Seaside Squirrel
Wilbs is just as curious about Seaside Squirrel as you may be! I have been goofing around in my quilt room and enjoying a little rescue project that turned into a Drop Everything And Make It project this week. I’m not sure it completely qualifies because it’s not done yet, but I’m going to link it up with Sandra’s DrEAMi linky at the end of the month – maybe I’ll have it done by then!
This was a little rescue project, because a few weeks ago I was wandering through a thrift shop and came across three packets of these patterns. If you’ve been around the quilting world awhile, you may remember them.
Maybe you even have some tucked away in your stash. I have one that I’ve had and used for years. There were three little packets of these paper foundation designs for $.50 each. The packets were not complete, but that is fixable. I rescued all three of them and brought them home. The other day I just wanted to sew up something fun, and that’s when the little squirrel stopped in. I grabbed one of the packets and my bin of solid scraps, and had a little seaside fun for the afternoon.
Aren’t they just the cutest? Now you probably get why I call this a Seaside Squirrel – I definitely thought of the seaside (or lakeside) as I stitched up each one.
This pattern is named “Granny’s Sloops” – which made me kinda chuckle. They are 3-1/2″ unfinished, and yes, I know that one on the bottom left has a knicked corner. I can work with that. The first three I made were the three in the middle. The sky is not gray, but a blue that photographs gray. I ran out of that fabric, so I switched to a brighter blue for the rest. I think the two work together well enough to put them together in a quilt.
I’m not really sure where I’m going with these next. I think a mini quilt would be fun, but they would make cute coasters or mug rugs, too. Or a mini runner, or placemats. Hmm.
Meanwhile, I had all the scraps to clean up from making the little sloops. I didn’t want to toss the larger scraps, but I didn’t want to put them back in the bin either. So I just started sewing them together, and here’s what I ended up with.
I have no plans for this yet, but I’m so happy to have this colorful fabric slab. It’s about the size of a sheet of paper. I’ll leave it untrimmed until I know what I will use it for.
You’ll have to check back to see how my Seaside Squirrel finishes. Those bright blocks have been fun to sew up on our gloomy Minnesota days!
Happy Saturday, all!
Wendy
Pieceful Thursday
23 Comments
Sally Johnson
Sailboats are adorable, Wendy. Love your color choices!
marissthequilter
Your seaside squirrels or granny sloops (!) are indeed cute. The fabric slab you made from the offcuts is also eye-catching. What a lovely bright array!
Kate
Those sailboats are really cute! Definitely a fun squirrel to chase.
texasquiltgal
Those little boats are adorable! Wait, they are 3-1/2 inches? Wow you have the patience of Job. I like that slab and how nice to have it waiting to be used in a fun way.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Cheery boats for these gloomy days, Wendy!!! And what a fab slab, as a side reward!
Karen
nice sailboats – I don’t think I ever have a drop everything moment – I guess I am too organized and want to finish all these started.
laura bruno lilly
It looks like you’ve embraced The Squirrel. To good effect, too! I like the name of your pieced scrap fabric: slab. I have many of these in my stash as I love to sew up bits in that manner – way before the term ‘improv’ came onto the quilter scene! You’d be surprised how large they can get, Wendy. oops, I let the cat (squirrel) out of the bag. Enjoy your weekend, friend.
Sandi
The sail boats are so cute! I love the piece you made from your scarps. Enjoy your day. Hugs,
Barbara J Stanbro
Very cute. I can’t wait to see how you finish off both projects.
Tracie
Those little sailboats are just the cheeriest! I would have a hard time deciding how to use them best. No matter what you do, it’ll be cute! And your fabric slab is fun too. I bet your brain is full of cool ideas!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
I love Drop Everything and Make It moments, and your boats are fun as can be, Wendy! Love them done in all solids. I’ll enjoy seeing what you do with these, and the leftover scrap slab, too. Fun!
Sara Fridley
Adorable little sailboats! Those solids are perfect. That was definitely worth straying off to follow the squirrel.
Needle and Foot
You have such a diverse range! Love the sailboats and improv piece equally! Such vibrant, spring-like colors. 🙂
Laura
Ha, ha! I read, ‘Grannys stoops’! There are days…. Love these little sailboats, and I find it far more interesting that the background is not all the same color. 🙂
Vicki Welsh
I very much remember those! They were popular when I started quilting. I don’t remember the woman’s name who made them but, since I’m near Williamsburg, she was a popular guests at local quilt groups and quilt shows.
That little slab wants to be a postcard so bad! (Can you tell what I’m working on today?)
Eva
Let them sail … it is spring time and boats go back to water … how nice!! and so little … amazing..
For sure the boats are super – but for me… the piece out of scraps is as well very interesting. And yes, they can get big…!! thanks for the super inspiration .. like always!
Thanks for showing!
Laura M
Love your colourful fabric slab. I am not a fan of paper piecing, but thinking ahead to using the “extras” like you did may let me try again!
Vicki in MN
The boats are simply adorable! I think your leftover pieces would make a fun summer placemat.
Helen
As always, I am such a huge fan of your just-sewed-them-together improve pieces!
Kathleen McCormick
I do remember those patterns! I love your colors and then your leftover slab is excellent, too. Do you know scrappy appliqué, Shannon Brinkley? You could use it for a background for an overlay….just thinking out loud. I do love the colors…looking forward to the finish.
Susan
Love those sailboats & look forward to seeing what they turn into. The sewn scraps reming of a charity sewing bee I ran many years ago from a pattern called Mile a Minute quilts. Fun way to use up odd shaped scraps. Take care & hugs.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
These sail boats are fun. You got a bargain with those patterns 🙂
Sandra Walker
I love the little sailboats and I love the slab you made with the castaways (see what I did there). Thanks for linking up with DrEAMi – squirrels are just so good for our souls/creative spirits and I could use a couple methinks. Sorry for being so tardy visiting.