And Just like that - things got hectic!

 We're looking for a new rental in Brookings, yes, I know we've only been here 7 months - but not really our choice.

So whizzing around trying to see rental possibilities early - not after they're gone.  Yep, the rental market is that crazy!

Good thing I have quilting to keep my sanity!!  Ok, I heard that snicker!!

I've been making TAST work for me!! I've added stitches onto a sampler I started 15 years ago??  It was when we first moved to Oregon and I wanted a 'ocean' sampler.  It's very satisfying to watch it grow!

 

When I found it - this was how far I was.  Now - 9 more lines!!

Working on Edyta's 2020 BOW mystery.  My scrappy fabric choices didn't do much for her setting, so using the blocks I made I reorganized them into something I think worked well.  And of course, I have to make more border blocks - but did that yesterday!  So a few more tricks to make it bigger.  Original was 60 x 60 - not much good for snuggling under!

 

Edyta's version looked much better in her fabrics - but I love the zig-zag around the center in my variation!

AND I found #scrapsnap project from 2020.  Right up my alley, too bad I didn't see it back in 2020!!  Making color blocks each month and the finished quilts are awesome and definitely not cookie cutter quilts!  I'm hooked and I'm making it faster than their schedule.  Starting my third grouping today!

  

The Olympics were sometimes hard to watch, especially the 15 yr old from  Russia skater.  But I always watch them - love most of the stories.  I drug out a languishing quilt that needs to be finished and hand quilted every night.  Unfortunately, the Olympics ended and the quilt went back into the closet.  2 more easy borders to go ... soon, she promises!

AND because we needed some fun ... P & I started the improv-ish bird blocks!  We made some for baby quilts several years ago at a Finishing School.  And we both wanted to make a wall quilt ever since!  In one weekend, we made 3/4 of the blocks!! I love them, Now just have to get back to it.  

 

Birds with striped legs make it so fun.  Don't you love P's crossed leg one! Needs a cigar in it's beak!!!

Believe it or not we finally got over to Medford last weekend to celebrate Christmas with the Panama Gang! The weather was fairly clear and the kids were getting over colds - gotta make hay while the sun shines!  It was great fun to see them.  We ate Chipotle for lunch and brought Noho Hawaiian home for dinner!

We all watched the live-action Dora the Explorer and it was a blast from the past and entertaining on all levels.  The boys had a video game contest and the kids and I made some of their drawings into moveable figures.  Light cardboard, brass brads for joints.  Hard to convince the boys we needed the drawings BIGGER and we didn't have a paper punch.  Next time we will - ordered a sharp craft puncher on Amazon!!

Home for Fun Day at guild.  I haven't been very active in guild - COVID of course didn't help.  I had turned over the QOV program to another member and felt like hanging back so she could make it her own. Well, that was an easy excuse anyway!

This month's project was improv place mats.  I made mine into a table runner.  Gotta love stripes!

Hope to be back on a regular schedule blogging - see you soon!

#100dayproject 2020

I have participated in this Creative Art challenge on Instagram for a few years.  I always start out like gang-busters ... and you know the rest!  This year, we're in quarantine for 'who knows how long'!  My days are becoming kind-of hit and miss as to getting anything done vs playing Wheel of Fortune all day!!

I wanted to do better while in the quarantine mode.  But after a bit of a drive at the beginning I find myself drifting.

What do I want to do during the next 100 days??  Well, I miss our visits to see Grandkids.  We were DUE in March, rats!  So as one part of #100dayproject I'm playing a photo game with the GKs.  The age spread is from 13 to 3!  So obviously I'll have to send at least a couple of pix each day.

My idea is to take extreme close-ups of things here on the coast.  Some in our house, some in our complex and some on the path to the beach.  The kids are here often in the summer at 'Camp Nana / Papa'  Our complex is being re-roofed!!  Quarantined next to an ongoing construction zone!  Let's not go there!

Every day I will take a close-up picture and send it. for the Panama gang, I'm messaging it to DS.  He'll handle any photos that are sent back.  The older GKs are in Portland and on Instagram!  So I'll post their pix online.

When I take the photo, I take a 'reveal' photo at the same time.  So - I'll post the reveal after they have guessed!  Why?? - well, I feel isolated and like I'm loosing touch with them.  I'm hoping we can start a back and forth conversation doing something creative but easy.  Some ongoing joke between us for years to come? One can only hope!

Here's the photos I sent/posted today!  Remember ages 3 to 13!!  I have no idea how much interest I'll get. I'm starting off easy, don't judge!!  LOL!

For Portland kids  Ages 13 & 11

For Panama kids   Ages 9,7&3

I'll keep you posted!!

Meanwhile, do you have projects that you love?  That you have all the supplies somewhere, that you never have time to work on???  Boy, I do.

I have a Quarantine project for ModSquad that I have desperately tried to keep in my brain while I work on 100 different things.  Is it 'Squirrel!' syndrome??  What ever it is I have it bad!

During past #100dayprojects,  I have tried and tried to work on one project - preferably to completion.  HA!  What I decided might work this year for the whole 100 days is:  I need time to work on what I want to!!  Time to strike while the iron's hot.  While I still have that idea in my brain ... when I come across that fabulous fabric somewhere safe - I get it ready to go and then I GO!  

It should boost my mood, my creativity and possibly (I'll believe it when I see it!)  help fence in the piles in the sewing space??  My goal is to work on the project I choose that day for at least 1 hour!

That being said, there are two quilts I have been aching to start for YEARS.  I love scrap quilts (but YOU know that!)  So I'm going to make 1 10" plus/x-plus block every day.  I can't believe how easy it is!!  Yep, made one today!!

For a 10" block you start with 

4 - 4 1/2 squares for the corners; 

10 - 2 1/2 squares background; 

2 - 2 1/2 squares for cross; 

1 - 2 1/2 x 6 1/2 for cross.  That's it!   And it's a blast choosing fabrics!

I don't know how big I'll make it - probably not 100 blocks!  Although that would not even put a dent in my scrap stash!!  When it get's big enough, I'll move on!  I need to make a summer baby quilt, that quarantine Modsquad project, I'll need a silent auction item (I'm thinking another spring challenge wall quilt - I'd like to do it again in other colors.) for the Newport August Quilt Show - surely this will all be over by then!!!  Please??

Stripe Me Lucky by Jen Kingwell Designs is calling me too!  This could be the year!!! I know it won't go as smooth as I'd like ... that's SOP!  But even if I don't make it the 100 days AGAIN this year - it will be X number of days I did more!

There's Sue Spargo's BOM from a few years back.  I digressed from the pattern, not a surprise! So now I'm trying to fit the blocks together when I have some time and a free design board.

I was making Jen Kingwell's BOM mystery last year (lost interest when we didn't really like the final layout!) and My Small World, both bogged down.  Love to get at least the tops done. 

And of course, after I finish 2 sets of blocks in Edyta's Quarantine mystery, I'd like to put that one together ...

It all starts tomorrow!!  Good night! Stay safe and QUILT ON!