Saturday, January 15, 2022

Red Delicious Scraps

January is red scraps month in the online Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Now that I’ve been working on them for a couple weeks, I feel as though I’m finally gaining some control over them. 

I did lose an entire afternoon of sewing on Thursday when we had our furnace guys out to do a tune-up. Between Bruce and them, we realized our humidifier wasn’t working (itchy skin in this dry winter climate is a clue), so we had a new one installed to replace the 25+-year old one. It took them over 3 hours and we were on-and off without heat or power. And the cats were, of course, deep in hiding. Anyway, it’s all good now, but ouch! That hurt the ol’ pocketbook. There was an extra zero at the end of what I had guessed it would cost. 

So I settled in to quilt the sailboat quilt on Friday, and my machine was giving me fits. It sounded like a clackety-clack bicycle with trading cards clothespinned to the spokes! I took it back to the dealer, and it worked just fine for them. Of course it did. Back at home, it was back to clacking (with poor tension on the quilt back), so I gave up about 70% of the way through. I’ve replaced the needle, cleaned and oiled the machine (even though I’ve only had it back for a couple weeks from its annual service), and tried to adjust the tension. Nothing helps. Tomorrow I’m going to get tough. I figure I can threaten to throw it outside or buy a replacement. That machine will be scared straight, I’m sure of it…..anyway… all that to say that the sailboat quilt isn’t finished yet. But there are other things to share.


The green string cats donation quilt finished at 42x48” and will go to - where else? - Quilts for Kids.  The backing used the last of the cat squares.



But I got lots of red sewing done too. First came the courthouse steps blocks in the bullseye setting that Angela, our RSC hostess, did a tutorial on. I had so many red strings that I made 10 blocks with a final red border and 10 with a final neutral border. I don’t intend to make that many every month, but I let the red scraps dictate the quantity this month.


Aren’t they fun? They measure 7.5” and will finish at 7” in a quilt. Next I worked on framing the four-patches I made last year (plus I added a few more to the mix). 


Again, the outer borders are alternated dark/light. These blocks will finish at 8”. 

Some of the red scraps I have are so cute!!


The following two photos are of little quilts in process. This first one is actually a top waiting to be pin basted. It’s all from the Quilts for Kids scrap stash (although the cat fabric may have been a friend donation - I can’t remember. 


The next one is just strips and blocks up on the design wall and needs to be sewn together. That will happen this week along with the quilting of these two and Sailboats. Fingers crossed that my machine will see the error of her ways and cooperate!


The Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) has started, and I’m joining in again this year. You can read about it on my last post, but I’ll show my starting block here. We’ll be building our quilts medallion-style around the centers.


Alfalfa and Darla have been ignoring their new huge scratching post, so I guess I’m going to have to buy some ‘nip and rub it on the sisal. But at least they each have their own heated beds now so they don’t have to argue about that. In fact, here’s a picture of them getting along very well - and not sleeping in their own beds. Because why would you when you can sleep in the humans’ bed?









17 comments:

  1. Lots of fun scrappy red projects going on. I love the little framed 4-patches.

    I love that block you've chosen for this year's SAHRR. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to play along or just watch.

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  2. What a sweet photo of the kitties curled up together. Those bullseye blocks are striking and the first string quilt is very appealing. We aren't getting above 10 degrees today and down to 0 tonight. 12" of snow predicted for Monday. I guess winter has finally arrived for good.
    Pat

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  3. What a super lot of sewing you have to share this week. The Green strings is wonderful, such a clever idea to intersperse the cat fabric squares. Another idea for me to squirrel away! Love how your Happy block 4 patches are coming along. As always, you really know how to combine strips and collections of blocks. So creative. Sorry your pocketbook took such a hit but no doubt your house will feel more comfortable as a result. ☺️☺️

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  4. The red bullseye courthouse blocks are awesome and would make a great quilt all by themselves. And is the kitty downer drug you use prescription or over the counter? But it completely explains…well…everything.

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  5. Sorry to hear that your machine was acting up, Cathy. You certainly managed to get a lot done in spite of it!

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  6. Wow! A busy week even with the adversity. Love the bullseye blocks from Angela. January is always so stressful because I've decided on my projects, started them, then am tempted by everyone else's good stuff!! I just want to start everything. Ha! It's a good lesson in self-discipline & making lists of future projects!

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  7. The red bullseye blocks will make a wonderful red and white quilt, Cathy and the framed four patch blocks also are so pretty. Owo those kitties curled up together on your bed, They are so sweet. ♥ Have a great weekend.

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  8. So much red scrappy goodness! I’m loving the row quilts. I hope your machine is back to perform for you! That is so frustrating! ‘Specially when you have much to do!

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  9. You got a lot of lovely red scrappiness going this week. I really like the red row quilt--so neat...I still have no sewing going on here...but did have a better day today--now that i KNOW what is going on I do feel a bit better...hoping next step will help me... hugs, Julierose

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  10. Do hope your machine starts cooperating, you are too busy to put up with such bad behaviour. Oh, those cats, perfect contentment! What is better than the main bed in the house.

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  11. After we had some remodelling done, we had to have our furnace ducts cleaned, and they hadn't ever been done. You should have seen the garbage that came out of there-- and the check we had to write! I sympathize completely. But you certainly made a lot of progress anyway! Love your SAHRR center! Electric blue--love it!

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  12. The green string quilt turned out beautifully, Cathy! And I love your red blocks, especially the framed 4 patches. You have such pretty reds! I do hope your machine has decided to cooperate - that can be so frustrating!

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  13. Sewing machine gremlins, record them with a short video and share said video with the technician who service your machine. You can then show them what is happening at home and not in their shop, so to speak. This diagnosis was great when my machine did a similar noises. The bobbin case and the bit with the hook that it fit in needed replacement after twenty years. Good luck with the sewing machine. Your blocks looks beautiful and cats knows when there is a quilt on a bed. They always go and cuddle on one and sleep until they are sure it has been loved enough for one day. Have a wonderful day.

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  14. Yikes - I hate it when home maintenance sucks $$ out of the account! (one of our hvac units is running on borrowed time) Great red & white bullseye blocks. I could see an entire quilt like that in red and white. Hmmm... Give Darla & Alfie some pats from me!

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  15. It is SO frustrating/maddening/disheartening when the sewing machine misbehaves! Hope it is less temperamental this week. All of your projects are cheerful and inspiring.
    Think about it this way--if the new humidifier lasts as long as its predecessor you'll get your money's worth.

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  16. Ah, kitties enjoying a bird quilt, filling their dreams with yummy bird thoughts!

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