Monday, December 12, 2016

Weekly update: the social whirl, string piecing, and that mystery

We went to the podiatrist on Tuesday. He pronounced the second procedure successful and scheduled the next appointment for December 20.  I'm *trying* to favor my foot.

The first week of December is when many of the organizations I'm in have their holiday parties. I had to skip two of them (Monday evening and Tuesday noon) but I went to three others.

FQ exchange and scrap bags 
 The quilt guild dinner was Wednesday evening.  We have a fat quarter exchange -- package four FQs any way you'd like. Draw a number and take your pick of someone else's FQs. I brought four sets so I got to choose four sets.   There were scrap bags left over from our quilt show last month. We were invited (begged!) to take them home, so I helped myself to three.  [15 yds., no cost]

The United Methodist Women luncheon was Thursday at a local restaurant.  Liz picked me up.   I had to hunt for a suitable white elephant for the gift exchange. I sold a lot of that sort of stuff at my garage sale in August. (Technically I could have boxed up fabric scraps or empty spools. I wanted to give something nicer.  I found an English china cup-and-saucer and a package of fancy tea. Perfect! And the recipient was pleased.) (In return I got a pair of glass candleholders that are already in the box for the next garage sale.)

The AAUW  holiday luncheon was Saturday. Since I am branch president I had to be there -- and besides that, it's always a lovely and lively event. My friend Rosemary was my guest and my chauffeur.  We have several fundraisers -- a silent auction ($631.50), a 50/50 ($110 to the winner, $110 to the branch), and the raffle quilt that I make ($400). [Proceeds will be allocated among AAUW Funds (national) and  our branch scholarship, convention, and community funds.]

Dorothy won this year's quilt, "Winter Stars." She won "Holly
Basket" in 2006 and took pictures of the two on her sofa.



The guild scrap bags were  "irregular strips" ranging from 1.5" to 2.5" with a couple of chunks thrown in. I dumped them all into a box and started using them.   The Block Lotto December block is pieced strings.  Each 6.5" block has one strip with a least three pieces.  There's a limit of 9 lotto entries but I can't quit making them. (I added three more after I took this photo.)












In 2015 I knocked myself out to make twelve   Heartstrings quilts, each with a different colorway/theme.  Earlier this year I quilted several of them (and I sold three, unquilted).  The  influx of strips motivated me to make a couple of blue-centered blocks. But why stop? And here is the latest HS flimsy. (4-7/8 yds used)














And, finally. The project I was NOT going to start.  Magenta is the constant color for En Provence, the 2016 Quiltville mystery. I found the perfect magenta on the shelf and I slid right down that slippery slope.

I bought Deb Tucker's V-block ruler at the guild quilt show. I'm using it rather than Tri-Recs. I had to read and re-read the instructions to be able to use the markings correctly. I think I have the hang of it.

Monday linkups:
Quiltville Mystery Monday
Design Wall Monday
Main Crush Monday
Oh Scrap
Monday Making




11 comments:

  1. I love those string blocks! And yes, the mystery is hard to resist. You're off to a good start!

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  2. String blocks are addictive! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  3. glad you are able to be out and about...and i too succumbed to the mystery, albeit lagging behind...what else is new?

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  4. Wonderful string blocks--I love making them! :)

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  5. Wow, so many scrap projects, all stunning plus a whirlwind social calendar. Hope you get time to keep going with this mystery.

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  6. Welcome back to full swing sewing! Your blocks look great as ever and those guild bags of irregular strips are positively inspiring to play in and make blocks!

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  7. So glad you are healing up!! Winter Stars is Gorgeous!!! and that String quilt your starting - so great!! (you inspired me!)

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  8. Your pieced string blocks look great! Lovely use of free fabric. That V Block ruler looks a bit intimidating, but your finished units are very nice, so it is obviously worth mastering the new tool.

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  9. I love working with Deb Tucker's rulers :)
    Your scrappy string quilts are fabulous and thanks for the link to HeartStrings Quilt link.

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  10. You got a lot done even with all the socializing this week. Very fun projects. Bonnie's mysteries are pretty irresistible, especially once you start looking for possible fabrics. Looking forward to seeing your bits and pieces evolve.

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  11. Love Deb's rulers. This one really works well for me. I am resisting this mystery. I'd love to be joining in but I am still trying to finish a LOT of UFO's. Must stay focused! Good luck with yours. Nothing like having one piece of fabric to force you to start a new project.

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