2 more circle blocks

I made two more circle blocks from the Circle Game quilt pattern by Jen Kingwell.  I was worried this first one would be really hard but it was not too bad.  

 The second one, we found the pattern templates in the pattern were not perfect diamonds. Unfortunately we discovered this after I pieced my block so it has issues around the edges ...  I'm not afraid of a little fudging however so I will leave it for now.

Learning, learning, always learning!
Happy Quilting!!

cheddar posies top finished!

With the start of a new year I have been itching to start something new. My sewing table is piled with sketches, magazines and pulled fabrics but since I am having troubles with indecision it seemed like a good time to finish something already in the works.

This quilt I have been calling Cheddar Posies.  It is for  DD#1 so the colors and pattern were her choice. The pattern is called RosyPosies from the May/June 2011 Quiltmaker magazine. 



The blocks were all made and the center 18 blocks were together already so really just the borders needed to go together.  My quilts often get stuck at this point.  It took a surprisingly long time to finish it up.



Of course now it is ready to be basted for machine quilting.  Also not my favorite part... DD#1 is eager to be sleeping under this so she will keep me moving on it :0)
Now maybe I can start piecing something new!
Happy Quilting!!

another block

I've been working away on all the usual projects so I don't have much new to share.  I did get together with my friend to work on our circle blocks. This block was interesting to put together.  I still have to applique the circle in the center but I'm going to wait until the outer edge gets sewn into a square so I don't stretch it as there is so much bias and I'm afraid to handle it too much.  

 I also received an exciting little package in the mail all the way from Australia!!  I won a giveaway over on Meredithe's blog Pomegranate and Chintz. 

 

I haven't done much hand piecing before. I think it will be fun to try out these templates and make some flying geese.  There are templates for 2 sizes.  I should probably try making some larger ones first? 

Happy Stitching!!

Something new for a New Year



After a title like that you are probably looking for an exciting new project  :0)  So far I haven't started anything new but I've sure been thinking about it!

What's new is a new kind of leaf on Panel #9 of the Susan McCord Vine quilt.  I was a bit surprised to see this - I wasn't expecting anything new in panel 9 but here is a pieced leaf with a pre-seamed strip in the middle of it.



 As you can see my first attempt at making it did not go very well.  It reminded me of when I used to do more paper piecing and once in a while I would find a pre-seamed piece had to be made.  I always thought it was bit like trying to do something upsidedown and backwards at the same time.  This wasn't quite that bad  :0)

 That Susan McCord sure wanted to make use of every tiny bit of fabric she could! I made good progress on this panel over Christmas as there is always lots of visiting and driving time when I can pull it out and work on it.

When we got home from all our travels this little star quilt was waiting for some attention.  It is based on the Temecula Quilt Co. Countdown to Christmas quilt. I had decided to not make the full quilt so I had to figure out what to do with the pieces I made. 

This is the result so far.  It isn't a very well thought out layout but my stars turned out a bit wonky and I just wanted it done. I will add a small plain border and machine quilt it up.  If this hits the ufo bin it may never emerge...  I still like those tiny little stars so I want to finish it even if it is wonky.

I hope your 2014 is filled with many hours of happy stitching!
Happy Quilting!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  The day we celebrate God's greatest gift to us.  The much smaller gifts at our house have all been unwrapped and I think everyone is well pleased.  The busy part of December is past and now I can relax and enjoy my family and get back to my regular sewing projects.

We spent a couple days at my parents where I noticed this card made by my aunt. Very pretty stitching!

 Most of my Christmas sewing was to make doll dresses for each of my daughters. They love these dolls.  It was very difficult to keep it a secret so their surprised delight was very rewarding.  It was fun choosing trims and fabrics for something different.

 I also made some potholders for DH's mom.  These had to be finished quickly so I tried something new - I sewed the binding onto the back and topstitched it down on the front with the machine.  The results were ok.  I was very pleased that it went so fast as I was crunched for time.

I was spoiled with roses for my birthday and  2 weeks later the white ones are still beautiful.  Outside there are piles of snow everywhere so it is lovely to have these inside.

Happy Stitching!

circle quilt update

I thought I'd post an update on my Circle Quilt blocks.  My friend and I have been getting together to work on them. Here are my first 4 blocks.  

 We worked on the double wedding ring block last night.  It was definitely out of my comfort zone.

My friend has been so patient with me. She puts up with much whining and complaining about the difficulty.  I could NOT be making these blocks without her!

 Here are both of our blocks.  Hers looks so calm and organized. Mine looks a bit wild and disorganized.  This could be a reflection of our personalities...  :0)

And a photo of the other blocks we have worked on. These will be 2 very different quilts when they are done.  It is good to be learning some new piecing skills and fun to be working on such a challenging project with a friend.

Happy Quilting!!

a gift made

I took the last stitch in the binding of this little gift quilt last night. I still need to get it in the mail but I think it can still be called an early Dec gift.

 What a fun little project this was. The pattern is called A Delightful Pairing by Kim Diehl in the Dec issue of AP&Q.  I haven't got the next issue yet so I think I got it made in under a month -must be a record for me :0)

 It warmed up to -16 degrees Celsius today ( in Fahrenheit that's 3 degrees) and the sun came out so I thought I would pop outside for a couple quick pictures.  They were quick!

I love the texture of hand applique once its been quilted around by hand. I'm so glad the sun came out today.  We've had blizzard conditions the last couple days.  Somehow the cold is more tolerable when the sun is shining.
Now I just need to get the rest of my Christmas sewing done...  :0)

Happy Quilting!