New Totes and Spin Block Beginnings

Well as I said in my last post, I did make the two totes with the 16 squares I made with my new favorite block.  I think there will be more quilts using these colors and this pattern in the future.  Of course there will be variations as I get bored really easily!!

Another view of the totes, showing the lining fabrics.  The sides and the bottoms of the two bags are the blue that is in the handles and was also used with the quilt top in the background.  I think I will get through the whole two yards I had with these various projects.

This is the pile of 2 in scraps that is sitting next to the sewing machine waiting for a quilt!

Decided to do the "spin" block I had originally intended to do before I got side-tracked with the totes and the quilt!!  I actually auditioned a duller yellow for the middle but it just didn't do it so went with this slight orange yellow.  I would also see this as a red/blue/yellow palette which is an unusual combination for me.  I tend to stick with the secondary colors.  I really like this one though and it will be hard to give up!

All the blocks are done (although not in their final places yet) and am auditioning the blue as sashing and border and think it will be perfect.  I am not going to do any cornerstones with this one.  I may add another border or two but haven't decided yet.   I am starting to get my stuff ready to head south in about three weeks so good part of my strips stash has already made the trip downstairs.  

I do love this block and it is soooo easy, especially since I put the pattern on the back of one of my rulers which aids in the cutting of the blocks.  Also, very happy I have a 10 1/2 square ruler so squaring up the blocks is a cinch!

This quilt will be about 40 x 65 when done.

Deer, Totes and Birds!!

I went down to the recreation area at Ft. Fisher and there were a lot of deer hanging around.  It was very late afternoon but lightening up the photos really helped and showed how nice looking they were. 

I think a doe and a fawn from this year.  I haven't seen my bucks again but think they may have dropped their antlers by now so they may be in the crowd.  There were probably 8-10 the other day.

 There was one lone Royal Tern down at Ft. Fisher on this miserable rainy day.

I liked the pose of this Snowy Egret down at Ft. Fisher.

There was a nice flock of Horned Grebes down at Ft. Fisher.  It was very dreary and dark.

Here are three  hanging out.

Drying out his wings.  You can see the one patches on the wings.

Here are eight of the 12 or so Horned Grebes that were down there.

 I have a ton of leftover Dear Jane blocks -- most are the ones from my original DJ exchange.  I have made three quilts already from the blocks,, one king and two queens.  I also gave away about 200 for auction at quilt club.  I still have over 200 so it is time to do something with them.  I did use some as a border on one small quilt.  I have a preliminary thought but we shall see.  I also have a pillow challenge in February.

 I have been using some of my less favorite pieces of ice dyed fabrics to make totes.  These were pieces that I just folded into eighths rather than the mandalas I have been doing lately.  I cut the  pieces into basically fat quarter units so that the front and the back of the bags match.  The neat part is that the sides match also.  I think that Christmas presents are in order!  They are nice sturdy bags lined with both interfacing and fusible fleece.

I have basically two of each bag.