One Billion Squares

Honestly, that is a slight exaggeration, only half a billion.  At least a brazillion.

At least, that is what it feels like.  

When my son was married in May, I jumped at the chance to make them a signature quilt.  I made a mountain of squares in the wedding colors.  It was mostly fun and I felt like I had a great idea.

My Momma graciously helped.

At the reception they were all signed, and some were sent out to family that could not make it.  I'm still waiting for some to be returned, so there hasn't been a quilt made yet, but I so love this idea!

I love it so much, when my cousin asked if I would make one for them for their wedding in September, I said, well, of course!

Her colors were so scrumptious, I even love the scraps.

So many of these squares were made for her and some were sent off to our far flung family.  As my family is humongous, and I have yet another cousin who is getting married on the exact same day on the opposite side of the country (literally WA and RI), and I just felt, well if I am making one, I should make the other too.  I can't be cousin selective, except for the part where I can only attend one wedding.  I tried to clone myself like Fred Flintstone and the results were pretty much the same as his.

Through the summer, both weddings are on September 2, I am washing fabrics, cutting squares and sewing little squares onto the corners of big squares.

Now, here is the crap part.  I made the very first ones for my son and bride 5", a nice round number.  I made the pink wedding 5 1/2", why?  I have no idea.  I made the blue wedding 5", made more pink ones just so I could confuse myself, and then made some blue wedding 5 1/2".  And because I was so ahead of the game,  I sent off the 5 1/2" blue ones to family members to sign.  

Do you see what happened there?  Ahead, right?  I am never ahead.

I had to recall those, at that point I had many more 5" than 5 1/2".  And thinking I was so close to being done with squares, I had to pull an almost all nighter to get them done for the wedding in WA next weekend because I screwed up the measurement. 

 I so enjoy making more work for myself.  And wasting fabric.  And counting.  How many possible times can you count to 10, and then think, wait?  was that 10?  I tell you, a LOT, especially after 1 a.m.  I don't want to count squares for a very long time.

I have - mostly - enjoyed this project and I do enjoy reading what people write on their square.  Now, these squares are going with me to RI, and the other ones are in WA and I can drink much wine this weekend.  Much needed wine.

My friend pointed this out to me Pinterest, and coffee came out my nose.

Keep Calm and ummm, Sew On

Can't really look at the sewing table the same can you?

Minky Business

While my life has been super busy the last few months, I have tried to get to my sewing machine as much as possible.  Some nights, I admit, I'm just not feeling creative nor have the energy to move my butt off the sofa and behind my machine.  

When I do eventually get there, I am having a ball.  I am focusing on completing projects.  And some projects just jump in my lap.  

My daughter's friend had a baby the other day, and wanting to visit, but not wanting to be gift-less, I put together a quick minky receiving blanket.  It doesn't hurt that I purchase items and then they are sitting on the shelf waiting for a moment when I need a quick turn around.

Monkey Minky and a 1 yard piece of flannel.

And, whoa, look at that, the PERFECT thread.

Quick, I'll tell my husband that my purchasing powers have come in handy.  

Maybe not.

Minky blankets can be simple and quick, or as complex as you want.  

I go for simple and quick.  Lay the pieces wrong sides together and trim so they are even, pin a few spots.

For a finished look you can round the corners.  I stacked all the corners together, ran my rotary very LIGHTLY to get a line for cutting, then cut on the line.

You can zig zag or button hole stitch the edge, I used button hole stitch, and you're done.  

I think I will use my other machine next time that has a 9MM opening for a wider stitch.

Literally, I had this done in 30 minutes.  Including cleaning machine, threading, changing feet (walking foot), and clean up of minky lint (which is an unfortunate by product of this fabulous fabric).  A receiving blanket soft and comfy on both sides.

And now you have a present for a special little one.  He's not really ultra small, I just look ultra big holding him.  He was a normal just born baby weight.  Snug and cozy in his new minky blanket.

Obligatory Nelly photo.  She likes to swim.