Weekend happenings

This weekend was mostly about cleaning up the yard. We made a good dent by getting all of the sticks picked up. That chore alone has taken a couple of weeks and we have enough fire kindling for all of next winter. I also got up a wheelbarrow overfull of magnolia seed pods. Magnolia trees are such a pain. Between the leaves and seed pods they produce a ton of trash. Ian, our  visiting friend, loves doing yard work (lucky me!) so he trimmed a lot of shrubbery. If the weather permits we'll do a ton more this week with my brother's electric trimmer. 
​But Laura and I got in some sewing too.

Laura got her first two blocks made. Her piecing is perfect!

I made mastectomy drain bags. I basically use the pattern that the local charity provides. It worked fine for my Mom when she had her mastectomy. That was how I discovered this charity in the first place. The pattern is perfect for fat quarters because I could get 3 out of each FQ with only a 2" strip left over.

I did make a different kind of strap with a strap attached only on one side a loop on the other. This way the strap can be adjustable and tied off to the loop. I had a roll of red grosgrain ribbon that I used up for some of them.

I made 21 all together, 3 each from 7 different fat quarters. With the serger these come together quickly. I like making these. It's a great use of fabric that I'm not using. I have a pretty significant stash of red/black/white fabrics so I expect there to be more of these.

I also got 2 veterans quilts loaded on the longarm and will have then done by Wednesday.