Friday are for finishes; kind of like Tuesdays are for tacos. It just makes sense. So for this fine Friday, I have a finished disappearing 9 patch quilt to show you (along with pictures of my winter vegetable garden).
Disappearing nine patch
I started this disappearing nine patch quilt in the summer of 2019. It was for my disappearing 9-patch quilt along. You can still find all of the instructions and tips there if you want to make one too. I love, love this easy quilt pattern!
They call this a disappearing nine patch because you start by sewing together squares into a 9-patch block and then cut them apart to create a new block. I used a charm pack but I also cut many of the 5″ squares from scraps of Minick & Simpson fabric. My layout is very random and “patchworky”. I’m calling it my summer picnic quilt. Cooper is calling it his winter siesta quilt.
The quilting was done by my SIL who did a wonderful job (as usual). I love the simple geometric design and texture it provides.
I used my machine binding technique for a fast finish. It took me about two hours to sew front and back. I love the walking foot on my Babylock Crescendo for this. It keeps everything straight and flat.
My original disappearing 9-patch that I made for the quilt along is below. You can see the difference in design by how you rotate the blocks. This version is very controlled and you get a distinct pattern. The fabric is Mama’s Cottage by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics. It’s such a bright and happy quilt!
Winter vegetable garden
We always have a summer vegetable garden, and this year we decided to keep it going with some winter veggies. Here, in Northern California, the winters are mild and perfect for lettuces, root veggies and cruciferous vegetables along with many herbs.
Mr. Crafty Quilter built three raised beds soon after we moved into this house. In the photo below you can see rows of lettuce, beets, green onions, carrots, spinach and swiss chard. The top bed has parsley and arugula that have both gotten a little out of control.
My favorite thing in the garden is the Romanesco broccoli. I wanted to plant regular broccoli, but the nursery only had Romanesco, so that’s what I used. It is so beautiful and the taste is very delicate. More like cauliflower with a nuttiness to it. We just harvested our first head and I’m now a huge fan!
We also planted cauliflower and kale in the lower bed. These beds are in our front yard because that’s where the sun is best. We love watching neighbors walk by and lean in for a closer look! Cooper keeps them honest though. 😉
Now that I’m “mostly” vegetarian {and by that I mean I’ll eat fish once in a while and maybe some chicken on a rare occasion}, I’m really enjoying the home grown vegetables. Four months ago, I found out I have high blood pressure (as does my mom and all my siblings) so I thought it was time for a healthy change in diet and lifestyle. After watching the documentary Game Changers on Netflix and Knives over Forks, I gave up meat the very next day. I still eat dairy products, but I’m easing into this thing. I feel better and I’m definitely eating more vegetables than I used to. And I lost five pounds. Not much, but I only want to lose five more. Consistent exercise is my next goal.
That’s more than I usually share about my personal habits. I’m not trying to convert anyone, I just know that health is always a hot topic and I’m always interested in what works for other people. Maybe I’m secretly hoping that I’m not alone with these health challenges. I also think the planet would benefit, as well, if we focused on a more plant-based diet. Okay, enough said (for now).
Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful Friday and a heart-filled weekend!
