Time flies when you are having fun or.... the summer weather is here.

 I seem to find time in my sewing studio to play but haven't accomplished too much to show you although, I feel good about what I have been doing.  

Inspiration binders!!  I had so many 3 ring binders dating back 40 years that had a multitude of ideas for quilting.  I decided I needed to tackle them and reduce what I have because I am now 75 and how many of these inpirations and ideas are going to come to fruition?  And duplicates!  Wow... so many patterns or block instructions saved, over and over for either the same ones or variations.  So, I started!  I grabbed one binder and decided I would make an index so it better be a worthwhile project worth saving and taking the time to list it.  I continued with a binder a day and that is where two weeks of August went.  A very slow process.  I read a blog - Crazy Quilter on a Bike and she is all about reducing, getting rid of stuff we won't use and dealing with paper piles.  She also suggested that any paper printed on one side can be reused in your printer.  I was taking armfuls of paper to our recycling bin and was actually worried that it might get too heavy.  Is there a weight limit on them?

However, I chose to start saving any paper that wasn't stapled.  I have enough paper to last me for years plus, the page protectors.  I will never have to buy them again and have 4 binders full of empty ones.  Once I made an index of the first binder, it made it easier with the second to see if the pattern, idea or block was something I already had.  At first, I could remember, but by the third binder, my mind was getting a bit fuzzy so I was able to check back with contents of the binders I had done to see if I already had it.  I did try to combine a few things as I went.  All the myriad of instructions for making flying geese are together as are churn dash ideas and patterns and embroidery ideas.  Now that I have condensed my binders down to 9 of them, I will make the project for 2023 to go through and pull out inspiration ideas and patterns by topics which will mean a lot more organization and I think it will be time consuming.  My plan is to figure out the various topics such as tote bags, fabric buckets, zip pouches, nine patch, rail fences, children's, Christmas etc.  I will probably just pick a few and get those done.  That will mean redoing my index sheets for each binder but oh well... eventually, I will be happy with my efforts.  

I had my great long arm quilter, Dianne from Chilliwack, return three quilts to me for Quilts of Valour that she quilted and bound.  The first one was made, starting with leftover strips and blocks from an earlier quilt this year using reds, browns and beige.

This quilt was made using a picture of a pattern I saw on Pinterest.  I figured the logical way to make the blocks and cut up some red, black and beige fabrics. 

The third quilt was donated by Penny and is a Bear Paw block. Dianne not only longarm quilts these but she also loves to do binding!  So they were complete with labels, ready for me to document the registration information and add to my stack for quilts ready for donation.

A blog I read by Preeti had a block challenge on it (am sure it is a garlic knot) but she called it a Positivity quilt and had a great method of making the blocks.  Very slick and I dug out my container of batiks bits and managed to cut enough scraps to make blocks for a quilt.  I have been adding some every evening and have enough now for a quilt top. 

Previous to this project, I joined a Quilt a long with Gudrun of GE Designs and in her pattern Kimberly, she shows a slick method of cutting 10" squares into fun square in a square block and then has two more variations that you can do with your blocks.  Since I am on a batik kick at the moment, I decided to go through and pull out any pieces that were large enough for one or two 10" squares. 

This is how it started. And how it ended... now on a hanger, waiting for quilting and binding. 

A St. Louis 16 patch is on the design wall, waiting to have blocks joined together.  This a very scrappy quilt using the leftovers from the others that I have made recently.

A St. Louis 16 patch that is slightly larger blocks, put together, pressed and now ready for a hanger and then quilting and binding and donation.

Patterns by Jen challenge for August.  The theme is cinnamon and as I have been doing, made one with light and dark reversed. 

I made a block last weekend that I saw on Crafty Quilter - Vinca block.  This will get quilted and bound and will be a table topper, maybe for my bedside table?

My August blocks for the Rainbow scrap challenge are partly done.  These are my scrappy strippy blocks.

And, another Kimberly block started using a Kaffe Fassett layer cake that I had on hand.  It was supposed to be for a tote bag but really? Another tote bag?  I knew that the 42 squares wouldn't be enough so went through my stash to find some 'go with' fabrics and cut a another stack of squares.  

This sixteen patch got put together and is now pressed and on hanger waiting for the next step.

My heartstrings group challenge for August was to find some novelty fabrics or I Spy and make something.  I dug out my kid's fabrics and had some 5" squares and then I cut some more plus I cut some 2.5" strips of the red polk a dot fabrics.  The pattern idea is one I found in going through all those inspiration albums.  Will be simple and easy to put together and I think I will easily have enough squares for a preemie for a boy and a girl. 

This is my second Rainbow scrap challenge block using orange and waiting patiently for time at the sewing machine.

Here I have two Survivor quilts finally layered with batting and backing and waiting for quilting plus my Vinca block.  One day, these will get done.  Hopefully, before the end of the month. 

We had a lovely visit with both my grandsons and one of their significant other and I gave them each their quilts that I had made for them.  Cat themed as that is their current passion, their feline pets.  Was a fun afternoon and a great way to celebrate my husband's birthday.  Love these kids!  

There you have a month of activity which also includes daily tennis for two hours, gardening and getting a handle on weeding and watering.  Plus all the not fun extras like housework and laundry.  Heading off for a couple of days to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of good friends (are we really that OLD?).  I have my projects sitting by the machine waiting for me to find time to sit and sew.  No retreat for me this year!  Am so sad but they have filled all the spots with quilters who want to attend for the entire week rather than 3 or 4 days.  I don't feel comfortable leaving my husband at home alone for that long so I like a half week where I can put the pedal to the floor and sew like crazy!  

So, will have to create my own retreat here along with all fall chores like canning salmon and harvesting our garden.