Sliced Apples in Pink and Brown

It’s complete!  I finished hand sewing the binding to the back last night and popped it in the washer and dryer this morning before taking this photo.

I ended up using a yard of brown fabric that has little speckles of color.  The binding is Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt.

And, amazingly, my walking foot started working again about a week ago and I used this sweet little posy decorative stitch to quilt along the diagonals.

I used a polyester batting that I don’t think I’ll ever use again.  A quilter gave me two {yes 2!!!} 30 yard rolls of this batting.  She is a local long-armer and didn’t like it.  I knew it would be a long time before I got through a roll, so I donated one to a local quilting charity and kept the other.  I’ve only used this batting a handful of times, but I always end up with a snag somewhere on the back.  I don’t ever have that problem with Warm and White.  I’m sure plenty of quilters use this kind with no problems, but it’s not for me.  I have a new motto…if I don’t love it, I’m getting rid of it, so this batting is going!

Sliced Apples Progress

I finished piecing the HST portion of the baby quilt I am making.  My friend is due in July, so I am on schedule for getting it done!

All the seams went together reasonably well, and I didn’t sew any rows on upside down {for once}!

I tried to include lots of fun fabrics, but mostly use up some scraps.

It has a small border sewn on now and is ready to be basted.

Bees and Bluegill

Just finished up my Stash Bee blocks for Sara for June.

Her idea is so original—the blocks will be used to make a wedding quilt (she is getting married) that guests can sign at the reception.  What a wonderful idea!!!

Over the past few days we have spent quite a bit of time outdoors.  The weather has been a little cooler than normal in summertime, so we’ve been out fishing and crabbing.

I’ve also been trying to do some sewing at night, but it’s difficult now that the kids stay up later on their summertime schedule and seem to still get up just as early.  I joined the sliced apples QAL and have all my blocks ready to join together.  This is the color scheme I picked.

I’m doing pink and brown.  A friend is expecting a baby (the gender is a surprise) so I want to have two quilts on hand ready to gift.