Stitching in the Garden

 This set was designed by Hands on Design, and I'm thrilled with how it came out!

I stitched the tray, first, and as I stitched those button flowers I knew I must use real buttons. But I was worried they might catch on anything I put in the tray, so I opted just to use them for the pincushion. Which matches with the appliqued felt and decorative pins in it. 

The sewing theme means I'm linking it to Jo's People's Choice SAL post for September. My first link-up!

This design has sparked two obsessions: sewing-themed cross stitch and tomato pincushions, so I'm plotting more projects that I totally have time for.

The Third Quilt

 I promised son no. 3 I'd make his quilt last year ... and we all know what happened. But maybe I can make it this year! Especially now that my machine has been serviced and cleaned and is humming along nicely.

The goal is 20 12-inch blocks to make a twin-sized quilt, with blocks about Legos, trains, superheroes, Minecraft, and whatever else he likes. I almost immediately faced a complication, though -- Barbara Cherniwchan's "Next Stop North Pole" quilt pattern, with train cars I knew J would love but which varied quite a bit in size. After much math, I figured out that one engine + one train car + one caboose would be the same width as four 12-inch blocks with sashing, so now I have the bottom row all set:

On a roll, I next made four Lego blocks. Shockingly, it was hard to find Lego-themed patterns anywhere (perhaps the Lego company is overly aggressive protecting its trademarks?), such that I ended up drafting them myself. 

I think that's a good start, and I think I will focus on finishing up little projects here and there before starting my fall stitching.