Covered Bridge Quilt Blocks, and a String Quilt for Kids

DH didn't have any more boats to make so he made a covered bridge.  During the process he totally surprised me by asking me to make 2 Bridge Quilt Blocks (one on each side).  I don't know where he learned to build a bridge -- he didn't have any drawings or plans.  The "Bridge Quilt block" is 1 inch.  Try painting one of those!  Those are lightning rods on the top, and each end  of the bridge are built in hitching posts.  It's right out of "Bridges of Madison County"!  

Here is my wild finished string quilt (for kids)   I did use fabric from a scrap box gift from my local LQS. This is the 3rd project I've made from that scrap box, and there is still MORE in it!  The dotty light fabric is left over backing.  It's about 40" square.

Too much stringy fun!

I am still using a gift box of string and scrappy bits from my LQS.  Every year I try to made several donation quilts thru them for Hugs and Stitches, but fell behind this year.  However, I think these will be an excellent candidate.  I started sewing strips yesterday noon time, and next thing I noticed was that it was DARK outside!  Yikes, I couldn't stop.  My studio looks like a tornado hit! 

So today, I'm putting the strips-on-phone-book-paper together, and found this polka dot left-over backing .  Isn't is somethin? 

I'm using the tube method to sew the polka dot and strings together, which does lead to bias edges.  I do need to square up.  These blocks are 5 in. raw  I tried to use strings within pinks, purples, light blues, greens and added a few "cutsies" including some hedgehogs, teddy bears, rabbit. No decision yet on the setting.  My brain is on overdrive - feel like someone sneaked something into my iced tea.  What fun this is!  (still have paper to remove but ...)

Below are the paper/strings in chunks about 12 inches long.  I need to sew them end-to-end before adding the polka strips.  There are more than I need which means another option for setting the m together.  

New projects: "Daybreak" and "Staying Grounded"

This project is from Bonnie Hunter's newest book, String Frenzy (the one with cheddar and strings on the cover).  I LOVE it but chose not to use strings in the sashings.   She calls the quilt "Daybreak".  I still need to come up with border ideas.  These blocks are  9 in. finished.  Despite the many small pieces, it went together quickly. 

Most of the fabrics in both these quilts were from a gift scrap box from my LQS .  I added a few here and there, but FORCING (almost) myself to use the box contents actually kept me more focused than if I had started rummaging for the "perfect" matching fabrics . 

There are still enough remaining fabric bits for another quilt, probably using bright strings.  Can't wait!  

The triangles in the center of the below quilt are 60 degree and by the time I reached the borders, I couldn't find that ruler again, so I used my Tri-Recs which always seems to turn out well.  Bonnie Hunter used 2 1/2 in. triangles for her center, mine are 4 in., and border triangles are smaller.  And I DID have to purchase the purple border fabric, some is not yet in the photo.  This is another quilt that both my DH and I really LOVE.

(BTW, I did find the lost ruler, exactly where I put it so as NOT to lose it!)