Thanks for all your wonderful comments about TheSecondChild’s graduation. You are all so very kind and thoughtful. If only you could stop time for us, we’d be in business!
After all of that excitement, it’s been a very slow week around here. A month or so ago, I joined a fabric scrap swap (button in my sidebar) that was started by Penny. There are 9 of us in the group and we all swapped a bunch of our scraps (and boy, oh boy, did I get some beautiful scraps.) As part of the challenge, we have to create something with our scraps over the next several months. I had been looking around and had several ideas, when Crazy Mom posted her 9 patch quilt along. Perfect! I decided to join in and I’ve been working on a few of my blocks.
The ugly tree wanted to model for you — she’s sporting some beautiful new, bright green growth this spring. I’ve always loved 9 patches. They’re amazingly versatile and so easy to piece.
I’m really enjoying making these 9 patches. I’m officially behind in the quilt along, but I’ll catch up this weekend. There are so many fun versions of these 9 patches popping up all over. I’m not trying to coordinate my blocks, so my quilt will be really scrappy — just the way I like it. While I was out in the backyard taking pictures of these blocks, I thought I’d see how they look on the squirrel ravaged patio chairs. I’m still in the market for new cushions. Too bad I’m not motivated enough to make patchwork covers for them.
And to make up for hurting your eyes with those ugly cushions, I thought I’d show you my little herb garden. MyDadLovesMeBestSister did a fun thing for Christmas this year — she bought MeMum and I each some pots and some plant markers. Aren’t they cute? Unbeknownst to me, the gift also came with the promise of some herbs when spring arrived. So, imagine my surprise when she called a few weeks ago and said she was bringing over some plants and nice fresh dirt to put in the herb pots! Lucky me huh? She’s a great sister. We have a good relationship. She gives me beautiful herbs. I hang old bras all over her yard. Such a deal, huh?
Well, gee. I guess I should get to bed. I’m getting up in 5 hours to go help the newlyweds move this weekend. I’ve packed a picnic lunch for all of us movers and I’m all ready to go.
Have a good weekend!
XOXO,
Anna
The ugly tree looks delightful sporting its new decoration! Very thoughtful gift from your sister (I’m into growing stuff at the moment) Hope the move goes well!
Oh how funny was that 50 bra post! Love it and your crazy ways! You really know how to make people happy, a true gift! Those 9 square patches are very pretty, I must do some more sewing….hope you are well xox
I love those 9 patch blocks. I might even be tempted to try those as my first foray into patchwork. One day. Maybe. Perhaps. ;-) x
Your scrappy 9 patch blocks look so delightful arranged on your tree! Hope the newlyweds move goes smoothly – looks like you will be having another busy weekend!!
love your nine patches! they’re fabulous!
I love your nine patches…they sure dress up the “ugly” tree…LOL! Your herb garden is wonderful…oh will you be having some fun cooking with those.
Seeing you fabric patches makes me want to bust out my sewing machine!
Oh, and those herb signs are too cute! :)
Such lovely scraps for the nine patches! Can’t wait to see them al together!
Love the nine patches too and I’m sure Mr. Squirrel would love a little quilt top–he already has the stuffing. Wishing you bright and sunny skies for the move.
The nine patches look lovely hanging on the tree and the squirrel ravaged chair. Your relationship with sis is wonderful. I just know she loved all the bras like you love the herbs.
I love the 9 patch blocks, I can’t wait to see them in a quilt…You have helped to put the fire under my rear end to finish my quilt, so I’ve been working on it. I only have chives and we use them all the time. I’ve been thinking of adding more herbs to the garden. Have fun moving the newlyweds.
The 9-patches are marvelous. Love the 9-patch tree. That’s a fun way to display them. I can’t believe that squirrels can do that much damage. Crazy squirrels!
Have a great weekend with the kiddos!
Loving those 9 patches. The scraps are great. I want to plant a herb garden along with some tomatoes, peppers and other “stuff”. Need to get motivated.
your blocks are beautiful! i love scrappy, too. a lot. :) i think that’s the charm of the final quilt. the scraps you received are wonderful!
Excellent, thats another use for a christmas tree!
I don´t like the evergreen trees not that much either, but I like your candy- colour patches.
Isn´t it lovely to have some herbs in the own garden.
It´s like Simon and Gerfunkel used to sing: Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme…
Pretty patches! Have fun being a mover (and a shaker?).
Cute 9 patches! The tree loves the extra attention :)
Sounds like the perfect sister relationship to me! And I love your nine patches – especially the bottom left one in the second photo! Lucy x
Have fun moving!
Your nine patches look great! I’m dying to start my next nine patch, but really must finish up a couple of things first.
What a great sister and what a great idea for a present. I keep saying I need to get some seeds planted, but I keep not planting them.
I love the little nine patches…I may have to make some for myself! How big are they?
Anna, I love your blocks and herb garden, if you are herb shopping Greek Columnar Basil is a wonderful plant if you can find it and it makes great Pesto!! Hope your newlyweds move goes well.
Your nine patches are wonderful and what a great idea-using the tree as a prop.
Happy graduation to the second child…such a wonderful milestone in life. And you gotta love a 9 patch. Yours are so sweet and always your pictures are beautiful. Love the herb garden.
No wonder your tree looks so pretty, it’s happy to be bearing all of those darling 9 patches! I’m with you, nine patches totally rock!!
I hope the moving is now over. I don’t think 5 hours is quite enough sleep…
Can’t go wrong with 9patches. I love the pretty fabrics, sounds like a fun scrap challenge.
Oh, you have fresh herbs! Yummy :-) Great work on the patches, and that tree is not ugly at all!
I’m glad someone is getting to move!! Can you pack us a picnic basket full and maybe we’ll get to move too. PLEASE!!!!
Cute little 9 patches. And I love that GREEN tree.
What fun looking blocks. I love the one with the scissors.
Your blocks are gorgeous, and so is your ugly tree!
That’s some great fabrics you’ve got there, and I LIKE the way you’ve put them together. I’m very fond of the nine-patch, too. And what fun to have the herbs growing so prettily and with their own little markers! Ah, sisters…
it’s me. i’m alive! it’s a miracle!!!!!
okay, i love the 9 patches, and i think your herb garden is darling and your sister is wonderful and….. you know me, i’m all about the food, what was in the picnic lunch????
your tree is looking smashingly well this spring.
off to make apple pancakes, trying out a new bastardized recipe from original pancake house. wish me luck. one of these days, i’ll find THE ONE.
:waves madly
What happy patches. I saw an idea for a little quilt for a kitty on someone’s blog. I am somewhat inspired now to make one for my kitty. I like the nine patch idea and might try that.
“She gives me beautiful herbs. I hang old bras all over her yard.”. HAHA…. I so needed that good chuckle after being leaky eyed after reading your previous post.
I am just so gaga for 9-patches. It’s all of a sudden, like BOOM… 9-patch fever. I love yours, and them modeled on the new growth.
“and them modeled…” . Um, I really do know how to speak. Typing… maybe not so much.
I planted my herb garden this weekend too! I just love it. I did it a little different than last year and I’m so happy with it. I love all your fabric and nine squares. You have some really cool fabric.
The 9 patch square look great, but what REALLY has me impressed is that fabulous herb garden! I’m GREEN with envy! :)
I love the little nine patch blocks, especially the one with cherry fabric. I have a few herbs in pots but not in the ground. I have to wait to plant much in the ground till Maggie calms down. Who knows when that may be! She didn’t learn to jump like Conner, but she sure had fun harrasing Buddy. They even got into a “tiff”. Mumzie tried to break them up – WRONG! That’s a good way to get hurt. I threw ice water on them and they were fine. Dogs. Gotta love them!
I LOVE your nine patches! Now I want to make some this very second. I’m really enjoying the simple old fashioned blocks lately, 9 patches, pinwheels, baskets.. they’re all so homey and cozy. And I love your cute herb garden. xo, #3
Love the patch tree! Wonder where I can get one of those? Your little herb garden is cute. I would like to grow one, but I’m concerned if I grow it outside the squirrels will destroy it and if I grow it inside the cats will snack on it. (Or tip it over so they can play in the dirt.) For now I’ll have to settle for the produce section at the grocery store.
I have a great idea Anna! Maybe make a bunch of “ugly tree” decorations instead of the nine patch quilt cause it sure looks pretty with all those blocks on it! I love how your blocks are turning out, I’m thinking my scraps are gonna end up made into something very similar! Hope you’re not too sore from helping move!
Scrappy quilts are my favorites, and I think your quilt is going to be wonderful. ‘Course everything you do is wonderful!
It’s going to be a real treat to have all those fresh herbs to cook with. That’s so thoughtful of your sister to plant them too!
Fresh herbs. Good photos too. And love the 9 patches. There is something so pleasing about patchwork that sometimes can’t compare with complex piecing.
i love your nine patches.. this block a day nine patch is hard to keep up with but they are so fun and quick to make.. i think the tree is glad you gave it some love ;-)
Hey, I’m seeing lots of 9-patches in them there trees and on top of those cushions.
It looks like you’re leaving me in the dust trying to catch up. It’s kinda lonely at the bottom of the heap – LOL!
Oh, I’ve seen those nine patches all over the web…and now you too…u-oh, no, I won’t…no…really ;o). Love your patches…the quilt promises to be beautiful.
Your beautiful herbs reminds me that it’s time to look after my poor neglected ‘square inch’ garden…
Hugs, Julia
Lovely patches! They really brighten up the “ugly” tree! (Which I don’t think look ugly at all!)
I too love nine patches and this idea! Like I need to embark on another quilt project when I have so many UFOs! But! One could feel very virtuous using up all kinds of bits and pieces……………..
The bras in the garden idea made me hoot!
I want to live where you do! I didn’t know 9 patches grew on trees. They are adorable, Anna.
Love the herb garden, too. There’s nothing better than fresh herbs for cookin’, is there?