There hasn't been a huge ton of sewing going on here lately, it has been a really busy week, but I was able to get all of the blocks cut for the next 100 Good Wishes Quilt that I'm making for a friend's daughter.

I always sort the pieces by color to see what I have to work with.  It really helps when figuring out what to use for sashings. 

The pattern she picked is an easy one so this will go together quickly.  Yesterday I was able to sew together all of the pairs and I should be able to turn all of those into 4 patches before the day is over.

Stay tuned.

For our extended family of Vietnamese friends.....

I received an email announcing a current deal over on Massdrop for Quilters Dream Cotton Select Batting.This is a mid-loft batting. The lowest price of $44.99 with Free shipping has already been unlocked.

I haven't tried this cotton batting yet but since I've used the Quilters Dream 70/30 Blend a lot in the past and love it, I'm expecting that I will love their cotton batting too. Here is the link to their webpage for all the details about this cotton batting.

I don't know about where you live, but this is a great deal compared to what I can buy this for locally so I committed to buy this immediately. The drop is active for 5 more days so don't wait.  Click on over and get yours too.

I'm in the office catching up on reading blogs.

I hear some crinkling noise and go to the kitchen to investigate.

Sunshine had the need to sort all of her Valentine's Day loot!

P.S. I love the little sticker on the tub of red applesauce.

In case you can't read it, it says "You are Awesome Sauce Valentine."

But then a few weeks later, I thought that perhaps it didn't have to be for someone battling cancer.  Instead I could make something for someone in my life who just needs support....a lot of support.  And I had someone specific in mind.

Some of my longtime readers might remember that my friend Kris is the person who asked me to make the 100 Good Wishes Quilt for Joey when he was diagnosed with his very rare renal cancer. No I didn't make this project for Joey's mom, I actually made it for Kris. You see Kris is a single mom, a nurse who works very long shifts working with others battling cancer.  If that isn't enough, her amazing daughter E has medical issues that requires serious physical care each and every day.  Kris is beyond amazing with all that she deals with and I can't imagine how she manages it all day in and day out.

When the first word of this blog hop was announced,  Kris and her daughter were in another state (during Christmas too) so that E could have some very intensive surgery that was supposed to make her life better. Unfortunately it didn't turn out the way they had hoped and they will have to return in a few months to try again. So Kris needs support.  Lots and lots of support. To help her get through each day, to help her deal with the struggles both physically, emotionally and financially that is part of her normal life and to help keep her strong when the going gets the toughest.

So I started with these fabrics.  The dragonfly print was the focus for this project as it has deep symbolic meanings for us in the Asian community, specifically Strength and Harmony.

I wanted to create a silent but powerful message that Kris can see each morning when she gets up and each evening when she gets home. No words were needed, the visual reminder will be enough.  

Here is my completed wall hanging for Kris. I'm calling it Friends Support Each Other.

When I started the project I only had the plan for the middle portion and the outer borders were designed and created as I went along.

Unfortunately with the over abundance of snow we have gotten lately, the sky has been anything but bright and sunny and even the wind made getting the pictures a bit challenging, but the colors are truly a lot brighter in person.

The quilt top was actually completed pretty quickly and then it sat for a couple of weeks while I contemplated how to quilt it.  I doodled many ideas but nothing seemed to suit it.  Then while chatting with my sister Tina last week, we came up with the idea of sewing a frame around the center design and then quilting outside of that. 

Instead as you can see that is not what I ended up doing after all.  While browsing other blogs a few days ago, I came across something done in a simple crosshatch and that seemed perfect to me for this piece. I love how it doesn't take away from the design but gives the quilt some soft texture.

For the border quilting I did some rows of elongated zigzag stitching and finished the binding by machine. I love the way the zigzag reflects the same design that is in the blue fabric.

This mini quilt was such a pleasure to create and I know that Kris will be thrilled when it arrives at her door.

The idea of this hop was to let the recipient know that they are surrounded and supported by those that love them and I think this project will help keep that thought in Kris's mind when the going gets tough.

I enjoyed making this project so much that I've actually decided to make one for each of the members of the little group that Kris and I are members of.  Each in their own way struggles and they will become a symbol of our combined strength and that we are there to support each other no matter what.

Please remember to visit the other five blog hop participants that are sharing today.

Sew We Quilt
 

I woke up from a weird dream that was a little unnerving. This is what it said on my clock.

Ugh! Really way too early to get up.

But my bladder was telling me otherwise.

Ok, ok. So I listened to it.

Afterwards, do I climb back in the warm bed and try to go back to sleep?

My sinuses thought not.

They were pressure filled and the only thing that helps is to get myself vertical so they can drain.

This isn't uncommon....the time, the bladder and the sinuses , especially in the winter.

Though usually it is at least 4 am when this happens.

Blarg! So I was up.

First cuppa and sat down at the computer.

Got caught up on reading over 200 blog posts and commenting on many.

Nearly 5 am and the 2nd cuppa. 

Multiple tissues used so far and sinuses still "funky".

Got the crew up at 6:15 am and out the door about an hour later. It was -7 outside! Major burrrrr!

Then it is just me until almost 3 pm.

Friday is typically laundry day so I sorted and started the 1st load.

Got dressed and headed into my studio.

First plan of the day was to finish cutting up the Red scraps into mini charms
 Then onto sewing together the Red Rainbow Scrap Challenge block.  Done and done.

I had some bigger pieces in this color so I cut some of it into charms.
I can always cut them down more later if needed. 
I didn't count them this time but the stacks are taller than the Yellow and Orange ones and those have over 300 each.
Not bad Scrap-O-Bustin progress so far.
Now I get to work on the layout for these.

Next on the plan was to cut the blocks for the next 100 Good Wishes Quilt to be made for a friend's daughter.
That didn't happen.
I had about had enough of cutting the scraps but I forced myself to push through and I'm glad I did.
Other than the smaller under 2 1/2" wide bits left, I'm done with 3 colors.
Totally worth it.
And I had to sew patches on Jammer's scout uniform shirt.
PIA btw.

I need to shop for the White on White fabric for the sashing.
 A trip to the LQS is planned.

Last night was Jammer's first Pinewood Derby race.

He and Daddy-O did a nice job of crafting his car.

 They worked together on the plan.

Daddy-O did the grown up tasks but Jammer did the rest.
He is a huge Nascar fan, knows all the drivers, the sponsors and the tracks.
No surprise at all as to his finished design.

He came in 2nd overall!
Nicely done buddy!

Today my Girl Scout Daisy troop attends World Thinking Day.

 They will each get a passport and "visit" 18 different countries to learn something about that country and the Girl Scouts there.

 They will receive a fun patch for their vest for participating.  I don't know if they will get this one

 or this one.

Afterwards Sunshine and I are headed to the LQS for the aforementioned White on White fabric and to find the perfect fabric for the sashing for her Primary Bee Quilt.
Those blocks are ready to sew together into a quilt top.
I wish I could stay home after this and hide in my studio.
But I can't. :( :( :(
Tonight is the annual fire department banquet.
It always snows or it bitter, bitter cold.
Of course the guys are all in suits.
But the gals all wear cocktail dresses and fancy shoes.
Can you say FREEZING?
The wine usually helps to warm me up. :) :) :)

Tomorrow will definitely be a studio day for sure.
Those 100 Good Wishes blocks will be cut and if I'm lucky the sewing together will commence too.
 My sinuses had me awake and up at just after 3am again today.
Blarg!

Well, I finally did it.  I joined Instagram.
You can now find me at @crayonboxquiltstudio. I'm still trying to figure out how to use it and have only posted a couple of things so far but it is fun to take a peek into what other quilters are up to in between their blog posts.

And No Instagram will not be replacing blogging for me.  I like to write and share more of what's going on and the story behind my projects and Instagram to me isn't for that.  But the teasers can be a lot of fun too.

I've also got a Facebook page now too.
You can find it here.  There aren't any posts...yet but there will be.
 I have yet to figure out how to get my Instagram posts to also show up on my Facebook page but I'm getting there one tiny step at a time. If anyone wants to provide good tips on these social media outlets, I'm all ears.

There are also links to my Instagram and Facebook pages up on the top of my sidebar.  I'd love to connect with more of you so if you'd like, hop on over and say Hi!

Trust me...I won't be spending all of my free time on either of these sites....I'd much rather be actually sewing, but I'm going to try and share more in between my blog posts.  It should be fun!

Pop on over to Sew We Quilt to find the links to each of this week's bloggers.  There are some really terrific projects being shared, all in the name of supporting those with Breast Cancer.