Summer Stitches and Sunflowers

Tote

After an alarming amount of procrastination and kind encouragement and tips from Wendy, I finally finished this tote! My granddaughter Sammy (Samantha) asked me to make a tote for her friend whose favorite colors are green, orange, and gold. I hope she likes bright!

The main fabric is Wings of Wonder by Sue Penn for Freespirit , and the green dot I found at Joann's before it closed. I ended up using a tutorial by Jedi Craft Girl that I used to make a tote for myself in 2017. I made this one much nicer than the one I made for myself by adding Soft 'n Stable to the outer fabric as well as fusible liner for the inner fabric and pocket. The pocket can hold an iPhone, pencils/pens, sunglasses, and has a short pocket for lip gloss. My husband was so impressed he encouraged me to make another one for myself! I texted a photo to Sammy, and this was her comment, "OMG GMA I AM OBSESSED!"

I will take it on Saturday to our son and DIL, who will be visiting our grandson and grand-DIL to help them move into their first house! It is in an older area of Dallas and was built in 1960. It has been completely updated inside and out. Several of their friends have also bought mid-century ranch houses in Dallas - I guess it's a trend!

RSC aqua blocks

I had plenty of help from Rosie choosing scraps for the RSC

RSC July Blocks

Here are the RSC blocks for July. None were made for June, not only due to "pastels" being chosen but also because I did not make the time. As you can see from the 12 nine-patch blocks the July color is "aqua". As much as aqua, turquoise, and teals are my favorites, I have surprisingly few scraps and had to tap into my stash. I also made an equal number of snowball blocks.

A Quilting Life 2026 BOM

The two blocks for June and July for Sherri's A Quilting Life 2026 BOM are both on the right, top and bottom rows. My colors are Christmas-y, and the main collection is Peppermint Bark by Basic Grey. 

Oh! Granny QAL

Another few Granny Squares for Oh! Granny! QAL hosted by Elizabeth at Occasional Piece Quilt. Elizabeth has such a unique way to make these blocks - so fun and fast! Wendy is enjoying this QAL and has some pretty blocks - you can find them here. Find more details at this post if you would like to jump in and join the fun!

Floral Bauble Block #1

Floral Bauble #2 in progress

Floral Baubles BOM

Finished my first block on Joy's Floral Baubles BOM blocks. Joy suggested "redwork" for the embroidery, and I chose DMC #498, Dark Red. The baubles are easy and fun, and each pattern is free for one month after its release!

Lala's Irish Chain quilt in Melva's guest bedroom

Lala's Irish Chain SAL

I have been determined to resist sew-alongs for the remainder of the summer, but Melva casually inquired if there was any interest in replicating a vintage quilt (see photo above) made in the 1940s by her great-grandmother, Lala. "No" I said to myself, then said to Melva "I might". And now I am mulling over fabrics and getting excited! You can find more details in this post.

Garden (photos below)

The veggie/flower garden is so thick with growth I  can hardly move in it. I actually tripped and fell over a thick stalk of a cosmos the other day! The plants are showing signs of summer heat and little rain, so I spend evenings adding to our water bill! The sunflower is a volunteer from a different spot in the garden last year, and it is called Chocolate Cherry. The cosmos, zinnias, and marigolds have bloomed tall and attracted hummingbirds and a few butterflies. The tomato plants are almost too thick to see the tomatoes, and the morning glories are crazy! I reduced the space from last year, and I love it all so much I plan to expand it back plus more for next year - lol!

Beefsteak and Cherokee Purple tomatoes

Sungold and Sweet Cherry tomatoes

While we do need rain, I am praying for all those affected by the devastation of too much rain in the Uvalde/Kerrville areas of Texas. They are still recovering from the tragic floods just a year ago, and now the same rivers are raging again with 20+ inches of rainfall. Last night a flash flood emergency was issued for a "large and deadly flood wave" on the Guadalupe and Pedernales rivers. I cannot imagine how terrifying that would be!