Saturday, October 19, 2019

Stringing in the Rain

I had hoped to finish my dark neutral-colored string quilt this week, but too many other projects and responsibilities prevented that. However, I was able to play with the rest of my strings and eke out enough more squares to total 42 (7.5" unfinished). Here they are set horizontally on the design board.


After the blocks were done, I had three quilts to quilt (two for Quilts for Kids and one for Cousin Kim's daughter). But then I came back to the strings and decided it needed a better name than its working title, November Strings. The colors reminded me of a quilt that I made for my son Ryan about 3 years ago, which we called November Rain (a reference to a Guns 'n Roses song that Ryan has always liked. So do I, come to think of it). And somehow, with all that swirling around in my brain, the name Stringing in the Rain came to be.


The flimsy has a 2" inner border and a black outer border that measures 4" on the sides and 6" on the top and bottom. Although it looks wonky on the design board because the top is pinned and the bottom is just hanging (the design board isn't long enough), it is perfectly rectangular at 54.5 x 65.5". I will get it layered, quilted and bound in the coming week.

This is the first of two quilts that I plan to make from my dark neutral scrap stash for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Today I'm linking up with Scrappy Saturday, where many of us are beginning to finish up and share our rainbow scrappy projects for this year.

I also managed to sew up eight cute blocks (6.5" each, unfinished) for the second step in the Seeing Stars Sew Along, hosted by Diane Knott at Butterfly Threads Quilting.  Check it out! I've really enjoyed it, and there is so much room for variety and personal interpretation - a super sew-along that's just getting started.


Alfie had a dental appointment this week, and came through just fine. Just a cleaning with no cavities extractions or other work needed. My pocketbook is grateful for that. But Himself was a bit put out that the bandage they put on his foreleg (the IV site) was PINK. Sheesh. But he recovered his dignity soon enough. And when Bruce turned on the fireplace that evening, the cats curled up in spots to contrast their furs to best advantage, and took a nice evening nap.


Life is good.

17 comments:

  1. Monochromatic string blocks ALWAYS make a lovely quilt ! I love browns, this one is very pretty.

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  2. I love "Stringing in the Rain!" It's a perfect name for a great looking quilt! Now I wish I had more browns and blacks in my stash. Not that I could do anything with them...still trying to get the sewing room up and running...aarrggghh! Hopefully my daughter and her bf will have a moment or ten to help me get more furniture in there, well, at least my sewing table.
    Your blocks for the Seeing Stars Sew Along are such a happy bunch, The colors are great.
    Of course the kitties are always a pleasure to see. Years ago, I had an all orange female tabby (rare that she was female) would seek out anything that was the same color as she was, and that was where she would sleep. I like that your two furbabies like to contrast. They are very artistic.

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  3. Stringing in the Rain is really a lovely piece! Calm and soothing and perfectly neutral. I can see it tossed across the back of a dark, leather couch :)

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  4. Love the name of the quilt! It's perfect. I really like the fabrics you're using for the sew along. That background print is adorable! I think your kitties have the right idea, that looks very cozy.

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  5. I just love your dark strings...so beautiful ("...These woods I know, so deep and dark...." RF apologies) I just am such a huge fan of making and viewing string quilts...lovely work on this Cathy...hugs, Julierose

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  6. P.S. I love those guitars peeking out there, too...nice use of leftovers...:)))

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  7. Your string quilt is going to be lovely with those rich colors! I like the borders you added. Your cats look comfy as can be, taking advantage of that cozy fireplace!

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  8. I'm doing the Seeing stars sew along as well, but using a much different palette than yours. Still liking the dark neutral strings a lot. I've discovered I have virtually no gray scraps or strings.
    Pat

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  9. Congratulations on this gorgeous flimsy. It pops even more with the borders. Excellent job! I love the cats' Vogue picture to enhance their own colors. Adorable! ;^)

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  10. Yes, the borders certainly make such a difference, this top looks great! And you plan to have it all completed this week, that's very speedy sewing!

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  11. I love the name!!! Stringing in the Rain is so perfect!

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  12. I watch and learn! The border transformed that flimsy to stunning. I really think that for the amount of money our vets get from us they could afford to wrap in blue or pink so our friends can save face.
    xx, Carol

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  13. Your dark string quilt is fabulous! I’m off to a 3 day retreat this week! Hopefully some projects will be completed!

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  14. Love those dark clouds that lead to Stringing in the Rain. A very handsome finish - I would not part with this one :-)

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  15. Oh the epitome of cat heaven! Wish I could join them. I must say that I truly love your dark string quilt - one of my favourites I think.

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