What's going on

 around here.

I have been stitching. 

Coral Reef is pieced and ready for quilting. I have the backing already but won't quilt this for a while.

I am playing around with a layout for this quilt which is from an exchange with my quilt group...from 2016. 

I need to complete one block and make one more for this layout. 

I want to use as much of the fabric as possible, so I am wondering how the setting triangles might look as random fabrics with a thin solid purple border followed by the purple print for about a 5-inch border. The binding would be solid purple. I'm also wondering if the Roman Stripe block (second row, left) needs an applique or something in the white area. Your thoughts/suggestions are welcomed.

I stitched up the next clue in the mystery my quilt group is doing.

This is the RSC through August.

Dark blue was the July color. Aqua is the color for August. Since my light blue block has some aqua-ish colors I opted to make a brown/tan block. 

For the past week or so I have been watching this creature remake its web every evening.

Thankfully it is on the outside of the window.

Here are three more of the little quilts from the Endangered Species: Animals and Plants in Fabric Perspectives that were on display at four area forest preserves. 

Close up of the moth. Such lovely detail.

Close up of the bird. Wonderful threadwork.

My yard is in bloom.

This is what I see when I look out my front door. My beds are messy. I know that. I know I need to get out there and pull some weeds and neaten up everything. But, it has been very hot here the last few days. And, I stand here several times a day and just enjoy the view. Sometimes I see butterflies or hummingbirds. And, once in a while I will see a beautiful bird that I don't see often here. It brings me joy. 

The Hibiscus gets a little bigger every year. 

The blossoms are bigger than my hand! and so beautiful.

We are having stormy weather today.

I have a volunteer pumpkin plant. No pumpkins though. Hmm?

And, something is eating the green beans.

That's what's going on in my little corner of the world.

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!

Design Wall Monday August 2

To see what other quilters are up to go to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

The fair is over. It ended July 18, but I had visitors, which I talked about in my last post, so I didn't spend much time doing my normal activities.

Son had two entries, both made use of horseshoes. His flag won 1st Place in Recyclable Materials...

...and his pumpkin won 3rd Place in Lawn and Garden Art.

I had several entries and place with some of them.

Greeting Cards - placed 1st and 2nd.

Bags - placed 2nd and 3rd.

This quilt - 4-Patch X did not place.

This quilt - Ombre Stripes also did not place.

6-inch and 12-inch quilt blocks that did not place were displayed in one case. Mine is the red, tan, and blue one on the left.

Quilt blocks that did place were displayed in another case. Mine are the two purple and green ones on the upper right and the pink, blue and tan one on the bottom left (that is mostly covered up).

Child-sized quilt - placed 3rd.

Decorated Old Window - placed 1st.

Friendship Quilt - placed 1st.

I almost didn't enter this quilt. It is not my best job quilting, but there have not been quilts entered in this category for a few years and I don't want it to be deleted. I was the only person who entered this year.

This quilt - Deer at the Cabin - did not place. Son and I were both disappointed about that, but he says it is a winner in his book. And, that is all that matters. 

Circle of Life placed 1st in the Machine Quilted by Owner category which made it eligible for Grand Champion. It shared the case with the Grand Champion Hand Quilted. 

Here are some photos of the quilts on display.

I am sad that the quilts have to be folded so that they can all be put in the display cases. I enjoy helping on judging day. I get to see each quilt and hear the judge's comments. We had a new judge this year. Her comments were interesting and while I did not agree with some of her choices I understand why she placed quilts the way she did.

New this year were barn quilts on each end of our building.

This lovely lady was an entry, but I think she makes a great greeter!

I've already started working on projects for next year!

Stay safe and well.

Happy quilting!