Making Progress
I’ve been making progress with my projects lately, so I thought I’d join in with Carol of Quilt Schmilt for her To Do Tuesday linky party. The last time I joined in, my plan was to keep up with the Diatom QAL and Fab Farm SAL, work on my next Tuxedo Tales block, and continue to work on my challenge quilt for the Endeavourers.
I’m not the only one who’s been making progress around here. Do you remember the Salsify (or Goat’s Beard) plant I talked about in this post? Well it’s grown, has several blossoms and now it’s going to seed.
I had to chuckle when I saw this, because it brings back memories of Sunday afternoon drives and my mom on the hunt for these big puffs along the road. She and other women around our area must’ve gotten the idea from somewhere, but they would gather these, spray them with hairspray, and use them in floral decor around the house. Anyway, it’s gotta go – it is getting too big, sending out runners, and I don’t want it taking over my flower bed. No – I didn’t bring it in and spray it (I don’t even have hairspray – LOL).
Okay – back to making progress in the quilt room.
Challenge Quilt
Oh, how I wish I could show this to you, but I can’t. I can’t even come up with a sneak peek. All I can tell you is that I’m thoroughly enjoying myself while making an incredible mess. It is currently up on the design wall and the mess is cleared while I ponder the next step, what needs to be changed, and how to proceed. The deadline is August 1st and I’m actually ahead of schedule for a change.
Fab Farm SAL
I am almost caught up with the Fab Farm SAL blocks. I had hoped to have the blocks done for this post, but I didn’t quite get it done yesterday. I’ll be showing you my progress on this in tomorrow’s post, so I hope you stop back to see my sheep and flower blocks. Soon I’ll be working on constructing the top.
Diatom QAL
My Diatom quilt top is finished. The Diatom quilt along, hosted by Quilting JetGirl has been so much fun. Each block has gone together so easily, and I’m so happy with the Grunge fabrics in the quilt top.
My next step with this quilt is to decide on a backing for the quilt. I have one wide backing that might work, so I need to pull that out. However, I might opt for something cuddlier. Stay tuned.
A Little Diversion
In the midst of that sewing, I got a little distracted and whipped up this little fabric basket.
It is 6″ x 6″ and I used fabric ribbon for the handles. The inside is a blue/gray fabric.
I needed a basket to hold some things on my bedside table. This one is a little large, so I may have to make the next size smaller. This is the Lagom Storage Bins pattern from Sotak Handmade. I like this pattern because it is quick, easy and has give sizes. It’s an easy way to use up fabric in a fun print and the bin looks great tucked in a shelf, or on the floor, etc. It would also be a fun way to give a gift, too.
So what’s up for this week?
- Finish Fab Farm
- Choose backing for Diatom
- More work on Challenge quilt
- Maybe start something new??
What about you – what are you making progress on this week? I’d enjoy hearing about it – maybe you’ll inspire me with something new!
Thanks for stopping by!
Wendy
Dreaming of Ice Cream
20 Comments
Barbara J Stanbro
You are making progress. Your little bag is very cute.
marissthequilter
Well done on finishing the diatom. It is absolutely gorgeous. That fabric basket is delightful
Stitchin at Home
Your Diatom quilt top looks great in grunge!
Laura Kate
The Storage bins are sweet-looking and SO useful. I’m impressed with the Diatom top. Each block is different and yet as a group they are nicely unified.
Tracie
My mom and grandma also picked those big flower puffs! I think my grandma even spray painted hers like a few other gals. The idea must have been in a magazine.
Your Diatom quilt looks fabulous! I vote for a cuddly backing because it’s perfect for napping and cuddling on the couch.
Your little basket is so cute! Now I know you’re in the groove and need a squirrel to shake things up.
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
Diatom is beautiful, Wendy! All along, I’ve loved your fabric and color choices. Looking forward to seeing the Fab Farm blocks, too. Fun projects!
Vicki in MN
I saw those puff balls on the bike trail on Saturday and it brought back memories as mom and I used to collect and hairspray those too!!!! Never knew their name tho’. Little storage baskets are so useful and rather fun to make.
Karen
never heard of hair spray on the flowers. Love your fabric basket
The Joyful Quilter
Best of luck working through your list, Wendy!
Cocoa Quilts
Loving your Diatom quilt. The colors are perfect!! Looking forward to seeing the quilting on this one!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Oh yay; congratulations on getting Diatom pieced together. It’s lovely! Have fun selecting the backing. Will you be quilting it or sending it out to a longarm quilter?
aquilterstable
Your Diatom appears to shimmer and I love that!
Rochelle Summers
Great job on completing Diatom. I love the colors and grunge is always so great to use. That giant puff flower is a weed in my book! But so interesting to look at and photograph. I think I have one in my flower bed. Friends used to use the hairspray technique on pussy willows and cat tails. The wind and back-to-back storms have brought in strange things. Can’t wait to see your August project. And that little basket is lovely. Thanks for the details.
laura bruno lilly
I love fabric/rope/fiber baskets – especially when I’m not the one making them! Kudos to you for knocking off so many projects with a basket to boot!
My project for this week is prepping for a long anticipated mother-daughter trip starting Thursday!
🙂
Chrisknits
Diatom is amazing!!!
texasquiltgal
That is a pretty puff! I’ve never seen one before. I remember in the early 70s my friends and I would stop on the side of the road to gather dried weedy stalks to put in baskets in our living rooms. Wonder why I didn’t worry about bugs? I would now – lol! Those Diatom QAL blocks are beautiful! I like that bag and the fabric ribbon is genius.
I’m just doing things as I wish, no deadlines, no pressure – really enjoying it!
Kathleen McCormick
That is too funny about the hair spray and flowers! I am not surprised as it seemed to be used for many things. Look forward to your fab farm and challenge quilts. Diatom is gorgeous. Congratulations on finishing the top!
dreamworthyquilts
Diatom is so pretty and done! Hooray!
Your little diversion bin is pretty cute too. Isn’t it nice to do something that finishes up quicker than a quilt sometimes?
The Morning Latte
I like the grunge in that one too! I forget–are you quilting it up yourself? (I’m still so impressed with how Tracie tweaked your blog. Love that header–so inviting! Gee, does she hire that out too??). What a cute little basket, and I bet the nice use of the ribbon made the project go a little faster. You are always making so many other fun little things along with the quilts! I kinda fail in that dept!
Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
Your Diatom quilt is stunning!