Progress made!

I have the center of my house quilt assembled, and was able to incorporate the two different sizes of houses. I also have the rest of the layout planned. It feels good to be moving forward with this project. It was one of many I began in my very ambitious plans for 2021. It was the following year when the sign went up on my sewing room door (that remains to this day) that reads, "No New Starts!"

As I have explained before, I started out following the pattern by Valerie Langue in the October 2020 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. After making the first 5 blocks I purchased the house Block on Board die for my Accuquilt cutter. The 1 1/2" size difference in the blocks presented a challenge, but I wanted to include all of the blocks I had made, hence the "medallion" style center. 

This was my first block, as shared in my 2021 post. I accidentally trimmed it too small, and thought about using it as a label on the back, but I repaired it and have placed it in the quilt. Can you find it, and see the repair?

The rest of the quilt will follow the pattern pretty much as Valerie designed it, with striped sashing and stars in the cornerstones. But I will be adding another round of houses, beyond what is shown in the first photo. That means I need 25 more made.

Seven of those 25 are cut and waiting for me on design boards. To keep up with my SAL commitment with Lori @ Humble Quilts blog, of two blocks per month, I need one more block made for May. I plan to tackle it right away. The other six will go with me to the little shop over the mountain on Thursday for the monthly "Chitchat, Finish That" open sew. I made six blocks when I went in April, and I hope to do it again. That will cover my blocks for the summer months.

Aside from building houses, I have mostly sewn placemats the past couple of months. Our guild does these as our service project, for the local "Meals on Wheels".  

I've been over the service project for the past year, and it has been fun to find bright, happy fabrics to make people smile. Next year I think I will use more cute animal prints.

We spent the first week of May on a trip to Oregon to visit DD#1, and our youngest grandchild. We always try to get to the coast, if we can. Though the day was cool, overcast, and sometimes raining, we made it happen, and had much of the beach to ourselves. It was still a great day, in spite of the weather!

The cold water, and breezy conditions did not deter our granddaughter from testing the waters. But this was one time I did NOT dip my toe in the ocean. That may surprise some of you who know I "always" try to dip my toe. Below is the view from the lookout above the beach.

We were back home before Mother's Day, and I want to share the beautiful collection of flowers I received for the holiday. The vibrant colors seemed to glow.

I've been very anxious to get this post up before May was over, and I've barely made it. May is the anniversary of my blog, which began in May 14 years ago! I always try to have a little "Thank You" opportunity for those of you who have joined me on this journey. This is a very similar bundle to the gifts I took to Australia and New Zealand when I met up with bloggers there. That was so amazing to meet up with all those gals, and it never would have happened without blogging!

We have a Utah Truffles Raspberry Milk Chocolate bar, a Riley Blake charm pack, a pineapple block mug rug, and a few bars of my handcrafted herbal soap. Mention in a comment if you'd like to be included--and if you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email in your comment. And if you aren't sure if you are a "no-reply" blogger, just leave your email in your comment. If your name is drawn and I don't have a way to contact you, I will draw another name.

Also, in the spirit of giving, I was cleaning out some fabric tubs, and ended up with a pile of Thimbleberries FQs, and some Thimbleberries-ish fabrics. I've just tied them together for the photo, but may untie them to package and send. If you are interested in this bundle, say so in your comment. 

Same advice about including your email applies here.

Thanks for visiting my little corner of blogland! Until next time, be creative, and be kind--and if you can only choose one of those to be--choose kindness!

Janet O.

P.S. I did finally notify the winner of the "General's Wives" pattern from my last post. Two of you who were interested were not linked to an email address, and had not included it in your comment. If you are really interested in either of the options above, and you have never had email communication with me before, please just include your email.