what a week

It was very busy with work, appointments and unexpected get together's!  

Last night and today I finally had time to really concentrate on the 16/8 Block a day top.   It's all together and I've started on the scrappy border using 2.5 inch squares.  I'm going to put 3 rows across the top and bottom and just 1 (maybe 2 if it doesn't look ok) on the side.  But hoping just one will do.  It's 76 x 76 without the scrappy borders. 

I'm trying to make it a little longer that the width--without too much more work! 

I actually considered another row top and bottom of 8 inch blocks. 

Then I smacked myself and came back to reality.  I'm running out of most of the Astor Manor fabric and am using a charm pack of "Peace on Earth" from Moda for a lot of the squares-they blend real nicely.  I've also used some Glace from Moda in the blocks as well. 

I did run out of the dark red that I used in the sashing and had to substitute a red floral for the 2 side inner borders-I have a hard time doing that--I like everything to be nice and even looking.  You probably didn't even notice until I mentioned it. 

I can never keep my big mouth shut~



I'm making slow progress

I'm making slow progress on the center medallion.  I fused all the pieces on this using Heat n Bond Lite. The long skinny curvy stems are regular bias tape pieces which I just pinned in place and then blanket stitched.  I have worked on them every evening and now have the green stems and leaves done and the first of the flowers done.

I've also pieced 4 block a days that are really blocks from last summers local Shop Hop quilt.  I replace what I consider 'dumb' block a day blocks from the calendar with these...hehehe.

Oh I like these.

And my 16/8 blocks are growing and out of control!  This is the final layout. I'm serious.-several family members will be smacking me if I dare to change or heaven forbid make the thing bigger.