{Post 1,198} Trip Project

We left for Ohio Thursday AM and got back tonight.

Here are the first 5 blocks of my half hexagon project.  The bottom right one is not sewn to the rest.  This is about 7-1/2" x 10-1/2".  I like the way it's turning out.  I don't have a plan for it, as usual with my quilts.

I surprised my sister with her Charming Stars quilt, but I forgot to get a picture.  I was deeply burdened about something the day before we left for the trip, and it overshadowed most of my thoughts for the past few days.  It's a wonder I didn't forget more things!

My sister's oldest daughter's graduation was the reason for our trip.  I spent most of Friday afternoon and evening making many chocolate-covered pretzels and 3 batches of strawberry-pretzel salad.  Mmm-mmm.  Saturday AM I baked two Texas Sheet Cakes and decorated one.  A woman at the Kingsville, OH Wal-mart bakery saved the day by scrounging up one last graduation cap with which I could decorate the top.  The picture is not great, but there are white, lime green, and hot pink sprinkles under the cap (those were the colors she requested).  

I also finished a whole Grandmother's Flower Garden block on the way back today.  My dear husband drove all but the last hour, bless his heart ;)

Picture of that tomorrow.

{Post 1,159} Block Comparison

I continue to work on these Wild Geese blocks.  Being the scrap generator, there are always more pieces to work into the blocks.  Plus, I'm thinking of using one of the soon-to-arrive bolts for sashing, so no hurry on those.  Now that I've decided to go the sashing route vs. the alternate block route, I have to piece more blocks anyways.  Not.  A.  Problem.

This morning I made up one of these blocks for a Christmas present for someone.  I think they're called Charming Squares or something like that.  It is a Moda free pattern.  You can find it here.  

The Wild Goose block is 8" square.  The Charming Squares one is 14".  The smaller one is sooooo many more pieces and seams, but I love the smaller ones.  The larger ones have their charm, but it's the tiny pieces that stir my interest.

After some deliberation yesterday, I put a few more items in my Etsy store.  A set of 10 cream Thimbleberries FQs and a starter kit for Kitty Cat Charm.  I will be putting new stencils and books in there soon as well.  I think I'll give it the rest of the year and then go back to eBay if this doesn't work out.  there are advantages to both sites.  My store name is ShelbyStitcher.  You can get there from this link.