{Post 1,175} Shooting Star Shirt Block Centers All Pieced

I am finished with the stars for the 25 centers of the Shooting Star blocks all made from shirts, thanks to Julie's donation of two new black shirts.

Here are all the blocks on the wall:

Here is a close-up of one of the new ones (notice my new black shirt background...dark gray flowers on black):

Here are the 3 new ones with the pinwheels made from each pinned to the center....gives me all kinds of new ideas for what to do with those pinwheels!!

I started doing something new a while ago that has really helped my old brain.  I'm putting it out there in case it helps you as well.  I have a cheap stenographic notebook that I'm keeping on my cutting table.  I make all kinds of sloppy notes in it...how long to cut a border, how many units I need to cut of this or that, how many finished units I have for this quilt, how large a runner for my foyer table should be, etc. etc.  It has saved my sanity more than once.  All that to say that I am keeping track of how many side border pieces for these blocks I need to cut yet.  I have 36/50 of the one-pieced side borders (that measure 9" x 3-1/2") and only 25 or the 100 I need for the other side (each side is two 7-3/4" x 3-1/2" sewed end to end).  I am up to the challenge, and glad my notebook is keeping me straight.  

Since I made up the sizes for this quilt, I'm glad I wrote it all down.  Keeps me from sacrificing some of my shirts because of cutting errors.  

{Post 1,174} Sewing Again

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity.  Now I am getting the house back to normal as well as catching up with our laundry, etc.

This AM I sewed a few more blocks for each of the quilts I'm currently piecing.

Here is a close-up of a block I pieced with a shirt Julie mailed me:  Adds another look to the blocks!  Thanks, Julie!

The other quilt will be on my secret projects blog.  Email me if you want the address.

{Post 1,173} Graduation

James's college graduation was yesterday.  The service started with beautiful symphony orchestra music and proceeded fairly quickly.  The keynote speaker was a challenge.  Lovely day.

{Post 1,172} Flowerbed Work

My husband is such a hard worker.  He has been sprucing up our yard.  We have monkey grass that is so lush and rich around the natural areas.  There are some spots that are overgrowing and some bald spots (no comparisons to those of us later in life, please), and he's been evening it all up.

He has also been working on the second flower bed in front of our house.  We have two large bushes that are in the natural area.  He asked if I wanted them moved to the new flower bed to hide the two big eyesores...the dryer vent and the gas meter.  I said yes.  It was a lot of work.  Never underestimate the awkwardness of a 30-year-old 30,000 lb. bush.  That might be a little exaggeration.

Here are the shots...

Rachel and I weeded for a very long time and nearly completed one of the natural areas.  The trees out front drop many seeds, and they all try to make it!  One big weeding in the spring is usually sufficient.  Every year my knees and back complain more and it takes a little longer.  Today's weather was lovely...very cool.  Thanks, Rachel!!

{Post 1,171} Hair!

I am no hair wonder worker, but Rachel asked me to do her hair for a special banquet the youth group has at the end of the school year.

Here is the result.  The secret?  Lots of bobby pins and hair spray.

{Post 1,170} Shooting Stars x 20

Here are my 20 sawtooth star blocks.  The pattern name is Shooting Stars.  Next week will be so busy for me.  My dear b-friend, Julie, is sending me 2 black shirts.  I am going to wait for them to come before working on this any more.


We are traveling to FL from Tuesday through Thursday to attend my oldest son's college graduation.  Then we are hosting an open house on Friday night for him, a birthday party for my husband on Saturday, and Mother's day on Sunday.  

The shirt backgrounds are not that easy to see in this picture.  Stay tuned for more!!

{Post 1,169} Little Pinwheels and Pieces

Here are pinwheels that I'm making from the double-sewn corners from my Shooting Star Shirt blocks.

They measure 3-1/4" as is.  I am thinking I'll put a row at the top and bottom to make the quilt rectangular.