Purple Patchwork

September means purple scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. As usual, I start with my selvages and work on some 4-patch blocks. I made four of them and sewed them into this 16-patch.

Since I only plan to sew 9 of these, the purple block completes what I need for this project. With the blocks measuring 16" each, this project would be 48x48".  I'd like it to be a bit larger, however, so I plan to add some colorful sashing. But it's a project that will wait until next month to get the finishing underway. I look forward to auditioning fabrics and playing with possibilities.

Next up, selvage tumblers. This month I sewed the purple row, naturally. When added to the previous rows, they look like this. Sorry about this horrible picture -  this d*** new computer won't let me edit it. Still in the learning curve with all the new technology.  There will be at least two more rows to add - I'm thinking a gray/black row and a brown row. Then the sides will get trimmed, perhaps a border added, and it can go into the donation pile. Another project for the autumn....

I have big sewing plans for this month, so in an effort to make my way through the purple scraps by mid-month, I continued on with 10 Cracker blocks.

And that gives me the last of the 80 blocks I need for a quilt. I put some of them up on the design board to get a feel for how it will look.  The blocks will finish at about 7.25" each, and when set 8x10 will yield a quilt about 58x72".

And finally, there were 8 Anvil blocks to sew up.  That gives me 72 blocks at 8" each (finished).

Again, here's a sample of some of the blocks on the design wall. I'm not sure if these are going to be randomly placed or grouped by color.  I'll play with these - you guessed it - next month (or quarter) as I begin finishing all of this year's RSC quilts.

My goal for the coming week is to baste and quilt 2 kids quilts (already sewn by others) for Quilts for Kids and to work on my purple International Sisters blocks, my Alternate 9-Patch blocks and my Garlic Knot blocks. There's also a bi-annual quilt show here in Salt Lake that my friend Bonnae and I are attending. Cousin Kim was going to go with us, but family plans intervened. I plan to take some pictures and share them soon.

In the garden, we are being inundated (no complaints) with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and spaghetti squash. I also have to find time to dig up all the carrots and potatoes and prepare them for storage. But first I'll be making big batches of chili (tomatoes, onions, peppers) and stew (potatoes, carrots, onions).

Bruce is doing well and we have a follow-up appointment on Monday with the orthopedic surgeon and an appointment the week after with the oncology surgeon. Then it's just a matter of quarterly follow-ups. For this month, Bruce can't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds with his right hand, but he's regained a lot of use and dexterity. Although he can't use the hand to write yet, he can eat with his right hand and he's started doing some light chores around the house. Yesterday he changed the water filter in the refrigerator and grilled some pork loins.

And in between all of this, I'm glued to my latest read (a Greg Iles book, Turning Angel) and hate putting it down to sleep, eat, sew, etc. I love/hate when that happens, hehehe!