No doubt you've marked your calendars . . .

and are waiting patiently for the Boring Tuesday Farm Report.

Well, after 7 consecutive days of rain, here it is.

 Sunflowers, 19".

 Potatoes, 23".

 Pumpkins beginning to take over their portion of the universe.  Once they get going, I hope the weeds are decimated in the battle.

 South 40 pumpkin / watermelon patch.  The race is on.

 South 40 weed border.  Not only is this meant to keep out marauding bandits, but also to entice monarch butterflies.

There may have been one in the vicinity yesterday (butterflies, not bandits), but perhaps that's wishful thinking.  Have you seen any in your garden this year?

Last, but not least, a very scarred English cucumber.  No doubt a victim of the territorial war being waged in my front yard.

Thought for the day.  I knew you'd enjoy this one.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Firecrackers

 A gallon-size baggie, set aside in 2003, held 24 blocks trimmed to 10-1/2".

Each star is made from 12, 4" muslin squares and 8, 2-1/2" print squares.  Eight of the print squares are folded on the diagonal, pressed and sewn to 2 muslin corners using the "snowball block" method.  The center 4-patch is trimmed to 4".  The "snowball" squares are also trimmed to 4".  One muslin square goes on each side of a "snowball" square, and the remaining 2 "snowball" squares go on each side of the 4-patch.

Having the muslin well starched helps immensely.

 On Friday, I made 8 more blocks and began the sashing units.

All blocks were trimmed down to 9-1/2" in order for 6, 2" squares to fit snugly along each edge.  I'm able to do this quickly since I have bins full of pre-assembled sections of 2" squares for various projects.  

The final diagonal assembly process is different for this quilt, as each corner block will go on as part of the last step.  It took me awhile and a bit of seam ripper usage to figure that out.  

I'll start putting the inset muslin triangles on tonight.  We've had so much rain this weekend, staying inside to sew is the smartest option.

Dolly asked me to leave you with some cooling thoughts.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

All together now

 Both print scale and value help make this quilt top interesting.

Using light, medium, and dark browns, as well as 3 pinks and 3 blues, the eye is drawn in and around this piece.

The gold squares were cut at 4-3/4" and the small squares 2".

This is all that's left of the background fabric.  The phrase "cutting it close" comes to mind.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Auditions being held today between 5 and 7 p.m.

 Do you recall when Lori over at Humble Quilts offered this tutorial?

 As is often the case, mine went into a baggie with no instructions.

Thankfully Lori left some examples on her blog for reference and I'm slowly auditioning new pieces to balance out the old.  It's all about value, and neither of these pinks are working.  Will have to find a warmer one.

I'm squeaking by on the background fabric and very glad no border is needed.  It really helps to have a design wall for this layout.

Thank you Lori for sharing this unique pattern.  It's been a mental challenge to be sure.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Done, finished, finito . . .

 I chose a Judie Rothermel blue, black, tan print to complete the top.

The cornerstones are 3/4" finished.

The plan is to quilt it very simply.

Another baggie busted.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .