A May Finish!

Back in January, I followed the Sew Scraps Along with Jodi over at Pleasant Home. I chose to make the scraptacular picnic quilt following the tutorial by Nanette here. I had finished the top way back in January (here) but put it aside since I had other quilts that needed attention before I could finish this one. So after several finishes and a few baby quilts, I finally finished my Scrap-yard Picnic Quilt! 

It is all ready for the picnic season once the weather starts cooperating as it has been raining here for days. Today the sun came out and I quickly took some pictures before more rain comes. 

This quilt is completely made from my scrap baskets or stash including the borders, backing and binding. The only thing purchased for this quilt was the batting. So this is the 4th quilt in my personal stash challenge!

What have you been creating?

Another Flimsy Finish

After not getting much done over the weekend to complete my Scraptacular Picnic Quilt, 

I finished it this morning [or at least the top]! I decided to use a small white border as a stop to the busy scrappy patchwork and then add a blue and white checked outer border. 

I do love the picnic feel that the border adds to it. 

A red and white checkered border would have been great but I had the blue and white in my stash. That's what it's all about....using what you have.

All of the blocks were made from my scraps and the borders from my stash.

Doing 'scrappy' is a bit out of my comfort zone as I tend toward organized, symmetrical patterns. I'm happy with the results and that I took on this challenge as it has been on my 'to do' for some time. If you want some more scrappy inspiration, head over to the Sew Scrap Along Flickr page.

And speaking of challenge, I have finished the first book of my reading challenge. The category I read was: A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary

Well, what would a quilter carry in her backpack? A quilt, of coarse. Or even those hand pieces can be carried in your purse for the next spare moment to stitch. 

The book I read was The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs

It is a mother/daughter story about their relationship and how it is changing as they move into a new season in life. The quilt is being made by mom on the long car trip to take the daughter to college. Oh, the things you learn about yourself and your daughter when you are on a long road trip. This story resonated with me as I have taken my daughters off to college and experienced many of the same feelings that this mom has. This book is an enjoyable, easy read with a simple message. 

Head over here to see what others have read.

Friday Night Sewing

Yep! Last night was the January FNSI! I was able to get a bit of sewing done :D

Did you? 

Last week I showed you this:

My cut squares for the Sew Scrap Along at Pleasant Home.

Since my husband was out of town this week I was able to sew them together into this:

Sew last night I began ironing the blocks and organizing them onto my design wall, trying not to over think the placement of the scrappy blocks. I arranged them into 10 blocks across and 12 blocks down. 

[The whole quilt will be 10 across by 18 down but I was running out of room.]

Then I marked them to keep them in order and began sewing the rows together. I got several done before I called it quits for the day night.

The bottom 5 rows are sewn together.

And this is what I have left to arrange.

60 scrappy blocks!

Now I'll be heading over to check out what other sewing was accomplished that night. Join me here.

Progress has been made....

Yes it has! Only 2 more blocks need to be made on my personnel challenge quilt and all 20 will be finished!  These blocks have HRT [half rectangle triangles] which are a bit tedious to make. Just sayin...Hopefully I'll get the last 2 pieced tonight and then work on sewing the top together! 

In the meantime, I have purchased some backing fabric and batting for my Birdie Stitchery BOM quilt. I thought I wanted some silvery gray for the backing but came home with something entirely different. I will be piecing the back to include the extra block I embroidered. No pictures yet. 

I also cut out 180 4 1/2" squares and 360 2 1/2" squares for the Scraptacular Picnic quilt I'm starting as part of the Sew Scrap Along hosted by Jodi over at Pleasant Home. These were cut all from my scrap bins [not my stash]. 

After I missed a few FNSI, I once again will be joining the fun this Friday night. You can go here to sign up. Thanks Bobbi for hosting this month! 

Here are a couple of dishes I have been cooking up.

Potato, Bacon [Canandian], and Corn Chowder

A very colorful and tasty meal.

Beef and Mushroom Ragu

Both of these recipes are pinned on my Pinterest Board -Looks so Yummy!