Moving on Down the List

 After two evenings of binding stitching while hanging out with the kids, Cherry Blossom is officially done.  I used a happy green polka dot on the back and a repeat of the inner border purple for the binding.  It even has a hanging sleeve because Anna thought we should hang it in the study.

 Ryan was kind enough to hold it up outside for a quick photo.  Not that I gave him much of a choice.

 I've had a stack of solid squares ready for the back of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Sampler quilt for quite a while.  Sewing them together randomly took just a couple of evenings this week.  Now that the quilting frame is fully extended, it is the perfect time to quilt up the last three big quilts on my list.

Hawaii Sunset is loaded now.  I think this sampler might be next, just because I think I know how to quilt it.  Still pondering how to quilt this year's sampler.  Hopefully inspiration will strike.
Not now though, Kurt and I have a Christmas party tonight.  Sydney has a two day out of town LAX tournament starting tomorrow, and the Anna and Ryan are at a powerlifting match on Sunday.  Soon though, the semester will end and quilting will take priority.  

Slow Down On Sunday

I have plenty of batting.  Still, I can't resist the urge to use up the bits and pieces.  So yesterday started with piecing leftover batting together for the Cherry Blossom Quilt.  

 I used a freehand Baptist Fan pattern in gold thread.  That went pretty quickly, especially compared to the pebbles of Bulk mail.

Purple Binding finished it off and Cherry Blossoms is ready for a little bit of slow stitching on Sunday.  

 I have just a few more orange peel blocks to finish off as well.  I'd like to have all the blocks done for this by the end of the year.  Those basket blocks are ready to put together as well.

 The next two quilts on my list are giant.  It gets pretty cramped in my sewing room when the quilting table is extended all the way out, so I decided to pull it out into the formal living room on a temporary basis.  Kurt is mocking me for taking over the entire house.  What good is having a house is you don't use all of it though?  It doesn't have to stay here forever, just until those next few big quilts get done.
First though, I worked hard yesterday, I think I might settle down to do a little slow stitching.  Head over to Kathy's Quilts to see the other handwork people are enjoying on this day of rest.

ScrapHappy Saturday - The Begining of the End

 There is no new official color for December.  You are welcome to make one up if you need 12 colors for your quilt.  Might I suggest aqua, which sadly did not get a turn this year?  Or the dark and light neutrals?  How about peach, violet or sage?  I you do not need a 12th color though, now is the time to start finishing things up.  Go back for any colors you might have missed along the way.  Take stock of your block pile and figure out if you have enough to put a quilt together.  If not, can you make up the difference, or do some projects need to carry over to the new year?  For me, December will be all about quilting.  Cherry Blossoms is draped over the frame.

The dining room table is three deep.  Sawtooth Stars got teardrops appliquéd down over Thanksgiving.  Well, except for that one silly brown piece that fell off on the trip.  Underneath is Hawaii Sunset which has a back already made and another sampler quilt which does not.  That should all keep me busy for a while.
How are your blocks in progress looking with just three ScrapHappy Saturdays left in the year?
Misterlinky is below, please share your progress with us all.  Don't forget to visit others and encourage them as they begin to finish what they started.

Cherry Blossoms

The pieced borders are on Cherry Blossoms!  I went with a dark purple inner border.  Not sure if I will repeat it as an outer border or let it end with the nine patches.  That will be a decision for another day though.  This was Bonnie Hunter's Crabapple pattern from her first Leaders and Enders book.  I started it in the summer of 2012 as a way to put lots of random nine patches to good use.  I'm working through lots of old projects right now trying to tidy things up a bit.
The marking period ended on Friday and I need to make sure all my grades are done.  I was glad to be able to finish this up first though.  Most of the day was busy with sleepovers and lacrosse, I was sure that this one was going to be put away again.  Life keeps getting in the way of sewing time!

Cherry Blossoms and Brown Fabric Giveaway

I got the blocks for Cherry Blossoms sewn together!  I worked the borders through as leaders and enders while the rows were being joined, and so those are almost done as well.  I think the pattern calls for both inner and outer borders.  Those will need some time to ponder I think.

In celebration of UFOs crossed off the list, I am going to open the giveaway for the brown fabric hand dyed just for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge by Vicki Welsh.  To enter, just leave  comment on this post with the name of the UFO you plan to finish off next.  I'll draw on before the next ScrapHappy Saturday.
To join in on the ScrapHappy Saturday linky party, just scroll down to the post below. 

Cherry Blossom UFO

This quilt has been abandoned since the start of school in 2012.  Yes, 2012!  The start of school seems to encourage UFOs.  The pattern is Bonnie Hunter's Crabapple from her first Adventures in Leader's and Enders book.  Mine is mostly red though, so I am calling it Cherry Blossoms.
Yesterday it was time to pull it out again and finish it up as I ponder whether or not to start a new project. When I grabbed the container from the closet, there were 12 finished blocks and plenty of nine patches for the rest.  This morning I finished up the paper pieced tree bases and added the tops.  It didn't take very long at all.  Whenever I pull out an abandoned project, I am always amazed at how quickly an unloved box of bits and pieces can turn into a quilt.  So now that the 25 blocks are done, it shouldn't take long to cut out some more sashing strips and cornerstones.  I hope to use up the rest of the nine patches in the border.  After that I can decide what is next.
In honor of this very scrappy project, I am going to link up with Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh Scrap.  Go check it out for more scrappy Sunday fun.