Brown Quarter Stars and The Prairie

In October 2024, according to past blog posts, brown was the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) color of the month and I started making brown Quarter Stars with 2.5 inch width scraps.

Then in October 2025, according to past blog posts, neutrals was the RSC color of the month so I made more brown Quarter Stars.

Then at the end of October 2025, according to past blog posts, I had 320 Quarter Stars - enough to assemble 80 - 8 inch Whole Stars.  In that post I also mentioned I would probably use the Quarter Stars as a leader/ender at some point.   Well, here we are in October 2026. The RSC color is once again neutrals. So, I dug out the box of Quarter Stars and am leader/endering them into Whole Stars and maybe by month end they will be ready to assemble into a 64 x 80 inch top.

And sew on...

RSC ScrapHappy Saturday

***

Gardening.

The Prairie.

Two years ago I cleared an area in front of the house for a Tall Grass Prairie.

After studying the plants that were actually natives to the prairies in this area by visiting sources like the University of Iowa Prairie Plant database I purchased some mixes with a lot of seeds for those plants from Prairie Moon Nursery. 

  In December 2024 I sowed seeds mixed with sand in the area I had cleared.

Not sure if you can read my scribbles but this a list of what was in the mixes. 

This is year two and I posted a few prairie pics on an August blog post.

Here's a view from the South of the whole area this summer.

And this is a view from the North.

Well, now is the time to cut out trees and brambles and other weeds. I have been monitoring the area and as I see certain weeds ( like ragweed) starting to go to seed I try to get them out of there before that happens.  This year it is also suggested that the area be cut to 6-12 inches. 

I started working on the South end. After I cleared out a lot of wild raspberries, wild grapes and greenbrier, black walnut trees and virginia creeper from the area in the shade of those trees it left kind of a bare spot. Mostly Golden Glow Rudbeckia that I transplanted from another area last year was growing there.  I've done some research on the plants that will tolerate some shade and will sow some seeds there after all the prairie is cleared. 

Again on the South side going west from those trees. There are a lot of nice plants with seeds the birds are dining on right now so I didn't cut most anything here down to 12 inches. I figured any remaining seeds will fall and sprout sometime in the future. 

Continuing on to the North I cleared a lot of area and did cut some things back.  Up by the telephone pole and those two skinny trees was another shady area full of Snakeroot (Ageratina Altissima) that just popped up in that area. It's kind of invasive and woody so I tried to dig most of it out. I will sow some seeds there after the whole area is cleared with seeds that will tolerate some shade.

This area here on the North side is what I have left to clear and cut. 

I know there's a patch of poison ivy there about a foot in from the edge so hoping I remember to avoid it. I might put some heavy plastic bags over my shoes and pant legs before I wander in.

This is a close up of what I've been dealing with. There's a lot of good plants in here like monarda, several types of asters and rudbeckias and mints and grasses. But then there's always a few trees that pop up here and there. And there's some invasive honeysuckle in there too.   And I spy a wild rose that was not in the seed mix. They also pop up here and there around the property. Well, I do love roses and I see that 4 different types of native roses (meadow, pasture, smooth and carolina) are in the native plant database for this county so I think I will leave that there for now. 

Here's some of the seeds that need stratification that I will be sowing soon in those partly shady areas. 

Yeah, it's a lot of work. But I have a dream...and lots of gardens.

And sow on...

Marching Stars and All Kinds of Other Stuff

Marching Stars Flimsies

60 x 76

Back in Feb. - Mar. Alycia (Alycia Quilts/Quilty Girl) hosted a Winter 2026 QOV QAL called Marching Stars.  

 I usually make a scrappy version of Alycia's Mystery Quilts and Quilt Alongs. 

I was thinking I would not participate this year because my patriotic prints are down to very small bits and pieces. However, I looked around at some of my other options and decided to actually make two quilts. 

I gathered together some red, white and blue civil war reproduction and similar fabric scrap chunks for quilt number 1. For quilt number 2 I used shirtings, homespuns and plaids.

I actually got as far as webbing the two tops together in March and then my husband was unexpectedly hospitalized for a week so the webbed tops got set aside. Since then my husband has been hospitalized two more times so my webbed tops didn't get much attention because sewing together rows, making borders and adding borders really are not my favorite things to do. 

This month the theme in my sewing space is "reproductions". That means I'll work to move some UFOs forward that contain civil war repro fabrics or 30s repro fabrics or I might even work on my reproduction of a vintage quilt. 

I do like to challenge myself to see how many UFOs can be moved forward each month that fit my themes. 

One of these has civil war repro fabrics so I got down to business and completed the top. Then I decided to complete the other one. So now two UFOs moved forward! 

Also, another goal I have had for this year is to try to get all NEW STARTS except for Rainbow Scrap Challenge NEW STARTS to the flimsy stage. These two also fit that goal and are now flimsies. Out of 52 NEW STARTS so far this year 4 have already been finished, 40 are flimsies, 2 are complete block sets, 2 are kits and 1 is RSC project.

Civil War repro version

Civil War repro version.

Civil War repro version. 

Shirtings, plaids, homespun version.

Shirting, plaids, homespun version.

Shirting, plaid, homespun version

Shirting, plaid, homespun version.

And sew on...

Finished Or Not Finished Friday at Alycia Quilts

***

Gardening.

The Meadow.

Some seeds can be sown in the Fall in zone 5. A lot of them are native wild flowers or hardy annuals tha need stratification.  Sowing in the Fall mimics the natural cycle of a lot of flowers that drop seed in the fall and need cool temps and light to germinate. 

I have a mostly sunny area in an old pasture that I call my meadow. It mostly has shorter flowers - bulbs like mini daffodils, crocus, fritillaria and species tulips bloom in the Spring. After those have finished blooming then not much is going on there after that.   This year I decided to add some shorter perennials to the area. The seeds above I sowed in my meadow.

This is the area. There is a wide path down the middle that I mow. The flowers sprout up on each side of the path.  And old pear tree is on the right top.  On the left top is an old apple tree.

The other day I added some bulbs to the area - alliums, species tulips and crocus.  I threw the bulbs out and then rolled along on my little stool to plant. As I planted bulbs, I pulled out any weeds and roughed up the soil in some bare spots for seed sowing.   Any place I sowed seeds I put a white flag as well as a label as to what was planted there.   Later on I will rough up some other areas and put in red flags and labels. Those spots will get seeds sown as early in Spring as the ground can be worked. They need cooler temps to germinate.  If I have the spots ready all over my different gardens it will be easy to come out and sow my seeds in my prepared spots. 

It is easy to plant small bulbs using a Hori knife (middle). I just make a slit in the soil to designated depth and throw in the bulb.  Larger bulbs require a shovel.  Not sure what that green handled tool is called but I've had it for 30 years. It has a rough edge on one side and that is what I use to rough up the patches of soil in preparation for sowing.  It is one of several attachments that can be snapped on a long handle. I think I bought it from Burpee. 

This year I'm trying to do some better documentation so I know what to look for in the Spring. And I want to make a few scrapbooks about gardens and flowers and the birds and the bees.

Now I am in the process of maintenance in the Prairie/Native Wildflower area. We had rain today and I think there will be more tomorrow. Temperatures are starting to drop. I still have a lot of garden tasks to complete. More later...

.

***

Books.

It's been a while since I documented books read. 

1. Out Of The Woods: A Girl, A Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home by Gregg Olsen. It's a true crime story of the 2005 kidnapping of Shasta Groene and her brother Dylan by serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan.   It's a sad story about Shasta's life after she escaped her kidnapper. Her brother Dylan did not survive. 

2. But Not Forlorn

3. But Not Formidable

4. But Not For Love

All by BJ Bourg. Books 7-9 of the Clint Wolf Mystery Series. I'm ready for the next one in the series of 38 books!

5. Snow Creek by Gregg Olsen. (Detective Megan Carpenter Book 1). A mystery thriller. I'm ready to read book 2 in the series. 

6. The Edge of Dawn by Mike Kraus. It's a post-apocalyptic disaster thriller. I liked the 7 Days series by Mike Kraus, also a post-apocalyptic thriller so decided to give another one of his books a try.  This is book 1 of 3. I don't think I will continue on in this series. I'm thinking the story might be okay if it was one book. There are so many unnecessary details and descriptions that seem to drag on forever. It's like I keep wanting to say "get to the point".  I so most of my reading in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep. This was a good one to read to put me to sleep. 

7. A New Home for the Irish Daughter by Kate Hewitt. (Maggie O'Halloran Book 2).  Supposedly historical fiction.  I read the first book because it was about a brother and sister who emigrated from Ireland in search for their father. Since I have Irish ancestors I decided I might like the book and learn a little history about Irish immigrants too.  The first book was set in New York. This one was set in Chicago.  There are two more books in this series. It looks like the next one is set in San Francisco. The books are so.so and light reading. I may or may not read books 3 and 4. 

***

Food.

In September I blogged about my herb garden.  Sage is one of the herbs I grow. Sharon M commented " If you brown sage leaves until they are stiff, you may crumble them and add the butter sage mix to pasta. That's a light lunch or a side dish in Europe. Please try it."   I did! I looked up a recipe for brown butter sage pasta and made it. I had it along with a salad of mixed greens, candied pecans, dried cranberries, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing.  Yummy!   I had enough pasta left over for two lunches.  

With cooler temps I was craving some Fall comfort food like acorn squash and fried apples. So that's what I had for dinner tonight. I wish the squash had come from my garden. This year I didn't have any success with acorn or butternut squash. The deer ate most of the blossoms and the blossoms that remained did not get pollinated. Then beetles set in.  My husband has been in and out of the hospital so much that I guess I really neglected the veg garden this year and worked on flowers instead when I had the chance. There's always next year.

Also with cooler temps I like to make a lot of soups so stocked up on dried beans, split peas and chili fixings.  I used to make my own crackers but since I'm the only one in the household that eats any more I don't go to all the work just for me. BUT I am kind of hungry for them. (and for homemade sourdough bread)  Hmm...

*** 

Winner, winner chicken dinner..

I don't waste my money on lottery tickets; however, I do get a free ticket each month from the Iowa Lottery. This month I was a $7 winner! Not sure if that would buy a chicken dinner with all that loot but I'll take it!

And finally...both Nann and Donna surprised me with packages of scraps this month. Doesn't that just put a smile on my face! I always have a lot of fun sorting scraps. 

 

Scrap Processing: Multicolor on Black

The other day I finished a block set of 8 inch finished HSTs made with multicolor on black and solid scrap chunks.  I cut 4.5 inch strips from the scrap chunks to make my HSTs that I cut with my Easy Angle ruler.   After I completed my block set I had a lot of 4.5 inch pieces left over so I used them for other projects. 

1. Above - I cut 35 -4.5 x 8.5 rectangles.  I will add 2.5 x 8.5 inch rectangles (maybe red?) to each of the longest sides.  That will give me 35-8 inch finished Basket Weave blocks for a quilt kiddo quilt 40 x 53 inches. 

2. I cut 70 - 4.5 inch squares of both the multicolor and solid scraps. I will alternate multicolor and solids in a quilt 10 across and 14 down (40 x 56 inches.)

3> From the rest of the multicolor scraps I cut 2.5 inch squares.  Earlier in the year I emptied a box of 4 inch width scraps and one of the last things I did with the pieces in that box was cut rectangles 4 x 2.5 for a bricks and stones quilt with black multicolor for the stones.  I still need more bricks and more stones cut to complete this quilt but I can sew together what I do have cut as a leader/ender.  

And now I have emptied my baggie of leftovers from making the HST Four Patch blocks.

And sew on...

 

Scrap Processing: Pinwheels

It's a top!

Pinwheels

40 x 40

I recently finished making Starry Path blocks.  When I made those I started with some 30s repro and shirting scrap chunks. From those chunks I cut a 6.5 inch strip and a 2.5 inch strip.   When I finished the Starry Path blocks I had used most of the 2.5 inch pieces and the remainders of them I put in my 2.5 inch width scrap box.   

I decided I had enough 6.5 inch width pieces to make some pinwheels for a baby quilt. 

For the sashing I cut 1.5 x 6.5 inch rectangles off of the remaining 6.5 inch width darker pieces and I cut 1.5 inch squares for cornerstones.   The few remaining scraps leftover from making the Starry Path blocks then this top went into a box of miscellaneous sized 30s repro scraps. 

And now I have emptied the scrap chunk box I had with pieces for the Starry Path blocks. And I have made a bonus top from the scraps leftover from making Starry Path blocks. 

One of my goals for this year was to get any NEW STARTS made into a flimsy before year end except for any Rainbow Scrap Challenge NEW STARTS that may span years. So far so good.

And sew on...

***

Still pretty busy out in the gardens. More on that later. I also have a long list of books I have read that I will list later too. 

It's A Finish! Cheyenne (aka Pieces of Eight)

It's a finish!

Cheyenne (aka Pieces of Eight)

60 x 72

Inspired by a picture of a block I came across I started making blocks in August 2022. 

When I saw the block I decided it was a good one for some old '30s reproduction fabrics plus plaids and shirtings and muslin. That mix of fabrics always reminds me of the quilts my paternal grandmother made from old clothes.   In a blog post  I asked the name of the block and a commenter replied it was called Cheyenne. Well, I googled Cheyenne quilt block and found directions for it at several different sites if you are so inclined to make blocks yourself. I cut my HSTs with an Easy Angle ruler and don't usually use a pattern but Delaware Quilts is one of the sites that has instructions for a 12 inch block. 

In March of 2023 I assembled the top.

And now I've finally finished it! I quilted it on my sewing machine with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. 

The back.

This month the theme in my sewing space is "reproductions". That means I'll work to move some UFOs forward that contain civil war repro fabrics or 30s repro fabrics or I might even work on my reproduction of a vintage quilt. 

And sew on...

Monday Musings at Brenda's Songbird Designs

 

Hats And...

This week I finished three more hats for children of Rosebud School.  This is a project supported by the Ravelry group - For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud.   "For Christmas 2026 we are providing each student a hat and snack in a re-useable bag."

Ridges Family Crochet Hat Free Pattern

I also packed up these 5 hats to send to another project for homeless veterans on the Pine Ridge reservation. It is also supported by the Ravelry group -For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud.

 

"Our goal is to provide 50 Christmas Gift Bags for distribution via a small, grass-roots organization that serves Homeless Veterans on Pine Ridge Reservation. This is a pilot program that will benefit those Veterans who are consistently without basic necessities. "

There was a big list of other items that could be included for the gift bags. On the list was paperbacks. I I happen to have a lot of them on a bookshelf taking up space and gathering dust. I was able to fit 15 paperbacks in the box with the hats

While browsing through free patterns I came across one called Coming Up Roses Hat.   Well, I do love roses so thought I could use a new winter hat.  I've finished the hat and now I need to cross stitch the rose design on to the single crochet after I see if I can find some old yarn close to the colors needed for the rose design. I've never cross stitched on crochet before so had to look at a couple of tutorials. 

I also decided to make wristers to go with my hat.  I just need to sew up the sides 

Wristers Free Crochet Pattern 

I also decided I might need a curly scarf to complete the set.  I just have about 1.5 rows to go. 

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts

For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud

I've boxed up 12 quilts to send to:

Oglala Lakota Head Start/Early Head Start

Several folks have asked me about donating to projects on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations so this post has further information. 

I first came across the Sew For Kids blog when I was looking for places to donate children's quilts. This groups also has a Facebook group; however, I'm not on Facebook nor do I wish to be so I did not join the group.  According to the blog it appears there are many projects , not just quilts, that could keep your sewing machine busy.    The Head Start program was looking for quilts so I previously sent them 12. Evidently the goal is 300 quilts and last I heard they have about 155. 

 Sew For Kids is a program under the umbrella of Lakota Friends Circle, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Porcupine, South Dakota.  

There is a tab at the top of the Sew For Kids blog - "Groups We Work With".  

I clicked on For the Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud link. It's a "crafting group on Ravelry with volunteers around the world."   Again, the group supports several programs with knit and crochet items as well as purchased items. One of their projects is also the Oglala Lakota Head Start/Early Head Start program. So children in the Head Start programs will receive a variety of different blankets and quilts - knit, crochet, fleece, flannel, quilts. 

Since I have   had a little stash of yarn I wanted to use up I joined the Ravelry group and have been having fun crocheting hats. I kind of got addicted and might have bought some more yarn. More on that project later. 

Early next year I will be sending larger quilts and some other items to the White Buffalo Calf Women's Society.   White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society, was founded in 1977 on Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota as a non-profit organization and in 1980 became the first women’s shelter on an Indian Reservation in the US. They provide services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. They can provide safe shelter for up to 36 women and children, they also serve teens ages 11-21 and men who’ve been abused. Men are provided safe shelter at local hotels.  White Buffalo Calf is supported by both Sew For Kids and the Ravelry Group. 

White Buffalo Calf Women's Society

From the Ravelry Group "For The Children of Pine Ridge and Rosebud":

They provide 34 bed capacity shelter. Maximum 90 day stays.
Wheelchair accessible.
Residents have access to community kitchen, children’s playroom and secure outdoor playground with slides and basketball court.
Art therapy includes quilt making and beading.

They need EVERYTHING in all sizes. They requested that donations be in clear plastic bags with a list of items included, and age and gender recommendations.

Warm items: hats, mittens, scarves, blankets
Clothing: infant to adult socks and underwear (men, women and children, all sizes)
Containers: bags, backpacks
Bedding: sheets (full and twin size) pillows, blankets, stuffed animals
Home goods: towels, washcloths, shower supplies, detergent
Pantry: basics, spices, snacks, can goods, staples
Kitchen: dishcloth, towels, potholders, cutlery, dishes, pots/pans, utensils, cookbooks
Toys: indoor and outdoor, board games, puzzles, dolls, cuddle animals
Art therapy: quilting fabric and supplies. Beading supplies. Sewing machines, thread, basic sewing supplies
Baby supplies: diapers (all sizes) and wipes, bottles, baby soap and lotions
Children’s shoes ( all sizes)
Paper products: paper towels and toilet paper
Hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sanitary napkins, tampons)
When residents leave the shelter they are allowed to pick items to help them in their new home. Constant need for housewarming items. Donations are first given to the shelter residents. Any extras are given to those in need in their community.

White Buffalo Calf Women's Society info on the Sew For Kids blog.

One thing to note is that for most projects a box can be sent for only $20 if a label is purchased through My Hope, Inc. 

And sew on...