circle progress



Temptation just lurks all over blogland to start something new.  I've been distracting myself by working on as many current projects as possible. I've nearly finished my applique border. I have made it to the final border with my large handquilting project and I pulled out these circle blocks to put some more surrounds on.  I have 6 blocks finished so far. I love the secondary design created when they come together.

There are16 blocks in this Circle Game quilt so I need to not lose focus! 



 I did decide enough is enough with these 6 inch blocks.  I think if I make one more block I can put it together as a lap-sized quilt.  The blocks were so fun to make- endless variety and it was great to play with my scraps but its not really the kind of quilt I fall in love with.  I'd rather put the sewing time into making a quilt I really love.

Then there was this little experiment.  I enjoyed cutting and putting this little table topper together but ahhhh!  It doesn't lie flat.  Should I take it apart and try to fix it?  Keep going and hope it will quilt out? Or, abandon it as little distraction that didn't work out? It is my personality to just keep going and see how it goes.  What do you suggest?  :0) 

Happy Quilting!!

some exciting new fabric

I had some exciting guests for lunch today.  My Mom's cousin and her husband came to visit all the way from the Netherlands.  And just look at what they brought for me - Dutch Chintz!!

 I am just thrilled.  The colors are gorgeous and I want to start working them into all of my projects!

 Even the writing on it I like  :0)  I feel like this is a tangible link to my Dutch Heritage - just like the fabric selvage says.  I can't wait to start sewing with it!

 I have been doing some stitching.  At my guild meeting last night I started a small project using a charm pack of French General fabric - Rue Indienne.  I should have the little top together in the next day or so. I don't really like using charm packs.  I don't like having to line up pinked edges and sew an accurate 1/4 inch seam.  I also always wash my fabric before I use it and this time I couldn't because I needed the full 5 inches of width to cut the diamonds.  Somehow though - I can't seem to stop buying them - lol

I also have been progressing on my Bird of Paradise top border.  I'm starting to think about the side borders.  I think I will draw them first before starting to stitch.  Winging it has been fun but I think I'm done now as I try to get the second side to balance with the first :0) I'm pretty sure the original quilt's top border was done by "winging it" :0)

Happy Quilting!

when is enough enough?

I enjoyed making a few more 6 inch blocks in the last couple of weeks.  

 I thought I'd lay them out together for a picture since the "design floor" was available.  (the toys that often cover this space were cleaned up)

 I have 58 blocks made (only 56 in this layout)  I don't know how I will set them and I don't know how many more I will make.  I do know there will be more :0)  When is enough - enough? 

We definitely had enough of this white stuff fall this week.  We had 35 centimetres over 3 days.  Heavy and wet it caused a lot of damage to our trees and garden.  DD#3 didn't let that stop her from enjoying it.  It should melt tomorrow and hopefully stay away for a few more weeks so we can have fall.
Happy Quilting!!

progress anda fab surprise

I have made good progress on my Quilt patis star project this summer.  I love that now when I fold it up it looks like it could even be a completed top :0)

 

 Not quite though...  I thought I would make it 10 stars wide in this length.  Now I'm not sure that will be wide enough.  I plan to put a fairly wide border of some kind on it.  It maybe a couple more years in the making.  Its such a great portable project.

 I  am the very, very happy winner of Dawn's giveaway on her blog Collector with a Needle.

I was watching for the book in the mail and then when it arrived the package had all this great fabric inside with it.  I was thrilled.  The book is very interesting and it has some great quilts in it.

This one is my favorite.  I'd never seen a Princess Feather quite like this one before.  I love the border on it too - happy and a little bit wonky around the corners.  I would love to start a new applique project inspired by this quilt!!  But, I will resist the temptation and keep working on the 2 current ones until I have a finished top.  Dawn's name appears in the book on the Acknowledgements page.  I feel like I've "met" someone famous :0)

Happy Quilting!!