Busy June!

Yes, it has been a busy June!  And it's just going to get busier before we hit July!

Jessica Dayon is hosting TWO quilt alongs this summer--this one will begin

June 25!  It's Christmas village quilt along--I did her earlier village quilt-which is still

on her website--great fun to create cute houses for a village.

This is the other one she is hosting--each week a different block--hopefully, by Christmas it 

will be ready to quilt---if only I had begun!

I've had this kit since February 2020--bought it at QuiltCon in Austin--

this thing has been staring me in the face for months and yesterday

I decided to tackle it!  It wasn’t hard to cut out--you can find digital

pattern here

My fabrics were different--lots of orange tones and purple (yuck!) but

it works!

Laid it out on floor to assemble and sew the rows together!

Border?? That's the question--it's just the right size for laps now.

Added border to Pat Sloan "Home" top--I'm thinking I'll add another

border--just looks like of blah now! 

Decided to call it quits on this orphan quilt--borders?

No--I'm finished!  just need to quilt and bind!

How busy has your June been?

 

Zucchini Time!!

 Do you relish zucchini time in the summer?  Or do you dread the bounty of your crop?  Do not fear--zucchini time is almost here! and there are so many recipes to try with those big fat green vegetables!

We love chocolate zucchini cake--kids could never tell it have that green veggie mixed in the batter! Of  course, the always famous zucchini bread!  my mouth is watering! 

 How about Z-apple pie?  One of my favorites when you don't have apples but plenty of Zs on hand.  

there are baked Parmesan cheese spears--

-we like Z fritters--easy recipe to prepare.  Now, comes the sweet Z muffins and

 have you tried that recipe with Greek Feta cheese, tomatoes, garlic --since we don't do much pasta--we use Zoodles--delish!   

I topped with cheese--

super yummy!  I even use my z-noodles in chicken soup--replacing the

pasta!

They’re Back!

 What’s back you ask!  Radio shows!!  Before TV there were radio shows—everyone had a little table radio.  I was no exception—every night I would climb into my bed to listen to those serial shows—inner sanctum,

only the shadow knows, Lone Ranger, 

The adventures of Ozzie and Harriett--plus musical shows like Louisiana Hayride and Grand Ole Opry!  What fun to listen and use your imagination as to the scene taking place on the radio!

Here's a complete list of those 'old' radio shows--did you listen to any of them?

Well, guess what--radio shows are back--and they are called Podcasts! But, instead of that old table radio we have various listening devices--and you can find a podcast for any feature of your interest!  Even my brother has a podcast!  If you are feeling down, just pick up your headset and plug into any podcast that suits your fancy!  You might even find one of those old-time radio shows/programs!

Interesting Historical Features

 The Year was 1841--The Rajah vessel was loaded with 180 women convicts heading to Hobert, Australia from England.  These women were given ten yards of fabric, four 'balls' of white sewing thread, a ball each of black, red and blue thread, black wool, 24 hanks of colored thread, a thimble, 100 needles, pins, scissors and two pounds of patchwork.  Although there were a few seamstresses on  board , most of the women were not schooled in stitchery.  By the time, the boat reached its destination, the women had created one of the most profound pieces of art!  It was titled Rajah Quilt and now is featured in  National Gallery of  Australia

The Quilt was sent back to Britain as a gift to Elizabeth Fry.  It is unknown whether she ever received the quilt.  The whereabouts of the quilt from then until it was rediscovered in 1987--handed over the the National Gallery of Australia as most treasured items— is unknown. 

Between 1788 and 1868 about 162,000 convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia.  The British Government began transporting convicts overseas to American Colonies in early 18th century.  The majority convicts were transported for petty crimes.

A book of the Rajah Quilt was published in 2016; also, a pattern to reproduce the quilt was published in 2014. 

Leader—ender

When I'm working on different blocks and want to take a break

between sections, I will use a #leader or ender-- or header/footer!

By the time you have finished one major top you have a second one began or

finished.  I'm working on two different leader/enders--one with 2.5" squares and

the other with 'strings'

The one with strings uses paper backing-- and that is recycled

as well!  I cut used paper to 8.5" square-- and sew

After I have a pile of squares on paper, I'll sit and tear--let

me tell you, it isn't always easy to pull paper off the back of

fabric.  It does help to shorten your stitch length, but I don't

want to keep changing my length between sewing.

Some people stitch on used dryer sheets— 

Maybe, you will try his method to use up all those small 

pieces and strings that accumulate in your bin.

 

Look Ma! I Finished Something!!

Another Pat Sloan finish.  This one is called Home—each Wednesday another step is published on her website

https://www.ilovetomakequilts.com/

 I decided on red white and blue to make this finished top a quilt of valor 

Finally!! The rows are together!  Just needs a border--

I want to think on that for awhile!

So happy to be finished with this 'aged' row quilt--I didn't know that was

aged until I found it in my stash bin!  wonder how many other things I've 

started and put away somewhere safe!?

I’m On A Row!

 It seems all I'm doing these days is making rows!  Why did I commit to so many row quilts!??

This one is Fat Quarter for their 2021 charity quilt.  The next row is flying geese--think

I can knock those off quickly!

This is from one that I began ages ago--began it with two rows, got 

bored with making rows and put it away--

the other day I was sorting through boxes and came across the

rows, pulled it out and told myself--"finish it!"

Another row--do you call them blocks?  Yes, you can call these blocks!

As you make eight of these 'blocks' to make a row!!

This is for Tuning My Heart--Joy in the Journey

Another row Serenity charity quilt from Fat Quarter Shop