This week’s Project Quilting challenge is to make a quilt out of charm squares. I had a pack of 5″ squares from moda called Spring House. I thought it’d make a cute baby quilt. So I started by cutting all of the pieces at the same spot. This was done in groups of five so my rotary cutter would go through the layers. I used a piece that was already cut as the template for where to cut the next sets. I mixed the fabrics up and sewed ’em back together then made a second cut. And again.
I squared the blocks up and laid ’em out. Well, this certainly won’t make a baby quilt. It’s too small. There were some leftover charms so I cut ’em in half and sewed them into a long line. My art told me it wanted to be a springtime table runner. Sounded good to me so I went with it. 🙂

The chop and sew blocks became rows which alternated with the half-charm bricks. I was also working on a pansy-center log cabin quilt.

So what’s with the name, “Lemonade Mode”? Making lemonade when life hands you lemons is all about problem solving. Even more than that, it’s focusing on solutions rather than on problems.

I’ve been in lemonade mode recently and it’s helped reduce my anxiety and increase productivity. While I deal with some health issues I’m feeling fatigued. Instead of overextending myself I’m prioritizing and getting more efficient. My husband and I take turns cooking and make sure to plan for leftovers. I save up errands and do them all at once. (No driving across town just to do it again tomorrow!) I multi-task when quilting. Chain-piecing is great for this. My appointments are in the afternoon when I have the most energy. I read and write at night.

What problems have you solved / can you solve by switching to lemonade mode?