Crazy On You

Crazy On You, July 2026

There’s never a shortage of scraps around here. In fact, I generate many more than I will ever use because I make so many quilts. That’s ok, because I always have a variety of colors and prints on hand for my next bonus quilt.

When I got this Crazy Block die from Blue Wren, I immediately went on a cutting spree. I pulled out a big pile of pastels and medium color remnants, along with white muslin and a few 10” squares and fat quarters. In no time, I had cut enough blocks for a small project.

I decided to randomly combine the pieces without trying to coordinate the colors. It was fun and mindless play, accompanied by vintage rock music from Heart. Working on the Janome, I pieced, pressed and tossed the blocks onto my design board.

I will confess, I did swap a few blocks around before the final stitching. (Can’t let two like fabrics touch each other, you know!) Rotating the blocks created the secondary white pinwheel design. I used a light green thread to quilt curvy designs using the Which Way ruler.

Crazy On You is 45” square, great for a baby quilt. I love the semi-organized chaos of color, fabric, and designs that appear when sewing scrappy quilts. Even when I plan a color scheme, it’s satisfying to pull out those remnants for variety.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6510 Crazy Block 7½” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2” binding

ZZ Top

ZZ Top, August 2026

Sometimes the simplest shapes can be combined to create unique designs. I started this quilt by cutting up medium sized scraps into half square triangles and rectangles. I had no particular layout in mind.

By the time I had added some natural muslin and sewed a few blocks, an idea popped into my head and this quilt was the result. By flipping two sections together, the Z began to take shape when I added 1” muslin sashing.

After I finished the blocks, I remembered a colorful guitar print for a border and backing, so naming it ZZ Top made perfect sense to me. I pieced everything on my Singer 99 called Bogart. I chose a utility zig-zag stitch for quilting on the Janome.

ZZ Top finished at 46” x 54” and yes, I definitely played their music and even danced a little bit while working on this one. Such a fun and happy quilt!

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55159 Rectangle 2” x 4” finished
Blue Wren 6015 Strips 1” finished

 

Busy Work

Busy Work, February 2026

What could be better than experimenting with blocks and using colorful scraps? This cute design uses some of my favorite fabrics plus some odd bits and pieces.

I browsed my bins of triangles to create bright color combinations to go with 3” signature cuts. All blocks were stitched on my Singer 301 Laney, making a few at a time between other projects or when I had a minute.

The result is another bonus quilt to add to the collection. After sewing blocks together, I used a sheet for backing. Quilting was done with a serpentine stitch in vertical rows, using a walking foot on the Janome. 

Busy Work seemed like the perfect name for this 48” square beauty. I finished it back in February. Of course, there are many remnants left to sew since I generate more with each new quilt. A happy problem to have, I think!

Accuquilt dies used:
55729 Signature 3½”
55818 Bowtie HST 1½”
55147 HST 2¼”
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Cookout Time

I'm ready to celebrate the 4^th of July with a cookout, using brand new hot pads and an apron.

I have lots of these handy hot pads, made with scrappy leftovers from quilts and odd test or sample blocks. These two are the latest in my collection.

The navy smock style apron is reversible, made with medium weight poplin and denim for the straps. I've seen this style selling online for $75 to $150, can you believe it? I made my own pattern, then used fabric from my stash to whip this up in an afternoon.

That was a fun diversion from quilting, but now I'm back to my ever growing list of quilt projects. I'll take a break to grill some burgers on Thursday.

Mixed Links

I truly love experimenting with quilt blocks. Switching around pieces to create a different look is right up my alley. And I've been playing again.

I sketched out this block last year after seeing a similar vintage quilt online. I used some elements of the Star Links die and added a 2” square. I had to trim off triangles after sewing to get that odd shaped piece.

Lilac, aqua, and pink scrap prints are sweet for this table mat. I quilted using a scallop stitch and white thread. Mixed Links is 35” x 15” size.

Not all my test ideas make it into quilts, but they can be used for pot holders, cat rugs, or trying out quilt stitches. It's all good!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6967 Star Link
6015 Strips 1½”
Accuquilt
55018 Value die (2” square)
55017 Strip 2½”

Under The Influence

Another scrap quilt and it's quite unique. Why? Because I cut and sewed most of it while taking pain meds after a dental procedure. So some of the seams don't quite match up. Oh well, it's so busy with color and patterns that it's hard to find the errors.

I used several dies and made multiple cuts to get the final shapes for this crazy block. First, I cut scraps on the 6½” square die. I used the wedge die to trim these into the center sections. For the side pieces, I cut lighter colors into 5½” half square triangles. I sewed them on each side of the wedges. After pressing, I trimmed them to size on the 6½” square die, lining up the corners of the wedge section.

Under The Influence - 2021 Useful Remnants

Then I sewed a 12” four-patch block, being careful not to stretch the sides. If I hadn't been taking the meds, they would have matched up pretty well. Under The Influence finished out at 61” square. I quilted in a simple serpentine stitch along the squares and across the wedges, using cream thread.

I had fun working out how to achieve the modified kite block I wanted with the dies and fabric that I had on hand. (I did that BEFORE seeing the dentist.) It is so satisfying to use those saved remnants, just like the grannies used to do. I created even more leftovers from trimming the wedge pieces that I can use later for another bonus quilt project. I don't think I'll ever get to the bottom of these scrap bins!

Accuquilt dies used:
55439 Wedge 9” finished
55000 Square 6” finished
55805 Half Square Triangle 5” finished (10” Qube)
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Classic Elegance

Classic Elegance

You just can't go wrong pairing classic black and white, and this quilt is a fine example.

Simple monochrome prints along with a white on white floral fabric make this design so definitive. I absolutely love the 12” Spinning Star die by Blue Wren Dies in Australia.

The backing is an adorable cat print. I quilted with light gray thread on top and white in the bobbin, using the Creative Grids Elvira ruler. Those gray serpentine lines make the stars really look like they're moving air.

Classic Elegance finished out at 54” square after I added borders.

There's no time to waste around here, Between my fabulous fabric acquisition and three more new dies, my head is spinning with new ideas. Stay tuned.

Blue Wren Dies:
6358  Spinning Star 12"
6720 Magic Strips (border)

I'm never bored.

There are too many

interesting,

creative,

relaxing,

fun,

exciting,

and satisfying

things to do!

Easy Pieces

Here's another multicolored scrap quilt made from my stash box of 2½” squares. Quick work, since all I had to cut were the cream/white pieces. I designed the basic layout in EQ8.

Sewing straight seams in batches was a breeze. I tried to keep the colors balanced but didn't fuss too much. Perfection can be stressful and I only wanted to play.

I quilted with white thread in straight lines on the strip sections and in a crosshatch pattern on the eight and sixteen patch blocks. Easy Pieces is 42” square.

I really enjoyed those three mornings stitching away in the sewing room with smooth jazz playing in the background. The thing is, I hardly made a dent in that scrap box, plus I have more remnants to cut. Don't worry, I've already designed another fun project for those.

Accuquilt dies used:
55017 2½” strip
55059 2½” square multiple

Some days 

are simply meant 

for playing 

Summertime Girl

Summertime Girl

It's officially summer here in Tennessee: 99% humidity, triple digit heat index, daily thunderstorms, and no way to control my unruly naturally curly hair. 

Call me crazy, but I'm staying in my air conditioned sewing space stitching quilts.

Fun summer prints -- cats, owls, popsicles, and straw hats -- share space with bright colorful stripes, checks, and dots, all pulled from my overflowing scrap collection. This is a definitely girly quilt for a summer baby.

This time I combined three Accuquilt dies to make a rectangular block that I saw last year in a quilting book. I don't remember which publication, but I sketched it in my inspiration journal. I attached 4 ½” triangles on a center square, and completed the rectangle with two 6 ½” triangles.

I sewed six of them together horizontally and stacked them into three rows, then added the dotty border and backing. Summertime Girl is 40” square. Quilting is a scallop stitch done diagonally in white thread.

You know I'd do anything for you...

except leave the comfort

of my air conditioned home

Travel Day

Yesterday was a travel day for us, so I didn't get to post.  We drove home from a two week stay at Defeated Creek Campground, then picked up mail and retrieved the cat from boarding.  

It was an interesting trip.  The weather was strange even for April in Tennessee.  Blowing rain, 40 with chilly wind, 79 and sunny, lows in the 30's, snow flurries on my birthday, then more rain. Luckily rain held off for both camp setup and tear down. We didn't walk or sit outside as much as we usually do because it was just too darn cold and wet.

Thank goodness we like each other, since we spent a lot of time inside.  Even though cell service is horrible north of Carthage, Jerold's custom external antenna gave us enough bars to access the internet a little bit each day. (I think it was a nice change to be mostly offline, though.)  We had books, magazines, music, movies, and a good DTV signal.  

We had fun despite the weather.  He worked on some electronic projects and I chain sewed 2" squares together on my little Singer machine.  I finished a crochet cat blanket and whipped up several dish cloths.  We made the usual Walmart and Dollar Store run, and ate fabulous Mexican food in Gordonsville twice.  We cooked several nice meals in the camper.  

Life is what you make it.  

Life is good.  

Color Crayons

Color Crayons

Inspiration: 

a brand new 

box of crayons  

Color crayons is what we called them when I was little. I don't know if that's a Southern thing, but they were never just crayons.

This quilt is made up of 3 1/2” half square triangles in bright prints of red, purple, yellow, blue, aqua, green and coral. The contrasting triangles are grey and cream. I had a red, blue, green and yellow striped fabric in my stash for backing. Quilting is a serpentine stitch in a square pattern on seam lines, then I added a red mini-dot border.  Color Crayons is a bright, fun 40” by 46” lap quilt that I finished in late September.

I have a few more projects in various stages, just waiting for me to play. I am having so much fun making quilts this fall! It seems like each one I make becomes my favorite, at least until I make another. 

Life is about using the whole box of crayons. ~RuPaul 

Usually, the kid coloring outside the lines 
is having the most fun. ~Unknown 

Crafting At The Campground

There's always plenty to do while we are camping. We walk trails, fish, ride our bikes, meet new people, go sightseeing, read, relax by the campfire, and watch wildlife (both human and animal) for entertainment. Even when we spend two weeks in the same place, we haven't been bored yet. 

I usually take some kind of craft project along, because I love to create. This trip I was crocheting cotton spa washcloths.

They're simple, quick and easy. I can work on them outside in a comfy lawn chair or in the camper while watching TV.

A couple of years ago I found a cute little Singer sewing machine for $10 at a yard sale. Now I keep it in the camper so I'm ready to sew. I set it up outside on a folding table and stitch away. If it's too windy or rainy, I stay inside and use the desk. I have brought along fabric scraps to piece into quilt squares, and once I made a skirt. 

I always have colored pencils and journals for sketching scenery or jotting down ideas, and the sketch program on my tablet is awesome. Sometimes the coolest things occur to you while you're not at home.  

"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way."  Edward de Bono

 

**Full disclosure about our camping: we are not roughing it by any stretch of the imagination. We have a new thirty-three foot fifth wheel trailer with two slide-outs, heat and air conditioning, flat screen satellite tv, computers, and plenty of storage space for food, clothing and supplies. 

So What If It's Cold?

We've been camping at Defeated Creek. We made the reservations six months ago to get a choice spot on the lake. Yeah, weather after the first few days was predicted to be cold, with rain and wind and snow flurries. So what? We went anyway.  

We packed hoodies, thermals, and quilts. We had firewood and a comfortable, well heated fifth wheel camper. We had plenty to do inside: TV, movies, internet access, library books, hobby gear.

One day we drove the scenic route up Highway 70 to Cookeville for lunch, some shopping and the required stop at Ralph's Donuts. We rode our bikes, hiked around the campground, took photos, sat by the fire, and even fished a little bit when it wasn't raining. 

I started and finished two new crochet bags. We made homemade soup and chili. We saw seventeen deer grazing together right behind our campsite.  

We watched a lot of people leave. We could have come home early, but we didn't. So what if the weather wasn't perfect? If we waited for things to be perfect, we might never start anything or go anywhere. 

So what if people say we're nuts for camping in winter conditions? We were cozy and warm, relaxed and happy. And that's all that matters. Life's too short to wait...so what if it's cold?

Favorite Quotes From Garfield the Cat

Garfield is a wonderfully lazy, lasagna loving fat cartoon cat created by Jim Davis. He's sassy and funny, and his cynical outlook on life always makes me smile. Here are a few of my favorites from his many nuggets of wisdom.

“I'm not over-weight, I'm under-tall.” 

 

“Never trust a smiling cat.”

“Eat every meal as though it were your last.” 

"I can...but I won't."

“I'm not messy. I'm organizationally challenged!” 

“The most active thing about me is my imagination.”

A Box Of Fresh Fun

I just love opening a box of fun! My impulsive fabric order was delivered last week by our trusty UPS man. New material always inspires me and makes me smile. A rainy Sunday was the only excuse I needed to design a new lap quilt. I chose bright blue and fresh green prints from a Ty Pennington jelly roll assortment, adding in a few remnants of my own.

 
Grass and Sky is a simple four strip design, sashed with navy. A solid green border should contrast nicely. This is a quick one to sew; I already finished piecing the strips. The leftovers will find their way into a scrappy backing that I'll design later.

I may not need this quilt, except maybe to keep cat fur off my clothes. Take a look at Callie...she's all comfy lying upside down in my lap after supper. A bit spoiled, isn't she?

“Who among us hasn't envied a cat's ability to ignore the cares of daily life and to relax completely?” – Karen Bradenmeyer