Two More Make Five

On my Design floor this Monday is my completed 5 blocks for the RSC 2017 challenge.  The left and right blocks of the first row are new.  Wonder what the challenge color will be for June?  We should know soon from Angela.

I managed to use 1.66 yards finishing baby coverlet at retreat and three blocks. My destashing total is now 47.98 yds so far this year.  I may yet get to 50 yards (my half way point) in June.

What are you doing this long weekend?  We've said prayers for those who gave their lives for our safety and freedom.  Long may they be remembered.

A Veteran's quilt I made in 2011.

A quilt of valor made by me and two of my neighbors. From 2006

And then there were three

Here's my third green scrappy block for the 2017 RSC

For the quilt I have in mind the blocks have to be 9" finished. In the I Love to Make Quilts version, it is a 12" block. I've finally worked out a method to make reducing the block less complicated for me.
I see what the size of the finished pieces have to be and then add a 1/2" to the measure. For instance for the one above.  The middle of this 9 patch is twice the size of the corners, so my pieces have to be 1/4th the finished size.  So I divided 9 by 4 and got 2 1/4".  I added the 1/2" seam allowance and squares for the corners  should cut at 2 3/4".   The middle rectangle is 2 3/4" twice, but since this is a long rectangle, one subtracts the 1/2" seam allowance as there is no seam in the middle.  And so it goes...

At retreat, we do make and takes.  They give us a kit and we make it.  Most of us are usually learning a new technique when we do this.  Our first make and take was to make a name tag.  Here's mine.

We had three birds to choose from.  Here's my daughter's:

She stuffed hers and braided the feet.  Wish I had taken more pics of my Mom's and DDIL's.

I'm linking to Angela's RSC 2017.

WIPs Be Gone

I had made this top some time ago and found the perfect back for it.  I took it to the retreat and was able to finish it there.  It only has the two flannel layers. Technically it is a baby coverlet.  Should work just right for our hot summers.

The strips are from other quilts that St. Anne members made either as a tube quilt or a back. That makes it a scrap quilt, too.

I found this totally cute backing flannel. Liked it so much, bought a bunch.

My DH came up to the patio with this bouquet for me. It's an echinopsis plant. The flowers only last for a day, but oh how lovely while they lasted.

I'm linking to some parties today. You can see where under the linky tab:  linky parties.

Blessings!