Some Makes

I gifted a couple of quilts to my daughter's in-laws this year.  

We don't usually exchange gifts, but I found some patterns and knew I had to make them for them.  Rick has an antique green truck so when I saw this pattern I knew he needed this one.

 ,

Her MIL, Julie, is a HUGE Outlander fan.  

I found this quilt made in the tartan plaid of Jamie Frasier (one of the main characters) so I also knew this needed to be made for her. 

 My friend, Liz, quilted it with thistles, which was perfect for the Scottish heritage of the story.

Here they are with their quilts.

I made quilts for my husband's 2 brothers also.

I can finally show these finished too.

This was made for his brother Mark and wife Jackie.

It was all navy and white/creams.

I used this beautiful blue minky for the back.

This one was made for his brother Andy and wife Sarah.

The colors reminded me of their lake house in Michigan.

Such calm colors.

I love the quilting we used on this quilt. 

 I put gray minky on the back and it was so beautiful.

So these were the quilts I ended the year with.

I hope you all have time to get in a few last minute makes before 2022.

~XOP~

More Berlin

 I got to go over to Kailie's motor home and we sewed together. 
 I made a Midi bag and she made the Mondo bag.  

Here is my set up in her motor home.

Here we are with our completed bags!!!

I started making more Nightingale blocks using Dorothy's Journey fabric.

I thought you would like to see some of the fabric I bought while I was there.

I bought some Tula fabric.

That blue on the left was on sale so I bought enough for a back!

I began collecting some "blue" low volume fabrics for a pixilated Michigan quilt.

They will be the great lakes.

I also found some greens for the state part of the pixilated quilt.  I will also be using MSU fabrics.

I found some Coral Queen of the Sea.  Had to buy some, right?

I am saving some of these for a quilt that I will be pattern testing.  

I can't use them all but some of these will work for what I have in mind.

Some low volume restocking.  

That gray floral on the left is one of my favorites. 

 I was so happy to find it again.

With all the gray and LV quilts I seem to be making my LV gets used up.

I needed some background fabric for the quilt I am going to be pattern testing. 

 I didn't know how much we needed but the designer got back to me so Kailie drove me back to the shop I saw the perfect fabric at! 

 I got the background and those greens will be in the quilt too.

I found the cutest panel and this is the coordinating fabric.  

I will be using it as a border around the panel.  

I have a couple of baby quilt s to make and this will be one of them.  

I didn't get a photo of the panel though so you will have to wait.

Shimmer dots.  

Made my ice dragon and the priest's quilt from this line.  

I love both of these prints.

This was the second time I saw this adorable tiger fabric. 

 I took it as a sign from the universe that it needed to come home with me. 

 I want to use it for a chenille blanket back.  

I also found the extra wide backing for the patchwork flying geese quilt.

I went with the Bluebell, Minky.

I mam joining a fabric challenge over on IG.

  Beginning on July 5 I will be keeping track of my fabric usage and 

can't buy anything new until I use 30 yards. 

 Since I will be working on the nightingale quilt still, that one uses 11 yards so

 I'll be 1/3 of the way there!  

I think that catches you up!

~XOP~

Nightingale Quilt Is A Top

I got the blocks sewn into a flimsy.  YAY!! 

 I finally had a moment to get some photos today too.

I feel like this is such a gorgeous quilt . 

 I can't wait for the backing to arrive so I can send it to get quilted.  

I chose a silver minky for the backing.

I have seen a couple of quilting patterns used that I like so will need to decide upon the final one.

I didn't work in the yard today but I did find a friend.

Can you spot him?

Crazy little tree frog!

I took Cole out for his morning walk and he wanted to stay out. 

 I hooked his leash up to the stake in the ground and when I came back outside about 20 minutes later he was in his tent.  LOL 

 It must be the day for crazies.  Crazy frog and crazy cat!

I did manage to get a few things on my "to do" list done today.

I feel like for every one thing I cross off 2 more get added!

Tomorrow I am going to pick up a live trap to try to catch the stray we are feeding.

He is not ear tipped so no one has done TNR on him previously.

I hope we can get him vetted and then return him to his outside.

Adult ferals don't do well in placements.

Fingers crossed I can get him into the trap.

~XOP~

Nightingale Quilt

 I am still trying to adjust to being home again.  

There is so much to do here! 

 I bought plants for the garden and some hanging baskets.  

I did weed the side garden and now I need to plant. 

 There is SO much yard work to do!!!  

I have had zero motivation to actually sew in the week since we have been home.  

I changed out all the bedding in both bedrooms today and did some laundry.

 I put away all the clean clothes from the camper and did some organization.  

Some days the work list seems so overwhelming!! 

 That makes me want to do nothing.  Do you ever feel like that?

Yesterday I thought I would put together the back for my "Canada Quilt".

I didn't think it would take *that* long but it took me over 2 hours to piece a back.

Every time I thought I was finished I realized it was not large enough.

I wanted to use fabric I had here rather than go out and buy fabric.

I did manage to do it using only fabric from my stash!!!

I did not get a photo of the quilt top or back, will have to do that once it is back from the quilter.

I then pieced the top for the Nightingale quilt.

This picture is from before I put the top together.

I will take a photo of the top tomorrow.

I was too busy to do anything with it today.

This is not a very good picture of the blocks as it is in my hallway and the lighting is crap.

I will take it outside tomorrow and get some better pictures.

I am still trying to navigate work time around the house and sewing time.

I really need to find a good balance.

Not just for the house, but also for my sanity, LOL.

I am giving plasma 2x a week and have to factor that in each week also.

Any tips on how you balance getting things done and finding time to sew?

~XOP~

NC Fun Times

 We got to hang out with Avery and his folks.
  We had such a great time! 
 We are only able to see him on the weekends since his folks want to keep to his regular schedule during the week. 
 So we have been trying to find some things to keep us occupied.  
I have read 2 books already! 
 The other night we were out walking and saw 2 Great Horned Owls.  
I was not able to ID them until I looked up the call.  

We have been trying to relax. 

 If you know me this is not one of my strong areas, LOL.

I cut out the Nightingale quilt before I left home. 

 There is a quilt along and I am finally getting to participate in that. 

 I paired all my blocks. 

 I am going for a "at the lake" vibe for this quilt. 

 It is going to be a gift. 

 I started sewing the first block but got a little distracted.

The cats are enjoying their camper time. 

 Cole SCREAMS every morning demanding to go into his tent.

Then we laugh, because Finn wants outside but he doesn't like the tent.

 He wants to be in Chris's lap!

I promise to post some Avery photos but I am limited in what and how often I am allowed to post.

I have to respect his parent's wishes.  

I will post some, eventually.

~XOP~