a cut and a test

Three things to be happy about:
(1) flags proudly flying
(2) neighborhood get-togethers
(3) extra pickles on the side

Well, we survived the 4th!  Now if I can just make it through the next week and a half, the fireworks will be over...  I hope.  I have no objection to people shooting off fireworks at a reasonable hour, but in my opinion,12:30 at night is not a reasonable hour.  Besides, they're supposed to be illegal in the District.

Yesterday while I was NOT on the mall waiting for the fireworks, I pieced not-quite-a-dozen nine patches from the African squares I was cutting.  I still need to cut more squares and piece a few more blocks - I figure I'll need 20 total - but these went together so fast it'll be a snap!  My next step will be to slash them and add 2-3 white pieces per block and they'll be ready to assemble into a quilt top.

When I was getting ready to take these pictures I noticed some of the blocks look rather dull because the color distribution isn't all it could be; notice the center portion of the block on the right.  But on the other hand once they're slashed and shot through with the white, it might not be noticeable.  Especially when so many blocks are mushed together into the top!

And then there was that one piece that had over-large pink and aqua circles painted on the surface. I figured if I pieced the painted side to the inside it wouldn't matter... BUT when I pressed it, a bit of it stuck to my iron.  In the back of my mind I was thinking the paint would react the same way gold does, but not sew!  So, the rest of that particular piece will be cut out around the painted areas; there's enough unpainted surface left to feed into my scrap and/or crumb tubs.

Now here's a little cutie I tested and it definitely gets a thumbs-up!  This paper pieced pattern is Sharon's creation and she was kind enough to share it with me - I love it!

I've been saying for two years that I'll make quilts for my great-niece and -nephew (my sister's grandkids)... meanwhile time is passing and they're getting older - they'll be three in October!  Where did the time go??

So I'm having to rethink the kind of quilt I intended to make for them since they're older now.  I realize I can still make baby-type quilts and it would be okay, but I've decided to go ahead and make a "big-boy" quilt for Jamiyl using this pattern, and African fabrics.  His sister will get a Sunbonnet Sue-type quilt ... I think.  One thing I do know is, no matter what I do they'll love it - how can they not   :o)

Well, that's it for today; try to stay cool, drink lots of water, sew forth and sew on