Need a Name

I need a name for this quilt.  Gosh, I love it so much.  Funny how every quilt I make seems to be my favorite.  I posted a pic of this on the Quiltville Facebook group I belong to, and have received about 700 name suggestions.  Wow.  But none that strike me like the ones I thought of myself.

I want a meaningful name.  Something that reminds me of this time in our world.  I don't want it to be sad, but hopeful. I thought of "Chains of Hope", "We Area All In This Together," "Unified in Hope."

All the colors remind me of people....marching towards something. So I thought "Marching to Zion."  Christian people ready to live out (march) their faith here on the earth, aligning themselves straight with the righteousness of Jesus and his teachings, getting ready to march to the beautiful city of God. Oh, I know some will scoff at my thoughts.  That's ok.  I'm secure in my faith. Isn't it funny how even a quilt can be used to spread the word of the gospel?

Scrappy Quilt #4 Progress

This one is taking some time but I am really loving the vintage look.

I need a name for this one.  I've made Quarantine, Quarantine 2, and Pandemic so far.  I thought about Chaos, which reminds me of how our country is going nuts right now, with the rioters and looters, but I don't want to give attention to the bad.  Maybe I should call it "God Will Make a Way" kind of like how I feel about these turbulent times. God is in control of our world. It's his world after all. His will be done.

On a lighter note, still hanging the #porchquilts. Finally got the flag hung after some difficulties with broken screws. I've had people comment and tell me they enjoy seeing the quilts as they drive by.  That makes me smile.

 The hubby brought me "fishing" flowers again today. I love this new habit he has gotten into.  When he sees pretty flowers while he is fishing the banks in his boat, he gets closer and picks some for me. Isn't that sweet? These are so pretty and orange.  I think they are wild trumpet flowers.

 Lots of little buds not yet opened.  Hope they open in my kitchen.

The Show Continues

This is a 6" block of scrappy, wonky stars set alternately with solid white/cream blocks.

 This one is special.  It is made from my son's shirts from his high school, college, and seminary years. I hung it today but should have done it yesterday in his honor, for father's day. He is a father to two littles.

And speaking of special, this little piece sure is that.  It is something I made about 40 years ago for my mother-in-law who was a quilter long before I ever picked up a needle.  In fact, she and my grandmother were my inspiration for beginning the quilting hobby.

She passed away a few weeks ago, and it was returned to me.  It hung in her home all these years and I was so moved that the family returned it to me.  You see, her son and I divorced 21 years ago.  I loved her much and still love the family. I was in that family from the time I was 19 until 40 years old.  My heart breaks at the heartache she felt when we divorced.  She never quit loving me and I never quit loving her. To this day, I am so very thankful for her.

Social Distance Quilt Show

Hung another quilt today.  😊

I discovered an awesome way to made the tie masks non-tie and adjustable.  Genius idea (not my own). Sew a tiny loop in the bottom tie, cut it off and sew the edges, run the top through it.

 And I put some little beads on the ends to help keep it tight and in place when on the face.

Then I made some cupcakes today......

Can't say it was a really productive day, but a nice one nonetheless.

Scrappy Log Cabin

Some quilts just get me. I mean get me excited and happy just to look at them.  This is one of those. Warning - picture overload.  :)

 Two bright scrappy quilts for the twin beds is p-e-r-f-e-c-t.

 And see that green thing outside the window?

It's a thing I did today.

 I watched an Instagram video by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company, where she and her husband Ron, hang a quilt on her porch and tell how they made the hanging apparatus. Super easy with open screw-in hooks and a piece of EMT Conduit.  Got the supplies at Lowe's and they even cut the metal pipe for me free.  The quilt is one designed to mimic the blog name, Around the Blocks. It was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Quilts from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.

Can't wait to hang patriotic quilts for July 4th, fall quilts, Christmas quilts, and others. Hoping to get some smiles out of passersby. 

And speaking of smiles.....these two. Growing up so much.

Progress and Birds

Progress first.  So many little squares.

 I have the first eight on-point rows sewn together, but it's only about 24" wide. Looks like I'll need a lot more rows to make it at least 70-75" wide, and about 80" long.  I'll be adding more in the middle, and lengthen the ones I have up.  So, it's crooked because a few rows are sewn, some blocks are sewn, but most are just little squares put up there, rather haphazardly.

Now for the birds.  I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with the birds in our front yard. I love to hear them and see them but....last year they built a mud nest on the inside boards of our front porch.  The hubs begged me to let them live there until the birds hatched, grew, and flew away.  I did, and it was a massive bird/mud poop mess.  I told him never again.  This year, they built a nest in one of my hanging ferns.  Again, he begged for me to let them live there.  I caved.  Again, a massive bird poop mess in the pot and on the porch.  Today I found a nest in the other hanging fern. I took it out, and proceeded to put it in one of the crepe myrtle trees in the yard, away from the porch. Hubs was not happy. I had to draw the line.

I showed the nest to my neighbor who said to be sure and wash good, because the nest can house lice.  Eek!  Another friend told me about the diseases in bird poop.  Sorry hubs, but there will be no bird nests on our porch. I will admit that I was praying later that the momma would find the nest.  I am afraid she won't :(

Time for Another Scrap Quilt

While I'm waiting on the backing for the log cabin quilt, I've been contemplating my next scrap quilt.  I still have lots of fabric that can/should be used and scrappy quilts with lots of white are my favorite.  Not sure I'll ever get tired of those.  A few months ago my DIL sent me a picture of her friend's new baby laying on a vintage looking quilt.  I really liked the pattern.  Very simple four patches set on point. I've looked and looked at paper pieced patterns, but decided today, this would be a bit easier since I can make some strip sets for a lot of the 4 patches.  So....here we go!

Those little squares will finish up at 1" each, with the bigger ones at 2"

I considered using the wrong side of some of my lights, to make them more subtle, but decide against it. I've done that before to mute the colors some. I decided to pull in more low volume prints and light colors and will leave them right side up just to give it more variation. More scrappy. Not sure yet on the size of this one either.  I may make it smaller than my normal so it will only fit a twin or a full, or a nice size lap or toddler quilt. Then again, this is only a few hours work and almost 25% of the blocks I'll need for a twin.....might make it bigger.  Just not sure at this point, simply enjoying having a new project.  I just love the vintage, or old-timey look of this one.

Pie Crust Recipe

This crust turns out great every. single. time.  So, thought I'd share it (threw in the strawberry pie recipe also).

I tried to add a few decor things to the screened porch recently. A greenery wreath and some small plants on the tobacco stick ladder. We sure enjoy this porch.

And these pics of the front porch are just because.......the flowers are looking so pretty.

Pie

Goodness, how I love pie.  Chocolate is my favorite but really, I love almost any kind of pie. Walmart had strawberries on sale today and I got a big container, thinking it was enough for two pies.  Had already picked up a few little peaches for an apple/peach pie.  Didn't have enough strawberries so I just added the peaches and made the pie just like a regular strawberry pie.  It was yummy.

 The hubby has been bringing me flowers when he goes fishing.  I love it!  Today he brought, what I think, is mountain laurel. So pretty.