Wyoming Breezes

Orphan Nine-Patch quilt 51 x 66 inches for Prayers & Squares  A couple of weeks ago, I received a package from Mary R in CO. She sent 21 orphan nine-patches, some scrap fabric, 10 presentation cases for QOV, and some QOV labels.  I used some of my 2.5 inch scraps to make a few more nine-patch blocks. I added sashing and borders and a nice-sized top was created for the local Prayers and Squares group.  Thank you Mary for your donations.

If only it was possible . . .

4" high stack of Boxed Square blocks April 2021 Once the 2.5 inch strips were cut and prepped for the Boxed Square blocks, I couldn't stop sewing. It was extremely satisfying to see the stack of blocks grow higher and the stacks of strips grow smaller.  chain-piecing two-patch blocks After the Boxed Squares kits were all sewn, I tackled the stacks of 2.5 inch squares, sewing them into two-patch units that would eventually become four-patch blocks.  Creating blocks from scraps is almost like making a "free" quilt. 

bin stuffed with 2.5 inch strips April 2021 When I finish a project, I try to cut the fabric remnants into useable scrap sizes. Typically, I cut: 2.5 inch strips (sometimes binding or backing scraps), 3.5 inch squares, 5 inch squares, 6.5 inch squares, 8.5 inch squares, and 10 inch squares. The two bins that get filled first are usually the 2.5 inch strips and the 5 inch squares.  Last Monday, I noticed the 2.5 inch strip bin was stuffed, so I sorted the strips into piles according to the length. The short strips were cut into 2.5 inch squares for four patch blocks.  scrap strips prepped for making Boxed Square blocks The medium length strips were cut into two lengths (6.5 inch and 2.5 inch) to make Boxed Square blocks. The longer (WOF) strips were sorted by color and left in the bin.  the purged 2.5 inch scrap bin It was great to bring the chaos under control, but my job had only just begun. Now, it was time to sew, and sew I did.

seven patriotic panels and yardage April 2021 Sue and Bert, good friends from Riverton, came to visit on Thursday and Friday. It was such a treat to give them a big hug, visit not stop, share a meal, and play Mexican Train an entire afternoon. Time flew by and our visit ended much too quickly. They gave me a generous donation of seven patriotic panels and yardage to make more Quilts of Valor. Several of the panels are new designs and two are quite large. It will be fun to turn them into quilts in the coming weeks/months. Thank you Sue and Bert for helping me create QOV to honor seven veterans. I appreciate your generosity and your continuing friendship. 

Kathyb and Dee - don't you dare tell your fireman husbands my plan!   Well, I might do some knitting . . . Feel free to change "knitting" to reading, sewing, quilting, etc.  to make this your plan, too.