I finally got to sew. After dinner last night, I went out to the sewing room and got busy. It was nearly 11 pm when I finished, but I have all 142 – 4 patches completed for Step 5 of Scrap Dance Tango Mystery Quilt. Be sure to check out the instructions by Carole – From My Carolina Home
This month’s “clue” was posted on Friday, May 13th. I was “just” a little busy with the grandkids. That day we were having a birthday party for a certain little girl and the household was all a-buzz. We took them to the airport on Saturday morning, and when I got home, I got to work for a couple of hours, assembling one side of the block. Carolyn arrived the next day, and we had a FULL calendar. While she was here, I gave her “exclusive” use of my Janome, and I spent the time while she was sewing putting things away, getting more fabric out for our Pet Mosaic and squaring up 5″ HALF-square triangles for my newest grand daughter’s quilt .
We didn’t have much “at home” sewing time during her visit. She did however, show me her “newest” ruler and block. There is a bit of a back story first tho…..You see, Gloria Stickney of Sew Fabulous Inc, Winston-Salem, North Carolina was going to be the guest speaker and teacher at Helping Hands Quilt Guild in Dover DE while Carolyn was visiting. She was teaching a workshop with the Jodi Barrows Square in a Square ruler. I had added the workshop on our “things to do” list, but the timing was tight. Carolyn & I had seen Jodi Barrows demo the ruler at the Houston IQF, so we were familiar with the tool. Then I found this video – Square in a Square overview VIDEO . Well, one thing led to another, and before her visit, Carolyn ordered the ruler, and 2 additional books, and brought her blocks with her to work on during the visit. The books are so well written that it is “easy” to teach yourself, and of course, there is always You-tube to back you up! We attended the guild meeting and the quilts that Gloria Stickney showed that were all done with the Jodi Barrows “Square in a Square” ruler. There are so many OPTIONS with the ruler, and every thing is done with strips and squares. Having seen Carolyn work with hers, I bit the bullet, and purchased my own, along with 2 books. Now, I have to get busy and play with that tool and see what I can create. I will let you know when I use it and how it all works out. (We could not go to the class taught by Gloria, as I had a gathering with my “QUEEN BEES” . )
Also, while Carolyn was here, speaking of busy, we attended 2 “Quilt Bees”. One was with the Material Girls and the other was with the Queen Bees. At the Queen Bee’s gathering, we brought our machines, set up and got right to work, building string blocks for charity quilts. And of course, we socialized, and ate, and planned for the coming months, played a fat quarter swapping game. The Queen Bees really like to get together and work. We are also lucky in the Queen Bees to have a member who made arrangements with her neighborhood community center for space to work in. One thing about both Bees is the “planning” ahead for our Fat Quarter swaps! We have colors selected in both groups through August, and I was able to shop for those FQ on our Fabric Acquisition Road Trip to Lancaster County, PA.
Next in the stack of projects, now that Step 5 is finished, – get more 5″ HST blocks squared up! I am making a grey, coral, turquoise and white quilt for my grand daughter Addison. I picked up a couple more “grey” fabrics and more white during our trip to Lancaster. I have started laying out the design of the quilt. (Ok, so she is now 2.5 months old, and she doesn’t have a Stitching Grandma quilt yet, but she hasn’t graduated from college yet…..) Seriously, she will get her quilt before she is ready to exit the crib!! I have given up sewing days to go cuddle with her, so that is my story, and I am sticking to it. Besides, her mommy said don’t bother with a baby sized quilt, make it a double…for her big bed! So, I have my marching orders and I am not feeling too guilty for not getting it finished yet. (I posted about the quilt here – Half Square Triangle fun )
Today, however, I have a card making class & must gather my materials and come up with a plan for a lovely Birthday card for my friend June.
Happy stitching and crafting!
Stitching Grandma 