Update on the SAHRR for 2026: The theme for Round Three was “Animal Kingdom,” so I spent a long time scrolling through my BlockBase+ software (really, it’s Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns in digital form–you should have this). I looked at all the names with something from the animal kingdom and found the one in the upper right corner: Bird’s Eye View.
After all that I sewed for last week’s double-double Round Two, I opted for SAHRR Lite. The yellow border is a sketch — to see if I like it. (I do, but I’m waiting to see what the Round Four prompt is.)
Here’s a free handout to make a 5 1/2″ finished Bird’s Eye View block, if you don’t have BlockBase+.
(I don’t have an illustration for you, but if you click on the title: Handout Round 3 block, it should pop up so you can see it. Then click the Download button to download it for free.)
I rough-cut the rays, then seamed them together. Placing the center line on the seamline, I pinned the pattern down and cut around it. I did use a giant plastic circle to help coax that outer seam allowance into place, pressing the seam allowances over it. I hand-appliquéd the circle. And yes, I didn’t end up using this version in the quilt, but instead made another.
Since this is a This and That Post, here’s the first thing for February: glasses. I’m at the three-glasses stage: one for regular walking-around-life, one for the computer (middle), and a new pair of sunglasses (they’ll come with tinted lenses). I only get the sunglasses every few prescription changes, but definitely the clock is not running backwards for my eyes. I had a new optometrist for this exam, with a brand-new machine, and I was totally impressed with her enthusiasm for All Things Eyes.
I updated my Mercantile Links at the bottom of my blog, and included Harts Fabric. They have a super selection of lots of clothing patterns (including Merchant and Mills) and this new feature if you buy fabric: they’ll pick your matching thread. Whoopee! for those of who have no decent fabric stores now that JoAnn’s is gone.
Because of SAHRR, I’m meeting some new bloggers and Ms P Designs is one. I really liked their guidelines for their PHD. You’ll have to read it to know what I mean. I participated in this kind of thing about six years ago and it really helped me clean out the backlog of projects I’d accumulated. I know there are other Linky Parties out there as well. If you are overwhelmed with Projects Half Done, join one. Because of this post, I dusted off my 2026 list:
I picked some that were new, some that are in process, and some that I need to design. One quilt is on the list because this year is the 250th anniversary of our country, and I wanted to think about how to celebrate it. Obviously with some new stamps…
…as I can certainly celebrate 250 years of the Post Office! Number 4 on my list, above, is about making a red, white, and blue flag day quilt and celebrating those things about my country that I love. I’ll be picking and choosing, and writing about them until July 2026. Here’s another set of beautiful stamps, complete with some cloth:
(You already have read about my affinity for stamps. When I travel overseas, I also buy stamps in whatever country I’m in!)
This stumped me this week. I used this (Kona Wasabi) in an earlier completed quilt and I was trying to recreate that quilt. I didn’t have any of that yellowy-green from Kona as I’ve switched to Painter’s Palette Solids.
QUILTY SOLID TO THE RESCUE!!!
Steph Skardahl, a Very Talented Quilter, put this app together and it’s a-may-zing.
So the original query was if Kona Wasabi was similar to Lemon Ice in Paintbrush Studios’ Painter’s Palette Solids:
I was able to compare it in her “Harmonies” section, which gives readouts for Hue, Saturation and Value. Thank you Steph for this really helpful app.
I have an iPhone (Apple) and this is what the landing page looks like in the App Store. So happy to have this and it’s free!
He always makes me laugh.
Another clever crocheter is here. Go read it for the comments. She asks the people responding to speak about current events as if they were talking about crocheting. I think if we all adopted this language we might not be so grumpy with each other so much.
A little HOORAY for this milestone, and yes, it is already on my 2026 Planned Makes list. I actually have made one more, but I don’t count them until I cut out the back and put it in the box. The original post, with free handout and pattern is here.
We are now eating the front yard’s mandarin oranges! It’s so hard to wait every year until February, but it is now, and we are enjoying them.
So why was I on the hunt for something similar to the Wasabi solid? I gave away one of my favorite quilts and was happy to do so, but I missed it. What made it special was the fabric for the borders, an out-of-print Anna Maria Horner (now known as Anna Maria). Gone. But as I was strolling the vendor aisles at Road to California, oh-my-goodness! There was a whole bolt of that fabric!
It was karma, as I already had a stack of AMH/AM at home, so I was good to go. (I will post about Road in the next couple of weeks, never fear.) And now, with a bunch of petals of Lemon Ice cut, within a couple of days, I was cooking:
Hmmm. Missing one.
I finished it just as the sun went down and rushed out to my back patio to try and catch the last few rays of sun.
On the patio. It’s from my pattern Blossom:
(The original quilt, above.) I also want to make a spring version in a smaller size. The pattern has three sizes of this block, with two different borders. It can be found in my pattern shop, and for this February, it is on sale…and without a coupon! It expires at the end of February. Okay, we are almost finished with this post.
Another wonderful quilter, discovered through another online collaboration, Janine of Rainbow Hare made this wonderful combination of wee blocks. She is also in SAHRR. We have a lot of quilty friends out there!
Sometimes I forget to hold space for my quilting, for creativity. I tend to pack things in, rushing from one thing to another. While the thought above relates to how we treat those close to us, I think sometimes giving my creativity a chance without harsh judgement can be a challenge. Sometimes I need to relinquish control and let serendipity find me, as the Queen Anne fabric found me at Road to California, on a day I was just feeling less than subpar, overwhelmed by all the beautiful quilts as well as by the current events in our country. And then, just like that — the spark came, the space opened, and a quilt was made.
Find your people. Find your creative space. Find those quilts that touch your heart —
The schedule:
*January 14: Center Blocks, led by Gail and shared by each co-leader
*January 21: 1st Round: Brenda @ Songbird Designs
*January 28: 2nd Round: Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
*February 4: 3rd Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
February 11: 4th Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
February 18: 5th Round: Gail @ Quilting Gail
February 25: 6th Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
[An asterisk* means I finished that section.]
Discover more from OccasionalPiece--Quilt!
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
Serendipity is the word, all right! As I was reading and came to each new paragraph, I wanted to explore the depth of what you wrote and linked to. You’ve packed so much in this post!
And then I got to your search for the yellow for the Blossom quilt. I thought it was a great ending when you found it and put it with the AM fabric. But no. You weren’t done. I honestly gasped when I saw the black outlines you added. It looks like light through a stained glass window. Raising me above the heavy sadness I often feel about the events of the day.
Thank you.
What a great post! So much to read and learn! Love the SAHRR border, and thanks for the download for the Bird’s Eye block (adding it to my list to try). I’m a huge fan of Kona Pickle, but now I need to check out Wasabi. Your Blossom quilt is lovely!
The birds eye view block as a cornerstone works beautifully for your SAHRR. I have the physical copy of Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, and I saw your block as I was flipping through the book yesterday trying to sort out what I’ll use for inspiration this week myself! I am going with The Dove (1458) or Dove (1459) as a source of inspiration. I have the BIG Highland quilt that I’m working to get the binding on first, though, so hopefully in a few days I can start sewing my next blocks and borders.
This was such a full this and that post! I love that online stores are offering more services like matching thread; that’s really neat. If you use it, let us know how well they do with the match! That’s wonderful you found the fabric needed to be able to remade Blossom. I think Steph Skardal is pretty amazing. And way to go on so many squircles!
giggling about your glasses situation, i too am “there”. but i count my sunglasses (used for driving) as pair number 4. reading, computer, far, and sunglasses far. the variety in shape and color keep them separate and me well amused! …and like you, they don’t all get replaced at once. i feel very fortunate to have access to glasses and a wonderful optometrist. (couldn’t sew without the 2 pairs)
your yellow quilt is a breath of sunshine!!
GASP! New Blossom you are a beauty! Could you be even prettier than First Blossom?…I can’t believe that fabric jumped in your lap.
Mandarin oranges fresh off the tree must be quite the treat. And I had forgotten about Harts – I will check them out again.
This post was full of wonderful surprises – thank you!!!
I can’t believe you found the fabric. That NEVER happens! The remake is beautiful. I also like the SAHRR. it’s coming together so we’ll.
I have pulled out some of my older glasses to fin a prescription that matches my new vision so I also have a similar line up on my counter. Best of all, I finally printed my squircle templates and will begin cutting today! Love the story of the found fabric.
Well! That was full of fun links! I’m off to try them–thanks!
I like how the Birds Eye View block’s circle contrasts with the squareness of the houses and picks up the curve of the fan blades in the center. You definitely deserved an easy week this week. I too wait to do outer borders until I see if I need a spacer border and how much.
I ‘m amazed at the ap that matches colors across brands.
And your ending quotation is worth pondering. There sure are times when making space is what is needed instead of a fix. Scenes scroll through my mind . . .
Elizabeth you’ve outdone yourself. Not only is this round on your SAHRR stunning, but you added a link to the fun block. How amazing to find that fabric so you could make Blossom #2. It’s a beauty and the stained glass effect is just too much fun! Mandarins fresh picked? Now that’s perfection. I love the PHD way of tracking and hopefully getting some UFOs finished. I started doing it back when the Quilting Gail hosted it. Great suggestion for the app. I’ll ad it to my phone right away. 😃
I agree that you have a great deal of “this and that” in this post! I had to smile about your discovery of Lemon Ice as a substitute for Kona’s Wasabi. It’s Lemon Ice that change the direction I was going with a modern quilt, and what helped get that quilt accepted into QuiltCon 2026! The quilt I’m talking about is “Turnabout” made for a paint chip challenge. My chip colors were pink and purple, and one color could be added. I was going with boring ‘ole Oyster when friend Candi pulled out her Painter’s Palette color card and pointed at Lemon Ice. I found yardage at QuiltCon 2025 and the rest is history. Lemon Ice is a gorgeous, vibrant color, and looks fabulous in “Blossom.”
You have quite a project list! I have a WIPs list printed and hanging on the front of my fabric cabinet with 10 items that have already been started – most of them have blocks already made. I haven’t added anything new to my list because I just jump on those when the mood strikes. Ha!
Your Squircles are coming along so nicely, and I love the quilt. I hate to say this, but I need a travel project for going to QuiltCon. While I have many WIPs, none of them are in the portable stage. And I love hand appliqué… I’ll be thinking about this one.
I’m smiling about your glasses too, because you need to get older, so you can have cataract surgery! Ha, ha. It’s the best. No regrets. I seldom put on glasses. I wear sunglasses when I’m driving the golf cart, and put on readers ONLY after an hour or more of doing close work. It seems the longer I try to focus on “up close,” the more blurry things get. But the opthamologist told me she couldn’t give me lenses with a “see closely” feature. Apparently they’re not made. Still, I’m very happy with the results of surgery. Highly recommend, when you’re old enough. 🙂
What a post. I relate to many things. The list . . . mine never seems to get finished. The glasses . . . I also have three pairs. It’s time to update the sunglasses. The Wasabi color. I like how your round robin is coming along. I’ve always liked your Blossom quilt and can see why you’d want to remake it for yourself. I can imagine your trill to find the fabric. Good luck with everything.
Your SAHRR is coming along beautifully! I love the double house blocks and the Bird’s Eye block is perfect for the cornerstone. And the Blossom quilt is just gorgeous!
Birds Eye! What a great block! I love it!
Lots of eye candy here. A wonderful This and That. Off to sign up for a PhD.
Your Blossom quilt is absolutely stunning! Thank you for the mention. I enjoyed all your this and that and I’m amazed you have oranges in February 🙂