Amani

Lately several of my sentences begin with "After we get vaccinated..."

Of course this time in our lives has been unlike any other with few guidelines and little direction.  We have had to improvise as we went along. 

A New Finish

But life does not stop for a vaccine. It happens while we wait for other things.

Such is this quilt.

"After I complete the RSC2020 quilts, I will start the Carnavale quilt", I thought. But then life happened. Literally. Nancy's baby boy is due any minute. Therefore the RSC projects were set aside and a rapid baby boy quilt was made.

Starter Dough?

The leftovers from Kinda Brave became the starters for this quilt.  Reminds me of this comment from Astrid on the Rainy Day Tulips Quilt.

"Quilting is like starter dough; ya gotta keep some inspiration and leavening from the last batch in order to start the next one.

Blocks in the works

All block centers done

The blocks finish at about 10" making this a rapid quilt. Although 16 blocks would have been plenty, after all was said and done there were 20 blocks.  So I made a slightly larger quilt.

On the Design Wall

Sparkle Background

Binding

A Robot!!!

Walking Foot Quilting

Butterflies & Owl

The backing is pieced and all fabric was very "locally sourced" from my stash :-D

Pieced Backing

Labelled

Soothing Blues

Tall Giraffe, Stout Elephant

Completed & Gifted

A few more pictures.

Animal theme

Happy Sharks

Go on now - keep the baby warm

Make the Baby Smile

Amani finished at about 40" by 49" and was gifted to a very pregnant mom-to-be. Amani means peace in Swahili (Nancy's mother tongue). 

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Eventually, I did count the number of Framed Jewel Blocks.  I thought I had made (somewhat) equal number of light and dark blocks (for a checkered layout). But I was mistaken. I had way more light blocks than dark blocks.

Framed Jewel Blocks

A checkered layout idea was abandoned. I was trying to wrap up this party not invite three rowdy friends. I decided to go with the dark border layout more conducive to the blocks on hand. 

Preferred Layout and Piecing Approach

Since my desires exceed the dimensions of the design wall, the flimsy will be pieced in four sections.

Quadrant A

A closer look

These blocks were quick and easy to make but the flimsy will take that much longer to piece.  Slowly but surely this will come together.  Of course I will keep you posted and will share with Angela's RSC Linky Party.

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In non-quilty adventures, I tried making focaccia bread and succeeded. I made bread and breadcrumbs AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Attempt

Yes, this is exactly what happens when you do not oil the pan before placing the dough.  The second batch of focaccia bread (topped with balsamic onions and mushrooms) was glorious in both appearance and taste :-)

Success

What yumminess have you experienced lately?  Was it in the kitchen, the studio or outdoors?  I'd love to hear from you. I will be sharing with Angela's RSC Linky and all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.

Scraps and Squirrels

Picture the scene at the end of the party.  Empty bottles, missing silverware, dirty dishes, stained carpet, mess everywhere and you don't even know where to begin.

Scraps Explosion

Half Made Blocks

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge feels like a party and it IS a lot of fun...till you get to this time of the year.

Now the party is coming to a close and there are blocks everywhere. How many blocks? Did I lose/misplace some? I was going to redo that one but then forgot. Where do I even start?

Framed Jewel Blocks (Light Borders)

I should start at counting the blocks.  That way I can answer the question - how many blocks?

Will it be enough for one quilt? Or more. May be I will need to make a few more.

Aah Good Intentions!!!

As I opened the box where I had been storing the RSC (Project#2 now renamed Framed Jewels) blocks, something else fell out.

OOPS. It was a squirrel. Actually it was too pretty to be a squirrel. It was a chipmunk.

So off I went chasing that chipmunk cuteness.  Please excuse me Framed Jewels. It is not like you are going anywhere.

Leftover Strip Sets

These strips were left over from Shadow of Light. Like many scraps and block trimmings, they were too small to use and too big to throw away. 

What if...

Becoming Something

Finished Zipper Pouch

Chipmunk Captured!!!

Insides Matter Too

But wait there is more. When I opened the bag containing zippers, five other chipmunks jumped out. Who knew I was housing a whole family of chipmunks in between RSC blocks? 

A Whole Family!!!

I found a few other fabrics, already cut into perfect sizes, ready to become zippered pouches. 

When did I do that?

Fall Colors

Perfectly Coordinated Zippers and Tabs

Sandra, I am sure you have come across a squirrel within a squirrel.  A Dreami within a Dreami. Well, actually I did not drop the first one but chased all six at once.

Colorfully yours

Feed Me, they yell!!!

And here they are - the whole family together. Look at them, so innocently posing for the picture.

A very Big Dreami 

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By now the Framed Jewel Blocks were completely forgotten. But I counted the Picket Star Quilt blocks. Enough for three quilts - one each of small, medium and large :-D

Nine blocks in a small quilt. The next thing I know a flimsy was finished. 

Picket Star Blocks - Finished Flimsy

The Picket Star Quilt Blocks (17" square) are time consuming to make but the quilt top comes together so quickly. I added a border to protect the precious points. The flimsy finished at about 54" square. 

What about the Framed Jewel Blocks? That will have to be in an another blogpost. Did you chase a squirrel? Were you sidetracked? Or did you stay the course. I'd love to know.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties including Angela's So Scrappy Linky and Sandra's Dreami. See full list on the sidebar.

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Hope you have a safe Thanksgiving.

These are difficult times and we may not be able to see our loved ones. It is hard and it is heartbreaking. I understand. But there is good news. The vaccine will be widely available next year. We have to hang tight for just a few more months. We can do this. Together we can beat this. 

Next year we will have a huge party to make up for all the missed parties.  We will cherish every embrace, every kiss and every handshake. I am sure my arms will ache from receiving and giving big squishy hugs. But I promise to clean up all the mess from that huge party, I promise. It will be worth it!!!