Bowtie Business and a little Unsewing...

A couple of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge WiPs needed some attention this week, and since I am all done with the red blocks I needed to make for July, I pulled them out.

The bowtie blocks are so close to being ready to sew together into a flimsy, and I'm very ready to work on a finish right now!

I decided to stop at 90 blocks, which will make a quilt about 54 x 61, which is a good size for me to finish up.  You can see I just need a few more blocks, and after laying everything out the other day, I think I need to make a few more purples and a few more oranges.  

These will work for that purpose!

I also decided it was time to remake the purple Scrappy Sprouts that I first made way back in February.

At that time, I didn't really have a clear vision for this project, so I mixed the light and dark purples in both blocks.  After making more blocks as the months went on, I realized that I liked making a light block and a dark block for each color, and these didn't fit in!

So, I  pulled the blocks apart into their basic parts, rearranged a little, and ended up with this - 

The dark purple sprout had plenty of squares and HSTs to go back together easily, but you can see that I didn't have enough in the lavendar colors.

So, after hunting around in my stash, I came up with a strip out of a jelly roll that I received for participating in Hands2Help earlier this year.  (I was a really late entrant to that event, but Sarah still sent me this pretty fabric, bless her!  I'll definitely use it to make a quilt donation for next year, but more about that another day!:)

It's really perfect for this block!

And now these two blocks look soooo much better!

And they fit in much better with the rest of the blocks, too!

Sharing at Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!

July in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Red was the color for July in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and I had fun sewing with my red scraps this month!

There were red Scrappy Sprouts -

and red Squared Away Sampler blocks. 

Red bow ties - 

and some red, white, and blue coasters, too!

This week I finished up the dark red Tiny Rails block, so now there are two of those, too.

And 12 all together!

Sharing at SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday!

I Like Thursday #92 - Sewing with Friends

Earlier this week, our nephew and his wife and their two kiddos came to stay with us for a few days.  In preparation for their visit, I dug out some of the toys we've saved around here from when our kids were growing up - Legos, toy cars, sea animals, books - that kind of thing!

All of these toys got lots of use -

The fountain was a great spot for the sea animals!

But it turns out that my sewing room was the most favorite place of all!

Ellie, who is 8, is very creative and loves to make things.  So, create and make we did!

A pillow with birds on it!

Ellie's design using fat quarter pieces and scraps made a larger quilt that we backed with some purple fleece I had.  (I think that fleece was just waiting for her to come visit!)

Little brother, Will, who is 4, wanted in on the action, too, so he helped design a couple of pillows and this drawstring bag.

My pincushions got lots of use - 

And they explored the button box, too!

But, by far, the favorite "toy" was the basket of scraps I keep under my cutting table, where I throw the leftover bits before sorting them into color tubs.

On the very last day, Ellie pulled out a bunch of polka dot scraps and designed this fun little piece - 

She cut the scraps into little pieces and I sewed them in long rows, but left the bottom of each piece open, which created a "flappy" effect!  I think this one was my favorite!

We had so much fun while they were visiting!

"Sew Happy!"

Can you tell I really enjoyed this family visit?  There was a lot to like about it.  Hope you're having a great week!  I'm joining in with the I Like Thursday gang over at LeeAnna's place, Not Afraid of Color.  Hope you will join us, too!

Something summery...

I was in the mood to sew with some very different colors from the red, white, and blue that have consumed my time during the rest of July, and I decided my little chest of drawers that sits by the front door needed a new summery topper.

Thinking about what represents summer in Colorado, I came up with beautiful blue skies, white, fluffy clouds, bright (and hot!) sun, and... 

rabbits!  Yes, this is the year of the wild rabbits all throughout our neighborhood!

So I pulled these fat quarters from my stash - orange, white, and blue!  :)

Flying Geese were calling to me!

To fit the top of the little chest, it only needs to be about 12 x 18, so this was all I needed - 

A backing made from two of the fat quarters, and some straight line quilting following the shape of the flying geese - 

and I decided the sky blue would make a great binding!

Perfect!

The leftover pieces from these fat quarters are already finding their way into my other scrappy projects!

Sharing at Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!  

Caught Red Handed!

There's been some more red in my sewing room this week!

This bright red 10 inch Tiny Rails block is finished -

and enough bits sewn together for a dark red one, too.

When that one is sewn together, there will be 12 of these blocks.

Progress in little bits and pieces!  600 of them, so far!

Two red Scrappy Sprouts are also finished now.

I love this project more and more with each new color added!

Those purple ones still need to be fixed!

After I've made 20 of these fun blocks, I'm picturing a 4 x 5 layout with four scrappy blooms at the top.  Maybe some green sashing between the columns of sprouts, a border...?  Hmmm... I'm going to enjoy figuring this one out!

Need some Red inspiration?  Check out the other Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts at SoScrappy!

I Like Thursday #91 - Red, White, Blue, and Rainy!

Happy Thursday, friends!  Welcome to our weekly celebration of all things positive, hosted by LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color.  Thanks for visiting!

I loved having a cool rainy day this past Sunday!  It's been hot and dry here, so a day of rain was just wonderful!  (The resulting humidity, not so much, but I won't mention that...)

Do you make Caprese Salad?  I discovered it recently, and we've really been enjoying it.  A friend told me her very simple recipe - cherry tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.  

Yummy!

I've enjoyed sewing on a few last Red, White, and Blue projects this week.

Friendship Stars for Kat's July/August Covered in Love block drive

and

Flags for Sue - Alycia at Quilty Girl is sponsoring this block drive to celebrate the life of her friend, Sue, who was very involved in Quilts of Valor.

I like participating in these kinds of quilty projects!  I'm a slow finisher of larger quilts, so being able to contribute in a smaller way is a really good feeling!  For more info about either block drive, click the links under each picture.

And my last like for this week - did you see the thin crescent moon with Venus earlier this week?  A fun sight that I just discovered in the western sky right before heading to bed.  I didn't get a picture of it, but there's one HERE, at Space.com.

I loved the headline on the article - "Look up!  Venus Snuggles up to the Moon Tonight!"

Hope you're having a great week!  Be sure and visit all the other I Like Thursday bloggers at LeeAnna's place!

Happy Scrappy Birds

In between other projects, sort of Leader/Ender style, I've continued to make more 9 inch Happy Bird blocks.  They are just a 5 inch center square with 2.5 inch outer borders, alternating lights and darks.  I'm up to 30 blocks now - progress!

Here's my latest favorite -

Don't you think those cats would love a little penguin snack?!

I haven't bought a single bit of fabric for this project, except for this  -

It's a two yard piece I found in the sale bin at my LQS - I think it will be perfect for the backing.

Hope you're enjoying some weekend sewing!  

I'm linking up with Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!

ScrapHappy Saturday - Red Hot!

Has it been hot where you live?  It definitely has been here...  Fortunately, my sewing studio is in the basement, which isn't everyone's favorite location, but for me it's an ideal spot in the summer!

This week there was lots of red sewing going on!  My first goal was to make two blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Squared Away Sampler.

I found two red fabrics in my stash to use for these blocks -

I wasn't actually sure if the print would work very well for this purpose, but it was what I had, and that's what this project is all about, right?!  Using what you have?!

Here are my two red blocks - 

I do like the way the print fabric looks after all!  There are a few bits of pink and green in it, and since there are both pink and green blocks in this project, I think this will fit in just fine!

I took just a moment to play with these blocks on some Kona White yardage which is the background color of these blocks.

I'm wondering what other color might make a fun sashing color for these pretty blocks...

Also this week, I finished up the rest of the red bowties that I planned 

for this month - 

as well as all of the tiny rails needed for a 10 inch block -

It turns out that I have more than enough red scraps to make two of these blocks this month - a bright red one and another out of my darker reds.  More on that next week!

Hope there was some Red Hot sewing going on at your house this week!  Linking up with Angela at SoScrappy.