Sometimes, I think blog hops save my (questionable) sanity and keep me grounded! They’re certainly a great way to push yourself to try something new or take a project off the back burner. Or, in this case, get hustling on a project that “needed doin'”!
I had a slightly different take on this when Carol over at Just Let Me Quilt announced this hop. But life got, well, life-y (I’ll explain a little at the end.)
Now, I’ve been blessed to have some terrific guys in my life and have made some fun guy quilts but the most recent need for a guy quilt for for a little guy! My friends just had a little boy and I had a wonderful fabric that was waiting to carry some special thoughts to a little one. Aren’t these animals adorable? I’m usually pretty anti-fussing cutting because, well, all the wasted fabric but this one had to be done!
I spent a bit of time deciding on a block. After all, I know I’ve shown about 479 sawtooth quilts and you might like a little variation. I still wanted to showcase the print, though, and the two colors of the nursery so I choose an Economy Block. There are lots of free tutorials of this block online. Mine are 8″ finished and I used a variety of cutting methods, my ruler, my accuquilt and my Bonnie Hunter triangle ruler.
However, when I put this together and stepped back I had to laugh….because the secondary pattern creates a star similar to a Sawtooth! I guess I really have a “type” only it’s a block and not a guy!
This still needs a border and I’m thinking of a float in the green and a outer border in the animals….what do you think?
There was another “guy” quilt in my spring. I was gifted a box of fabric and in it was about a 1/2-yard of a Marvel fabric. I knew a soon-to-be graduate who was a BIG Marvel fan….I decided it was Fate with a captial F and got busy.
This one, of course, is a Sawtooth Star and I will tell you that I used up every last scrap of the Marvel fabric.
Here’s a little close up of the fabric….
I’m sew grateful to Carol for organizing this (and galvanizing me.) I needed a creative shot in the arm (or kick in the, well, you know…)
Please visit all the bloggers and see what these lovely, creative people have to show. I’m going to post the list here and continue a little after so you can hop away if you don’t want to hang around for the non-quilty update.
Thanks for hopping by!
July 26
July 27
Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel
July 28
July 29
July 30
So, if you’re still with me, a little bit about life right now. On the happy side, our youngest turned 22 today! I’m so proud of this kiddo and so is her big sister! I’m so grateful to have these two in my world. I know every mom thinks they are the luckiest but I really am one lucky lady!
The Spring was pretty rough at our house. Our friend Tony who was the “token dad” in the mom’s group became ill and passed away just before Memorial Day. My girls had picked up his nieces’ nickname for him and called him “Auntie Tony” because his experience as a single dad of girls had given him a broader range of topics than a lot of guys his age. He could talk plumbing and prom dresses and was always there to stand in the gap in our neighborhood whether it was talking me through my first sink repair or killing a giant spider for my daughter when we were out of town. He and his wife shared an anniversary date with Phil and I (they had it first) and when I got to know her, I gained a lovely quilting buddy. He was a good man who adored his wife and kids and will be missed by so many of us.
The following day, we said goodbye to our senior boy, Griffie. Griff had turned 18 earlier in the month. He made it clear to us that it was his time and he was ready to say goodbye. He spent his final evening cuddled up with his girl out in the cul de sac where the neighbors sat around the fire pit.
The next day, I took flowers up to Phil’s grave and while I was kneeling down to arrange them, I had the most comforting picture of him in my mind, standing behind me, holding Griffie and smiling.
Less than a week later, another friend received the terrible news of her huband’s sudden death.
Let’s just say that there is a lot of sad to go around. Widowhood is a sucky club that no one wants to join but the price of loving someone for years is one of you will go on ahead and the other will have to go forward. I’m thankful for memories of love and laughter that I carry forward with me. And, of course, all the people who make my life a warmer and less lonely place.
I did get to go camping with my brother, niece and daughter. My nerves where out in full force as it was the first time I’d left home overnight since returning from my mom’s funeral…well, except for having to evacuate from the fires last fall. It was a lovely time of reading, dogs in camp chairs and listening to the river. There is something so soothing about the water going by. Well, maybe not for all of you who have been fighting floods…oh my heart goes out to those people who are losing loved ones and beloved places. But this was just the kind of respite I needed.
We didn’t end up staying for the Sisters Quilt Show. It was going to be 100 degrees and we were due to break camp that morning. It turned out, we saw smoke coming up the valley and decided to hop home Friday night. We had all had enough fires in the last year. It wasn’t like we would have gotten a wink of sleep worrying about fire coming down the canyon anyway.
So, that’s what has been going on in my world. There are a few other things but I’ll fill you in next time. Many projects are ahead and I’m excited to share them!
Happy quilting and stay safe.
Beth
