More snow, and finished Scrappy Star Struck

Ten more inches of snow - at least it's not real cold.

Below - Scrappy Star Struck - DONE. ... and this was the quilt I had almost given up! This should be a lesson to ME, and any UFOs that appear to be unsalvageable. I did NOT like this quilt - not because of the pattern -- but because of being in a pitiful, pathetic, poor-me state, and that led me to carelessness. During trimming/squaring up, some of them are trimmed OFF! However, that little one-inch border definitely perked it up. Then I auditioned at least 50 border combinations and eventually, one combo actually looked GOOD. Does this "issue" of too many small errors explain some of YOUR UFOs?. This is another wonderful pattern from Bonnie at Quiltville.


The back (above) was made of 10 1/2 inch squares, and I used a lot of my blues etc. THIS method of using old fabric DID make me feel frugal and efficient. Additionally, my brain no longer has to deal with looking at the pieces in the drawer , with guilt, "What can I do with this?" "Why did I buy this?" -- wearing myself out with self recriminations.


I quilted each of the 4 borders in a different kind of weedy, leaves, feathers, swirls. Good practice and another area for the owner to enjoy. I used a variegated blue - similar to the center. I don't like the variegated thread in the border because parts of the motif disappear and look disjointed and skipped. Lesson #8,462,729.

Now, here is the worst error and a great solution in this quilt. During my frenzy of careless sewing, too-quick careless trimming, I had a big cut-off point! So, I solved this error by drawing a "point" in the light fabric. I guarantee, it will never be seen - even I have trouble finding it, and I'm looking for it! I am showing it because we all need to remember (to each other) that an "error" is no big deal - it is STILL a great, finished quilt. It is NOT meant for a quilt show - it is a testament to loving and caring for another person - that's the important part. And it's ready to mail.

DH and I "tried it out" during yesterday's afternoon nap. It works! 8-)))

Totally Scrappy Star Struck

I am almost totally OUT of 2 1/2 inch scraps, thanks to this project. Happy Day! This project was looking very BLAH, but thanks to Marcie, who suggested I add some yellows and pale melon colors - it's sooooo much better, and it is coming to life. And of course, thanks to Bonnie at Quiltville.com for her pattern, although I'm not sure I added much zest to her original idea. If I sewed it a next time, I would decide on a palette, not just lights and darks, although by the time this is finished, I may change my tune. This is 50, 8 1/2 inch (raw) blocks, set on point (so I could brighten it with the side setting triangles).

How many times have you started a quilt and discovered it lacked SOMETHING - and you put it away, unfinished? I must admit this has happened many times to me, only to surprise myself after adding a few bright blocks, or a bright border, or some red or yellow, that the blah quilt has now taken on a new life. DH reminds me of my much-used comment, "This is my new best favorite!", after making changes along the way.

Here are about 108 waste triangles that finish to 1 inch.

I am on the third week of a cough, cold, flu - whatever. NOT swine flu, fortunately. Some things I still MUST do at work, and then come home and take naps, cough myself awake, take another nap, cough myself awake, etc. BTW, the over-the-counter product Musinex works pretty well, but is expensive.

DH pushed me out of the bed because I was coughing too much -- had to go to the COLD downstairs bedroom, where I was thrilled to find the electric blanket still attached, and slept like a baby.

Have Faith, and Progress

Look at all those lines! This part is painted, but you can't tell yet, from the angle. That's a wonderful, heavy duty roll-out awning over the doors. Because we have so much wind here, we can't have an umbrella, and have to roll this awning in and out. It gives us an entire additional living space in nice weather. THAT's why I insisted this deck get painted. I worked 3 hours after my OTHER WORK! yesterday, while our helper started earlier in the day. Whew, I am not tall enough to reach the top of those boards! Our helper John offered to do the fiddly parts with the brush if I did the larger roller areas. Sounded like a great plan to me!
I was getting a bit shakey, (Hey I've been a Senior Citizen for years!) and light headed at the end. This was around the corner of the house/deck, and if I kerplunked down to the ground due to fatigue or a heart attack or ???, no one would find me for a while, so I decided I'd better quit. At this point even taking a shower took too much effort. Sighhhh, one more afternoon and it will be DONE.
Due to excessive fatigue, and looking forward to finishing this painting job, and looking forward to actually sitting on the deck before winter comes, and then planning the next project, and, and and ... not a normal sleeping pattern for me but, I was awake most of the night, drinking, hot flashes, getting more water, too hot, too cold, where are the blankets, my hip hurts, DH was fidgeting, etc., so I finally got up and started sewing at 4:00 am! I am expecting to crash today or tomorrow! These blocks are going to need 'something' to help pull them together. Putting them on point will allow me to use side setting triangles in a PLAIN cream, that should calm it.

There are a couple prints that I cringe each time I see them, so have decided to "File 13" them. Out they go!

Ya need to have faith!

Today, my body needs to rest, so I'm parking myself at my sewing machine, using my already-cut 2 1/2 in. strips (weeks ago) to make Bonnie's Star Struck. This is the second quilt I've made using her pattern and technique - the first one used carefully selected light shirtings and indigo type blues. For this one, I'm going totally scrappy - whatever I have in the dark and light range. Thank goodness for precutting strips - what a time saver. Once again, a huge THANK YOU to Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville!

Recently I found a saved pattern from Marcie at PatchalotMore. that looked mighty appealing and spurred me on start the second project, this time, totally scrappy. Thanks Marcie, for the eye candy!
Strips by themselves are pretty blah, boring, don't match, etc. Hey, ya gotta have faith they'll look good! And yes, I'm saving the 'waste' triangles for 1 inch HSTs.

I swear, I just pulled 4 units with absolutely NO rhyme or reason and sewed them together -- not bad already, is it? This project is all part of my effort to 'get control' of my stash and USE it, not just HAVE it!