Good Morning! Autumn is most definitely in the air in Iowa these days. Very cool mornings...I'm always sad to see summer go, although fall is a very beautiful season here in the midwest. I have been in the fall cleaning mood, so most of my time has been spent getting some of that done, although I did get some fun play time in and I managed to get a couple of tops off my to-do list. 

This baby quilt is made with the left over half square triangles from this quilt. 

I used Moda Grunge Peony for the back. 

The binding is Moda Luxe Brushstrokes in black. I am trying to convince myself I don't need to buy more of this fabric, but I am not fully convinced. 

I also finished another string quilt. I still have more blocks in a box that need to be made into a top! 

In other news, Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Effigy Mounds near Marquette, Iowa. We have been doing a lot of hiking this summer and we are always looking for a new trail to explore. This is one we will come back to again. The trail is beautiful! 

These mounds you can see, but the rest need a high vantage point to get a clear picture of the bears and other animals depicted by the ancient peoples. Still very beautiful! 

There was a tornado earlier this year in the area and you can see some of the damage that occurred during that storm. 

As I was looking out at one of the overlooks, I saw a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye on the fence. When I looked down I saw a walking stick bug! I could have watched him all day! 

Right now I am stalking my postman waiting for a fabric delivery for a project I am excited about. I am still working it out all in my mind. =) When I get it all settled, I'll share more about it!

Until next time!! 

Good Morning! Autumn is most definitely in the air in Iowa these days. Very cool mornings...I'm always sad to see summer go, although fall is a very beautiful season here in the midwest. I have been in the fall cleaning mood, so most of my time has been spent getting some of that done, although I did get some fun play time in and I managed to get a couple of tops off my to-do list. 

This baby quilt is made with the left over half square triangles from this quilt. 

I used Moda Grunge Peony for the back. 

The binding is Moda Luxe Brushstrokes in black. I am trying to convince myself I don't need to buy more of this fabric, but I am not fully convinced. 

I also finished another string quilt. I still have more blocks in a box that need to be made into a top! 

In other news, Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Effigy Mounds near Marquette, Iowa. We have been doing a lot of hiking this summer and we are always looking for a new trail to explore. This is one we will come back to again. The trail is beautiful! 

These mounds you can see, but the rest need a high vantage point to get a clear picture of the bears and other animals depicted by the ancient peoples. Still very beautiful! 

There was a tornado earlier this year in the area and you can see some of the damage that occurred during that storm. 

As I was looking out at one of the overlooks, I saw a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye on the fence. When I looked down I saw a walking stick bug! I could have watched him all day! 

Right now I am stalking my postman waiting for a fabric delivery for a project I am excited about. I am still working it out all in my mind. =) When I get it all settled, I'll share more about it!

Until next time!! 

Last week, I decided to go on a stash overhaul and let go of fabrics that I no longer loved. I found myself getting overwhelmed with all the scraps and fat quarters of fabric that were stacking up. Some found their way into the sale bin at Cotton Creek Mill, others to the thrift stores. It is so freeing!

I also spent several days doing mindless string block sewing. I ended up making 196 - 6.5" string blocks. That helped to empty my string tub that was overflowing and I was able to cut up more scraps in my scrap tubs and get rid of those, too. String quilts = free quilts. 

I still have these triangle string blocks I made last spring. One of these days I will get them all put together. =)  

Here is a list of the other string quilts I have made in the past.  

String Quilts

Baby Quilts 

Rainbow Strings 

When is the last time you did a spring cleaning of your stash? 

Last week, I decided to go on a stash overhaul and let go of fabrics that I no longer loved. I found myself getting overwhelmed with all the scraps and fat quarters of fabric that were stacking up. Some found their way into the sale bin at Cotton Creek Mill, others to the thrift stores. It is so freeing!

I also spent several days doing mindless string block sewing. I ended up making 196 - 6.5" string blocks. That helped to empty my string tub that was overflowing and I was able to cut up more scraps in my scrap tubs and get rid of those, too. String quilts = free quilts. 

I still have these triangle string blocks I made last spring. One of these days I will get them all put together. =)  

Here is a list of the other string quilts I have made in the past.  

String Quilts

Baby Quilts 

Rainbow Strings 

When is the last time you did a spring cleaning of your stash? 

A few baby quilts that I finally finished! 

The pattern for this one is Jelly Filled by Thimble Blossoms.

These two are string quilts I made with scraps from my stash of 3 Sisters fabrics. I have a tub full of these fabrics! 

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend! 

A few baby quilts that I finally finished! 

The pattern for this one is Jelly Filled by Thimble Blossoms.

These two are string quilts I made with scraps from my stash of 3 Sisters fabrics. I have a tub full of these fabrics! 

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend! 

Every once in a while, I feel the need to purge and reorganize the scrap piles in my sewing space. I got to looking at my string box and it was crammed full of scrappy strings. It was a good place to start! When I make string blocks, I like to use a fabric foundation. Muslin or old sheets are good enough for me. I also like to use strings that are no wider than 2 ½" and no narrower than 1 ¼". As I sewed, I tossed the ones that were too narrow and made decisions on what ones I wanted to use and which ones could be set aside for another project, or *gasp* tossed into the trash. I like my foundation fabrics to be cut into 9 ¾" squares. After they are all covered into the strings, I trim them to 9 ½". 

Here is a great tutorial from Craftsy that explains the process.

Here is a pile of beautiful string blocks! I ended up making 112 blocks, enough for two 63" x 72" quilts. My string box looks much better and now there is room to start saving them again!

This is a picture of one of them. They are both essentially alike. =) I did a very simple cross hatch on both of the quilts. Nothing fancy was needed, in my opinion. 

Since the goal was to get rid of scraps and stash, and the quilts looked so much alike, I decided to keep the theme going for the backs. I didn't have enough of one fabric that was enough to cover both of them. I knew I would need to piece the back with several fabrics, but how to figure all that out had me stumped. Christa @ChristaQuilts to the rescue!! Christa has a great lay out tutorial to make a clever pieced back. I only had to adjust the math a bit to make it work for my quilts. Yay! Here is a link to Christa's tutorial. 

I had just enough to make them both the same except for this one part, which is okay. If they go to the same family with two little girls, which is the plan, its nice to have a way to tell them apart. 

When I use scraps like strings, it almost feels like I made quilts that were free, you know? How do you like to use your scraps? Please share! I am always looking for new ideas. =) 

I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving, so I want to take the time to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I am thankful to each and every one of you, those who comment and those who like to only read and stay in the back ground. I appreciate you all....

Every once in a while, I feel the need to purge and reorganize the scrap piles in my sewing space. I got to looking at my string box and it was crammed full of scrappy strings. It was a good place to start! When I make string blocks, I like to use a fabric foundation. Muslin or old sheets are good enough for me. I also like to use strings that are no wider than 2 ½" and no narrower than 1 ¼". As I sewed, I tossed the ones that were too narrow and made decisions on what ones I wanted to use and which ones could be set aside for another project, or *gasp* tossed into the trash. I like my foundation fabrics to be cut into 9 ¾" squares. After they are all covered into the strings, I trim them to 9 ½". 

Here is a great tutorial from Craftsy that explains the process.

Here is a pile of beautiful string blocks! I ended up making 112 blocks, enough for two 63" x 72" quilts. My string box looks much better and now there is room to start saving them again!

This is a picture of one of them. They are both essentially alike. =) I did a very simple cross hatch on both of the quilts. Nothing fancy was needed, in my opinion. 

Since the goal was to get rid of scraps and stash, and the quilts looked so much alike, I decided to keep the theme going for the backs. I didn't have enough of one fabric that was enough to cover both of them. I knew I would need to piece the back with several fabrics, but how to figure all that out had me stumped. Christa @ChristaQuilts to the rescue!! Christa has a great lay out tutorial to make a clever pieced back. I only had to adjust the math a bit to make it work for my quilts. Yay! Here is a link to Christa's tutorial. 

I had just enough to make them both the same except for this one part, which is okay. If they go to the same family with two little girls, which is the plan, its nice to have a way to tell them apart. 

When I use scraps like strings, it almost feels like I made quilts that were free, you know? How do you like to use your scraps? Please share! I am always looking for new ideas. =) 

I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving, so I want to take the time to thank you all for your support and encouragement. I am thankful to each and every one of you, those who comment and those who like to only read and stay in the back ground. I appreciate you all....

This quilt was a fun quilt to make. =) It has an extra bonus of being a great scrap buster. For the string triangles, I cut triangles of a foundation fabric (I used old white sheets) using my tri-recs ruler and covered them with strings to make blocks. When I exhausted the colors I had in my string box that would work for this project, I cut up other fabrics on my stash and made whole triangles. I like the mix of pieced triangles and whole cloth triangles. 

A few years ago, I made an impulse buy of this watermelon fabric. I wasn't sure if I would ever find a way to get it out of my stash pile, but I did! It's perfect for the back of this quilt! 

For the quilting, I outlined all the triangles. I then took 3 different sized diner plates and traced around them, over lapping them all over the quilt. Like bubbles, if you will. Only they are big bubbles. =) Super easy and it was fast! 

A peek at a few of the fun prints...

The quilt finished at 61 ½" x 75 ½."

Tomorrow, Brooklyn will be visiting for a few hours. She will have her hands full of 4 quilts to give away to her friends and her new baby cousin. =)

Have a happy week everyone!!

This quilt was a fun quilt to make. =) It has an extra bonus of being a great scrap buster. For the string triangles, I cut triangles of a foundation fabric (I used old white sheets) using my tri-recs ruler and covered them with strings to make blocks. When I exhausted the colors I had in my string box that would work for this project, I cut up other fabrics on my stash and made whole triangles. I like the mix of pieced triangles and whole cloth triangles. 

A few years ago, I made an impulse buy of this watermelon fabric. I wasn't sure if I would ever find a way to get it out of my stash pile, but I did! It's perfect for the back of this quilt! 

For the quilting, I outlined all the triangles. I then took 3 different sized diner plates and traced around them, over lapping them all over the quilt. Like bubbles, if you will. Only they are big bubbles. =) Super easy and it was fast! 

A peek at a few of the fun prints...

The quilt finished at 61 ½" x 75 ½."

Tomorrow, Brooklyn will be visiting for a few hours. She will have her hands full of 4 quilts to give away to her friends and her new baby cousin. =)

Have a happy week everyone!!

Introducing ❤ Strings. 

I poured my ❤ out into this quilt. 

And though my ❤ has been heavy, this quilt also knows the hope I have in Jesus...

Give us faith to be strong

Father, we are so weak

Our bodies are fragile and weary

As we stagger and stumble to walk where you lead

Give us faith to be strong

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us peace when we're torn

Mend us up when we break

This flesh can be wounded and shaking

When there's much too much trouble for one heart to take

Give us peace when we're torn

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us hearts to find hope

Father, we cannot see

How the sorrow we feel can bring freedom

And as hard as we try, Lord, it's hard to believe

So, give us hearts to find hope

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us peace when we're torn

Give us faith, faith to be strong

Andrew Peterson

Introducing ❤ Strings. 

I poured my ❤ out into this quilt. 

And though my ❤ has been heavy, this quilt also knows the hope I have in Jesus...

Give us faith to be strong

Father, we are so weak

Our bodies are fragile and weary

As we stagger and stumble to walk where you lead

Give us faith to be strong

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us peace when we're torn

Mend us up when we break

This flesh can be wounded and shaking

When there's much too much trouble for one heart to take

Give us peace when we're torn

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us hearts to find hope

Father, we cannot see

How the sorrow we feel can bring freedom

And as hard as we try, Lord, it's hard to believe

So, give us hearts to find hope

Give us faith to be strong

Give us strength to be faithful

This life is not long, but it's hard

Give us grace to go on

Make us willing and able

Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us peace when we're torn

Give us faith, faith to be strong

Andrew Peterson

It's all ready to be quilted...I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself for making a truly scrappy quilt. =)  I think it fits in the low volume(ish) category, too, don't you?

It's all ready to be quilted...I have to say, I am pretty proud of myself for making a truly scrappy quilt. =)  I think it fits in the low volume(ish) category, too, don't you?

I have the flimsy done.  =)  I may have been quiet, but I am always busy. Now to get it quilted before winter is over. *wink*

Yesterday, I got out my two containers of strings and threw a couple of blocks together. As I have mentioned before, scrappy is hard for me, however, once I got started, I couldn't stop! I sorted out the lower volume fabrics I had, cut a bit into my yardage and fat quarters for more variety and I am well pleased with how this project is coming along. I am really excited to see how it will look after I get the blocks sewn together.

Quilting truly is my therapy. When life is hard, I can lose myself in a project. It helps to keep the fear and sadness at bay. It is a true blessing to me. 

I hope you are all doing well.....

I have the flimsy done.  =)  I may have been quiet, but I am always busy. Now to get it quilted before winter is over. *wink*

Yesterday, I got out my two containers of strings and threw a couple of blocks together. As I have mentioned before, scrappy is hard for me, however, once I got started, I couldn't stop! I sorted out the lower volume fabrics I had, cut a bit into my yardage and fat quarters for more variety and I am well pleased with how this project is coming along. I am really excited to see how it will look after I get the blocks sewn together.

Quilting truly is my therapy. When life is hard, I can lose myself in a project. It helps to keep the fear and sadness at bay. It is a true blessing to me. 

I hope you are all doing well.....