Forest Update

I've been having fun avoiding my tiny trees but I didn't want another UFO growing right under my nose. 

So I buckled down and sewed three mostly completed sections together. And guess what? It wasn't so bad! I'm not sure why I've been putting this off. 

So I started pulling fabrics to see about a border between these two sized blocks. I thought that green strip fabric would be good but then I saw this gold strip fabric. I think I like that gold strip. What about you? Do you have an opinion? Please let me know which fabric you like. 

I thought I might flank that gold with a brown like the trunks and border the big trees. Then maybe that same border around the whole thing? But I won't know till I get there. 

I wanted you to see my mistakes and learn how I fixed them. 

Those tiny tree trunks are on a 4 3/4 block. When I trimmed them, I lost a tiny bit of root. And then when they are sewn together they lost a bit more. 

My solution, paint those roots back in with a permanent market. Bet you didn't notice in the first picture. 

These little trees look like camouflage to me. But I only had enough of the green check fabric to make three trees. That's what a stash is for, for finding other coordinating fabrics. (Then crossing your fingers and hoping it will look like you meant to do that the whole time!)

Mr Dorian has taken over my new laundry basket. Cousin Linda gave this to me for Christmas, (plus all that tissues paper that makes a nice bedding for a cat) and I haven't used it once! He thinks its a cat bed. This has become his new hang out and I'm getting a bit jealous. This is also my excuse why I don't fold clothes but once a week. It's the cats fault!

Take care and have a wonderful day!

Brandie

Small Finishes

During the rainstorms we had last week, I hide away and completed a couple of UFO's. 

This first one I don't think I even had on my list but that didn't keep it out of the UFO pile. According to my blog records, I started this linen quilt last March. I wasn't happy with the quilting and just threw it in the pile to take it out later. When I pulled it out of the pile this year, I couldn't see what I didn't like last year. Sew I finished it up. 

I think I wanted absolute beauty but I'm learning to settle for "good enough". 

I also uncovered another UFO that just needed a backing. Again, I sewed it up, quilt it up and gave it to the guild to pass it along to someone who will love it. Of course I didn't take a picture that would have taking planning. 

And I wasn't lying when I said I'd finish up Lori's Midwinter Blues. 

This quilt is a favorite with the cats. They really appreciate that cheddar!

Then I tripped over a pile of Minky and thought, why not just cut it up and sew it together? Sew I did. 

It's the softest quilt I've ever made! Too bad I didn't have enough to make an adult sized one. 

The backing is pretty perfect too. Just stuff that's been in my stash pile since I first started quilting, 15 years ago. I think it's a match made it heaven and it will be perfect for a sweet baby girl. 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Take care, Brandie

A Productive Weekend

I was too impatient to wait for Lori to give out the next set of instructions, so I forged ahead on my own. This was such a fun sew along! It was an almost finish for January, almost. 

Its all quilted, I just need to trim it up and put on the binding. Easy-peasy!

Remember that other UFO box I got into just to avoid those tiny trees? Well I finish one of those blocks too. 

I am using my cat weight to keep the block from running off. Sometimes, that cat just won't leave me alone! I think he thinks I quilt for him. 

Anyhow, this block is block three of "Party in the Garden" by fellow blogger Lynn (sew'n wild oaks). 

I started this quilt two, three years ago and forgot about it. Not sure why I just stopped but its time to finish it up !

And finally I got one ring on one block of my hexie stars. 

I had my box packed for a visit with my SIL. She is still in a care home but it looks as if she might be on the road to recovery. She has had so many set backs! She still doesn't speak but she can read and write, which is great! 

Yesterday was her birthday so we all piled into the car and spent the day with her. She was in a great mood and very responsive. She even ate part of an In and Out burger and half her fries! That was wonderful because she has gone a long time without solid food. We all have our fingers crossed that this means she's improving. 

Have a Wonderful Monday! I'm planning to!

Take care, Brandie

Midwinter Blues

Of the quilting kind. Those are the only kinds of blues here, indigos that is. 

Have you started Humble Lori's quilt along? 

I knew I was going participate, I just needed to gather my fabric. 

Then I had a great idea. Use the fabrics that Lori personally gave me last February! 

These little squares have been sitting on my shelf in my cute little fork stand that my Daughter gave me. But I decided to break up a perfect set to make a cute, quick quilt.  

Yes I had to piece the centers but that makes it more me and I love that Lori gave me these fabrics! A perfect union!

Really I think I'm avoiding those tiny trees! It's starting to feel like work with all the cutting, trimming and pressing. And I'm feeling lazy! So lazy that I pulled out another UFO to appliqué so that I can avoid those trees. Shame on me! No finish this month!

But don't feel sorry for me because I'm still having fun. I finished my little red blocks and now I need to send them to my Valentine. I sure hope she likes them! I've owed her for over a year! Bad, bad, bad! I hope she doesn't remember how long it's been. Maybe she will be completely surprised and forgive me. Keep your fingers crossed!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Take care, Brandie

Petite

I'm just stitching away. Either on those tiny trees or this little red thing. 

It seems as if I need to work in a small scale. Hope I get over it soon!

Have a happy Tuesday!

Take care, Brandie

Stars Part 2

I don't know if this is a star or a snowflake, but I like it. I had fun with the embroidery, which is what it's all about. I need to take time and enjoy my hobby and not be in such a rush. 

My second star turned out more like a Sheriff badge but I still had fun.  

I'm still working on star 3. Not sure what I'm going to do in the other corners. I liked some of the patterns that were used by others but most of them have leaves and I'm not sure how I'd like blue leaves. So I'm still thinking about it. Any ideas?

Happy Wednesday!

Take care, Brandie

Block 1

I've finally finished my BB block. I wasted time fiddling with the corner leaves on the buds. Because I reduced the pattern, the leaves didn't come out with much of a scalloped edge. But I tried and my fabric frayed so I just rounded them out. No biggie, just a speed bump. 

I'm looking forward to the next block of this quilt along. The next block has more recognize able flowers and they look beautiful. 

I did a bit of embroidery on one of my stars but I'm not sure if I'm done yet. I'm just looking to enhance my star and not take over. That can be a hard call to make when you are confident in your skills. 

Last but not least, I've been bitten by Bonnie Hunters latest mystery quilt along. Since its no longer a mystery, and everyone has been posting their pictures, I just can't stand it! I need to make that quilt! 

So I went to my stash and I gathered up some fabrics and I'm super excited to start it! But I need to finish my trees. Yes, I must finish those trees. Tiny or not, they need to be completed. (I'm giving myself a pep talk)

Happy Tuesday!

Take care, Brandie