleydale" makes a much bigger block and seems perfect for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I may hold off on that one until 2026. I did try out a block in reds for a new sampler that's starting to develop. The blocks end up at 7" x 9".
I've decided to focus on one or two colors and work on quilts from just those tubs for a while. Hence, the red and cream/white sampler and the green "Double Date" blocks. I'll be making a few red/white blocks in different sizes this summer until I have enough for a Bags of Love quilt. I will alternate green and cream backgrounds for the green quilt.
So far, I've made just a few red/white blocks, but I'm enjoying using those scraps in different ways. I need to make some "filler" blocks next.
Friday I got out the fabric and table runner pattern I "won" in the quilters auction at the state guild meeting. As is typical of designs by my friend Tess, there are tiny pieces, but I did manage to get them all together and even quilt it.
Now I need to hand sew the binding down, and then I'll need to decide whether to try to sell it or give it away. I have two birthdays coming up in June, so if I don't find something for one or the other, I'll give them away. I have plenty of the focus fabric left so may just make another to sell when I get a chance. I noticed the fabric came from Joann's, a store I am already missing.
And finally, yesterday I went to our little Saturday quilt guild meeting to learn "Kawandi" quilting from Sarah. It was fun! I plan to take my project to Colorado in a couple of weeks to work on while we sit with Mom on the back porch. Here's my work in progress.