Ruxin Needs Attention...or something

Lately this guy is extra-needy. I don't know what's got into him because he definitely gets tons of affection and attention. Anyway, here he is sitting between me and my computer. I usually just let him do whatever he needs to do but I can't figure him out these days.

Yes, there is a mouse pad under his belly. That's usually where I keep a glass of water. Good thing I didn't have one today.

Sparkle Punch Quilt WIP

I've been admiring the Sparkle Punch Quilt pattern found in one of my quilt books for a very long time. The book is called Scrappy Fat Quarter Quilts by Fons & Porter. There's also a stack of fabrics I purchased at the West Bend Quilt Show this last February that catches my eye whenever I open my fabric closet.

It's kind of funny how the stars all seem to need to align in order to see how these two things can go together. Maybe it has to do with my recent purchase of an entire bolt of Kona ivory solid fabric. Having the availability of that much background fabric is such a luxury.

As I took apart the fat quarter bundle from the quilt show, I was getting really excited to find that there was enough fabric in the bundle to make the Sparkle Punch quilt top.

The quilt instructions state to make 80 sets of five 3 and a half-inch squares and almost as many solid squares to make the wonky star points. Plus there's other blocks that include partial wonky stars as well. I think I will be working on these cute little star points for a very long time. But what a great project to take along to open sew.

Go Pack Go! Quilt Kit

I purchased this quilt kit at one of my favorite quilt shops a very long time ago. I put it in my sewing cabinet and forgot all about it. A few weeks ago I discovered it in the back of the cabinet and pulled it out into view.

I knew this kit would go together quickly and I really needed a quick project. I needed it fast because I have access to a longarmer at the local senior center on Wednesdays. It was Tuesday night and I didn't have anything ready and I really wanted to use that machine. So lo and behold....a finished quilt top made with a panel surrounded by four borders. Got it done in no time.

Once I got to the senior center I loaded the quilt top onto the longarmer with the help of the volunteer expert. I free-motion quilted it in less than 3 hours. I had a great time trying out the machine. It was a lot of fun and it made me wish I had one at home. This morning I put the binding on to finish it off.

What fun it was to make a project on a whim!

Slivers Quilt As You Go Table Runner

I put together this quilt as you go table runner kit for a friend. She didn't like trying to start this runner so I took it on for her. I followed the directions to a tee and here are the results. I struggled to get the points right and each section of flying gees lined up because of the bulk in the batting. I really had a hard time with this little project. I did like the quilt as you go concept since it required only one piece of batting, not many that have to be sewn together. These are also not my favorite colors so that made it even harder to complete.

On a good note, I am glad to have the opportunity to try something new. Working a quilt as you go pattern was a new challenge and putting together the navy/blue colors was a nice step outside the box. This table runner will be donated to a charity so I am happy about that.

The Best Stewed Tomatoes Ever

My garden is just bursting with San Marzano tomatoes. I can pick an entire bowlful every day. Today I decided to gather them all up and make some stewed tomatoes.

I cleaned and blanched 126 tomatoes. After removing the peels, I hand-squeezed all the tomatoes into a pot, added a green bell pepper I picked from my garden and cut a bunch of parsley from my herb garden.

I love it when I can make an entire recipe with all the ingredients grown right in my backyard. The amazing thing is that I can pick another 100 tomatoes each week. And I look forward to having them keep coming for as long as possible.

The recipe can be found here.

I was surprised that all those tomatoes made a grand total of 8 pints of stewed tomatoes. I am happy to have this task completed and look forward to the next batch...I think I will be making some salsa next time.

Fanciful Quilt

I made this quilt from a pattern found in the Summer 2016 issue of Easy Quilts by Fons & Porter. The pattern is called Fanciful and it goes together very easily.

I love how the bright colors look using this pattern. The colors all play well together. On the back I used some large flannel pieces from my stash. The fabric for the top was from a large collection donated for making quilts for Quilts for Kids.

I've been making so many quilts for Quilts for Kids that I ran out of labels. I look forward to our next Quilts for Kids meeting so I can get some more.

Patchwork Quilt

I had a panel from the donated fabrics over at Quilts for Kids. I decided to dig out some matching colors from my fat quarter stash and experiment with making blocks. I settled on just some simple patchwork. I cut the panel so that I could make an asymmetrical grouping from the cute prints.

The quilt design didn't turn out great, but that's the fun of working with the donated fabrics; I get to experiment and try things I would not have otherwise. I used some large flannel pieces from my stash for the back and made some matching binding out of a nice blue marble.

The quilt still has a nice warm and cuddly feel so I would like to think someone will get some comfort from it.

Fabric Scrap Contest

I purchased this bag of scraps with the intentions of entering a contest over at Coins and Quilts fabric shop. All I have to do in the contest is take a photo of all the fabric in the bag (which I did) and then make something out of it. It can be anything. So I think I have a plan for the Berenstain Bears fabrics but that's as far as I got. Hopefully inspiration will kick in and I will be able to have a decent entry for the contest. The contest ends in September so I better get moving.