Fat Quarters by the Dozen - Your Opinion, Please

Hello, Friends!

Hope everyone is doing well and that you had a nice long weekend. We drove to Nashville on Sunday for a concert and returned on Monday. I didn’t want to go anywhere on a holiday weekend, but it ended up being worth it.

I am having difficulty finding border fabric for the Fat Quarters by the Dozen quilt. I used scraps from various collections of Lori Holt fabric to piece the top center. Per the pattern there should be a skinny inner border and wider outer border. Even though many of Lori’s collections work together, I really do not want to purchase any more fabric for this. However, I will if I must.

It currently measures 54 ½” x 63 ½”.

I was thinking I could make a scrappy binding out of 2 ½” x 6 ½” strips from the fabrics in the quilt and call it done.

What do you think?

This project and Sewcilites 3 will be my quilting priority when I return from the cross-stitch retreat. I’ll try to share a bit about the retreat on Friday. No promises because I don’t know how crazy it will be. Sometimes I get so busy having fun that I do not take photos.

I hope you have a great week ahead and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on FQBTD.

See you soon,

 

Freshly Picked Table Runner, Upcoming Plans and A Bear

Hello, friends!

It has been just over two weeks since my last post. We returned from a fabulous time in Philadelphia and I just got busy with work and real life.  There hasn't been any cross-stitching to share and the sewing projects I have are retreat gifts. Those things have taken up much of my time. I'll share them in a future post when I recap the retreat.

Speaking of the retreat, I mentioned in a previous post that I am donating a table runner for the charity raffle.  I finished the runner last week.
                                            
Freshly Picked is a project from a Fat Quarter Shop Sew Sampler Box. I was a subscriber many years ago. Most of the Sew Sampler projects that I knew I would never make were sold on a destash FB page a long time ago. I saved a few favorites for myself and charitable donations.
                                            

                                            
The focus fabrics were from Good Life by Bonnie & Camille for Moda. I did the quilting on my embroidery machine using a design from Designs by JuJu called Vines and Flowers. The overall measurement is 19.5" x 57". All fabrics were from my stash.

I'm also donating a lap-sized quilt but do not have any good photos of it yet. I may try to get a photo with the raffle winner at the retreat.

We've been in our NC mountain home for 3 years and 4 months. We frequently have deer and turkeys on the property. Last week we had our first bear visit.  We've had them on the road but never in our yard...much less our garage. Hubby was cleaning the upper patio deck furniture. He left the back garage door open as he went in and out. A bear came from somewhere, entered the garage, drug out a bag of birdseed, made a mess and then left. It was so cute how he walked down the paver steps to our lower lawn.  I'll try to attach a video at the end of this post but if it doesn't work, you can find it on my Instagram.

My goal for this week is to finish all of the things I have to do for the retreat which begins on September 10th. I'll be driving to Montgomery, AL on the 9th. Also, my Mom bought a condo so we will be helping her pack and prepare to move. The timing on that is dependent on when the flooring people finish. She's had a lot of renovation going on since she purchased the property. While I am thrilled for her, the timing is awful. I'm committed to the retreat but also want to be here for her.

During my two week break, I've missed visiting my favorite blogs. Hoping to do some catch up reading over the next few days.

Enjoy your week ahead and I'll see you soon.

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I have been discouraged by linky parties. But, since I've started following Melva, I'm encouraged to give her Sew & Tell a try.

Playing Catch Up

Hello, dear friends!

Since returning from Ft. Walton Beach, I've been playing catch up on housework and sewing.  The housework part is boring so we'll skip right to the very little bit of sewing I've done.

Sewcialites 3, block 24 was released last Friday. Star Light Block by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings.
                                
This was not an enjoyable block to piece and it took me for - ever!

The last block will be released this Friday and then the finishing instructions next week. I'm looking forward to bringing this QAL to an end.
                                        
I still need to find two border fabrics for Fat Quarters by the Dozen. Then both 2026 QALs will be finished.

Sewing plans for the remainder of the week are to work on gifts for an upcoming cross-stitch retreat. I'll have a cross-stitch update on Friday.

I hope your week is off to a great start. I'll see you soon.

Sewcialites 3, Block 23 and Table Runner for Charity

Hello, dear friends. I hope you had a nice weekend. It was rainy on and off here but we still made it out to get fresh veges from a local farm stand.

The Ten Acre Garden is a family owned and operated flower and vegetable garden. It is a U-Pick business but they also have packaged products available so you don't have to go into the gardens yourself.

They have a sunflower maze you can walk through.  They will have a corn maze in the fall. It is a great place for family's to visit.

The dahlias were stunning.

A couple of stations for doing different crafts

A tic-tac-toe board played with painted rocks

In the sewing room I finished Sewcialites 3, block 23.
                                          
With Love Block was designed by Jackie MacDonald of Sweetfire Road.
                                            
I also assembled the first table runner for the charity raffle I told you about in a previous post.
                                                    
Freshy Picked is a flimsy. I'll share more details once it is quilted and bound.

That will not happen until possibly next weekend. As I mentioned in Friday's post, we were expecting to make a trip to Ft. Walton Beach for a funeral. My aunt passed away Sunday morning and we are waiting to hear about the arrangements. My mom is doing very well...considering.

I want to thank all of you who sent well wishes.

I will try to post a cross-stitch update on Friday. It will depend on whether we are home or not.

Enjoy the week ahead and I'll see you soon.

Quilt Progress -- Sewcialites 3, Fat Quarters by the Dozen and New Plans

Hello, dear friends.

My last post didn't show up on reading lists for a couple of days. So, if you missed last Friday's cross-stitch update, you can find it here.

The planned sewing weekend was a success. First up is Fat Quarter Shop's Sewcialites 3, block 22.
                                 
Down to Earth Block was created by Wendy Sheppard.
                                 
Next was Fat Quarters by the Dozen. This is another quilt along from the Fat Quarter Shop. I have assembled the quilt center and added the first border.            
                                  
I do not have fabrics for the two remaining borders so this one will sit for a bit. I used my Lori Holt stash for this so it shouldn't be too difficult to find fabrics that will work. All of Lori's fabric lines are similar in color and work well together.

Lastly, I volunteered to make a couple of quilted table runners for a charity raffle that will be held at a retreat I am attending in September. I decided on patterns and pulled fabrics from stash.

Freshly Picked...

                                            
Life's a Picnic...

My next post will be on Friday, July 31st with a cross stitch update.

See you soon,

Sewcialites 3 Block 21 and FQBTD

Happy Monday, Dear Friends!

Another quick weekend is in the books. Let's see what I got up to...

First, my husband asked for a batch of sour cream cookies. I was happy to oblige so Friday night called for baking.
                                                    
Fat Quarter Shop released block 21 of the Sewcialites 3 quilt-along.
                                             
Dreamy Block designed by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life. 
                                                        
Only 4 more blocks and then we will be ready to finish it!

The remainder of my sewing time was spent on Fat Quarter Shop's Fat Quarters by the Dozen quilt-along. Finishing instructions were released last Wednesday. After reviewing my notes, I realized that I had planned for everything except the last two borders, backing and binding. The reason for this is because I used various scraps of Lori Holt fabric from my stash for the blocks. I can't decide on borders until the top is complete.

I cut everything I need to complete the center and the first border.
                                                
The plan is to work on sewing the quilt center together next weekend.

This week will be busy at work and I have housework on the list as well. We will see on Friday's check-in if I was able to get in some stitching.

Have a great week, and I'll see you soon.

A Quilty Update -- Sewcialites 3, Four Patch Fun and More

Happy Monday, Dear Friends!

Our trip to Charlotte on Saturday was a success. It was a 2-1/2 hour trip each way to IKEA. It rained most of the way there, but it wasn't terrible. No rain on the return, so it was a little quicker. We stopped for dinner on the way home. There is a new Mexican restaurant close to the house. They are going to do well. The food was delicious, salads were fresh and great service. We got there at the right time because a line was forming when we left.

We got home and assembled the bookcases. I spent the remainder of the evening putting stuff away. Of course, I'll change everything a gazillion (is that even a word?) times.

Today's quilty update starts with the latest block for Fat Quarter Shop's  Sewcialites 3 QAL. Block number 20 is the Gazebo Block designed by Doug Leko.
                                                 
So thankful for another quick and easy one. There are only 5 more blocks to go.
                                                
Bonnie Hunter's leader / ender project for July, 2025 - June, 2026 was Four Patch Fun. I've been sewing along but not always sharing progress. She just announced the next leader / ender project starting this month but I'm going to continue with Four Patch Fun.  Here is where I am so far...

Mine are simple two-color blocks in two different colorways.

I have 15 of these blocks with 7 more pre-cut.

                                    

                                              

I have 12 of these blocks with 11 more pre-cut.
                                                

                                                
I do not have a plan for finishing yet. These will likely be two separate quilts since the blocks measure 8 1/2" square.

I mentioned last week that I am joining Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Tree Farm QAL. This is a mystery quilt which means we do not know what the end result will be. I purchased the quilt kit that features the Poinsettia and Pear fabric by Sherri & Chelsi.

They include everything you need to complete the quilt, including a layer cake, background, backing and binding.
                                            

                                            
FQS told us to be careful when cutting into the layer cake as we will use those fabrics in future releases. They do not provide instructions on how to cut the layer cake. I've decided to collect the patterns as they are released and do the sewing at the end. I wouldn't want to make a mistake and have to purchase additional fabric.

But not to worry, I'll have plenty of other quilty fun when the next two quilt-along kits arrive this week. I'll share those next Monday.

With all the sewing and a trip to Charlotte, I've missed reading your  weekend blog posts. So, I'm off to grab a cup of tea and catch up.

I'll be back on Friday, July 17th with a cross-stitch update. Have a wonderful week and I'll see you soon.

Fat Quarters by the Dozen and A New QAL

Hello and Happy Monday, dear friends!

I hope everyone in the USA enjoyed the July 4th celebration of our country's 250th birthday.  We grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and I made potato salad. Hubby made some delicious baked beans. There was a side of fresh avocado with balsamic viniagrette and olive oil. We enjoyed hubby's homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert. Mom was here and we played board games before enjoying the fireworks display from Lake Junaluska.
                                                

Not a great photo from our upper deck but timing is everything!

The plan for the long weekend was to get some house cleaning done and sew the last two blocks for Fat Quarter Shop's quilt-along Fat Quarters by the Dozen (FQBTD).

Cleaning was accomplished, but I mostly enjoyed spending time with family. Sunday was spent in the sewing room.  FQBTD releases 11 & 12 were completed.

Release 11 constisted of two blocks.  One Left Majestic Block 

And one Right Majestic Block

Release 12 is the Sunbeam Block
                                            
                                            
Fat Quarter Shop will release finishing instructions on July 15th. This will be interesting because there are some elements in what can only be a sashing, but we haven't received indstructions on how to make those yet.

My next quilt along is Jolly Tree Farm sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. 

Each Monday during July they release instructions for a section of a small holiday quilt. I purchased the kit which includes everything except the pattern and batting to finish the quilt. You can download each release for the pattern from the FQS website for free. Today is release 2 but since I only received the kit last week, I am starting a bit behind. Apparently, the fabric was delayed from the supplier and the kits were held up a bit.

I'll be back on Friday, July 10th with a cross stitch update.

See you soon,

Quilt-Along Progress and Plans

Happy first day of June, my friends! Where does the time go?

Before getting into the quilt update, I want to mention a Blogger issue I’ve been having. Sweet Linda at Linda’s Relaxing Lair wrote a post about it a while ago but I couldn’t find it to link.

Posts do not appear in the Reading List right away. I have missed so many of my friends’ posts because they are either delayed or are not showing up at all in the list. Linda did mention that if you have a blog roll on your page, then that updates immediately. I must figure out how to add that to my blog, when I have time. I’ve noticed I have had a reduction in views, so I suspect my posts are not showing up either.

Now, for what you came here for…

The first block I finished on Friday was Sewcialites 3 block 15.

Split Star Block by Lissa Alexander.  I amazed myself when my directional fabrics came out correctly.

Fat Quarter Shop released the Fat Quarters by the Dozen block early. It should have been posted today but it was available on Friday, so I took the opportunity to get ahead a little bit.

Luminary block is another big one, measuring 15 ½” square.

I believe there are only a couple of block releases left and then we get the finishing instructions.

We leave next Sunday for vacation. We will be away about a week and a half. The plan is to have a cross-stitch update this Friday. Then I’ll have a quilt and crochet update scheduled to post on Monday, June 8^th. So, if I do not show on your reading list, please know those are my plans. I always have good intentions of posting while on vacation but have rarely done so. I'll likely post a few times on Instagram and then write a post recapping our trip when I return.

This is going to be a busy week with trying to finish some tasks for work and packing. I did have a successful weekend in giving the house a deep clean. Don’t ask me about the mounds of laundry!

I hope you have a great week doing all the things you love.

See you soon,