Yikes, it's November

I've a good excuse for not posting. . . all my spare time is with fabric and my sewing machine. What fun. Well at first, not -- I found a box of blocks that I'd made from scraps with the intention of sewing them into a quilt or two. However, that was a total underestimation. I actually cried when I realized this pile of blocks was likely enough for at least a dozen or more.

So I began. Right now, I've three finished, one ready to bind, and six tops waiting to be sandwiched. And the box is only half empty! Two are lap size and one is a baby quilt made from leftover flannelette. It has already gone to an orphanage in Brazil. These are not the best of photos, but that is not a priority for me.

The plan for what happens with all my quilts, other than what family claims and others. We live in a complex with a huge building called The Grand with hundreds of tenants getting assisted living. This building is encircled by 66 bungalows for those who don't need extra care and are individually owned. This complex has several quilters and we call ourselves the "Rusty Rippers" and meet often to work and have fun together. 

Recently we decided to make quilts for those in the Grand, folks in wheelchairs, or who are cold all the time, or have lost their spouse. We are also considering Fidget quilts for those in memory care. 

I'm motivated. Time flies and I've so much fabric. Feeling responsible to use what I have and make sure the quilts go to people who need them. Therefore, each time my to-do calendar said "post quilt blog" it was usually ignored in favor of sewing. I'll try harder. Making improv quilts from blocks that were made from leftovers is a blast. I really am glad that the Lord gave me this assignment. It works well with my ADHD mind and my faith in "not my will but Thine be done."
 

More Finishes

 Life is so hecktic that sewing has to be a must or I might want to sleep all day. Here is another flannel pj transformation. I did all straight line quilting and the fabric behaved very well. This one is called "Cuddle Up" and is about 40" x 48" so nice for a small child.

I'm now working on a multicolor mostly batik that uses the craziest prints in my stash. It is fun and will be posted in a while.

This next one pictured below is not flannel but all black and white pieces from my scraps and fabric collection. I called it "Oops, a Zebra Fell out of my Stash." Most of the quilts I make for charity, but might keep this one for a while. It is 52" x 64" and I really like it. There was enough B&W for the backing too. 

Besides it, another about the same size is sandwiched on the longarm and waiting for ideas. It is dark and light too, but more brownish. Photo later. 

A good news event happened recently. I have a pattern on Etsy that has sold more than 860 copies. It is a nativity made in three panels. 

The original was done for a church we used to attend. However I was told they had not hung it for at least four years. Some friends who attend that church decided I should have it and did what was needed to pick it up and deliver it to me. I am over-whelmed. It is hanging in my study and gives me joy every time I look at it. A good reminder of the blessings God gave when He sent His Son to die for our sins. It can be seen at this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElsieQuilts 
It looks more complex than it is. This photo is a bit chopped.

Flannel PJs transformed

Well, I must mark "look at comments" on my calendar since my brain keeps forgetting and my heart needs to do it. Thank you to all who read, and to those who encourage with a few words.

We wound up with granddaughter moving in with us (long and painful story) and she is doing well, healing enough to go back to work -- in Asia. We just returned from a two-week trip to Alaska, had a great time, and now fired up to get those UFOs off my list. 

Here is a couple more made from pj bottoms. Warning: Before trying this, check online for tips on working with flannel. . . it is stretchy and hard to quilt. Straight lines on the longarm worked for me, but they fought back every inch of the way. They are small and soft though, and some little ones will love them, I have fabric for one more, then on to more serious stuff.

 

Improv times two

Two finishes. First started with leftovers from a Ricky Tims Rhapsody and needed some size so grabbed from my stash and this was the result. It is just over 50 inches square and will hand on a wall somewhere.  Photo is darker than the quilt.

 The second is a bit crazy. I have several PJ bottoms that are never worn so decided to make a few children's huggable quilts. Both top and backing are flannel, stretchy, no fun at all, but hopefully they will be loved. this is the first of likely three more. I appliqued a bunny on it. Fabric is blue plaid and a red/blue darker plaid. Backing is a blue plaid. Found out after finishing this that i could have starched the flannel to make it easier to manage, but it is cuddly.

 

  

Nearly there, need labels

Two improv quilts need labels. The big one is called "My Mind on Steroids" because my over-active brain looks like that in scraps. It is all from bits of this and that and was fun to make. I had it quilted by Kim Caskey who does her magic freehand. It is a lesson in quilting just to look at. She was given freedom to do whatever she wanted and I'm so happy with her work on this. It is about 68" square. This is not a great photo. Email me for a better one.

The other one is also scrappy and improv. Two colors. "Blue Squares in Squares" and also fun to make. I broke all the rules by quilting it in lines instead of curves, and like the result. I was going to donate it, but just might keep it for a while. Both need labels and once that is done - on to two more improvs. I'm thoroughly convinced that scraps are related to rabbits and multiply in the night.

Also cutting up flannel pj bottoms that I don't wear. All but one (of six) are plaids and each produce about 60 four-inch squares. They will make fun baby quilts, likely with a heart or animal or something appliqued on them.  

 

 The wind blew so hard in our city yesterday that a school lost its roof and concrete waste bins were blowing over. However, this is Alberta, sunny but totally unpredictable. . . as in "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute."

I finished a couple of improv quilts. One is black and white leftovers from a bigger one that is not finished yet. It will make a wheel chair lap size. The other is from my box of brown scraps and bigger pieces from that stash that multiplies in the dark when i'm sleeping. Both will likely go to our guild charity group and be given to someone who needs them.

 Our granddaughter has been staying now and then. Her other gran has the spare bedroom but no TV so she came here to watch the Olympics, etc. but also be with me while hubby went to a church men's camp for a few days. We bought a 1000 piece crazy hard puzzle and had a goofy weekend. 

Here are the two quilts. these are not great photos. Color is off and too fuzzy. Brown one is about 42" x 42" and the smaller one is 20" x 30"

 

Finally, a finish

This last few weeks has take a toll on my to-do list, but amazing how much the Lord has blessed me while I was down and out.

One quilt had me baffled for that time. My guild gave me blocks that sort of matched in style but not in content. The bigger one was a snow thing, the other two seemed more like spring or summer. However, here in Alberta, this really described our January. We had spells of spring warmth and a few days of blizzards and cold. No flowers but flower reminders. So I quilted it with snow and rain and called it "Alberta Weather." It goes to charity as a large table runner, about 20 x 60.

Now I'm scrap blasting. Hopefully one more finished tomorrow. Need to watch the Super Bowl today and maybe some Olympics. Back soon!