Increasing size of my finished quilt

 

This favorite quilt was finished several years ago, from Quiltville, from one of Bonnie Hunter's books, -- she called her pattern Day Break.  Despite looking fiddly and painful to deal with little pieces, the blocks went together quickly, and the little bits were perfectly aligned.  It has sentimental emotions attached, was one of the quilts made from the "box of scraps" my LQS gave me, and I had hand quilted the border during a lovely jaunt DH and I took Roosevelt National Park - I really love it, called it "Slim Pickins".  But it was just too small to cover the blankets on a full size bed .  Note the borders in the above photo -- 3 sides have an additional border added - I'm working on the 4th.  I removed the binding, then dug into scraps and decided to add 6 inches to each side, sort of Quilt as you Go method.  It's not perfect on the back but it will do, now measuring about 84" x 96".  Yes, the little border squares are one inch.  Again, I pulled out the big table hidden behind the sofa, to help while working on it.  Having that table INSIDE the house was one of my best ideas.  

That hard-to-remember FLOAT calculation

My first calculation resulted in a "float" of about 3.5 inches ... uhh, doesn't sound right.  Oh great, a slight error when mixing my lengths and widths, having the mess all crumpled up on a too-small work area.  LOL  But even realizing the error, I sure like looking.   

I wonder if my powers of concentration will ever return?

Tiny faux flange

 I finished another "I Spy" quilt - have no idea why it takes me so long to get things DONE these days but ... here it is .............. uhhhh oh great, another issue to take up my fleeting time.  

New computer a few months ago, photos somewhere else, options different, etc.  I wanted to show you the tiniest of toooo-kewwwt flange on the binding, but Blogger has tricked me again and I'm tired of fooling with it.  Trust me - it's there, and the best part of this "I spy" quilt.   (now how did I get THIS photo????)

"Mo-Jo" found again!!!!!!!!!!

 I'm still heeeeere!!!!!!!!!!!  

Remember a previous post where I was sorting my ever-increasing pile of boring light and dark scraps?  This is what happened -- 16 blocks, on point.  More strips had to be cut for this WIP!  

I've been working on the border and faux flange binding of our group Raffle Quilt.  Here are some teaser photos - not allowed to show the full project.  We chose to feature "low volume" and "taupe".  There were some doubts as each block maker checked their stash and wondered "what were they thinking?"  Never fear ... the planners had faith!  

 

I still remember how to make these cheese loaves.  Yum - had to give one away or I would have gobbled both and been sorry!  Even better toasted for breakfast.  

I'm using a finished "I Spy" as the pattern for another "I Spy", using many of the cutsies some of you sent me.  The sewing is easy but the layout was tricky.  A bunch of squares also went home with a friend who also wanted to make a kid's quilt.

The reason for my absence - physician said "surgery, you are High Risk because of past heart history and you are on blood thinners and you are no spring chicken" so I was set up for date with UC Health in eastern Colorado.  Yes, that's right - 250 miles from my home.  Since I live alone, getting to that appt. had a number of logistic issues.  And winter storms that may or may not happen didn't help anxiety levels.  Taking blood thinners mean you must adhere to an exact dose stopping at an exact date before surgery, adding to stress on that point alone.  I planned to drive myself to my brother's home in Broomfield, Co.,  not too far from the hospital, and they offered to get me to/from the hospital, all of us frazzled with Denver traffic and with ever-threatening snow complications. I enjoy driving but have no knowledge of Denver traffic.  I made it just fine to their home.   My brother and wife are also respectful of traffic and rush hours, none of us are spring chickens!  As expected, my visit with them was absolutely wonderful, weather/snow complications were managed, surgery went just fine, I didn't die - what more was needed?   Bruises to my old body (blood thinners) was frightingly impressive, but slowly disappearing.   Frankly, I enjoy "new adventures" but this one was a corker!   I loved my family visit and  rehashing old memories, enjoyed being waited on for several days during recuperation and learning some new food items as brother and wife cook "organic".    My recovery was unexpectedly easy, and I drove home after several days of recuperation.  

Why does it take a month to make up for 10 days gone after returning home???? 

Less than enthusiastic

 I've been putting off a job - clearing out my huge trash basket next to the sewing machine.   Sometimes, good stuff remains on my sewing desk and I just swish all those unknowns into the huge trash basket, mostly to clear it off my mind.  A few crumb block items were made recently from the top layers, but its depths remained undisturbed for years.  Today was the day.  The 6 ft. picnic table was dragged from behind the sofa and set up for WORK!  I figured, lights, medium lights, darks including black and reds, bright kids prints, and several packages of "too good to throw out, but presently useless."

Here is yet another mess!  Nothing except the woven trash basket seams worth keeping!  Perhaps I've already used up the best parts? ...perhaps I should press it all and trim ... maybe an Internet search to Walmart or Menards to invest in another small storage cabinet ... there went 2 hours on the computer!

With so much unused, sorted, pressed yardage nicely folded up in other cabinet drawers, it seems almost pointless to use up these bits and crumbs.  Maybe this mess needs to "cook" for a while .. maybe I should just make up a few 9-patches and see what happens, maybe a double strong cup of coffee???   or, perhaps I should just return to the collection of "I spy" prints, stored in another cabinet.  OK brain, concentrate and do SOMETHING!!!!

Still Here - Making "I Spy" quilts

 

Another "I Spy" quilt - the back - I finally can use that wild stripe!

Some of you kindly sent me "cutsies" - I'm using them.  They are so bright and colorful - again, thank you to all.  More kid/toddler quilts to come - this one will be ready when needed.  I only quilted little curvy loops in the white borders and left the cutsies unquilted.  The white was quilted from left side across the jaggedy line to the right side  - simple.    As simple as these little squares were, I blanked when it came to their assembly. 

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My days have been filled with working on a Guild Raffle Quilt.  Our local gals made the blocks and then the sashing strips - can't show you - I've been working on the border that brought the size up to Queen size.