Basting Quilts and Sewing Red Scraps

Not much sewing happening here this week. I was busy with a lot of HOA business; monthly Board meeting, preparing the May newsletter for publication, and delivering safety pamphlets (furnished by our local police department) to the residents. It was nice to get out, walk in the sunshine and visit with friends. And I got to meet neighbors I hadn’t met before. Several homeowners in our 72-unit condo community are only here in the warmer half of the year. 

But there was some sewing, so let’s get to it. First up, I sewed five Paint Chip blocks.

Next, I tackled the red crumbs and came up with a few 6.5” crumb blocks.

Pretty slim pickings, eh? Nothing was done on the wrapped candy quilts, but I’ll start them in a week or so after I quilt the next two quilts that I basted this week (only one of which I remembered to snap a photo of).

Here is Purple Diamonds (above) on my kitchen island, about to be pin basted. I also pinned up my Nann’s Strings quilt. My goal is to have those two finished for next week’s post. 

I was one of the lucky winners in the Stay at Home Round Robin’s prize drawing this year - first time in four years of participation. But who’s counting, right? I won this beautiful Island Batik bundle of 20 fat quarters! It’s called Shadow Blooms. 

Oh, have I got plans for these! Thank you so much to the ladies who help run this sew-along. I can’t wait until next year!!

Here is Alfie (Sir Alfalfa) living his best life:

Not much else going on here. This morning Bruce has agreed to accompany me to our favorite nursery/garden center, where we are going to pick out some annuals and perennials for the garden. I also want to find some nice leaf mulch or rich compost to amend the soil in our courtyard. I’ve got to remove all the dang bark mulch first and hopefully the pinkish scalloped stone borders (circa last century). But the soil level is higher than the surrounding courtyard walkways, so that may require some work in the form of digging and hauling dirt or replacing the borders with a more neutral stone border. I also want to get lots of little potted flowers and veggie starts for the Greenstalk vertical planter too. 

Greenstalk vertical planter, photo from 2024

Last year I planted seeds in the Greenstalk, which didn’t do well with the light patterns in the courtyard and the deep planting pockets. Plant starts that rise above the top edge will capture more light and will make a big growth difference - at least I hope so! And I’ll be pruning the tree, too. 

T, you’re still in my heart and prayers. Get better soon!! 

Linking to Scrappy Saturday and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.