One Block Wednesday
One Block Wednesday? Well, actually two. Just two blocks. That’s all the sewing I’ve done lately. Wait — I made a cat toy, but more on that in a minute.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t take on any new quilt alongs or block of the month projects this year, but get caught up on the ones already in progress. Here’s my list of 2018 projects:
- Moda Blockheads 2 (I’m seriously behind on this)
- Summertime Sampler by Prairie Moon Quilts
- Gypsy Wife Sew Along with Connie & Sally
- Fireburst Mystery Quilt (needs quilting)
Other than being terribly behind on Moda Blockheads 2, I’m keeping up fairly well. In addition to these, I have a few projects coming up that I need to be working on. So I have plenty to do.
Minnesota Quilters 2019 Mystery Quilt
Then Minnesota Quilters announced their 2019 Mystery Quilt, which has been designed by Suzy Webster of Adventurous Applique and Quilting, so I decided to jump in on that, since I haven’t done one yet. So much for that promise to myself, but I’m pretty excited about this project, and the clues come out once a month. Here are the fabrics I’ve chosen for the quilt.
All four are Art Gallery Fabrics. The top fabric is the background and is from the Indigo Boheme line. The other three (dark, pop, and accent fabrics) are from the Legendary line. I’m in the process of cutting the fabrics, and hope to have the first clue done this weekend.
Patterns by Jen 2019 Monthly Color Challenge
After organizing all of my fabric, I really need to get some of it off my shelves and into a quilt, so I decided to join in on the 2019 Month Color Challenge hosted by Jen of Patterns by Jen. Are you joining in? There’s still time, if you want to join us!
Here’s my first block; it might be difficult to figure out the color for this month. Hehe.
The photo is a little dark, thanks to the overcast day. The lighter green is actually more bright lime colored and makes the dark green pop. It will be fun to do this each month.
Summertime Sampler Quilt Along
I joined the Summertime Sampler Quilt Along with a pattern designed by Shelly of Prairie Moon Quilts in the fall of 2018, and we are on our 4th block. These are fun blocks to make.
My reason for only getting two blocks done isn’t all related to moving back into my quilt room, organizing fabric, or having my daughter home. Not even the squirrels in my quilt room are distracting me. It’s this guy.
This handsome guy came home with us last Friday, and has completely won us over — even BigJ. We adopted him from our local shelter. He is two years old, very talkative, and a cuddler.
His shelter name is Wilbur. We are still deciding whether that will stick or not. We’re trying out names (he answers to none of them) — Wilbur, Wilson, Watson, Webster, Willsie, Willy, Wilby (names similar to his shelter name); Alex or Beau (names representative of where he was found).
He is a very kind cat. Has very sharp claws, but doesn’t scratch. Likes to knead a little, but is very tender. Doesn’t scratch furniture (thank heavens), and loves his scratching posts. Doesn’t bite or nip. He’s very chill, as you can see, but also playful. We have bought more toys for him than any other cat we’ve had. Because he was a stray, he has some serious stalking and hunting skills. We are pretty sure any mouse who happens to stop in will regret it.
Does he help me quilt? Not much really, yet. He’s still getting used to where we hang out, so the quilt room is a little foreign to him yet. He does like to watch the birds out the window while I sew.
If you have an opinion on any of the names, let me know. None of them seem to be sticking so far.
Have you joined in any of the new projects this year? Which ones? I’d like to hear about them!
Wendy
41 Comments
marissthequilter
I think you have been very busy. Lovely blocks. And I could not help noticing how neat your fabrics for the Minnesota Quilters Mystery Quilt are, beautifully folded over their boards. Almost a pity to unwrap and cut them!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Marisa, it definitely is hard to cut them, but I’m looking forward to the quilt!
Tish
You tempt me with the Summertime Sampler. I love those fabrics and I popped over to check out the quilt 🙂 So far I’ve been a good girl and only joined two Pat Sloan QAL’s and one that is strictly just quilting a panel. As for kitty…I just want to cover him in kisses! He’s beautiful! What about Wally or Samuel? He kinda looks like a Sam? Maybe he’s like a quilt, he’s going to make you wait a bit before you know his name 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Tish! I hope you join in the Summertime Sampler!
Stitchin at Home
The fabrics you have chosen for the Minnesota Quilters Mystery Quilt are going to look great in a quilt.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Cindy! I really like them!
Diane H
Ahhhh, he looks and sounds like a lovely cat, who has now been blessed with a forever home. The names Leo and Theo popped into my head for this regal fellow.
piecefulwendy
Thank you! I like your name suggestions too!
Louise Hornor
Aw, welcome handsome Kitty! Whatever you decide to name him, he’ll surely be a loving family member and quilt tester! Your blocks look fun and it sounds like you are firm in your resolve to not start any new BOMs (yeah, right 🙂
piecefulwendy
Haha! Yes, I’m quite resolved, right?! I’ll keep you posted on the cat names!
Isabella
Congratulations on the newest addition to your family Wendy! Wilbur is adorable. I have a feeling he will quickly become your quilting companion in no time.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Isabella!
Vicki in MN
I love the picture of him curled up sleeping! Those projects should keep you busy for a while 😗
piecefulwendy
Oh yes, I’m going to be plenty busy!
Barbara
Well, your blocks are pretty, but your new friend is my favorite thing in today’s post. He’s very handsome. Looks like a keeper.
piecefulwendy
Thank you, he is a sweetie.
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Hmm, I can’t quite figure out what the color of the month is. ?? HAHAHAHAHA! Oh, and that stack of fabric – I just LOVE that top one for the background. Oooh, I have always wanted to quilt something in that pattern. I would be tempted to quilt your finished piece from the back and follow that fabric. Who cares if it looks bad on the front side?!! Aww, Wilbur is so very pretty. He looks like a Rusty to me, but I do like the name Wilbur. I love how he looks at you when you’re taking his photo, and I’d love to hear him talking. I wish I could have pets but I’ll enjoy the pictures you share. It’s a beautiful day to be in the sewing room! Happy Wednesday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne
piecefulwendy
I’ll have to take a video of him chattering! He’s quite vocal!
StoriedQuilts
You are keeping busy, Wendy. I bet you are enjoying your new and improved sewing room as well 🙂
I love your fabric pull for the mystery quilt.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Vasudha!
Laura M
Exciting about the cat, especially since he does not scratch furniture. My last cat was really fond of scratching furniture no matter how many scratching posts I provided. You are well on your way to some wonderful quilting fun. Look forward to your mystery quilt in those fabrics which have so much interesting texture in them. Have a good week.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Laura, we’re hoping the scratching posts keep working!
Geri Howie
What a sweetie!! I will always have a soft spot for tabbies, particularly if they are orange😊. Have fun!!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Geri!
Kathleen Mccormick
Lucky baby! So sweet to have new energy in the house. I hope you make the progress you’d like to on the Moda blocks. I’m on the ferry right now and thanking my lucky stars I checked my studios one more time. My borders were there for the island batik project. Yikes! Love that fabric pull for the MN QAL! That will be fun to watch.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Kathleen! Wish I was in the ferry ride with you! Sounds fun!
Diann Bottrell
Your new buddy looks like a sweetheart! And he’s beautiful, too! Your projects look and sound fun. I especially the colors in your Summertime Sampler block! I’m sticking with my goal of getting a few finishes going here, but can still be easily distracted with something new, lol! I’m basting a quilt today – must get started on that before I change my mind. 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Diann! Oh yes, it’s so easy to get distracted when it comes to binding!
Bernie
What a sweet new kitty – I am sure he has been quite the distraction lately. LOVE the pull for your next QAL. that will be so pretty. Keep us posted on the naming process. 🙂
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Bernie. He really is a nuzzler, so yes, quite the fun distraction!
karenfae
I like that stack of fabric! cute kitty
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Karen!
Gray Barn Designs
I think Wilbur could be a Wally, a Waldo or a Sir Henry. If those don’t work, he could be a Hank or a Norton…hmmm what really fits? Back to quilting…all your project look like summer and fun!
piecefulwendy
What really fits is right!? None if the names has settled yet. He seems indifferent, as long as he gets cuddles, he’s good.
Cocoa Quilts
I like Wilbur, keep it! You are keeping up great with all you have. I didn’t the the blockhead blocks, but I keep seeing them and think I may need to start them. Maybe next month.
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Jan! Let me know if you start Blockheads!
Sparkle On! with Abbie
Your doing Wendy and jumping right in to New Year’s quilting! I’m going to do Jen’s color challenge again this year too.
I am so happy for you, your new kitty is adorable and sounds like everything you could hope for in a cat. I look at him and think “Big Red” because he is such a handsome orange boy. Not too creative but it sounds good with his dad’s name!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Abbie! Glad we’ll be seeing the monthly color challenge together! I like your idea on the name. Will add it to the list!
Sandra Walker
Wendy I cannot tell you (but I’m going to try) how HAPPY reading your post has made me! I’m so far behind blog-reading, it’s shocking, kind of like you and the one sampler but worse. Wallace just popped into my head, à la Where’s …wait a minute that is Waldo, not Wallace. Mental-pause strikes again. I know his name will come to you, as he did. So glad you have a fur kid in your house again and so glad he’s a snuggler. I love all your fabric choices here but the fabric pull for the Minnesota mystery one is my absolute favourite!
piecefulwendy
Thanks, Sandra! You’re right, a name will come eventually!
My Sewful Retirement
You’ve been busy! Love your blocks!