Scrappy Dresden and Monthly Color Challenge Block

Happy Saturday Everyone. It is National Quilting Day so I really hope you each find a few minutes to work on a project or at the very least look at fabric and plan the next project!

I got my two monthly scrappy projects done for March! For RSC2020, the color is teal and I decided to make a smaller Dresden plate. I will combine it with the larger orange one I made in February and likely need to make one or two more before I put them together into some sort of wall quilt.

For the Monthly Color Challenge, hosted by Patterns By Jen, the color is orange. You might remember I did the January and February blocks with polka dot fabrics. That caused me to do a quick search though my scraps to see if I have enough polka dotted scraps to make this a theme for the sampler. I believe I do! So this month, I continued with the dotted fabrics.

March Scrappy Blocks

The block was a breeze with a pinwheel block in the center and then some flying geese to surround it, making it a square in a square. Easy peasy and very cute!

Next up is another quilt I am working on for Mercy Hospital. I had thrifted some pretty fabrics about a week or two ago. I knew I wanted to use them in a large block design because they are quite large in scale of print. I gathered another piece from my scraps plus a cut from a blender in the shop and pieced a Giant Star Quilt using a tutorial by Jeni Baker from In Color Order. This pattern is super simple and a lot of fun. Side note: I actually made something very similar when I was about 19 or 20 years old for my parents. I remember I saw the pattern in a magazine and made with in tones of burgundy, navy blue and it had a muslin background. I filled it with a puffy polyester batting and yarn tied it. That was a whole lotta years ago!

At this point, I have the quilt basted and did some ditch stitching to stabilize everything. This weekend I should be able to get it quilted. I need to find something fun to use for the binding.

Since all of California is mandated to now ‘shelter in place’, there is plenty of time for sewing and also lots of time to read. I am LOVING this book and highly recommend it if you want something to read while we wait out this Covid-chaos. My girlfriend loaned it to me and it is such a great read.

Let’s close with a picture of my sweet grand daughters, shall we? Little sister has decided she isn’t terribly fond of sleeping in her bed and is creating some sleep deprived parents these days. Coincidentally, big sister is thinking afternoon naps are passe`. Yikes, this doesn’t make for a good combination. Hoping the baby starts to cozy up to the idea of sleeping in her bassinet soon!!

Linking to lots of fun places including Brag About Your Beauties and Oh Scrap!

29 thoughts on “Scrappy Dresden and Monthly Color Challenge Block

  1. Wendy

    Such a fun post to read. I haven’t done my March block yet; maybe I will work on that today. I’m not sure. I need to check that book out; I’m really needing some reading material right now 🙂 I’m reading the Louise Penny series to John; a re-read for me, but new to him. Still, I need something of my own to read too. Of course, the photo of your granddaughters (so fun that it’s now plural!!) is just darling. I’m feeling for the parents though – our son quit napping one week after our daughter was born, so I well recall those days (ok, they are/were kind of a blur, but y’know). Happy National Quilting Day, Bernie!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Definitely get the book. It is really good and makes me think.
      The block goes together so fast – it will take you about 20 minutes – I could see using it to make a cute baby quilt.
      At least H will stay on her bed and look at books for a long time and get a little bit of quiet that way. I do feel for them tho – she was such a good napper!!

      Reply
  2. Linda

    Your Dresden blocks are pretty! Your orange pinwheel turned out great, especially with that polka dot.
    What a precious picture of your granddaughters. I know you are itching to see them in person and give those tired parents a break! I hope that happens soon for you.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you. I like that pinwheel block quite a bit and it would be a cute quilt on it’s own, don’t you think?
      I doubt I will see the girls for some time. Boo. Things are so crazy right now.

      Reply
  3. Katherine

    Thank you, Bernie. As always, an enjoyable read on Saturday morning! Thank you for sharing. Love all the colors of your projects. And. That photo of your grands is priceless!
    They are beautiful!
    Hope the sleep dilemma is corrected soon. ❤️
    Have a peaceful weekend. ☺️

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh me to Katherine. I couldn’t believe H decided to stop napping this week! She is good about staying on her bed and ‘reading’ books though and at least that way she gets some quiet time. It will be much better when the baby starts to sleep for longer stretches in her bassinet. Have a lovely weekend!

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I like the theme and can see it will be ‘busy’ so I am thinking about how to calm it down. I suppose that will be the task of the sashing. Have a nice weekend Carole.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Today is sunny out (we have been having some rain) so probably will get out for a walk. Then back to quilting!! Have a great day.

      Reply
  4. Mari

    Oh, I need to make my orange block! I love that you have polka dots for a theme. They look so cheery. I don’t think it will be busy at all, and you can use some sashing if you think it is. Those girls are adorable! How lucky we all are to have grandchildren in this challenging time. I hope you all stay healthy and don’t go too stir crazy sheltering in place.

    Reply
  5. Rebecca Grace

    Oh, I remember those days of a baby who didn’t want to nap when MAMA really needed nap time! I recall strapping Lars into one of those motorized swinging baby seats and blasting the radio; that always did the trick for him to fall asleep so this Mama could get some sewing done! Your Dresden plates are absolutely scrumptious!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I remember treasuring nap times as well. I am sure they will all adjust. Bringing a new baby home is so exciting and exhausting all at the same time.
      I am loving the Dresdens as well – I just cut some tiny pink pieces to make a mini Dresden. I am excited to stitch it up!

      Reply
  6. SarahZ

    Aww! Love your babies, Bernie! I vote for a sunny yellow binding for your beautiful star quilt! xo! Sarah

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Smart minds and all that Sarah… I am thinking the same thing. I have a pretty yellow solid that will frame it off nicely. Thanks for the note. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Carol

    What a lovely photo of your little granddaughters! I’m still smiling.

    I just finished reading “This Is How It Always Is” too and agree that it’s a great read.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I finished the book last night and just loved it. What a thought provoking book. Have you read any of the other’s by Laurie Frankel? I am going to see if our on-line library has any of them (since the libraries are closed here for the Covid duration)

      Reply
  8. Rebecca Burch

    Do you think anyone would notice if I “borrowed” those adorable grand-daughters of yours for an afternoon? They are both PRECIOUS! And I loved your Giant Star quilt, too, but mostly, I am smiling about that picture of your cutie-pie babies! Lucky you, Bernie!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Babies are the best! I do feel very lucky and can’t wait for the Corona crises to end so I can see the girls in person!!

      Reply
  9. Emily

    Such beautiful granddaughters! So sorry to hear they aren’t sleeping well, though, that’s hard on the parents! Love your dresedens, and the prints in your giant star!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you! Yes, those sleeping issues are draining. The baby will learn – she is at that stage where she is content to sleep during the day and then, not so much at night. As for big sister, I guess she isn’t supposed to nap forever but it would have been nice if she kept napping until little sis started to sleep a bit better!! Sigh.

      Have a nice Sunday Emily.

      Reply
  10. Kaholly

    You’ve got some fun projects underway, Bernie! Your grandchildren are so precious. I’m a little (actually, a lot) envious! My daughter surprised me with a gift order from your shop! I’m a lucky girl!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      How fun – she chose well! I just looked back and at the time, didn’t register her name in my brain – sigh! But now I see it.
      Enjoy the fabric and the scrap pack. Take care and be healthy. I am on day four of no-migraine so I’m doing a happy dance.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Carol – I know you are right and when it does end, we will all do a happy dance together.
      I miss my girls but nothing can be done about it – I remain thankful for technology!!! Take care and be well.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you on both counts. Today I started a tiny pink Dresden. I found a little template to trace to make a much smaller one. I want several different sizes – not that I have a real plan but I know it (whatever it is) needs to have multiple Dresdens in a variety of sizes. I suppose it will all come together as I go. 🙂
      Hope you are well and happy.

      Reply
  11. Preeti Harris

    Your Dresden blocks are so neatly made. Love the workmanship. That Persian blue fabric in the pinwheel block is totally droolworthy.
    Such cuties!!! Thank goodness for face-time. Your darlings will be waiting for you when this is over and done.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.