Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Time to Use Some Squares and Scraps

Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy 
that you have little time to criticize others.
~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Quilting


I quilted the two easy baby quilts - a top that was ready and a set of blocks. The next ones will take a bit more work. There's a box in my workroom overflowing with 2" and 2.5" squares. Some are leftovers from previous projects. Some a tag-ends of WOF cuts. Whatever. The box is full and I need to use it up. 

Not feeling terribly original, I chose to use my old Trip Around the Block design. It's two blocks - a small Trip Around the World and a small X. The process is not fast {although it's not terribly slow either} but it's always fun to play with fabrics. And the design can be adjusted to build blocks that are the "right" size for each project. In this case, I want a baby quilt so nine 14" blocks are needed.

Here's what I've sewn this week. A bit of an old-fashioned feel. 

Scrappy Trip Around the Block quilt blocks

We'll see how it goes.

Reading

How have I overlooked J.A. Jance all these years? On Nann's recommendation I started the Joanna Brady set with Desert Heat and Tombstone Courage


When Joanna's deputy sheriff husband is killed, the search for the killer leads her to run for office. Set in present-day (written in 1990s) small town Arizona, the series is still interesting. I'll be reading more soon.

Enjoy the day, Ann

22 comments:

patty a. said...

It is going to be a cute baby quilt. You can always jazz it up a bit more with some fun binding and backing.

bumblebee53 said...

I love your trip around the block squares. Good old fashioned improv with scraps! I don't know how you get all that quilting done and read that much, but I love reading your posts and seeing your latest creations.

LA Paylor said...

lots of ideas for squares. I like the regularity of them plus the variety. I want to work with squares again for a while

sue s said...

I like your take on Trip blocks. I also like JA Jance, and have read all of her Joanna Brady books, and a few of her other series. Sheriff Brady is a real-life woman and I enjoyed that aspect a lot.

Julierose said...

I like the pairing of these two blocks a lot...this will be a beauty hugs, Julierose

Mystic Quilter said...

Nice pairing of blocks, such a change from the usual setting and adds that extra pop.

Robin said...

You are such a generous lady, always making these cute little quilts for someone else.

QuiltGranma said...

I LOVE YOUR TRIPPIN' QUILT!

Ann said...

Thanks, Patty. I'll try to remember to do that.

Ann said...

Thanks. I try to use all/most of my scraps and it can be overwhelmingly time-consuming.

Ann said...

I get the same urges you have. A certain design comes to mind and I work it through multiple little quilts. But mine aren't as cute as yours.

Ann said...

Thanks, Sue. I think I'm the last person to start reading Jance. She writes well.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julierose. I hope it turns out well. There are quite a stack of squares to choose from but not many are alike. And then a couple are sets of 40-50.

Ann said...

How kind of you, Maureen. It may not be the most inspired but I hope it will make a pretty little quilt.

Ann said...

It's fun to gift them to friends. And fun to occasionally see them around town. ;-)

Ann said...

Thank you.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Scrappy trips is a real favourite of mine! And I do love how you've combined these two blocks, creates more movement.

Pamela said...

What a great idea! You can use your small pieces and have a useful gift at the same time.

Nann said...

Isn't it fun to discover a -t0-you author who's written many books? Glad you're enjoying the series. I like the scrappy Xs and Os that you have underway.

Ann said...

Scrappy Trips are a great way to use strips. This variation helps me use leftover squares. Anything to keep the fabric moving, right Linda?

Ann said...

Thanks, Pamela. That's my opinion, too.

Ann said...

I have you to thank for the suggestion, Nann. This series is still good after all these years.
I'm delighted to use up more bits and pieces. And loads of people are having babies.