Focus, Focus Part 9 - Economizing and reducing carbon footprints

Well here I am, post car break down, and a long work week still working on the 9 patch quilt. Yesterday, I rested a little, then hand quilted some, tidied around the house, and all that jazz. Now it is time to get back to work, but just a moment to look at the hydrangeas from the garden.

Pretty and Blue Hydrangeas from my yard.

After a season of tractor breakdowns and re breakdowns, I at least have these to show from my backyard, which is hard to see since my yard hasn't been mowed in weeks. I am afraid that I have a family of mice who have taken up residence once again in my tractor's motor. Oh well, I will just call it the meadow and as I have in the past will say it symbolizes simplicity and isn't too bad for reducing my carbon footprint either.



This is the remainder of the squares I cut for the 9-patch blocks.

I decided to pair up the leftover dark and lights to make the half and quarter blocks, some of these blocks became "make-dos" and some were matching. I thought it would fit the feel of the whole project to add a few "make-dos" to the over all project, but I also did it so I would have fewer scraps to deal with. So when I got done pairing up the lights and darks I only had a small stack of squares left. These scrap squares will find their way into some small project somewhere - pot holders, small quilts, or candle mats.

This tiny pile of scraps is all that is left after the pairing. The picture
in the background is of my Father and Mother, don't they look

wonderful? He in his uniform and she in her hat.

There won't be many small projects, the leftover pile is small indeed.

A 1/2 Block as a "make-do".

I think these "make-do" blocks will do very nicely, they satisfy my thrifty side and use the scraps up efficiently. They will add a little extra life to the quilt and make it more true to its nature - a scrap quilt held together by a common sashing fabric.

A 1/4 Block, also a "make-do".

Now I can start piecing the body of the quilt. I am deciding whether to piece it upstairs on my small machine or to move the action downstairs to my studio and the full size machine. I think the latter is the best course, because I have a large design wall there as well. 

A few blocks on the design wall in the studio. Note
the two pieces of sashing I have placed in the upper
left corner.

I couldn't resist playing just a little, however it will have to wait another day, work tomorrow.