Weekend WIPs

I keep forgetting to take pictures as I sew 😐, but I'll get the hang of it eventually.  Last week and weekend went by in a blur, catching up on errands and sleeping off the jet lag.  No complaints. Vacation was great - happily exhausted over here.

I had a sew day with some of my quilt shop coworkers last Monday while the shop was closed.  I worked on some paper piecing (FPP) units for my swap stars and then finished off our time with some 10" string blocks.  Did I take pictures? Nope. Maybe next time. 

I'm leaving for a three day quilt retreat later this morning with my quilt shop peeps  We try to use at least a little bit of the time for some shop planning, but honestly it's just a great time doing what we love together. 

For 2026, the shopgirls decided on two challenges (so far 😂).  First, we are doing a patriotic star swap to commemorate America's 250th birthday this summer, and the blocks are due this week.  The challenge was to make any 12 1/2" star in any combination of red, white/low volume and blue. There are seven of us participating so I'll keep one each and take the others to swap. The goal is to complete a sampler prior to July 4th.  Fingers crossed.  I'm still undecided on how many total blocks to make and how I'll lay them out. One thing at a time. 

Knotted Star by Ten Cow Quilts

9-Patch Star (Tool Caddy) by Carol Doak

Our second challenge for 2026 is our Shopgirl Stashbee - we make two blocks each month for the queen bee.  Tracy is the February queen and chose this cute boombox pattern (18" finished) in brights. I literally pulled every scrap bin for these, but I think they're really cute. I'll drop these off at the shop on the way to retreat today, finished five whole days early! Yay me!!

 

The pattern is Press Play by Apples & Beavers.

I'm off to pack.  Looking forward to much sewing this week!

~ Cheryl

Patriotic Stars (2025)

 

Patriotic Stars

I committed to donate a patriotic quilt to an organization in GA that works with Veterans in 2025. I decided on No Point Stars and recruited some quilty friends to make a block or two. Quilty friends are just the best. 💗

On the design wall 

I saw this layout on Instagram (I think), and just had to re-create it. Of course, I can't find that post now to credit the original maker.  I love the oversized stars mixed in. 

I pieced the top at a January quilt retreat, and then my friend Michelle generously quilted waves on it for me. Finished it with a striped binding (my favorite).  We even had a bright sunny Saturday late January for a quick photo session.  Thank you Mr. Quilt Holder and Supervisor Sophie. 

Sophie is always ready for a photo op and a test drive. Patriotic Stars was subsequently donated to a local Quilts of Valor chapter after the timing didn't work out with the original organization. I'm already working on another quilt for the local group for 2026. The star blocks we used are No Point Stars by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew. 

Quilt stats:

    Size: ~60" x 70"
    Blocks: 10 1/2" and 20 1/2"
    Fabric: Red, white, blue & gray from the stash

~ Cheryl

that's a terrible idea

I love to organize. Well, actually, that's not true. The reality is that I just don't function well in chaos and clutter. Therefore, I organize. A LOT.  

I've been debating (read: overthinking) for a quite a while how best to document my stitching adventures. Like most crafters, I have a phone full of photos showing inspiration and projects in various stages.  A picture might be worth a thousand words, but they don't tell the whole story, right?  I could pick a social media platform(s) then right? Nope. Just nope. 

I love a good day planner - calendars, to do lists, etc. But I've never kept a journal. Ever. I'll keep my inner musings to myself, thank you very much. So, is a blog really right for me then? Sounds like a terrible idea.  

I guess we'll see. I do love a challenge...

~Cheryl