IMPROV THAT BLOCK WORKSHOP

Today was the fifth, and last workshop in the Improv That Block Squad on Brave Patch with Sherri Lynn Wood.  Today we got to pick the block we wanted to work on.  Sherri provided some prompts that we could use (or not).  

I choose to continue working on the previous types of blocks we have made, namely the nine-patch, the fan block, and maybe some four-patches and more friendship stars.  And I continued making tumbler blocks as a filler.

Here is how I left it after the workshop:

ROOTED BLOCK FIVE

I just finished block number five from Sue Spargo's Rooted.   

IMPROV BLOCK QUILT

 I've been sewing on the Improv That Block quilt and finally sewed the challenging last Fan block into the rest of the quilt.  I've not really known how to do it, but once I just started it was not that difficult.  

And, then I went on to sew in some other challenging parts.  It's coming together.

MORNING IN THE P-PATCH

 This morning my walk took me to a nearby P-Patch.  It's on 35th SW and SW Barton.  It was raining very lightly.  

FINISHED DRAWER DIVIDERS

 I put labels on the fronts of the drawers.  Then I made some draw dividers to hold the spools of threads.  I finished those up today.  Not every drawer has dividers, mainly because there isn't much thread in those drawers, specifically the 5wt perle cotton and the 3wt perle cotton.  I'm storing my boxes of floss in those at the moment.

FINISHED THE JESSIE TWINED BOWL

 I got this Jessie Twined Bowl Kit from Flax and Twine a while ago,  I've worked on it off and on over the last few weeks.

I finished it today.  The instructions called for just burying the cord ends along the side's warp threads.  But I decided instead to tie them in knots around the outside.  This was a very fun project.

A PRESENT TO MYSELF

I got this in the mail yesterday and Darrell helped me put it together today.  I got some special red roller wheels for it,  and he put those on too.  I'm going to store my special embroidery threads and stuff in it.

IT WAS THAT DAY AGAIN

 And I got a free drink this morning.

ROOTED #4

 I started this project a long while back.  This is Rooted by Sue Spargo.  I bought the kit with all of the wool and thread included, plus the instruction booklet.  I already had her little book about the embroidery stitches I would need to complete the project.

After making a few blocks, I set this project aside over a year ago.  I picked it back up a few days ago and it was exactly as I left it.  Everything was still all together, too.

I finished the last of the embroidery today.  Block #4 is done.  Now onto #5.

STARTED TWINING A BASKET

 I know nothing about basketweaving.  I bought a kit with instructions from Flax & Twine.  I opened the box today and reading the instructions cut some cords for the warp and wrapped the ends with tape.  Then cut a very long piece for the weft.  And started the weaving.

I actually enjoyed it, but had to quit for the day.

MONTH FIVE OF BOM

 I got the instructions for month five of the SeaMQGBOM2026 last night.  

I cut the parts and pieces out and sewed them together to make four more 'blocks'.

FINISH NUMBER NINE

 I quilted, trimmed, made binding and sewed it onto the Babe in the Woods quilt.   It measures 35" by 36".  The top is all flannel.

Its done!  This is finish number nine for the year!

STITCHED THE STITCH BOOK

 I had all of my Stitch Book 2026 pages sewn into groups of four and they needed to be stitched together.  I thought I would do something like a Coptic stitch.  But, that didn't work out.  So, I just used a basic Pamphlet stitch and I added some beads between each page to space the pages.

CLEANED THE PANTRY

 Since we moved into this house the upper part of the pantry has been a mess.  I had put all of the containers which held various flours I used for making bread up there and have ignored them since.

I don't make bread anymore since we both went gluten-free.  So most everything was expired and just taking up space.

I took it all out of the pantry and tossed the expired stuff, which had been stored in Tupperware.  I don't like the idea of storing things in plastic anymore, so it all has to go.  I washed all of it and will donate it to Goodwill or somewhere.

There was some things stored in glass jars, my preferred method of storage.  I emptied those and washed them out too.

STITCH BOOK PAGES

 I got the 24 100 Day Stitch Book pages sewn together in groups of four. They are ready to stitch together.

FINISHED WITH GRACE

 I got back to work on my block for the BP Sewcial Collab 2026 today and finished it.

First I made the next two letters and sewed them to the others and squared it to 18".

The cut 4-1/2" one way:

Then cut those strips into 4-1/2" blocks.

Then I moved them around, turning and trying different combos until I was happy with the design, and sewed them together.

LAST PAGES READY

 I did the final stitching on the last two pages of my Stitch Book 2026 today.

The pages are now ready to sew together.

LEAVING HANKINSON

 Sorry to see this day arrive, we all gathered for one last group photo as those of us leaving early were about to head out.

I had to return the rental ( a giant white Ford Expedition named Moby Dick) by 11am and it was over a 3 hour drive back to Minneapolis airport.  Mary H and Ethylene rode with me.  

WORKING ON OUR PROJECTS

Ethylene showed up late last night for the BP Monday Sewcial Retreat.

Today she was all set up with her tiny little sewing machine and was steadily working on her project.  The rest of us mainly were doing handwork and visiting with each other.  But Ethylene was dedicated to getting her project made and sewed most of the day into the night.  She made great progress.  I can't say the same about my project.

I did get some work done on my March full moon page.

 

INTO MINNESOTA

 After our lunch in Fargo we drove a mile or so across the North River into Moorhead Minnesota to the Hjemkomst Center.  There we saw a Viking ship and toured a Stave Church replica.

We waited a few minutes for our docent to show up to take us outside to the Stave Church which had been constructed on site as a replica of the churches in Norway.

When we left there we made a quick stop at the famous Dairy Queen in Moorhead.  It is one of the oldest Dairy Queen franchises.  Despite the cold some of us indulged in their treats.  Then we headed back to Hankinson.  It was a wonderful outing.

TRIP TO FARGO

 We all piled into two cars and set out for Fargo, an hour drive north of Hankinson.

Our first stop was at the Plains Art Museum which had a display of 42 quilts curated by Nancy Crow called  Color Improvisations 3.

We a bit surprised to see the museum was filled with workers installing tables and displays for an upcoming event.  There were light fixtures on the floor to manuever around and things being constructed.  We were thankful they let us in to see the show.

The next stop was lunch at Rosewild restaurant.  Excellent food!  Just across and down the street from the restaurant was the famous Fargo Theatre where the Fargo movie was premiered.

QUILT DISPLAY

 Once we were all set up in the Conference Rooms this year, we put out the things we had brought for a display of our work.  It was set up in the big Auditorium where we had been last year.  This year that area was filled up with the regulars and so they had decided to give us our own area upstairs.   There were so many wonderful things to see.

I brought my Out of Africa quilt.

FLY TO MINNEAPOLIS

 I left very early this morning for a 6am flight to Minneapolis on my way to the 2nd Annual BP Monday Sewcial Retreat in Hankinson, ND.

When I landed in Minneapolis I met up with Mary H and Lori who rode with me on the 3-1/2 hour trip to the Retreat.

ALL THE PAGES SO FAR

 I laid out the pages I have for the 100 Day Stitch Book project.  I realized I needed one more to make it all work out.  And I need to finish the others I had planned.  Lots of work to do yet.