June Wrap Up

There's one day left in June, but I'm wrapping up the month today.  I exceeded the thirty block goal for the 350 Blocks Project at Prairie Moon Quilts.  My total number of blocks for June is 53.  I also managed to finish one UFO quilt top.
The June color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge was yellow.  In addition to the yellow blocks I made earlier in the month, I started a new project from the Summer 2014 issue of Easy Quilts by Fons and Porter.  With so many free patterns on the internet, I have curbed my magazine addiction, but this issue was hard to resist.  There are 7 quilts that I would like to try.  Of course, that will never happen, but I did start one, Mod Cabin.  It uses 2.5 inch strips in a rainbow of colors.  I  made three of the blocks in yellow.

Here are the yellow blocks mixed with the other colors I made.

I added a yellow row to my Rainbow Chevron quilt.

I even managed to squeeze in some of Bonnie Hunter's Happy House blocks.

I love making these Knot blocks.  They work up quickly and are a great use for scraps.

I also made six more 4 patch blocks.

I thought limiting myself to using older stash fabrics and scraps would have me bored to tears by now, but I am really enjoying the challenge.  The eight yard bolt of white on white that I bought on sale at Joann's fabrics earlier this year has less than a 1/2 yard left.  It has really helped me to brighten up the look of some of my older stash and at 40% off was a great bargain.

I won a lovely prize from the Hands 2 Help Challenge donated by Karen Green of K's Quilting Korner.    There are 100 novelty charms, post-it notes and a pen, Presencia thread (my favorite to quilt with), a spool of thread from Connecting Threads, a no waste Flying Geese chart, a Quick Quarter ruler for making HSTs, and two packs of candy made near her hometown.  The candy was devoured immediately.  My husband inhaled the chocolate covered pecan patties and I claimed the mint patties for myself.  It came with a beautiful fabric basket that is perfect for stray threads and fabric clippings.

Thank you Karen for donating such a lovely prize.  Although most of the quilters that participate in the H2H challenge do it for the pleasure of donating quilts to worthy causes, it is always fun to receive a surprise in the mail.

I am linking up with Angela's Rainbow Scrap Challenge at Sew Scrappy.  Stop by and check out the other links.  There are lots of great projects this week.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Yellow

I have been poking through my stash looking for yellow fabric.  Yellow and orange always seem to be in short supply in my sewing room.  During this year's Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I have been envious of Sharon V's Garlic Knot blocks.  I finally decided to make some of my own.  I used the tutorial offered by Angela (the hostess of the RSC) on her Super Scrappy blog.  I changed the size by using some of the 2.5 strips I had in my stash.  My version finishes at 8 inches instead of the original 6 inches.  Angela has lots of tutorials for six inch blocks that work well to use up scraps.

I made a few more blocks from the Dottie pattern and more four patches for my collection.

I enjoyed making the Knot blocks so much that I made them in other colors.

I also finished another scrappy top with blocks I made last summer. I loved being able to use lots of 2 inch scrap strips.

 Retired guy was kind enough to hold up the quilt for me and to pose with his new gardening hat.

My stylish new footwear has been keeping me close to home so I have extra time to sew.  I've gotten through the first week of the six week period.  I have a different style to wear while I sleep.  Hopefully, my Achilles tendon will heal and I will be able to avoid surgery.  In the meantime, please don't ask me to dance.

I'm linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at So Scrappy.  As usual, there are lots of great projects to see.

Christmas Panel Giveaway Winner

May and June have been filled with short trips for my husband and I.  This weekend, we were back in Boston to see my daughter.  We visited one of her favorite places, the Boston Aquarium.  Our family has visited many Marine Life Centers over the years, Boston is definitely one of the best we have seen.  Their penguin habitats are really fun.

There were divers cleaning the huge tanks while we were there.

I even managed to pick a winner for the Christmas panel giveaway right there in front of the tank.

I will send notify Debra by email.

Hands 2 Help Challenge and May Wrap Up

My apologies to anyone who placed their name in the Christmas panel giveaway.  I haven't had access to my blog so I will post the winner tomorrow.
Unfortunately, my knees did not allow me to baste any quilts during May, but I did manage to complete 2 quilt tops.  I am sending four quilt tops to Sarah, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, for the Hands to Help Challenge that she will quilt on her long arm.  I will be mailing the Gum Drop 3 quilt, Rainbow Postage Stamp quilt, and Film at Five, and Ground Cover, the two I finished in May.

 Gum Drop Three-56 x 70.

 Rainbow Postage Stamp, using blocks made for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge in 2013-
 64 X 80.

Film at Five was completed in May- 54 x 70.

 I also finished the Ground Cover quilt top in May, 68 x 85. There are 9 additional blocks that can be used on the back.

I am linking up with other participants in the Hands 2 Help Challenge.  I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to quilt my tops, but I'm grateful that Sarah will be quilting them on Jolene her long arm and using them as part of her church's mission trip to New Jersey to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.

As part of the 350 Blocks Project for 2014 at Prairie Moon Quilts, I finished 111 quilt blocks.