Tuesday, July 15, 2014

summer sewing

With the arrival of summer there is a whole new pace to life.  Still busy - but different.  The kids and I went on a road trip to visit my parents in Kelowna and my sister in Vancouver. We had a great time but not a lot of stitching happened.
This week the kids are all busy with various camps and activities and I have 4 1/2 days to myself. I will savor them as they are the last until school starts again.  My Circle Game friend had time to come over today and we worked on a new block.  
 Starting at 10:00 and finishing up at 3:00 (with a break for lunch) I managed to complete this one block.  This project is very slow and fiddly!  However,  I have to say I am loving the challenge.  I am  disappointed with the fabric I chose to frame the octagon.  You have to look hard to see the little slivers of fabric going around in a circle.  I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to get neat points so I choose a busy fabric with low contrast on purpose but now it practically disappears.  Oh well...  I am so not redoing it  :0)
 Three blocks together gives me an even better idea of how this quilt will look.  Still a long way to go with this project.
 I made the last 6 inch block that I liked from this book.  I thought I'd see if the library had any more books like it so I could keep going with this project.
And, I found this book - also by Judy Hopkins.  This book has tons of great 6 inch blocks in it.  The one drawback is that unlike the other book there are templates for at least one of the shapes in almost every block.  At least they are mostly rotary cut and the variety is wonderful.  I have a feeling that this will be a big quilt after all...
This is what my flower garden looked like when I arrived home from our road trip.  It's a bit of a tangle but I am SO pleased with the foxgloves.  They are my favorite flower :0)

Happy Quilting!!

14 comments:

Dorothy said...

The foxgloves are wonderful as are your blocks. I like the Judy Hopkins books with the multible sizes.

Emma said...

Wow, you got that post up fast!

I love all three blocks together. They're looking wonderful.

antique quilter said...

love that block, well worth the time.
your right the foxgloves are beautiful flowers.
Kathie

Kyle said...

Your block is fantastic and I'm starting to see a secondary pattern with them laid side by side. Love your foxgloves. Mine always use to fall over.

Jan said...

Those circle blocks look so challenging! But very satisfying as you finish them, I'm guessing.
Your foxgloves are swoon-worthy. Who would even notice the 'tangle' with those towering above? Sooo pretty!

Nana said...

The circle blocks are beautiful and I am sure the challenge is large. The foxgloves are beautifully cheerful.

Every Stitch said...

Perfect piecing on a very fiddly block! Always great to have a friend over to quilt.Your foxgloves look wonderful - I plant them in my garden too but they seem to only be an annual here and sometimes die away altogether without flowering :(

Cheri said...

The foxgloves are so pretty, I would be so tempted to cut them and bring them indoors :). Your circle blocks continue to amaze me. Nice and steady accomplishments on these complicated blocks.

audrey said...

I love your circle game blocks--absolutely wonderful work!

Karen said...

The circle blocks looks like it would be difficult to stitch. Your block looks oh so good.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Wow--the Circle Game blocks are awesome! Love the blocks and the fabrics you are using. I can't seem to get foxglove to grow for me--yours are so pretty--I may have to give them a go again next year....

Kindred Quilts said...

Your circle blocks are really amazing... I'm lovin' the fabrics you are using for these!
Lovin' those foxgloves, too!

Lori said...

Happy summer! great projects, beautiful flowers!

Carrie P. said...

WOW! your red and blue blocks are just fabulous!
Lovin' your little blocks too.
I would love to grow foxgloves but I think it might get too hot down here. I haven't ever seen them growing in this area.