Blockheads 7 Quiltalong

I joined Moda’s Blockheads 7 Quiltalong.

I thought this would be a fun way for me to use up an old fat quarter bundle that I had won sometime in the 1990’s. The bundle was called Cape Cod from Paintbrush Studio. I am supplementing with stash.

And I am having fun with it.

These blocks can be skill builders, and there are many colorways to them. They are free, and there are four different sizes to choose from. Lots of tips are given and several settings have been suggested. What you ultimately choose to do is up to you.

I do have a self-imposed rule. No block do-over unless I really screw up making the size that I want. If I don’t like my color usage in a block, I am leaving it until the end. There are 30 blocks after all. I bet they will all look nice together in the end.

And if they don’t?

The beauty is that all the choices are mine. Maybe I won’t make one very large quilt. Maybe I will make a wall hanging, or table runners, or placemats.

Here are my first four blocks:

Blockheads7_1-4

I am not happy with how I used the stripe, but I am not breaking my personal rule. Instead, I am imagining a pond around a garden. Then it isn’t so bad. Ha, ha!

The next Block comes out Wednesday. That’s tomorrow, since I am writing this blog post Tuesday evening.

Which really means that the next block comes out today, when this blog posts!

What are you waiting for? Click on the link above and get started!

Have fun and carry on!

Beez Came Out of the Marinating Closet

Remember the Beez by Tricia Cribbs Embroidery Design project?

I was stuck on what to do about sashing/borders.

So the flimsy marinated for a bit.

Only about 6 months. That isn’t bad for me!

Beez By Tricia Cribbs Embroidery Design

I chose to repeat the black outline sashing and then bring the color to the outside.

I hope to quilt it sometime this winter.

Beez By Tricia Cribbs Embroidery Design

Why I love rural living:

I got my camera, quilt, clothespins, sweater and shoes and headed out the door to get a photo of the flimsy.

Surprise! Two adorable bear cubs were playing right off the porch. We backed away from each other…me right back into the house because I had no idea where Mama was.

I watched from indoors until I saw the cubs go back into the woods, and then grabbed my stuff and went outside and got my photo as fast as I could.

This wasn’t the first time the cubs have been in the yard.

Bear Cub

Did I tell you that I love rural living?!

Have fun and carry on!

Previous posts:

The Deschutes River Runs Through It

Last month, the Hubster and I spent a couple of weeks housesitting for our son and his fam in Yelm, Washington.

We took a couple of day trips to nearby Tumwater.

Founded in 1845 and originally named New Market, Tumwater is the oldest permanent Anglo-American settlement on Puget Sound and served as a final northern terminus of the historic Oregon Trail.

It just so happens that the salmon run takes place every fall in Tumwater. We hiked the Riverwalk Trail a couple of times while we were housesitting.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

That walkway that you see people strolling on is part of the salmon run. You can look down through the grates to the water.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The fish ladder that corrals the Chinook is a concrete formation built along the edge of the Deschutes River.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Tumwater River Walk Trail

The walk is pleasant and peaceful. There are benches to sit and contemplate if you wish.

Tumwater River Walk Trail

I highly recommend clicking here.

The link will take you to a page where you can view a short, gorgeous video of this park. There are two videos; scroll to the second one.

After viewing the video, I bet you will want to take a walk in the park!

Tumwater River Walk Trail

Deschutes Falls Park

The same Deschutes River that runs through Tumwater also runs through the Deschutes Falls Park.

The park is close to Yelm, so it was an easy day trip.

Deschutes Falls Park

Deschutes Falls Park

There was no one hiking here the afternoon that the Hubster and I visited.

Deschutes Falls Park

There is a gorge, a canyon, waterfalls and cool rock monoliths to explore!

Deschutes Falls Park

This was such a serene and lovely place to be!

Again, if you click on the link above, you will see a short video that shares more than I can in this post.

Deschutes Falls Park

I was looking for an easy pattern/idea to cut a kit for myself to sew while housesitting. Something that I wouldn’t have to concentrate too much while sewing.

I made the hourglass blocks at my son’s, and sewed them together here at home.

Hourglass Quilt

Amy Smart graciously shares her free pattern at her site, Diary of a Quilter. Thank you Amy!

See the world around you!