A New Project, 7-10-2020

This little quilt was made from a Papillon charm pack and I used Lori Holt’s method for making four patch blocks.

The sashing between the blocks is cut 1-1/2″ x 4-1/2″.

After you’ve got your row pieced, measure the length and cut your long pieces of sashing 1-1/2″ x the length of your row.

I didn’t add borders. I should have quilted it heavier than I did. I will do that on the next one.

I like these fast and simple projects to make for gifts.

Connie’s quilt, Courage and Valor, sold in something like 30 seconds. The next time I do this, I will not respond to all of who who wanted to buy it but weren’t the first to email. If you don’t hear from me, you didn’t get it. Fair enough?

We’re all pooped tonight – I seeded the ditch after 2-1/2″ of rain yesterday – more rain is headed our way and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity to get my grass seed watered by Mother Nature. Haha! I think I should simply throw my rubber shoes away – I scraped them off with a putty knife many times but the mud is really ground in.

The beautiful fields of corn and beans are looking good today after the rain – as all farmers tend to say, “it was a million dollar rain!”

Dirty Dozen:

And this is on the longarm machine here – a very simple jelly roll 16 patch.

My quarantine is over tomorrow – yay!!! Just think how many projects I finished in the past two weeks! Quarantine is not all bad, is it?

34 thoughts on “A New Project, 7-10-2020

  1. Jeanine

    We didn’t get any rain in Oskaloosa yesterday, and we really need it after several days in the high 80’s or low 90’s. The corn is tasseled and it could really use the rain. I am happy for the farmers up in your neck of the woods. I love all your projects. I was able to work on my DD#5 this afternoon. It is ready for borders. Yay!! Thanks again for your blog. It is the best.

  2. Jan from TN

    Love your new project! Congrats on getting sew much done. Glad your quarantine is almost over. For us quilters tho, I’m with you — quarantine would be easy peasy since we have sew much to keep us busy! Lol!

  3. Kathy in western NY

    I like your four patch little quilt. Calm peaceful colors that won’t show pet hair floating around. I was being lazy in our pool this afternoon floating around thinking that it’s been so warm for so long it seems. We have been in the pool since last week of May and we got a ways to go yet. I am totally content being home with my beloved stash of fabrics and project ideas and books to read. I don’t care to be shopping at the malls, gyms, movie theatres or crowded noisy restaurants so life is good if we do take out and eat in our quiet backyard. I am glad I was raised in the 50’s & 60’s where you played in your own yard, had friends over, made forts and were resourceful and didn’t need every sports camp or amusement park passes to keep entertained.

    1. B. J. Berlo

      I agree with you. I grew up in the same time period and was always happy to be up in my apple tree reading a book, or roller skating, or riding my bike, ordrawing/coloring! Going to the roller rink was a special treat! It was a special time to be a kid! P. S. I still have my roller skate key! Remember those?

      1. Kathy

        I had forgotten about the hours I spent coloring, Berlo, till you mentioned it. Guess that’s why I like pulling out my scraps to sew something. Nothing like a new box of crayons! I would get so excited. Boy times have changed. I don’t think many kids would find crayons a thrill anymore !

      2. Mary E

        You and I must be about the same age because I remember all the same things! And I think I DO have not only the key but the clamp on skates!

    2. Anonymous

      Thanks for the memories of my childhood, Kathy. One of my daughters once asked me if I could live in any decade what would it be? Without hesitation I answered, “The 50’s.” She was shocked to hear me give an answer so quickly without much thinking. And yes, We rode our bikes everywhere, swam, and if we went outside to play with our friends after dinner, the rule was, be home before the street lights come on. Can you imagine such freedom today? And yes, I remember skate keys so we’ll!

      1. Pat Smith

        I don’t know why this is happening—things post before I’m done. That was from Pat Smith, not anonymous!

  4. Betty Klosterman

    So glad you are done with quarantine and didn’t get sick. I’m staying home away from all the opening stuff as I don’t want to get Covid now after 4 months quarantine. It ain’t over yet.
    We didn’t have any fires from the Mt. Rushmore fire works. We had a hard rain right after the fireworks. I was hoping to see Air Force 1, but the trees were too high. The Ospreys were interesting. They fly like a plane and land like a helicopter. Our governor had a complete coat of spray- on tan and lots of makeup. She looked very nice. Don’t know if Covid got the crowd. Time will tell.
    Rita from CN, your table mats are beautiful. The glass ball of sand and shells really caught my eye. Did you make it? What a great way to display souvenirs.
    We all just love the show and tell, along with what is happening in their areas. Thank you, Mary. You keep us connected with the rest of the “real” world.” Betty in Rapid City

    1. Mary E

      Without hearing from all you friends, I cannot imagine how boring my life would be!

  5. Nikki M in Tx

    Finished #5….. proud, relieved , & over joyed it is FINALLY completed. Originally planned it as a gift but I am keeping it for myself ! Fixed cabbage casserole for my dinner. Haven’t cooked it in forever as makes 9 x 13 .. modified recipe & made 8 x 8 casserole , didn’t have some of original ingredients & think liked this recipe better than original.
    Went to farmers market yesterday & got some tree ripe peaches, I see a cobbler in my near future. Also got an Israel melon, is wonderful.
    Last 2 days over 100 & heat index worse. Guess from now until September will do what need outside before 10 am or after 8pm … or it just won’t get done. I just don’t tolerate heat anymore.

  6. Diane Bauer

    So very glad to hear your quarantine is over and you gave stayed healthy—great news!!!

    Love the little quilt you made! I always love the patterns for minis because they go together quickly, I can quilt them myself on my own machine, and I can usually pull together enough fabric from my stash. They make such great gifts.

    Home to Colorado tomorrow after 3 weeks in Minnesota. I did not get a stitch sewn here and not a page read in either of the books I brought along. Not sure what I did for 3 weeks, but I suspect it was mostly chatting with Mom!! Looking forward to seeing my pups again if I can wrest them away from the kids. Jenica said anything over two weeks and she takes ownership. I know she will miss them.

  7. Diane and Squeak in Central Ohio

    The DD’s are so pretty and I love your two quilts. 16 patches are fun and your colors look great:)
    We had quite a lot of rain off and on today and it cooled off some. It’s been 90 for 11 or more days. Ugh.
    I love seeing Millie and ? on the table mats in your other blog. Squeak does the same thing–ah well:)
    Happy no more quarantine time, Mary.

  8. Diane in WI

    Your quilt and Rita’s tablerunners are beautiful I need to get busy. Part of our old barn caved in and blew out last night in the terrific winds and storm that we had. We have barn shingles scattered all over the lawn. What a mess! I was surprised to still see the oriole nest intact. The baby wrens must have wondered what was going on. The temps were greatly improved today.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Diane in WI – oh goodness! That storm picked up power I think! We had no wind damage to speak of!

  9. Jo in Wyoming

    Darn, I didn’t get the quilt. Maybe next time.
    We all so very glad you survived the quarantine with no C-19. YAY, SUPER YAY
    I’m working on the backer for #5. It’s a study in borders and got real big, very big. I made it about 20 years ago, so it’s time to finishing.
    Everybody’s projects are so inspirational, I want to make all of them.

  10. Mary e

    Diane – you were right – Hazel was in one picture and Millie was in the next!

  11. Kathy Schwartz in SW MN

    A note to Betty in South Dakota: Your gov. has many,many messages promoting SD on our MN stations, both radio and TV. She says they have plenty of room, friendly people, jobs and low taxes. (I’m only 40 miles from the border and we go to Sioux Falls a few times each year. Medical stuff also.) It took me a long time to get used to paying taxes on food and clothing in SD. We don’t have that in MN, but we do have MN income taxes that you do not have in SD. I wish JoAnn Fabric would open up in SF. They blew down in a tornado over a year ago.
    Great pictures of all quilts today.

    1. Rhonda in Urbandale

      Kathy in SW MN – My husband and I grew up in Luverne so familiar with your stomping grounds. Spent time in SD as we both graduated from SDSU and have family living on both sides of the border. Don’t make it there as often since my mom passed and we moved father-in-law to be near us in Iowa. Loved grow up there and still consider myself a MN girl!

    2. Betty Klosterman

      Kathy, if you have never been to the western part of SD, come on out. There is such beautiful country, so much to see and do and the weather is pretty good, too. I was raised in Iowa, but I’m staying in Rapid City! We have sales tax, but no income tax. Our property taxes are high as that and sales tax are the state income. Quilting is big stuff. Our quilt guild is large and active. Some of our quilters are experts winning at Paducah, etc. We have 3 nice quilt shops, each carrying different fabrics. Inspiration runs on high. We usually have a quilt show with about 400 quilts in June and can climb Crazy Horse about the same time. We have a lot of artists and sculptures. Dignity, a fabulous sculpture of an Indian lady with her star quilt, is on the hill by the river by Chamberlain. She is beautiful, even at night. The western side of the state is prairie and completely different than the eastern half. You see that when you cross the Missouri River. Now if that doesn’t sound like a commercial? Our humidity is usually quite low!!
      There are so many great places all over the US and hearing from everybody is wonderful. We are so lucky to be living here. And hearing about the farm life 3 miles west of Garner, Iowa is wonderful. It all keeps us balanced.

      1. CountryThreads Post author

        Betty Klosterman – you make me want to move to Rapid City!!!
        No income tax – really?

        1. Betty Klosterman

          No state income tax. Of course, we have federal income tax. Property taxes are high. Military people who have lived all over the country are shocked when they find out about our property taxes, but lots of them retire here because it is pretty nice. And the people are nice, too. Betty

          1. Mary Says Sew!

            Sales tax is high, too, with few exemptions. Vehicle registration is low compared to other states.

  12. Paula Philpot

    Love this little wallhanging. I didn’t mind the quarantine in March – June. Nice time to sew, get closer to family and just get away from the normal for awhile. Paula in KY

  13. NancyTD

    Mary, glad you are healthy. Hope the grass seed doesn’t wash away. It is raining hard with wind here.
    The deer have found my garden. Feasted on raspberries, cucumbers, and green beans. Tried a deer repellent last night. Hope they came before it started raining. LOL.
    I too grew up learning to entertain myself with fun in our own neighborhoods. Enjoyed sewing and the slower pace of the last 4 months. Masks are now required in public. Hope all will follow the rules and this will end soon.
    Happy quilting and be safe.

  14. Joy

    Somewhere along the line I missed that you were on quarantine. I looked back and couldn’t find anything about it. What’s going on? Love your blog! Glad Kayla was able to help you with it so you can continue with it.

    1. Marye

      Two weeks ago I kept a dog for a friend while they went to a winery event in northeast Iowa. They came to get the dog on Sunday night and by Monday night he was sick. Was tested and turned up positive for Covid. I was not in close contact with him but I did not want to be that person who spreads it all around while not having any symptoms myself so I self quarantined for two weeks.

  15. Pat in Michigan

    Beautiful finishes for DD. Also I am enjoying your many quarantine finishes, Mary.
    I know you have a collection of antique quilts. I wonder if at some future time you could share them with us. Thanks for all you do.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Pat in Michigan – I don’t really have that many antique quilts and none are grade A but I’ll be glad to show them!

  16. Kathy Schwartz in SW MN

    A comment for Rhonda in Urbandale: Yes, South Dakota State University is a great school. You have not lived until you taste the ice cream they make on campus. It is known as an Ag school and also for Pharmacy. And that Jackrabbit band is just top notch. So very impressive!! Part of it is the fact that they give you an instrument to play so everybody has the same kind of trumpet (or whatever you play). I don’t know if other colleges do that or not. We are going to Brookings in August for a wedding. Anyway, I hope we can get there.
    Luverne is also a great place. I am always impressed with the Tri-State Band Festival each fall.

    1. Rhonda in Urbandale

      We know that ice cream well! If we remember correctly a single cone was $.10 when we started and had a huge jump to $.25 by the time we graduated. Always happy when I had a class over on that side of campus so I could have a cone. I didn’t know that about the band instruments but can see that might make a difference. We don’t get there often but have a grandson who is interested in SDSU’s pilot program so we might have an opportunity to go again. They have a summer camp for high schoolers and I’d sure volunteer to take him.

  17. Margaret in North Texas

    A showing of your antique quilts would be wonderful Mary—looking forward to that!

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