Seeing Red

I was seeing red this week - all over my sewing room. Red is the color we’re working with for April in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, and I have plenty of red scraps. Hopefully, by the end of the month I’ll have lots fewer red scraps and lots more red blocks to add to kid donation quilts. 

This month I made three Weathervane blocks because the reds in my stash have multiplied tremendously over the last year. 

The Weathervane below is my favorite of the bunch, but the camera could not catch the actual shade of the center square, nor could I manipulate the photo to get it to read correctly. In real life, it’s not bright, but rather close to the background color of the other two reds in the block. 

These blocks are so enjoyable to sew! Which of the three do you like best?

I also sewed thirty string blocks that will finish at 6”. They are pinned here in two groups of 15 for our chapter of Quilts for Kids to use in kit making. I figured you didn’t need to see every single block - they’re all pretty much the same. (You’re welcome!)

One of my monthly goals moving forward is to sew up one or two sets of Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks into quilts. This month I’m focusing on the crumb candy blocks I made as one of my 2023 RSC blocks.  There will be enough for two quilts if I sash them like this (pretend the sashing is pinned all round). I had a black background fabric that has various types of candies and other confections scattered over it, but I didn’t want that stark contrast with these blocks. So I went hunting for a cute rainbow-effect print that would tie all the colors together. 

 

Here’s a close-up of the print that I purchased from one of my favorite online fabric sources, Hancock’s of Paducah. They have a killer sale section. Anyway, it’s a Moda fabric that reminds me of Skittles or Chicklets. I’ll use it for the sashing, borders and binding on both quilts and for at least one of the backings. Both if I have enough. I think I bought 5 yards. 

Next week I have two quilts (Purple Diamonds and Nann Strings) that need to be pin basted and quilted. There is certainly no lack of projects and goals in my little sewing room!

We’re busy working with the VA again to get an additional (revised and updated) rating on Bruce’s CLL (leukemia). He is chronically fatigued, so after his May doctor visit, we’ll have a better idea where that all is headed. And we’ll be applying for caregiver benefits as well. Right now our biggest thorn is getting our hands on documents from previous marriages. But we’re working on that too. As if that weren’t enough, I’ve got a writing assignment to finish over the weekend for the HOA (long story, too boring). And then there is Easter. I’m fixing a turkey, making a pie - a semi-fancy meal for the two of us. I hope your celebration is however you want it - lively and fun or quiet and peaceful. Ours will be the latter. 

To my dear friend T - you are in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers. K is giving us daily updates. And I hope she brings you your Mountain Dew! xoxoxo