Plenty to do....

There is always plenty to do and since I have been home with workers coming and going 

(kitchen renovation in progress), 

I have had some time to spend in my sewing room. I decided that I needed to do some organization in-between projects. Since my dining room table is loaded with the odd and end contents of my kitchen cabinets 

(most things are in boxes throughout my house but some things don't fit well in boxes), 

I can't prefer not to (table verses floor) sandwich the last quilt top in my UFO's. But...

I did finally finished my Go Cubs Go! quilt that I made in honor of my life long favorite baseball team's incredible win of the World Series last year (2016) after 108 years!

I had the Cubs, baseball, and the pinstripe fabrics in my stash for quite a while just waiting for a time to make a quilt! This was the perfect time!

I used the economy block, alternating the Cubs and baseball fabrics with Kona red and blue. The sashing is Kona white. The border is a print that reminds me of hearts that I found at my now closed 😥 LQS! 

I 💙 the Chicago Cubs!

The backing is a vintage baseball print that I found online. This quilt finishes at 51" x 60.5" a perfect size for a throw or picnic. 

It is Nellie approved!

Back to a little organizing....

I found uncovered this mini quilt kit that I purchased at the International Quilt Festival this past spring. It is called Citrus Delight (one color way of many from the Friendship Pineapples series by Fabrications by Doris). 

It is a fun mini paper pieced block. 

Also, my neighborhood of Little Blue Houses had another population explosion!

There are now 56 houses in the neighborhood! All made out of different blue fabrics from my scraps. It was taking up a good portion of my design wall so the neighborhood came down (to make room for other projects). I am not done with it (or my blue fabrics 😝) yet! I'm still having fun!

What have your been doing?

It's Time

It is time to set some goals for July! We will be going through a kitchen renovation which will limit my time in my sewing room. 

Before the major packing started, I managed to sandwich my Go Cubs Go! quilt. So my goal is to move it forward and decide on the quilting and get it started.

The color of the month for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is blue so I will make my spool blocks and I will use blue for this month's Milky Way QAL star, Regel.

I also joined in Pat Sloan's new Sew Along, Grandma's Kitchen. The first block was released on June 28th called The Kitchen Table. A block is released every Wednesday. There are 4 Wednesday in July so I hope to be able to get most of them done before I update my progress. 

I'm linking up to Elm Street Quilts - July Goals.

I really like stating my goals each month as it keeps me focused. I have learned to be realistic in setting goals and to be happy if I achieve more. 

Have a great 4th of July!

Welcome 2017

Today I am setting a few goals for 2017. 

Many of the quilts I make are a challenge to me as a new technique or pattern. 

It is a rare bird for me to make a quilt over again. 

I can only think of 2 repeat quilts patterns since I started quilting in 1996.

At the end of 2016, I had a few UFOs that carry over to 2017. 

First is my mini blue houses. When I started these little guys, I didn't have a goal in mind...just letting the neighborhood grow at its own pace. At the end of 2016, the population stood at 38!

The houses are 4"

This is the last addition to the neighborhood in 2016. 

In 2017, I will continue to add to the neighborhood until I run out of blues. 

(Ha! That maybe never!)

The second UFO from 2016 is my Sail Away! quilt. This is all pieced and at the flimsy stage. 

My goal will be to sandwich and quilt this nautical quilt. 

Third in line is my Chicago Cubs quilt. I'm using the economy block for this quilt. 

So far I have 10 blocks made. 

My goal will be to start making the alternate block to compliment these blocks. 

My fourth project is this delectable mountain quilt. My goal for starting this quilt was to use some of the fabric that was donated to me and try a new technique. 

(The bright large print flowers that I paired with Kona black.)

When fabric is donated to me, I feel guilty not using it even if it isn't my colors/style. So I use it as an experiment to try a new technique and often donate the finished quilt. 

My goal will be to finish the blocks, decide on a border or not, and get it to the flimsy stage.

The 5th project that I am setting a goal for is to use this pretty scrap piece of flannel (donated) and learn to crochet a border around it 

for a sweet receiving blanket.

And finally I will once again join in the 2017 Rainbow Scrap Challenge over at So Scrappy. January's color is purple! 

I need to choose a block that I will do this year. 

I will also link my scrap quilt progress to Oh Scrap! over at 

Quilting is more fun than Housework.

This year I will also join and link up to One Monthly Goal over at 

Elm Street Quilts. 

For January, I have picked my fourth project ~ the delectable mountain quilt. 

Head on over to see other quilty goals!

Distracted!

Yes, I have been distracted for the last 5 weeks or so! You may ask what could distract me for that long? Well, it certainly wasn't the political campaigns. 

In fact, my distraction was a great distraction from all the political nonsense! 

My distraction was is the Chicago Cubs! 

I have been a Chicago Cub fan since I was a little girl. Players like Ron Santo, Billy Williams and Ernie Banks were my childhood heros!

 Although I haven't personally waited 108 years for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series, I have waited all my life (which is quite long in itself). I still need to pinch myself to remind myself that it happened!

These players are so endearing. They are the good guys. They play with heart. They were very fun to watch (and a bit nerve wracking)!

As you can imagine, Chicago went crazy! 

Everyone was is celebrating...so much so that 5 million people were crowded downtown for the parade and rally. 

The crowds down at Wrigley Field are still there. On Saturday, late afternoon, we drove down to see the marquee but had to settle for a drive by. 

People are still crowded outside!

I did manage to do some knitting while watching my beloved Chicago Cubs and finished this lap blanket last night which will be donated to a local hospital. 

I found this chevron knitting pattern on Pinterest and wanted to try it using scrap yarn. 

Today I managed to finish quilting this baby quilt which has been a UFO for some time. 

My daughter and I made it together. We each pieced some of the row blocks and started quilting it but then she became super busy. I had other projects and so it sat for a while. Now all that is left is hand sewing the binding. 

I also have my RSC quilt ready to sandwich and another quilt that I have been working on almost ready. Hopefully, not to long before I can show some finishes!