Saturday, June 12, 2021

Purple Pastimes

Sometimes when Saturday rolls around, my head is so full of thoughts and words and stories to tell that I have to rein myself in to avoid writing a novella-length blog post. This is not one of those weeks. I agonized for ten minutes over that lackluster title, and I’m really fighting to stay awake! So if this post is as blah as I feel (not sick, just tired), please excuse me…

The purple blocks I sewed for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this week were waffle blocks. I make four of them at 5.5”, sew them together then end up with a block that measures 10” when finished. I made three of those this week.


I also finished sewing the blocks for a Scrappy Star quilt. The 12 blocks have been sewn into a flimsy. In this String Star iteration, the strings are sewn onto a 6.5” base. Four of them make a 12” finished Star. 


The star solids aren’t necessarily pretty colors or nice fabrics. In fact, some of these pieces have been laying around for three years, waiting to be used. Several are just cheap solids donated to Quilts for Kids or me. At any rate, I used the last of those solids to make this flimsy, so from here on I can concentrate on more traditional string blocks which use up strings faster. 

The string stars and last week’s double disappearing 9-patch in pinks and blues will both be basted, quilted and bound in the coming week, so stay tuned for those.

In the meantime, I’m starting the process of throwing purple (and mauve, pink, lilac, lavender, etc) scraps onto the design wall to see if I can eke out a little purple (with pink accents) quilt. I can already see from this picture that those chevron pieces are going to need some work…


I’ve got more scraps to choose from, luckily.



I’ve also made a few blocks for the Positivity Quilt-Along that Preeti is hosting. I have all my colors selected and all the background pieces cut out. This week I’ll finish cutting out the plus pieces and sew up more blocks. But these four should give you an idea of the range of colors.


I will probably do a simple layout, like the dark backgrounds as a border. We’ll see as things move along.

Finally, I’ll leave you with a couple pictures of some of our glorious roses. 


It’s too bad I caught the neighbor’s camper in this picture. But regardless, you can see how this bush is just covered in blooms! This is my Daybreak rose.

The climbing rose tree below (I don’t remember its name) is along the back garden wall. We’ve spent a lot of time out on the back patio this week, visiting with family or just reading and enjoying the pleasant weather.  I love summer (before it gets too hot to stay outdoors). 


Have a lovely week, friends!

12 comments:

  1. I love reading your posts! The waffle blocks are looking great! I await your combo/creature quilt in shades of purple! And your roses are Spectacular!

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  2. Your roses are gorgeous, Cathy! I love your purple projects, too. Those waffle blocks make such a fun design! Has it been hot in your valley this week? It has been here, and that can definitely wear us out!

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  3. Sorry to hear you are under the weather, Cathy--hope you feel better soon. ;*000 (* is a sad tear that you are ill)....

    Every time I read your posts I say: "Now I HAVE to make me some of those!" (darn--sigh...)
    I L O V E those purple waffles...(can you say "Purple People Eater"?) haha
    Hang in there kiddo...hugsx2 Julierose

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  4. I’m looking at your purple, mauve, accents of pink scraps on your design wall and thinking how in the world would I turn those into a quilt top? But I know you will..... so I’m waiting to see the result! Glad you’re enjoying time in the garden, sitting and reading and not toiling. That’s what I’ve been doing too. 😊

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  5. I've never seen rose bushes so huge and full of blooms! Absolutely gorgeous. You made a lot of progress with your purple scraps.

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  6. Wow! Your photoshop skills are amazing. I almost fell for your “roses grow like trees.” And now I’m going to have to remove the rose picture from my blog.

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  7. Those roses are to die for! You certainly have a green thumb as well as being a sewing rockstar.
    I actually got almost completely caught up with one sew along I was involved in. I got to the last block I needed to do and fouled up the very last part to one of the blocks. It was late-ish and I had been sewing for a while. I gave up and haven't gone back in that room for a couple of days.
    I will resume when we get our outside stuff caught up. All dogs except two are in the barn kennels finally. I put my shepherd and Rat Terrier out there. They are fine until Assquatch walks by and they feel they need to run him off. He just slows down and makes them bark more. Hopefully one day they will be used to him out there and will cease the barking!
    We still have so much to do to get ready for winter (yes, already) There isn't a lot we can do about anything during that season, it all has to get done now, rain or shine. I keep saying I can't wait til it's done...but that will never happen. We have enough to keep us out of trouble for at least 45 or so years! UGH!!!

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  8. Ah, generalized tiredness. I know it well. Regardless, all of your projects are looking great. If they're wide enough, you could always use the chevrons for a scrappy binding or a border, as they do seem to stand out. Hope you're perking up and feeling more energetic. Eat some protein, have some orange juice, and enjoy Sunday! :)

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  9. I like the string stars! I have made those before, but never with different colored "stars" - great idea. The roses are wonderful - thanks for sharing pictures!

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  10. Congrats on getting those String Stars sewn into a top, Cathy! I have long wanted to make a quilt like that. Hasn't happened. Yet! Have fun with those PURPLE bits for the RSC and...
    Happy quilting!

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  11. Such colorful wonderment in your post, Cathy -- the roses are gorgeous! If the solids in the string stars have been around for three years they're barely old enough to be cut up (LOL). And thanks for the Positivity reminder.

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  12. Beautiful blooms and cute purple blocks. The Plus blocks are gorgeous, already!!!
    Looking forward to your new finishes. Hope all is well with you and Bruce. Big Hugs.

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