Stars Around the Corner, Top Complete!

I finished my biggest April/May goal today, Stars Around the Corner.  It is one of Charlotte Hawkes' mysteries, and this one was more complicated than her others.  There was a lot of triangle cutting!

As it is now without borders, it is  79 x 99", big enough for a full sized bed, a little skimpy width wise for a queen.  

Linking up: http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2016/05/fabric-tuesday-276.html

Off the Wall and In My Yard

Sometime last night, an old needlework picture fell off the wall in the dining room and broke.  When came downstairs today, there was glass all over the floor.  My dog was very interested in it.  I'm very glad he didn't get cut. I'm also glad that no one came downstairs in the middle of the night and walked right on it. I have no idea what time this all happened and can't believe my son and I both slept through the commotion.  This was a picture I had professionally framed in 1996, and the part that failed was one of the little nails holding the hanger to the frame.

If the Counted Thread were still in business, I'd take the frame back and have it fixed.  It obviously needs new glass, and I'm not sure if the frame itself can be salvaged.  The bottom moulding is broken off at the corners from the sides. 

I'm going to have it reframed because I really like this piece, and it was a lot of work! It is an Emie Bishop design, but I don't remember the name.

After I'd finished the piece but before I got it framed, one of my little boys ( 6 and 4 at the time) got printer in on it.  I couldn't get it out.  The dry cleaner couldn't get it out.  I ended up stitching a little something over the top of the stain and mirrored it on the other side of the design.  I still know where it is, though.

In the yard, flowers are blooming all over. My camera has a hard time capturing the pink/violet color range.  But trust me, they are all beautiful!  We have had days and days of rain, and my flowers are very happy.  I could do with some sun!

Rhododendron:

 Spotted Dead Nettle:

 Iris of unknown variety from a friend's yard:

False Indigo:

Peony from Walmart:

Linking up:  http://www.supermomnocape.com/2016/05/16/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-58/

Green Is May's Color

I've gotten more green string blocks done for RSC.  Eighteen are 5 1/2" square.  One mistake block is 4  1/2 " square.  I still am not sure what these will become.

I also finished a green inverted star block.

Here are all of my inverted star blocks.  They take me a long time to make because I press all my seams to the side, and make sure all the seams in the block nest.  It is more complicated than I thought it would be and requires me to work from the back of the block.  I only had 2 seams that had to be ripped out and resewn this time.

I could probably spend several more days on my green scraps, but there are other things I want to finish this month, and this month is almost half gone!

Linking up:  http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/2016/05/scraphappy-saturday-evergreen-forest.html

http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2016/05/lets-bee-social-124.html

Stars Around the Corner, Green Strings

I haven't had much time to sew lately.  Here's as far as I've gotten on Stars Around the Corner:

The rows are all together, and I have the sashing ready to go.  I wanted to get this one done it April.  Now I'm hoping to have it together by the end of the month.  All of the fabric is from my scrap bins, except for the light colored background which was on the remnant table at my LQS.

I also did a few green string blocks for the RSC.

Things should slow down this week, and I should have more time to sew.

Linking up:  http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2016/05/scraptastic-tuesday-may-link-is-open.html

April Goals Become May Goals

Checking in with my April goals:

1. Sign up for next Crazy Quilting class and begin that stitching.  DONE.  But this class has taken over much of my sewing time, and is probably why more of my other goals weren't met.

2.Bind Trent's quilt.  DONE

3. Bind Amanda's quilt.  Started making the binding, but haven't attached it yet.

4. Finish Daybreak top.  Almost done.  I want to add two borders to the sides.

5. Evaluate rulers, books and think about a plan for them  Not done, but I'm still thinking.

6. Keep up with Stars Around the Corner Clues.  Not done.  The alternate blocks are finished, but I still need to make the sashing.

7. Continue to participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge  DONE

8. Pull out a UFO and make some progress.  NOT DONE

9. Get red and white quilt to longarmer.  DONE

10.  Finish the cross stitching on Scream House  DONE

.
In May,  I need to complete the April goals I didn't get done.  While I'm taking crazy quilting classes, I  realize that they will eat up a lot of my sewing time. I'm keeping it simple in May.

1. Bind Amanda's quilt.
2. Finish Daybreak top
3. Evaluate rulers, books and think about a plan for them
4. Finish Stars Around the Corner.
5. Continue to participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge
6. Pull out a UFO and make some progress.
7. Keep up with crazy quilting classes.

Daybreak and Stars Around the Corner

I've been doing a ton of hand sewing and embroidery this week, but I managed to get some 'real' sewing done too.  All of the blocks for Daybreak are together.

I had a little difficulty getting some of the blocks to lay flat.  If you attempt this pattern, make sure your 1/4 inch seam is very accurate!  I had a few blocks that wanted to cup, but most of that came out with a good pressing.  I don't think it will be noticeable once it is quilted and washed.  I might add a narrow border to the sides to make it a little wider.

I got all my alternate blocks for Stars Around the Corner done too.  I still need to do the sashing and cornerstones.  This one wont be done by the end of April.

My square in a square blocks are not entirely accurate, but there is so much color, I don't think a few cut off points will be that noticeable.   I prefer to paper piece this type of block or use my Deb Tucker Square Squared ruler, but since this was a mystery, those techniques were not an option.

Stash Report, ICQC Task 3

I have nothing used to report, mainly because my piecing has taken a back seat this week to my crazy quilting class.

Used this week: 0 
Used Year to Date: 33.125 yards
Added this week: 4
Added Year to Date:  38.375 yards
Net ADDED:   5.25 yards

I just finished the third task, framing a silkie.  Kathy wanted us to have the entire block complete or almost complete, so she could see that our block was balanced.  Here is my almost completed block with its framed silkie.  I may go back and outline 'eek' with brown thread so that it stands out more.  

Linking up:  http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2016/04/lets-bee-social-122.html

http://www.supermomnocape.com/2016/05/02/vintage-embroidery-monday-stitchery-link-party-56/