I've started a new project using some of my old (very old) fabrics.  The other day I bought the Walk About pattern from Grizzly Gulch.

Lately I've been pondering on my stash.  It did not come as any great surprise to me that I have entirely too many old old fabrics.
Sadly even tho some of them are really old they are not what I'd call vintage.  But then again I really don't know what qualifies as vintage!!  lol  To me Old is just OLD.  haha

I've been contemplating a recent mystery that I think I want to make so I started pulling lots of greens (since that seemed to be my favorite color way back when -- and the color that I have the most of) and I think I want to get some of them cut and ready to use as leader/enders.. 

So while I was pondering.....I also decided that I need a few more "bleacher" quilts.  It's time for football after all.  So I pulled these three fabrics and started cutting for the Walk About.  It's going to be a simple quilt to put together.
Here are just a few of the blocks on my wall.  ( This setting is not necessarily the way they will end up when I get them all finished). 

And next will come the borders.    I don't have enough fabrics to do just simple borders like the pattern shows so I'm trying to come up with something that will use up the rest of the daisy fabric and yet help the border stand out against the blocks.  It just seems to need something more than simple borders with these fabrics.  Sooooo  
Stay tuned.  I'm sure I"ll think of something.
 And in the meantime.... I'm heading over to Judy's Design Wall to see what others have been up to.    
Thanks for stopping by....Linda

Carol Doak's paper piecing mystery block (Split Feather)........ One more block finished.     

I so enjoy working with these blocks and I'm really looking forward to finding out how she has planned to bring them all together at the end.  

Right now this is the only thing on my design wall this morning.  Since I finished my Bento Box I quickly took it to my Quilt Bugs.  Now I think I'll start pulling green scraps and start cutting blocks and strips and see what I can come up with.  

So for now why don't you join me over at Judy's Design Wall and check out what other quilters have been up to.  Have FUN!  

Thanks for stopping by....Linda

Today I was able to get caught up on my Carol Doak paper piecing blocks.  
This is July's block and I chose to rotate the corners this way.

And here is the August block.  Now I'm caught up until Carol gives out the next block.  I wish my camera would do a better job with the colors.  These are so much richer and darker in real life.   

Thanks for stopping by....Linda

Did you see that block in the corner?

The one that had the outside blue round right up against the blue border.
<<<This one.

Well it just drove me crazy!!
I have no idea why I got it twisted around like I did.   But there it was and I didn't like it one bit!
So I fixed it today.


This is much better don't you think?

NOW the top is finished and as soon as I clean up the strings and give it a good press I can get it to my quilter.

Last night was our quilt guild meeting and I was able to share my CherryLime Mash  quilt that won at the Fair.   We talked a bit about some of the things the judge looked for.  She commented a bit about the piecing and the importance of matching seams and points.  Some quilts had beautiful fabrics and a lovely pattern and had been quilted nicely... but the quilter hadn't paid attention to matching some of the seams.  
     I'd have to say that the one thing that kept coming up over and over again was the binding and how it should be full and well sewn.  She stressed that not only did it look and feel better but a full binding doesn't wear as badly as one that is too empty.  She also commented about sewing the binding by hand or by machine.  In her opinion she said as long as either are done well it makes no difference to her.  She prefers hand sewn but wouldn't mark down a machine bound quilt.  She also laughed and said not every judge would feel that way.   I'm so glad I was able to help that day and I feel confident now about my quilting abilities.  I do need to consciously work on matching edges, points and seams a bit better sometimes but I do feel like I'm on the right track and have learned some lessons well.   I'm looking forward to next year and starting to think about my next fair entrie(s).  Hummmm....

Thanks for stopping by....Linda

The modified Bento Box that I was working on (here) is now a finished top!!  It certainly took me long enough .... but I finally put on the last border yesterday.

Six borders.
Here's a closer look at them.
All blue borders are 1" finished and the scrappy border measures 3".
The first red floral is 5" and the outside is 7".

Now I'm taking my coffee and heading over to Judy's Design Wall Monday.
See you there.......
  Thanks for stopping by....Linda

I haven't been feeling well lately and when I go through those bad days I tend to just close myself away and stop everything.
But now (as always) I'm feeling better and the fog is lifting and I'm getting back to my (normal ?) life.  Slowly.

I have done a bit more sewing on my Bento Box borders but I haven't taken a pic yet to show.  I've had a bit of an episode with my camera and the memory card vs computer.  It took me awhile but I finally won and can take pics again.

I've been pretty much glued to the tv watching the Olympics.  I so admire the athletes and their dedication to their sport.   I shake my head in amazement when I think of the life they live while they dedicate their every day training to be the best.
 

I-HOP pancake recipe

And when I'm in a slump and can't seem to do anything else ....
I Pin.  I love Pinterest!   I have to admit I haven't really made many of the recipes I've pinned.  But I sure like to have them pinned just in case.   lol

 One of the Breakfast recipes I've pinned is for an I-Hop pancake recipe.   I decided to actually make them to see if they really do taste like I-Hop pancakes.
AND..... OMgosh they are sooooo good.   And then add  the best syrup ever made .... (Griffin's)   It's heaven on a plate.

Now with that sugar rush ... I think I'll go back and sew up a couple of pillow cases for my granddaughter.  
Thanks for stopping by....Linda

My County Fair entry

Our County Fair was held this last weekend and our quilt guild helped check in the Open Class quilts and other items.  I offered to help write down the judges comments as she went over each entry.  I enjoyed it so much and it was very informative.
This is the first time I've ever entered one of my quilts at the Fair so I really didn't know what to expect.
Soooo after she had judged all the machine pieced quilts she narrowed down the Blue, Red and White winners.

My CherryLime Mash won a Blue Ribbon!

WOOHOO!!
My first County Fair entry and my first ribbon.
But.... that's not all!!  
I also won Best Pieced Quilt
&  Best Overall Quilt

Needles to say..... I am beyond proud.

 See the 'two' Gingher scissors?  I guess the gal in charge of providing the awards wasn't expecting one person to win both awards.  haha 
Thanks for stopping by....Linda