November Scraps - Just Getting Started!

My collection of bow tie blocks needed some dark neutrals, so I pulled out a few black/gray/brown scraps yesterday and ended up with these -

This gray is leftover from my Stars on Autumn Lane project.

And some scraps of coffee-themed fabric from my scrap dealer friend, Cynthia, had to go into this quilt!

I've made 38 of these blocks - just a few each month since I started them earlier this year - so many more are needed!  This project will definitely continue on into 2018.

Linking up with SoScrappy and Quilting is More Fun than Housework for a dose or two of scrappy inspiration!

I Like Thursday #54 - a Fall Hike

One thing I really like about the area where I live is the abundance of open space that is accessible to residents for hiking, fishing, dog walking, etc.

Just the other day, my husband and I took a little hike at a new area that we hadn't visited before.

You can see where we were headed.  It was a beautiful fall day!

This trail meanders through a local golf course, and of course, my husband the golfer loves watching other people play!

These signs cracked me up!  Golfers one way, hikers another, and be sure to watch out for each other!

The view from the other side - 

And one last thing I liked this week - a cute comic strip that made us laugh!

Happy Thursday!  Join us over at LeeAnna's place, Not Afraid of Color,  for I Like Thursday!

Happy Halloween!

The other day I finished my Sew Spooky pumpkin mini and hung it on the fridge.

This might be the only place in my house where some quilty project is not already being displayed!  😄  (Now that gives me an idea...)

Anyway, however you are spending the day, I hope it's fun!

30 Minute Pouches

Way back in June I discovered the 30 Minute Pouch tutorial by Kelby Sews, and made this one.

Right away, I knew I would be making more of them, but it took me until this week to get around to it!

These little pouches are fun, fast (yes, really just 30 minutes!), and useful!  And you can make one with just two 12.5 x 5.5 inch scraps of fabric, plus one piece the same size of batting, and a 7 inch zipper!  

I was in need of a couple of quick gifts, and zipper pouches always make a good gift!  My mom is a bridge player and enjoys having a little change purse to keep her quarters, nickels, and dimes in, to be collected or given out when winning or losing!  To make a smaller version of the 30 Minute Pouch for her, I cut the fabric and batting at 5.5 x 8.5 and ended up with this cute little result.

The little charm on the zipper says, "Laugh!"

Another friend has a birthday next week, and I thought it would be fun to make her a zipper pouch, too.  She loves to run, hike, and bicycle, so hopefully having a little pouch that will fit her phone, driver's license, chapstick , etc., will be helpful!

Isn't that the perfect fabric?!  On this one I added a loop with a swivel clasp, thinking that might be useful for someone who's always on the go like she is!

 And here's the lining - 

Be sure to check out the tutorial (here) if you want to try one of these pouches.  They really are fun, fast, and useful!  Hope you will enjoy making some, too!

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

The last of the pink...

Back in September I started making these little blocks as leaders and enders.

They are 1.5 x 2.5 chunks of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color of the month sewn to 1.5 x 2.5 neutral scraps.  When sewn together they make a 2.5 inch square.  

I decided to make 25 of each color grouping, to eventually create a larger block which would be about 10 inches finished.

I had made these little blocks out of orange, yellow, and black/gray.  This month I made pink ones, and started sewing the larger blocks together.

Pink...

And orange...

After a little trimming - voila!

These work great for leaders and enders and use up some little scraps, too!

Sharing at SoScrappy for Scrap Happy Saturday.

I Like Thursday #53 -

I found this somewhere online the other day, and it is so true -

There are so many troubled people and places in the world today.  I am thankful daily for my home, family, friends, health, and blessings.  You, my online friends are definitely included in that!

This little corner of our house caught my eye yesterday, so I thought I would share it here.  The chair came from my grandparents' home and my mom needlepointed the seat cover for it many years ago.  Some of my favorite quilt projects are hanging on and around it.  It all makes me smile whenever I walk by!

Mary in Peoria Handmade recently shared her string backpack that she had made and enjoys using, so I thought I would share the one I've made, too.

It's all wrinkled because I use it a lot!  It's so handy for when you want both hands free or don't want to carry your purse.  The tutorial I used can be found HERE at Sew Can She.  It's called the Easy Peasy backpack, and it is!

I like these little charms I found to add to the zipper tabs of pouches I'm making.

I'm making one for my mom, and she has some trouble with her fingers these days, so I thought adding a little extra something to the zipper would make it easier to grip.  A little added bonus is that they say fun and positive things!

And here's what I do when the world gets to be too much - 

And that's where I'm headed right now!  🤗  Happy Thursday!  Be sure to check out all of the other I Like Thursday posts over at LeeAnna's Not Afraid of Color.

Midweek WiP

I finished up all of the blocks I need for the table topper I'm making as part of Carole's Stars on Autumn Lane QAL, and I really like how it is looking!

It will be too large for my dining room table, but it is destined to be a 70th birthday gift for a special friend, and she regularly hosts 12 or more people at her table, so I think it will be just right for her!

Ready to sew the blocks together and get this one finished up!

Linking up with Sew, Stitch, Snap, Share at KokaQuilts!