Monday, July 10, 2023

Make-A-List Monday - Getting In The Mood!

 

Hi, all!

Monday is here again, with all the promise of a new week and a fresh start!  Good thing, too, because I've got so much on my plate - I need a few extra days in the week!  

First, though, let's see what happened with last week's list...

1.  Finish assembling the 12DCIJ prototype quilt.
Done! I'll have more info about this after we go through the list...


2.  Assemble the two t-shirt quilts.
Done!  These are small, so they shouldn't take too long to quilt.


3.  Source fabrics for the second quilt commission and write an estimate.
Done, and I have the materials purchased and ready to go when I get through some other stuff in the queue.

4.  Keep going with those driving lessons.
Done!  We actually got out on a major road today, and she's doing lots better - although I did let out a little scream at one point today.  Lilli just laughed!

5.  Quilt one of the remaining full size quilts for the ministry.
I didn't get to this one. Unfortunately, these will have to wait until I get some stuff off my plate!

Now, about the quilt-along.  I've received a lot of emails asking for a PDF of the pattern, and I've had to respond that I don't have one yet!  This is a work in progress, and progress is slow.  But I'm working on writing both the pattern and the tutorials, and may have one by Friday when we start.  If not, I'll have it soon after.  

People have also been asking what they have to do to participate.  All you need to do is show up!  I'll be giving you the fabric requirements in just a minute, and if you have your fabrics on hand on Friday, you'll be ready to start.  I'll provide the instructions for each day's work on my blog.  I'll try to give you about an hour's worth of work to do each day, but if you can't keep up, don't worry - the posts will be there close to forever!  (Don't believe me? Check out some past years' tutorials!)  

Now, for fabric - to make one just like mine, you will need:

        Green    -     1/2 yard or one fat quarter 
        Red        -    1 yard
        White    -     3 1/2 yards
        Brown    -    Scrap large enough to cut a 3.5" square

You can vary your color scheme as you wish.  I used prints that read as solids and a white on white just to give it a little visual depth.  If you have a good selection of scraps, you may choose to make a scrappy version - I'd love to see that!

And just for fun, there will also be a wall-hanging version  - I'm working on that one right now!!  I wanted to be sure that my tree directions were correct, so I cut out another set of pieces and realized I could make a neat wall hanging too.

OK, I think that covers the questions I have received so far.  Just FYI, most of the content this year will be on my blog - disappearing from the blogiverse for a year AND getting a late start is not good for projects like this.   But I've had a good group of ladies step up to do some special posts, and on our light days - when you will be continuing on something you started on the day before - I'll be sharing some of my favorite Christmas things!  So I think you'll find lots of inspiration, and maybe a few new projects too.

So here's my list for this week...

1.  Finish writing the pattern for this year's Christmas quilt.

2.  Write at least three of the tutorial blogposts.

3.  Work on the wall-hanging version.

4.  Keep up with the driving lessons. 
(And stop screaming!)

5.  If time permits, quilt the two small t-shirt quilts.

So I really need to buckle down and manage my time well this week.  But I'm looking forward to 'seeing' you all on Friday for the start of this year's 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop!!

Hopefully, Bree will manage to entertain herself, because it's really hard to ignore this beautiful face when she wants to play...


And now, I really need to know - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Friday, July 7, 2023

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? It's Beginning to Look A Lot....

 

Hi, all!

Well, Friday has rolled around once again - they seem to come faster and faster, don't they?  Especially during holiday weeks!  But it is Friday, and that means it is time for us to get our whoop whoop on!  Let's go!

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

On the days when I wasn't doing holiday cooking, or teaching Lilli to drive, I did get some sewing done!  I've been working on the prototype for this year's 12 Days of Christmas in July quilt-along, and today I finished the top!!  



Most of this quilt was really simple to make, although I admit to spending some quality time with my little friend Jack (the ripper) while working on that tree in the center.  But you can take heart - I've worked out all the kinks and it will be quick and simple to make one of your own!  The quilt-along will start on July 14th, and if you follow along, you'll be able to finish your own quilt top in twelve days.  Sound like fun?  

And that's all I've got for this week - doesn't seem like a lot, but it takes a lot off my shoulders, for sure.  

So - - - can I get a whoop whoop?

*&*&*&*&*&*&*

And now it's your turn!

What's got you whooping it up this week?


What's making you do a little happy dance?

Share!  We want to dance right along with you,

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The party will stay open until Sunday midnight.

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah


Monday, July 3, 2023

Make-A-List Monday - Hello, July!

Hi, all!

And hello, Monday!  It still feels like the weekend, but my calendar says it's Monday, so it's time to take stock of last week and make some plans for this one!

First, let's see how last week's list went....

1.  Gather up all my sewing supplies for our trip.
Done!  I actually found my little zipper box this time, and it turns out I was smart - I had left a post-it note inside with a list of all the tools I usually take with me.  That made it go a lot faster!

2.  Give Lilli some driving lessons!
Done!  But it's just a beginning.  It's hard to find safe spaces to teach kids how to drive these days, but we're working on it.

3.  Work on assembling the 12DCIJ prototype quilt, and TAKE PICTURES!
Ooh, have I been working on this one - and today, after much up close and personal time with Jack, my friendly seam ripper, I finally finished the five center blocks.  Pattern design is NOT for the faint of heart!  Next step, assembly!  Here's a sneak peek...


4.  If time permits, lay out the first of two t-shirt quilts.
I haven't done this yet, but everything is ready to go, as soon as I get the prototype quilt finished.

5.  Meet with another customer about a t-shirt quilt commission.
Done!  This will be a larger quilt, but still fairly simple.  

So I made some progress, even though I don't have much in the way of pictures to show.  And here's what I'll be working on this week...

1.  Finish assembling the 12DCIJ prototype quilt.

2.  Assemble the two t-shirt quilts.

3.  Source fabrics for the second quilt commission and write an estimate.

4.  Keep going with those driving lessons.

5.  Quilt one of the remaining full size quilts for the ministry.

For anyone who might be interested, Bree turned out to be a most excellent traveler!  She enjoyed the ride, didn't cause any ruckus except when we stopped to get some lunch and she saw some other dogs.  She wasn't too sure about our rental (neither were we!) but she acclimated well and slept like a champ.  She also did a great job protecting me from any random bears that might happen by....


...but she was glad to get home, even though it's hot as blue blazes here!  Her favorite place to sit is in my lap where the circulating fan blows right in her face!


My new day lilies don't seem to mind the heat though - aren't they gorgeous?



And once again, I'm putting out the call for participants for this year's 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop.  I've had a few responses but there's still room for lots more!  All you need is an active blog and the desire to share something Christmas-y with the world.  It can even be a re-post of something you wrote in the past.  Quilt or decor tutorials, holiday tips, family traditions, gift ideas, entertaining tips, or whatever else you can dream up - the sky's the limit!  So drop me a line at salliesue57 (at) gmail (dot) com and join in the fun!  The hop runs from July 14-July 25th.

So now, I really want to know - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah