Under Review

If you live with someone who is a sports fan, it's likely that you know about the instant replays the referees will do if there's a challenge to a play or call.  Well, I had to do that this week with a quilt block!  

I decided to start the pink month of April with the Jacob's Ladder blocks and it didn't take long to make the first one.

I've made enough of these blocks now to know that they work best if the two prints I choose are similar in value.  Plus they need to have a good contrast with the ecru background I'm using.  But sometimes I go off the deep end and decide to try something even though I *suspect* it might not work quite right.  That happened this week because I found this beautiful butterfly print.

Isn't that pretty?!  And the salvage is neat, too.

But this - ???

Under review...

Oh no - just way too lopsided, colorwise.

So I found a different, tone on tone pink and made some new parts.  Here they are, laid on top of the butterfly pieces.

Yes, that's going to be better.

So, I ripped apart the butterfly block, made some new sections with the better fabric, and ended up with a much better block.  

So now there are nine blocks!

I've got another idea for the butterfly print!

Sharing at SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday.

I Like Thursday #477

We did something on Saturday that was a first for us, and that I am so glad we did.  We participated in the No Kings protest in our town. 

Mike and I have been unhappy and frustrated with the current president and his administration since the day he was inaugurated.  The chaos and cruelty that has been unleashed by these people is beyond my comprehension.

However, I am thankful to live in a country where we have the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, and to VOTE!  

We even made signs.  Mike wins the award for the one who was most asked to have his picture taken with his sign!  There were also many veterans there which was very heartening for him.  I think he spoke to every one of them.

And finally - my favorite signs of the day.

If you're still here, and read my whole post - thank you!  I know this is not my typical topic, and that some of you, my friends and readers, have a different point of view from me.  But isn't that - the freedom to espress our opinions - really what makes America great?!  ❤️💙❤️💙

Have a wonderful Thursday!  I'm joining in with Not Afraid of Color for I Like Thursday.

Midweek Update

In between finishing up some March projects and starting things for April, I had a few days to work on an idea I had for the two sweet fabric pieces that LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color sent me early in March.  They are both prints with people (and a dragon!) reading!  I commented on a project of hers that used this cute fabric, so she sent me some.  Thanks, LeeAnna!

I decided that I wanted to make a new tote bag out of these, so I first had to bring the focus prints up to a good size for that.  I have quite a bit of this blue green batik, so I started by framing them in that - one for the front of the bag, one for the back. 

I added some coordinating bright green to each side of that and connected both sides with a brown piece in between.  (That will be the bottom of the bag.  It's good to have it be a dark color so that dirt doesn't show!) Then this panel is quilted to a piece of batting.

I squared up the big panel to a 16 x 24 inch rectangle.  Then sewed up the sides and boxed the corners.  At this point the tote measures about 10" deep x 14" wide and 4 inches across the bottom.  I like this size for hauling around all my personal stuff throughout the day.

Next the tote needs a lining with pockets, straps, and a magnetic closure.  That won't take too long.  But first I'm going to play with my pink scraps, which is the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for April!

Sharing at The Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday Wait Loss.

And at Alycia Quilts for Finished or Not Friday

Time for the bunnies...

Last year, about this time, I stitched up this design from Melisa at PinkernPunkin called Spring Banner.  This last week, I finally fully finished it!

So then it was time to get out some more bunnies, and eggs, and the April heart for the little quilt display.

Meanwhile I've been stitching up some flowers on Spring Blessings.  

More to stitch on that top right flower, 

and that will be my Slow Sunday stitching!

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts.

One more red project for March

I finished a scrappy red placemat this week, continuing with my goal of making one in each color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

Small red bits from my scrap bin were sewn into larger squares and then rectangles until I had enough to fill a 12.5 x 16.5 slab.

When deciding what to use for a backing, I came across a yard of this cute polka dot that seemed perfect!

I liked it so much that I decided to use it for the binding, too.  These placemats make a fun and satisfying finish each month!

Here's the Rainbow, so far!

Wondering now what color we'll be adding in April!

Sharing at SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday.

And at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!

Melva Loves Scraps for Sew and Tell Monday.

I Like Thursday #476

View out my back window on Wednesday morning - 

Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods!

We estimate that it's at least three weeks earlier than normal for us.

This tree usually blooms about mid April.

I forgot to share this photo last week.  Here's my mom on St. Patrick's Day.  They had made these cute little wooden leprechauns with each resident's photo in theirs.  When Mom saw hers she said, "That's me!"  💚

We went to see this movie on Friday - so good!  At last a science fiction movie with an alien that isn't scary, lol!  Now I want to read the book.

Which reminds me...

And LeeAnna's question of the week is about our favorite breakfast cereal as a kid.  My parents bought Chex, and my favorite one was Wheat Chex.  And guess what?  I still eat a bowl every morning!  They're whole grain and crunchy, and really good with any fruit added on top.

How about a Colorado peach?  

Or when peaches aren't in season, 

I use whatever berries are in the store.

Yum!

Hope you're having a great week!

                              I'm joining in with Not Afraid of Color for I Like Thursday.

 

Stay at Home Round Robin Finish!

Recipe for a fun project:

Choose one center block plus some coordinating fabric. 

Add in various blocks and borders.

Wrap it in a final solid border.

Quilt as desired.

Enjoy the finish!

This is my 6th Stay at Home Round Robin quilt project!  The most recent four, starting in 2022, have been made as a series with seasonal embroideries.  This year I completed the series!

Welcome Winter ------------ Bunny in the Garden

Make Lemonade ------------ Celebrate Fall

Bunny in the Garden is definitely my all time favorite, 

but Celebrate Fall comes in as a close second.  

I enjoyed every bit of the SAHRR project this year!

Thank you so much to the hosts for your fun prompts and all the encouraging comments!

• Gail @Quilting Gail
• Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• Anja @ Anja Quilts

Linking up my finished project at the 2026 Quilt Parade at Kathleen McMusing

and at The Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday Wait Loss.

Alycia Quilts for Finished or Not Friday