Broken Wheel Or Rolling Stone

Broken Wheel or Rolling Stone

9 inch finished

Aqua is the Rainbow Scrap Challenge ( RSC) color of the month. I have already used most of my aqua scraps so decided to work on a UFO with blocks of aqua, red, and purple. I set aside small chunks of fabric in those colors in a project box. I started making blocks in 2023. This month I now have met my goal of 48 blocks.

And sew on...

RSC ScrapHappy Saturday

 

Broken Wheel or Rolling Stone

Broken Wheel or Rolling Stone

9 inch finished

Aqua is the Rainbow Scrap Challenge ( RSC) color of the month. I have already used most of my aqua scraps so decided to work on a UFO with blocks of aqua, red, and purple. I set aside small chunks of fabric in those colors in a project box. I started making blocks in 2023 so maybe this month I will be able to finish up blocks I need. 

And sew on...

RSC ScrapHappy Saturday

***

Finished a thriller! - Mr. Whisper by Andrew Mayne.   Highlighted quote from book..." Here’s the thing the conspiracy theorists don’t understand. There’s not one big giant conspiracy.” He took a sip of his beer and continued. “Just hundreds of tiny ones.""

tiny Ty 

***

Surprise! Surprise! Yesterday I received a box of scraps from Nann and I received a box of scraps and backing from Ann. Oh joy! I had such fun looking at each piece while sorting. Oh the scrappy comfort quilts I can make!

***

Yesterday the zinnias were full of Monarch butterflies whirling and dancing. I think there were about 8 of them. I tried to get a pic of several of them in a photo but they were not very cooperative. A few other types of butterflies stopped by to visit too but didn't stay as long as the Monarchs. Oh the joy of gardening!

April Aims

Dandy Boho Stars

6 inch

33 out of goal of 225

I usually set a theme for each month to help me move UFOs forward. This month is "Free Range" meaning there really are no specific goals - just whatever suits my fancy.  I set "Free Range" for April because, depending upon weather, it is a month where a lot of time is spent in the gardens and very little time is spent in the sewing space. 

However, I am going to have a little quilting marathon. Hopefully I will finish up a lot of smaller quilts this month. Word went out last week that Wrap-A-Smile is in urgent need for more quilts for upcoming Rotaplast missions.    So, the last couple of days I pieced a few backings and pin basted a few quilts. 

On breaks from quilting this month I want to work on my Dandy Boho Stars UFO - the traditional block Dandy in a Boho color scheme of grays, browns, sky blue, electric orange and saturated purples.  I've made several quilts using a 12 inch block but this is the first time I'm making six inch blocks. I started making blocks last year - a surprise gift (someday) for someone I love who loves Boho. I have a lot of scrap chunks in those Boho colors tied up in a couple of boxes but I never seem to getting around to cutting and making blocks so I thought I would give it a try this month even if it is to cut and kit up pieces for blocks. 

Rolling Stone or Broken Wheel

9 inch blocks

I have 29 blocks towards a goal of 63.

Again, I have some scrap chunks in reds, aquas and purples tied up for this quilt. In between quilting this month I also hope to make or cut pieces for more blocks. 

Hummingbird (aka Periwinkle) Blocks

8.5 inch 

I have 21 toward a goal of 63.

Since I don't have a quilt ready for hand quilting in the evenings I will work on a few applique projects I have in the works. 

Minnie's Hummingbird appeared in the July/August 2011 issue of Quiltmaker. It was made by Minnie Jacoby Schultz c. 1930.

I loved this vintage quilt and in 2019 I made a couple of blocks following instructions in the magazine. Well, they turned out a little wonky and I decided I did not like making them so I figured I didn't need my version of that vintage quilt. 

Then a couple of years ago I came across an appliqued version of the block at Susie's Scraps and gave it a try. The block is easy to make with that method and so once again someday I might have my version of the vintage Hummingbird quilt.  (Note: I am using 3.5 inch squares and not 4 like in the tutorial. I am also using 9 inch background squares and not 10.5 like in the tutorial.)

This month I also want to clean up/empty out this box of 2.5 inch width scrap bits and pieces. The little bits just keep accumulating and now is the time to do something or somethings with this box of bits.  Since I took this pic a few days ago I have sorted through pieces and have been cutting some different lengths. 

So if I'm in my little sewing space this month I guess these are a few of the things I hope to work on. It's always good to have a few goals, I think even if I'm free ranging.

And sew on...

***

REMEMBER, TREASURE, GROW, READ (my words of the year)

I finished a book! Every Precious and Fragile Thing by Barbara Davis. I've read a few of her other books - Echoes of Old Books , The Keeper of Happy Endings and The Last of the Moon Girls and I thought they were all pretty good but I thought Every Precious and Fragile Thing was boring and seemed to ramble on. The story was okay but it could have been a much shorter book.  I read on my Kindle in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. Usually the books I read keep me awake when I should be sleeping; however, this book had me snoozing after a few pages so it took me awhile to finish. 

Speaking of snoozing...I watched the Amazon Prime movie Holland with Nicole Kidman that is billed as a thriller. It wasn't.  The reason I watched is because one of my brothers was an extra in the film (an optometrist in the bar at an optometrist convention) but his scene evidently hit the cutting room floor. Holland was filmed in Nashville, TN  in 2023 and my brother lives near there. He's retired and thought he might have a bit of fun "starring" in a film with Nicole Kidman. He didn't know until he watched the movie when it came out a few days ago that his scene was cut.  

Some Rolling Stones Are Starting To Gather Moss

Rolling Stone

9 inch block

I started a Rolling Stone (aka Broken Wheel) quilt last year. My goal is 48 blocks and I now have half that many.  I love these blocks in aqua, purple and red and need to get this quilt finished so my Rolling Stones gather no moss. 

And sew on...

*****

CELEBRATE! (my word of the year)

Jan. 24 - I celebrated getting caught up on hubby's medical bills a few days ago. Since I had a few dollars left after that I decided to do more celebrating so treated myself and ordered 3 floribunda roses to be delivered in the Spring - Hot Cocoa,, Ketchup and Mustard and La Park. Can't wait! I LOVE roses!

 

Shirts and Giggles - A Finish!

It's a finish! 

Shirts and Giggles

76 inches square

hand quilted

vintage inspired

This is the vintage quilt that inspired me to make my own version. I saw it on Ebay a long time ago.

Made from men's shirts from the thrift store (Shirts) and some 1930s reproduction prints that remind me of my grandmother's dresses (Giggles). 

Broken Wheels, Flying Geese, Puss in the Corner blocks. 

I finished the top back in 2019.

Big stitch hand quilted with blanc perle #12.

The backing and binding.

The crocus were blooming in little patches in the lawn (where the squirrels must have scattered them over the years) near my clothesline a few days ago. Now you can see what's on the ground near my clothesline and I think there is more predicted for today. Well, at least I know Spring is trying to sprung!! 

And sew on...

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts

Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

 

Reward Points

This year I want to try and finish up lots and lots of UFOs. I'm going to try assigning a theme of the month in order too motivate me to move UFOs that fit that them forward. January's theme was KIDS! KIDS! KIDS! and I moved forward 20 UFOs that fit that theme plus 2 others.  I also told myself that this year for every 5 finishes I could reward myself with 1 new start. So in January I earned 4 reward points.  Of course this is just a game of solitaire and the rules may change at any point. 

So, anyway, I used a reward point on a Broken Wheels (9 inch finished blocks) new start. I posted last month that I was the winner of 40 fat quarters (FQs) and that maybe I should consider making an aqua/purple/red quilt with them. And now I am. 

My first reward point was used on a Lil' Baskets new start. I posted about that the other day. 

So now I have 2 points left to use on new starts AND if I finish 2 more quilts that's worth another point! 

Now back to this month's theme of Hearts and Flowers and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color pink. 

And sew on...

It's a Flimsy (Maybe) ! Shirts and Giggles

 Shirts and Giggles

76 inch square

I'm thinking I may add a nine inch version of those center Broken Wheel blocks to the top and bottom of the quilt in order to make it longer.  A 76 x 94 seems more suitable for a bed than a 76 inch square one. 

 Inspired by a vintage quilt it consists of Broken Wheels, Puss in the Corners and Flying Geese. 

 I used old men's shirts from the thrift store and some fabric from stash I thought looked like old grandma dresses. 

 I'm happy with how it turned out but I really think I want to make it longer.  I'll set it aside for awhile an then decide.  I also need to figure out what to use for the backing. Heaven knows I have a lot of other things to work on and get quilted before this one so I'm not in any hurry. 

This is the vintage quilt that inspired mine. It was for sale on Ebay once upon a time. 

My Version of the Center

 This is my version of the center of a vintage inspired quilt.  It is 44 inches square and consists of sashed twelve inch Broken Wheel blocks. 

 I made the blocks from old men's shirts. The next round is Flying Geese. I  was going to make the Flying Geese from shirts and from 1930s reproduction fabric scraps channeling grandma who made most of her quilts from old shirts and dresses.  I was looking around for something to use for sashing and came across a big piece of fabric in one of my 30s repro bins that seemed just right. I am not sure I have enough for the entire quilt but I will cross that road when I get there. 

I need some shirt pieces for another UFO so I think I will cut pieces enough to finish that quilt before I start making the Flying Geese for this one.  

This is the quilt that inspired me. 

Rolling Stones (aka Broken Wheels)

I'm a failure. 

I didn't accomplish last month's OMG (One Monthly Goal). 

I was going to make 28 more Rosebud blocks but I only made 14 . 

I'm changing goals this month.

I hope to have my Rolling Stones at least assembled into a top by the end of May.

I requested this block for my birthday from ladies in 3 different "birthday clubs" - in fabric of choice on neutral background.  I will be using 20 blocks that go together pretty well plus sashing in this quilt and the rest will go into the Orphan Box to be used at a later date.  (Or maybe they will go on the back.)

And if I get the lap quilt completely finished that will be a bonus. 

Linking up to:

One Monthly Goal at Red Letter Quilts

Maybe I'll call it Broken Stones, Rolling Wheels or how about - Gather No Moss.