I finally finished my second “Perfect Picnic Quilt”. I stitched the binding on the last day of August so it was still summer! Threw it in the washer then dryer and it went directly up on the wall! So Pretty! It just brightens up my dining room!

I was ate up with making totes and bags during August. I had several requests for different styles and was quite determined to finish them all. The very last one was a Sandhill Sling and it was a challenge. After ripping out the lining for the second time, I said to myself, “time for a break”, and I pulled out my leftover fabrics from The Ruby Star Society Perfect Picnic Quilt. Such a stress relief. Touching pretty fabric and then cutting it up in little pieces.

I bought extra fabric back in June so I could make a smaller quilt plus use it for pouches and lining for totes. This version is 11 by 11 blocks. The full-size quilt is 15 by 15.

From the left-over fabric I pulled all the “Low volume” pieces. Then I interviewed them to determine which would make it into this quilt. The “High volume” selections will be used for other projects.

While I was sorting, it occurred to me that maybe I could use the Cricut Maker to cut out these 5″ blocks. I already had it set up because I was making birthday cards. (So many birthdays in August!) Have to admit that my Cricut Maker is a very under-utilized craft tool. The occasional birthday card and sometimes cutting out fabric letters is about it. But I got out the fabric mats and rotary blade for the maker and–Voila!–I had all the light and dark blocks that I needed for this small quilt. (Not sure if it was faster to use the maker or my own muscle and rotary blade but at least I used it!)

I made the first “Perfect Picnic Quilt” in blocks. For the second I stitched it together by rows. It was really a lot faster that way.

I liked the scrappiness of the first version–it was fun….

But I wanted a little more order for this one and I lined up the colors diagonally and made a pattern.

Took the quilt for a golf cart ride for a photo session in the “wild”.

And now, Labor Day has past and that means that summer is unofficially over. I should be making an Autumn wall hanging! (I’ll probably get that done about the time I am sorting the Christmas lights!)