And more flimsiess

 I've been working at getting Lisa's old  block sets together. Three left now that these are done. I think.

These first two were actually meant to be one big one that she started over 25 years ago! Neither of us recalls the design she came up with. She pulled it out at some point to work on it and didn't like it. At that point she decided to sort the units and make 4 different sets of blocks. Threw away the paper with the first plan. Then they sat again. Last year she made a bit more progress and again they sat. So I took them and finally decided on these 2 arrangements. She likes them now of course. 

Last year she got a little carried away making basket weave blocks from 1.5" x 4.5" strips. She planned a big quilt for herself and again didn't like it. Most of the dark blocks have been used in donation lap quilts finished earlier. The light blocks sat till I came up with an alternate block to put with them. This may get a border. That will depend on how the top fits the back I still have to find. 

This last top is one she put together recently. She's still having trouble with the long seams being too narrow. It's an easy fix though and the pins will be gone for the wider pass. 

Several flimsies have been added to the quilt rack. I need to wade through them to find those with backs and get quilting. 

Retreating to the City

 I am in Madison  retreating this year. Attending the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. But first yesterday I visited Olbrich Botanical Gardens. It wasn't too colorful as I expected at end of season. I did expect a few more annuals. No petunias! No Chrysanthemums, even in bud. Plenty of other fun. I was pleased to see a lavish use of native wildflowers in the gardens. But my favorites were the water lilies in their sunken watergarden.

Two surprises. First "skinny genes" oak tree. A nice slender specimen. I wonder how old it is. But yikes up against the building.

And then this 8ft persicaria. Just a 1 ft tall weed in my area.

Then across from my hotel a little shopping  for a new purse. The one I liked the best was $325.00. So I thought I might make one. 

At the show I was surprised to see several vendors with cork, leather and lightweight vinyl and all the purse making patterns and supplies that you need to become overwhelmed. In the end I decided to wait cause I do have a few purse patterns never used and hardware and a shop local to me is heavy into purses. No she wasn't at the show. 

I won't share photos of the show. In the past they posted a virtual walk through but they aren't up. Maybe later.

I shopped cause dh said to have fun. I didn't add anything up but this is what's coming home with me. Not bad considering over 300 vendor spaces. Yes that's a jelly roll of Kaffe Fasset. I do buy precuts of his stuff.

And evenings I'm sewing in my room cause it is a retreat. So far a dozen green stars like these. Prettier than the picture.

I'll be heading home sometime tomorrow, but 1 day at the show is enough for me. I did not sign up for any classes or lectures. 

Odds and ends

 After a beautiful walk this morning I spent the afternoon  in the sewing room. There were sets of blocks that needed some finishing.

The purple and cream and red half blocks were from Dorinda's estate. I used them to add to a quilt because I had them though not enough for full blocks. That set is now ready to assemble.

Two blue blocks to complete one set. The 3 green blocks and 12 half blocks also in green needed for another quilt. Those will all  be arranged on the wall and stacked and pinned in order for quick assembly when sewing with Lisa. 

The light string block set needs a little work to be done. I can do that when I chat on the phone some evening. 

I also joined the rectangular pinwheel blocks into rows. 2 rows shown here.

So I'm satisfied with all that was done today. Feels good.

FOUR stacks gone.

 Maybe the four sets of blocks were in one pile. But to me there were 4 stacks of blocks. The blocks were pieced sometime in the last year and for whatever reason were set aside. So don't think I've been that busy.

Puss in the corner is a favorite antique block. When I found the blocks a few months ago I didn't remember liking these so much. But there was 1 thing I didn't like. I had 1 green block in the mix. Yuk. Easy remedy. I hadn't cut the alternate blocks yet so cut those. I knew it was going to be small but it was too small to please me so I made more blocks and added 3 rows, without using any green. 

The stars for Route 55 were made at camp along Route 55 in northern Wisconsin. It was autumn and pretty much peak autumn color that were these colors. I filled the spot for 6 blocks with a favorite green leaf print. Not because I didn't want to make more  for a bigger quilt, but cause I liked the print and didn't like it for a border. I thought they would offer some relief from the repeat of the blocks. Looks a bit dark in the picture. Not always easy for me to get the color right in a quilt photo. 

These pinwheels were another fix for a quilt I started but didn't like. I already made 1 quilt with some of the pieces I had cut. With the remaining pieces I made some orphan blocks which will likely end up together in a sampler using batiks. That's for another time. This will go to a nursing home as a wheelchair quilt. 

These flowery blocks have been together a few months; but then I spotted the border fabric. Yes, in my stash. Kinda made sense to use it. 

I also got a border started on another one of Lisa's. And quilted a little one of mine today.  I imagine there will be more soon. Yay!