Finished my RSC quilt for 2024

 Right before leaving for Colorado and our daughter's wedding, I put the final stitches in the binding of my 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt, Circle of Friends! 

Since we were driving to Colorado and spending about 10 - 12 days there, I tucked the quilt in the car hoping to get in a photo shoot. 

We were way too busy leading up to the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding! 

You know I needed to show of few snaps from the wedding!

Beautiful venue

The day after, we took off for a short trip into the mountains for some hiking (and photoshoot)!

Here is my finish!

The pattern is Circle of Friends. Here is the free tutorial. All the monthly color blocks were made from fabrics from my scrap bins. The flying geese border was previously made from prior RSC project's bonus HSTs. I put them together into flying geese. I had enough to go around 2 of the corners. Lesson:Don't throw away those bonus HSTs, they may come in handy someday!

I quilted it in a large off set spiral.  

Backing is scraps from a previous quilt back.

The photoshoot was taken at Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado. It was a beautiful, sunny, crisp day to hike and for the photoshoot!

The finished size of this quilt is 41" x 52.5"

Rainbow Scrap Challenge finished until next year! 

Need to find a block pattern to make next!

I'm linking to Wednesday Wait Loss @The Inquiring Quilter, Scrap Happy Saturday @SoScrapy, Finished or Not Friday @AlyciaQuilts, Midweek Makers @QuiltFabrication, Needle and Thread Thursday @MyQuiltInfatuation, and TGIFF @Devoted Quilter, Put Your Foot Down @A Quiltery, Off The Wall Friday @ Creations, Free Motion Mavericks @Quilting and Learning

Summer Update: Part 6

After getting back in mid August, I got to work on catching up on quilting. I was able to make several on the RSC blocks that I have let go during this busy season. 

May's color was pink

June's color was blue

July's color was aquamarine

August's color was orange

September's and October's colors are dark

I actually made a brown and black, and to even out my blocks to 12, I made a light green and a peach block.

Here are all my Circle of Friends blocks!

Linking to Scrap Happy Saturday @SoScrappy

Summer Update: Part 5

Moving right along in my busy season, I started working on a baby quilt for my daughter's baby shower.  The theme for the nursery is Costa Rican jungle with Monstera leaves and toucans. The color theme is muted greens, blues with some pinks and yellow highlights. 

The paper piece quilt pattern I purchased was only one block that finished at 18". It came without instructions. It was a bit tricky to figure out how to sew the blocks together. 

Each block had 16 sub blocks that are sewn together to make an 18" block. The number of pieces in each of the sub blocks ranged from 6 to 25. I made 6 blocks for a total of 684 pieces of fabric in the quilt. It finished at 36.5" x 53".

We had a beautiful day to celebrate this new life and the parents to be!

It was a pleasure to shower this couple and my newest granddaughter with love!

Linking to Finished or Not Friday @AlyciaQuilts, and Wednesday Wait Loss @TheInquiringQuilter

Summer Update: Part 4

 On August 1st, my husband and I climb aboard our flight to Norway! About a year ago, we had booked a voyage on Havila Voyages from Bergen, Norway to Kirkenes, Norway and back - a 12 voyage! Our total trip with travel days was 15 days!

My husband was born and grew up in Norway and it has been a Bucket List item for many years. 

After a day visit in beautiful Bergen, Norway, we boarded the ship, Polaris with our close friends On August 3rd. 

Note: We took hundreds of photos but I will limit to one or 2 per day. If you are interested, head to my Instagram page for more from each day of our voyage.

Bergen harbor

We set sail and on our first day, we sailed into Geirangerfjord, a famous fjord on the west coast of Norway. 

On Sailing Day 2 we spent some time in Trondheim, Norway where we took a city walking excursion along the Nidelva River to the Nideros Cathedral.

Sailing Day 3

We spent a relaxing day on the ship enjoying the beautiful sites along the coast of Norway! Sunset in Rorvik, Norway

Sailing Day 4

We passed the Arctic Circle today! We also sailed the magical Trollfjorden. What a beautiful site!

Arctic Circle marker

Sailing Day 5

Today we took an excursion to the North Cape where we saw reindeer herds owned by the Sami people. I also surprised my husband with arranging a trip to the bridge to meet the Captain!

North Cape marker

Sailing Day 6

Today we are in Kirkenes, Norway's most eastern town. We did some visiting but it was early and most things we closed. 

We start on the southern route back to Bergen. Although there were many more days, the ports are basically the same but at different times. I will share some of the wonderful food we had aboard the ship!

Norway is an absolutely beautiful country and the Havila Voyage cruise are a delight! Go check them out!  

Summer Update: Part 3

 July ended with a beautiful bridal shower that we had for my youngest daughter! Friends and family gathered to celebrate the future bride (and groom). It was a lovely brunch with mini muffins, egg muffins, charcuterie cups, fruit salad, BLT salad, croissant sandwiches, a mimosa bar and pretty cupcakes decorated with flowers! There were fun shower games, a photo booth and plenty of gifts for the new couple!

Draw the bride's dress

Where are the couple?

the couple

bride and her sisters

bride and groom's sisters

the moms

bride with her childhood best friends

my best friends

my sister

friends like family

My wedding gift

2 days after the shower, my husband and I leave for our trip to Norway! 

(It was booked 1 year ago.)

Stay tuned!