Layout preview................

I wanted to see how the layout was going to look, so I took one 9 patch block of each fabric combination and previewed them with the 2 alternate fabrics.  I figured out that I need to do 2 columns on each side with the spotted fabric plus one row top and bottom.  Then the floral fabric will fill in all of the center spaces.  I think it will be interesting close up.  I'm not sure about a distance view.

Downstairs I cut the batting for the 16 patch quilt and looked for backings.  From top to bottom they are 

Spider mums

Random dots

Chickens.

Do I want it serious and use the Spider Mums or fun and funky and use Random Dots or Chickens?

While I was down there I cut one more pink Bear Paw and sewed it last night.

Rain report:  from Thursday through Sunday we got 6.6" of rain.  This is the third time this summer we have gone almost a month with an inch or less of rain and then got caught in the ring of fire thunderstorms as the hot dome moved and got from 6" - 8" of rain.

Rainy Saturday..................

It rained most of the day yesterday.  I checked the rain gauge about 5 p.m. and it had 1.5" in it.  I didn't empty it so I'll have a 2 day total including today's rain.  We got 2.5" on Thursday after a month with less than an inch of rain.  Three miles west of us got 4.25" on Thursday.

I turned on the iron and pressed Friday's blocks and the last 3 stratas.  Then I made the 9 blocks from the stratas.  I have 63 six inch 9 patches made now.  If I use 60 of them and 60 of the two alternate fabrics I can make a quilt 60" x 72".  I didn't end up looking for fabrics to pair with the last 5 strips that I showed yesterday.

I cut one more pink block and sewed the first two.  I'm not sure what I'm making here.  There may be more than one size block or maybe just 6 of these 14" blocks.  I am making a small quilt.

I can't believe how fast September is speeding by.  I need to get focused on what I want to finish this month.

 

Trying the layout.......................

Trying out the 2 favorite choices together: I think they work pretty well.  I was able to get 36 squares from the spotted fabric. I haven't cut the other one yet, but if I don't make any mis-cuts I think I will get 24 squares.

The busy print has rust color in it with brown in the spotted fabric. Even though they don't match exactly they coordinate pretty well.

I looked back through the brown bin and found another piece and this one is brown.  The problem though is the light color leaves; they are so much lighter than the ones in the rust color.  I could probably just fussy cut some squares from the darker areas if I need a few more pieces.

I got 15 more 9 patch blocks sewn and 2 of the 3 stratas.  When I ran out of bobbin thread I quit for the night.

I also pressed some of the pink fabrics and got one block cut out.  Maybe I'll get that sewn today.

 

9 patch progress..................

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I hoped but I had some other things to take care of.

In the afternoon I stitched 18 more blocks.

Later in the day I got 5 more sets ready to be pressed and then cut into sections for 15 more 9 patches.

Three more sets were paired but not sewn yet.

I still need to find 5  more fabrics to pair with these.

Two of my little great-grands are going to visit this morning.  I made some Chex mix for their mom.  She is pregnant and is craving it.

Sewing some 9 patches....................

 24 nine patches are sewn so far, lots more to go.  I had pulled some fabrics to try as alternate blocks so here are three of them.  This one of cheetahs isn't too great. I think it is too light.

This is my favorite but I only have enough to cut 24 alternate blocks.  That would only make a quilt 36" x 48".

I have two pieces of this fabric so it is a strong contender if I do this layout.

I decided to turn the camera to simulate an on point setting.  That is nice too.

I also chose some pink fabrics for a future quilt.  What a change from the fall colors I have been working on for the last couple weeks.

A day to slow down..................

I spent my time in the studio last night cutting strip lengths for 9 patches.  

All of my 9 patches will be 5 dark and 4 light squares.  I need to cut the dark strip into two 16" pieces and one 8" piece.  The light strip needs to have one 16" strip and two 8" pieces.  This will make three 9 patches.  I got 7 cut last night and had done 5 previously.  That will be 36 blocks.  I will be experimenting with some ideas of how to use these 9 patches.

I had letters to mail and then went on to the hardware store where I purchased a product that will keep weed seeds from growing.  I spread it on all of the area of dirt in the front garden and hosed it down per instructions.  Hopefully this will keep most weeds from growing all the way into winter.  I will be spreading it again in the spring.

Other than that I just relaxed and dreamed of new projects.

A little more clean up....................

It was a busy day yesterday.  My van needed servicing so my grandson and wife took me out for brunch after dropping it off and then we went back to my house.  Five sections were broken off the huge green Coral Bell and 4 planted in the center section and one in the section behind it.  Then they finished cleaning up the paver area and cleaned off the porch and sidewalk.  Also bottom dead branches of the hydrangea were cut off.  It is looking so nice now.  We went back to get the van afterwards.

This is the area where the new plants came from.  Now the little Coral Bell next to the green one has some breathing room.  It was almost covered up before.  Rain is predicted for several days this week but the radar maps last night look like a lot of it may miss us.  I'll keep watering if needed.

Last night I sewed a few more combinations for the 9 patches.  There will be 3 nine patches in each combination.  I'll sew a lot more combinations before I turn on the iron.