Caught up!

Usually with a quilt-along, I don't manage to actually quilt along with everyone else. I get sidetracked. I don't finish. Now, I haven't finished yet, but I'm to the spot where we're supposed to be. All my blocks are finished and awaiting layout.

So maybe something like this.

I used these same fabrics (except the white) in my Running in Circles quilt. That stack of fabric (the second one) went farther than just the one quilt. I'm trying to use up my stash, but its half-life makes me think it'll never reach zero even if I don't buy anything new. Even after two quilts, there's still some left. That means I'll have to think up a new project. I wonder if I can do that! :) Happy quilting!

Another pile . . .

. . . This one is of Kaleidoscope pieces. Now to add the white. I'm actually quilting along this time. Cross your fingers for me to keep up. Off to the sewing room to finish this up!

Summer job chart

Have you already exhausted all your summer ideas one month into the summer? Are your kids bored? Is your house trashed? May I present one solution? The summer job chart. Each job they perform is worth one space around here -- clean bathroom sink = 1; clean toilet = 1; unload/reload dishwasher = 1; make bed =1. You get the idea. For younger children, you may want to give them two points per job or they might never finish.

I just took pieces of poster board and drew a little path and then sectioned it off. The kids helped me color and stamp it. About every 20 to 25 spaces there is a reward -- ice cream at McDonald's, a slurpee, a trip to the dollar store, a book at Half-Price Books, et cetera. The prizes get more expensive near the end ($10 at store of their choice) culminating in a summer movie of their choice. I made a marker for each child using some Stampin' Up stamps I have, colored them in and then "laminated" them with packaging tape. I use masking tape on the back, but you could easily magnetize them and put the game on the refrigerator. I'm thinking mine might go there next year.

My kids ask me for work, and I already got all of my downstairs blinds cleaned on the first day I put it up (which was just last week -- a little late this year). I made this chart a couple of summers ago and have saved it to reuse. I don't use it every summer, because the kids get bored of it. I alternate it with other things, but we're back to it this year. So go make your own game so your kids will stop complaining that they're bored and will start cleaning your house. :)

In which I actually finish something . . .

I feel like I've been showing a lot more of my process lately and not much that's finished. So here's a little bag that I finished using this tutorial. I will now have to make a whole bunch more. It was so easy.

Kaleidoscope QAL

You might remember these piles of fabric. I finally cut into one of them, and I have all my kaleidoscope pieces cut. Now I just need to cut the background triangles. Quilt along with Elizabeth if you want to.

More Farmer's Wife Blocks

You may remember I am doing two iterations of this quilt -- one from Whimsy and one from It's a Hoot. I think I only have 8 blocks, so I'm still behind, but here are a few more to catch me up a little bit.

Hope you have a Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans!

It doesn't count until you cut into the fabrics.

Right? At least, that's what I'm telling myself. This first stack is for this quilt. I'm probably going to throw some red in there too, but I don't have a red solid right now. But I think it needs it.

This is for the Kaleidoscope Quilt-Along by Don't Call Me Betsy (see button on side). Instructions come on June 23rd, so I haven't actually started (although this one IS on my list already).

I've had these fabrics for years -- given to me by a friend. They are quite old, but I love the striations in the colors. I'm thinking mostly pinwheels with white for contrast. But then there are some pieces that are rounded, so I may make some circle blocks (or quarter-circle blocks, as the case may be). But I haven't cut the pieces out, so it doesn't count. It's just sitting there inspiring me.

What's kicking around in your head that you haven't started yet (but are secretly aching to)?