VQG - Sew Scrappy Sew Happy (September Block)

I went back and looked at the post I created for my August block, and I started it out by saying that it was 95+ degrees outside. What's funny is that I'm now blogging about my September block and the temperature is a cool 59 degrees. What a difference a month makes, eh?

So, this month's block was made for Erin. She sent everyone 3 fat quarters and asked that we make a block based on the Mod Sampler QuiltAlong from Oh, Fransson!. Not only were the blocks fairly simple; but there were a handful you could choose from, meaning that Erin would receive a variety of block styles.

Since the blocks went pretty quickly I decided to make/send two.

I can't wait to see what Erin makes with all the blocks she receives.

This makes 3 months down, and 9 more to go in the Sew Scrappy Sew Happy VQB.

Scrappy Pincushion Swap

So, I think I might have mentioned that these little quilty swaps/bees that I find on Flickr are kind of addicting. So addicting that I am participating in several right now.

• Sew Scrappy Sew Happy (runs monthly for a year)
• Scrappy Pincushin Swap (ends Oct 1st)
• Modern Swappers (ends Dec 15th)
• String Block Bee (runs monthly for a year)
• All About Christmas Swap (ends Oct 15th)

The Scrappy Pincushion Swap is coming to a close on October 1st, meaning that my "pinnie", as they are called, must be in the mail October 1st. I'm sending mine out to my partner tomorrow; but here is a sneak-peek.

It's of the log-cabin variety and made using the combo of red/aqua which evidently is a favorite of many.

St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild (Meeting #1)

This past Saturday was the 1st official meeting of the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild (STLMQG).
It was a BLAST!! We had 13 people in attendance, not too shabby for our 1st meeting, eh? You can read all about it here.

We did the introductions, made some decisions (Yeah, our 1st as a group), had an attendance prize and afterwards people didn't run out of the door screaming...they actually hung around for quite some time chatting it up. I call that Success!!

I really enjoyed putting faces with names, meeting people that I had only "talked" with online and getting to know a little bit more about them, and how excited they were too.

Our next meeting is October 9th, if you are interested in attending or learning more about the STLMQG, I encourage you to check us out.

Year End Crop

How did you garden fare this year? Did you have a bumper crop? or were things a little less then spectacular?

Here in St. Louis, I would have to say that the crop was quite less then last year; but we had some extreme weather (wet, wet, wet in the Spring and then crazy 100+ temps for a stretch in the Summer); which of course is not ideal. You can always expect Mother Nature to keep things interesting.

I did grow some different things this year, some of which I'll plant again and some never again.
I also learned a thing or two, especially about melons. I'll be trellising them next year, it's just too hard to see through the labrinyth of vines.

This past weekend, I cut down and composted all of my tomato plants.

This guy was hanging out the whole time watching me...



...it was the first time I had really seen a Praying Mantis up-close. Okay, let's be honest, I didn't get closer then like 4 feet because he's a bug nonetheless; but it was still pretty cool. I looked them up and they are good for the garden, as they eat nearly everything pests-wise, including other praying mantis if they get in the way. I hope he brings him friends back next year.

I also wanted to share a pic of the last remaining tomatoes that were picked. As you can see I grew a variety and all of these will be coming back, especially those little red (Violet Jasper) and yellow ones (Yellow Pear).

I also picked a large amount of green tomatoes because a good friend was looking to make salsa, fried green tomatoes and whatever else you can make with these beauties.

While I'm sorry to see the growing season end for this year, I certainly have alot to look forward to next year.