Scrappy String Blocks

 What's in the can? I luv pretty tins,back a few years ago my mom was going to toss this out & I said no you don't 😄 now I can look back at when she fussed & told me to put it in the trash

These string blocks has been growing for what seems like 2 years

I've added 9 more to the mix which now make for  84, for Full size with a 11 X 15 layout I'll need 81 more before borders, will the tin hold them all?🤷 

I wanted to share an idea I got from Terri Roland back when I made her colorwash quilt, she pinned 2-3 flannel backed table cloths & laid out her blocks,when she'd worked on them enough she'd just roll it up ,take it out & unroll it the next time she worked on arranging her blocks,because its flannel the blocks stay in place,

I've got 81 more blocks to make before I do this with mine,I have 2 large square flannel blacked tablecloths pinned together with safety pins,for larger layouts just pin on another table cloth, this method works out well if you don't have a design board  or if the boards busy with other projects lol just roll it up till you're ready to work on your layout

When not in use it stays folded on a shelf in the sewing room closet

Christmas In July Plans

Family gets nervous when I say Christmas in July thinking I'm decorating"😄 I try to get Christmas projects done or well underway in July ,the main focus will be on the kitchen this year so I want projects finished &  not waiting untill the last minute 

This Christmas strip quilt top was  made last year from leftover fabrics from aprons,pillows, potholders etc.will get binded &  sandwiched with batting & backing & ready for quilting 

These 2 will get extended to a full size ,the rustic with more borders & the red& white another row or  two of blocks & borders

Other projects on the agenda for Christmas in July are

Aprons

Pillow covers

Quilted cover for the stove too

Ornaments

& more if time allows 

But the one thing I'm most excited for is hosting a

 sewing/tea party with my niece-n-law & her girls

we did a sewing party last year where we made slow stitch journals ,the girls are out of town with family so not sure if they're staying the whole Summer ,either way the sewing & tea party is still on in the next few weeks😁

There's so much to catch you up on,the block progress, Summer decor, finished projects....    does anyone make 2 post a  day? 😄

 

Sunday Inspiration

 

Happy 4th From Grace & Sadie

 It only took about 6 tries to get them to pose 😆

We had a drop in temps yesterday due to more rain coming in so off to the park we went to take advantage before the temperature went back up which it did within 3 hours 

Is anyone participating in the fabric stores shop hop? There's only one in my town & about 4 that's about an hours drive,quite a few ranging 4-5 hrs , my niece -n-law & me are going to Quilted Cow in Gulf Shores (4hrs), visit her mom while we're in town,stop by the ocean  just long enough to take pretty pictures 😆 

I picked up this pattern while in the quilt shop,I thought it was the little red school house which is very similar which I'll make anyway,its good to support your local fabric shop this pattern Im sure makes up pretty,there's tecnichs to add people in the windows like in a clas room ,the house on the bottom right is made in red representing a little red school house, handwritten words around the border etc but for now when I make it will just be red school house's 😆

 

 

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This week life has been busy but in a good way ,a lived life is a good life , tiring at times but good 😄 so why does the smallest finishes seem to take the longest🤣 one sleeve to go! just one! ,so why am I not in the sewing room🤷 fixing to head out to run something to my niece 

Another quick job I cant sem to sit still for 😄 sewing the backs to the pillow covers 

2 rows to go sewing down the binding, the weekend is full with family on the 4th, church & lunch with family & getting Sadie 🐕home Sunday so we'll see how today treats me 😄

Fireworks

Fireworks kicks off Family Summer nights  , hamburgers,hotdogs & desserts galore,the main church parking lot is blocked off for the safety of the little ones to ride their bikes, fireworks at sundown

You know you're getting old when your niece becomes a grandmother (Gigi )& references shift from niece  to great grand niece & nephew 🤣

The Butterfly's Are Back

 There's probably been others that I've missed but the little yellow sulphur butterfly was the first one of the season to come through the back yard

Later I let Grace out & had to grab the phone to catch this Hackberry Emperor butterfly,he left quicker than he came😀but I'm sure he will be back

Grace has spotted a butterfly in the Crepe Myrtle,I luv that I get to enjoy the beauty of this tree cascading over the fence from my neighbors yard, I've always told them it's their tree & they can do what they want but it doesn't bother me at all ,it will eventually cascade over the swing

Have you noticed the moon the last few nights? Its been huge! Today will be spent in the sewing room,later a family night at church with a cookout & fireworks,fixing another cup of coffee & heading to the sewing room!