Tuesday, March 29, 2016

a bit of this and that

March has been a busy month!  I don't have a lot to show for myself but I have been sewing - a little bit every day.  
I've been trying to focus on this last border for my Bird of Paradise quilt.  It's almost finished.  I was very pleased to applique the last of the squirrel/bird feet!  I'm going to stay clear of projects with feet like this in the future :0)
 
I've been sewing along with the Thimblecreek mystery quilt this year.  The blocks today are so much fun - little beach balls :0)  Three more to go.
 Here are the rest of my blocks.  I'm mixing in some Dutch chintz fabrics - I love sewing with them.  I've been sewing them with my Featherweight machine. I had a problems with my main sewing machine for a few weeks (happily it was fairly easily resolved with a new foot pedal) but in the meantime, I had pulled out my Featherweight.  I am rediscovering how fun it is to sew with.
 I also was rummaging through my ufo bin and found a handful of these leader/ender blocks.  I've been working on them again and enjoyed playing around with them this weekend.  I'm not sure what they will become.  They sure are good way to use up little scraps but a distraction from other sewing...
 I hope to have something more exciting to show for myself next time.  Until then -
 
Happy Quilting!!

17 comments:

Gayle said...

Wow - you've been busy! I admired those beach ball blocks in my email this morning - looks like a really fun one! Your whole project looks lovely! Those squirrel feet look difficult but you did a great job on them. Your leader ender project looks great - I plan on cutting fabrics for a leader ender quilt on Sunday - have never done one before so I'm hoping I like it!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Love your little squirrel--those little feet look like a challenge! All your ThimbleCreek mystery blocks look great together--very pretty!

Kyle said...

Your border is awesome. So much to applique on each border. It's going to be a masterpiece. I love how you've used the Dutch chintz fabric into the mystery blocks. They add such detail and complexity to the blocks. I can't believe you have one block done already. Good for you. And all those little squares. I can see where they would be additive.

Maker Joy said...

The squirrel is adorable. I think your next quilt should be squirrel focused. :)

The 20-patches would make a really interesting background for some high contrast applique....

Cath said...

Oh I know just what you mean!!! I have a needle turn applique featuring reindeer antlers....EEEEEEK! I love the postage stamp quilt you are making with your leaders and enders.....very pretty!

Every Stitch said...

Nice work Janet and lovely to see the chintz mixed in there! I know just what you mean about the squirrel feet - I remember them well from my CWB! I also remember making them a bit fatter than they should have been Lol :)

Phyllis said...

Such a beautiful border, love the squirrel. And aren't Featherweights just the most wonderful and trustworthy machines? Am sewing on mine now, a scrap quilt, love the sound and the stitches.

Nancy said...

Great job with those squirrel feet, those sure are tiny toes. You have had a very busy month with all these great projects.

audrey said...

Every time I do applique with the teeny tiny bits, I think 'never again'! Your border is looking wonderful though! It will be so worth it later.:) Good that you had a backup machine when having problems with the other!

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Yes, those squirrel feet do look tricky, but you did a wonderful job! I love the scrap quilt. Always a favorite with me!

Cheri said...

Great projects Janet and nice variety. Those bird feet on CWB were a pill, I switched to ultra suede for little bird bills and feet and even that was hard to stitch through but worth it all in the end.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

That squirrel looks very life like--great job

helen said...

Hello Janet! I just found your blog and saw also your circle quilt blocks.
I love the colors you chose and it made me order the pattern book!
I never would have been drawn to this quilt in the original colors.
So, thank you! :))
Best wishes!

Barb said...

More exciting? How? I loved this post. Congrats on finishing the feet. They look great.
your beach balls are so cute!
great leaders and enders too - wow

Lori said...

I'd say this is all pretty exciting stuff right now! What size do the little squares finish in the last qult?
Your squirrel is so cute!! Worth all the work, I'd say.
Love the fabric and colors in your sampler quilt. Super cute!

Karen said...

If you have feet like that again, just round the area off.

Judith said...

I noticed the dutch chintz fabric right away. They sure are gorgeous and do blend with reproductionfabrics and modern fabrics very Well. Love your border and squirle feet! Well done.