I bought a bunch of scraps at a recreate store. Most of the pieces make some sense, & there are actual completed blocks in the scraps, but I have some pieces that are inconsistently cut. These range from 3.5" to 3" & everything in between. Should I just make blocks & trim them to the smallest size?

I think I'm about 60% done with the improv/crazy quilt top. I can't wait to start doing the quilting/embellishments. #improvquilt #benitamakes #crazyquilt #quilting #quiltsky #handsewn #handstitch #applique #appliqué

Perception vs reality

So, Scott and I started Keto on February 1st. He has lost 68 pounds to date, and I have lost 22. We missed bread. Victoria's Keto Kitchen created a "flour" blend and a yeast bread recipe. It's freaking delicious!!! Now my house smells lovely!! #Keto #ketobread #Ketocooking #vistoriasketokitchenn

After a bit of a break, I picked up my improv quilt. While on a bit of a vacation, we visited some recreate stores. As I happily dug through the quilting cotton scraps, I found some partial blocks and pieces, and I'm adding them. This balloon one makes me smile. #quiltsky #handsewn #quilt #quilting

New quilting frame. I used denim from an old pair of Scott's jeans for the leaders (upcycling!). Tomorrow, it's my plan to get the quilt installed and begin quilting. I think I'll keep track of my hours to see how long it takes me. #benitamakes #quiltsky #quilting #handstitched #handquilted #quilts

In 1987, a cousin hand pieced this Drunkard's Path quilt top for me. I started quilting it, but working over 50 hours a week & going to school part time meant I had to put it away. It's time to finish it now that I'm retired. #handpieced #quilt #quilting #handquilting #quiltsky #benitamakes #sewing

Check out this quilt at the St Louis Art Museum. It was made in 1848 by 8 friends. The applique and quilting on this is absolutely exquisite! And I love that it was embellished with embroidery and button holes. #quiltsky #applique #handsewn #quilt #quilts #vintage #quilting #stlouisartmuseum

I think I'm roughly halfway through the base of my improv/crazy quilt. I'm really looking forward to the quilting and embellishing part of this. #benitamakes #quilt #quilting #crazyquilt #improvquilt #sewsky #quiltsky #handsewing #handstitching #handstitched #slowsewing

The newest section of the improv/crazy quilt. The cat and Hawaii is for my best friend. She loves her cats and has lived in Hawaii twice. Also, the fox, because she is a ginger. #improvquilt #crazyquilt #benitamakes #applique #sewsky #quilt #quilting #handsew #handsewing

Stitching on a new section of my improv/crazy quilt while watching @rhyall.bsky.social as tornadoes are ripping across southern Illinois and Indiana. Have had to warn several family members in southern Indiana about approaching storms. #crazyquilt #sewsky #applique #handsewing #handstitched

It's done! My estimate of time taken to stitch this 45"x29" sashiko sampler is 110-115 hours. I am more than thrilled with it. I just want to keep staring at it. I love all the colors. #benitamakes #sashiko #embroidery #Japanese #sewsky #stitchsky #handsew #handstitched #handstitching #slowstitching

10 more edge squares & the 4 corners. It's taking about 2 hours per square, so about 26-28 more hours of happy stitching until this sampler is done. I will be both happy and sad that this is finished. Looking forward to my next project though. #sashiko #stitchsky #handsewn #embroidery #benitamakes

I love thrifting! For $5, I got all this aida cloth, three needles, a whole spool of DMC gold thread, a tiny hoop, beads and a cool pattern. Best part is that someone changed the colors to something they liked better. So glad I'm not the only one who does this. #thrifting #embroidery #stitchsky

Here is where I'm at with the sashiko sampler. I love the effect of the variegated squares in between the solid ones. And it's fun picking out the variegated floss colors. #sashiko #embroidery #benitamakes #sewsky #stitchsky #Japanese #handsewn #handsew #handstitch

Look what I just pre-ordered!! It will ship in November, so this will be my one and only Christmas gift (and, maybe, birthday). I am so thrilled! #lego #legos #bricklink #universityofscience

I'm still pretty tired from 5 days driving, seeing a huge train, giving two lectures, and 2 days of book signings. I rested yesterday, and most of today. Got 3 more sashiko squares done using variegated floss. #sashiko #benitamakes #stitchsky #sewsky #handsewn #embroidery #handstitching #japanese

Well, the book signing is done and I sold all but one book. I am so thrilled! I even had someone stop me on the way out to tell me she had started it and was loving it so far. If you want a copy, the link is in my bio. #benitastory #benitamakes #apatchworklife #self-published #quilts #farmlife #book

Day one if the Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival nearly done. I have met so many lovely people today, and my talk seemed well received. And I have sold a lot of books! I need to place an order for more. #benitamakes #apatchworklife #benitastory #hoosierhillsfiberfestival

Scott & I spent the past 3 days and 2 nights near West Chicago just to see The Big Boy. There were a lot of like minded people there, but it was worth the long trip to see this train. #thebigboy #bigboytrain #thebigboytrain #4014train #bigboy2026tour We also may have found 3 Half Price Books stores.

More sashiko squares done. I'm closing in on the variable squares being done and then I can do the ones that are of the same design. My goal is to have the entire thing done by the end of the month. I have a major project to begin July 1st. #sashiko #benitamakes #sewsky #stitchsky #handsewing

This is a daily occurrence. Annie loves Scott so much, he can't even draw without her on his lap. #catsky #Anniethecat #catsofbluesky #torbiecat

Square #13 (a medium green) done of the sashiko sampler. I was asked to show the back. Mind you, I have never been all that concerned what the back looks like, so it's definitely not perfect. I'm still thinking about I'll do with it when it's done. #sashiko #sewsky #stitchsky #embroidery #Japanese

Numbers 11 and 12 done on my sashiko sampler. The edge pieces are a bit hard to tension properly, but I love doing this so much. The first one has lavender floss and the second one has chartreuse floss. I really hope I have enough light solids to not repeat one. #sashiko #sewsky #embroidery #handsew

Lots of errands ran and violin lesson done. Earned my relaxing evening. The first one has blue floss and the second one has gold. #sashiko #benitamakes #stitchsky #sewsky #embroidery #handsewing #handsewn #iloveembroidery

My reward for spending the morning cleaning is working on the sashiko sampler. 8 out of 56 squares now done. These are done in peach and rose pink floss. #sashiko #benitamakes #stitchsky #sewsky #embroidery #handsewing #Japanese

My brain was very tired today, so I worked on my sashiko sampler and got two squares done, one light green and one light blue. I needed this relaxing activity today. #sashiko #benitamakes #sewstitch #embroidery #handstitching #Japanese #iloveembroidery

I'm about to IKEA hack a new sewing machine cabinet. Using a Sektion sink base cabinet and two smaller Sektion base cabinets. These came from the clearance/discontinued part of the store and I'm pleased with the prices. #ikeahack #sewingcabinet #benitamakes #makeitmine #ikea #ikeasektion

The next sashiko section done. And for those asking about the fabric I'm using. #sashiko #sewsky #benitamakes #embroidery #handstitching #handsewing #iloveembroidery #Japanese

Finished the yellow square. You can't tell it in the photo, but the next one I did is light pink. This is so relaxing. I wish I had tried sashiko years ago. #sashiko #benitamakes #embroidery #stitchsky #iloveembroidery #handstitching