Black and White

Normally, I use bright colors.  For this quilt, I took my inspiration from a black and white wedding invitation. As usual, it took me a long time to plan.  I toyed with many ideas, and by the way, did not choose one of them.  Based on the log cabin block, I did a bit of improvisation with an end result in mind.  Fortunately, my stash was filled with black and white fabrics.  Sizes ranged from a fat quarter to 3 yards.  I had quite a variety from which to work.  I started cutting strips into different widths and cut a variety of squares.  And then began piecing, sewing and trimming.  I organized my blocks into finished sizes of 7", 8" and 9" widths.  Random joining of blocks and then strips hanging on my design wall.

Hanging on the design wall

After much adjusting, adding, trimming and moving strips around, I arrived at a completed top.

 I pin basted using a tabletop technique (something I just learned), and quilted using white thread in a free motion loop pattern.

Dimensions 72" x 80"

And finally, I added a label.

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Linking up to Needle & Thread Thursday (My Quilt Infatuation) & Crazy Mom Quilts

Been Too Long

Wow, I can't believe a month has gone by since my last post.   What happened to October?  I feel like I blinked and missed it.  I have been keeping quite busy.  I will have everything posted by the end of the week but here's a sample of what I have been working on.

For Scrap-bee-licious, Cath of Wombat Quilts requested paper-pieced blocks in low volume fabrics.  Two challenges at once for me.  I have always been a bit fearful of paper piecing and I tend to purchase bright, colorful fabrics.  I searched the internet high and low for a pattern to tackle, something easy, and with large size sections.  I found Happiness in a Block from Quiltmaker.  I watched the video (great job, Shayla) and set out to make a test block.  It was awesome and I was hooked immediately.

1st Paper Pieced Block - EVER!

Mind you, I liked it so much, I decided to keep it and use the remaining fabric to make more blocks.  So a new fabric selection and a block was made for Cath.   I like this one also,  so I took the photo and quickly packaged it for mailing.

Happiness in a Block - For Cath

My 2nd paper pieced block!

I needed a second block and remembered that Amy Friend of During Quiet Time, had made a gorgeous quilt that is on the cover of a magazine.  Off to my magazine collection I went and there it was, American Quilter, September 2013.  Spinning Wheel Quilt.  

I looked through my collection of fabric and hoped for the best.  I love all the fabrics, not sure if the block is too busy, but I like it.  Oh, and on this block, I conquered the distaste of partial seams.   A big thanks to Cath for pushing me into things I shied away from. 

Spinning Wheel Block

I have much more to share, yet I am out of time.  

Thank you for stopping by!

Falling Behind

I'm a bit behind in everything these days.  I am keeping up with 2 bees - which I thought would be impossible and isn't.  The longest part of making the bee blocks is choosing the fabric.  So satisfying to have a finish.

The latest blocks are for Gwendellyn at The Rainbow Revolts.  She asked for the Scrappy Trip Along block.  I looked at her samples and then back at my scrap stash.  Hmmm.  My stash is so varied; go for bold, subdued or a combination.  I finally decided on keeping the two blocks similar within the same color palette. I loved making this block.  Quick, easy and a perfect block to practice the scant 1/4" seam.

I finally made the time to finish piecing all the curves for my Orange Peel quilt.  Lots and lots of pinning required.  Lots of seam ripping, pressing and re-doing.  Now that everything is a square, it will piece together quickly.  I'm very excited!  

Sadly, I have no other fabric cut for the long list ahead.  I ambitiously planned to keep up with Molli Sparkles Broken Herringbone Quilt-A-Long, and yet, I have tons of fabric and not one piece cut.  Like I said, I'm falling behind.  

I'm itching to get creative so off to the cutting mat I go!

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Small Steps

I was always hesitant to join a bee.  I couldn't imagine while reading quilting blogs, why quilters join more than one bee.  I didn't  know how one could commit so much time, or what I imagined would be an enormous amount of time, to making blocks to send off and exchange with others.  Now that I am part of two bees, I'm hooked!

I just complete blocks for Adrienne from Chezzetcook Quilts as part of the Global Scrap Bee. These were quite fun to make, especially since I love HSTs!  The block is the Patchwork Wheel from the tutorial by Don't Call Me Betsy.

I'm still practicing my photography skills. These photos could be much better - for instance, all the grey is the Kona Charcoal.  Taking photos indoors is tricky.  I was in a hurry to document so I could get these in the mail.  They are not "due" until the end of the month but I don't want to delay.

Reasons I am thrilled to be in two scrap bees:  using scraps, quick finishes, and connecting with other quilters/bloggers.  Also, some day I will receive blocks that others have made for me.  That is so exciting!


I have also joined the Molli Sparkles Broken Herringbone Quilt A Long,  better known as MSBHQAL.   I love this block and am quite excited to begin.  One thing was holding me back - fabric choices.  I didn't have enough!  So off to shop I went and returned with -

For the Broken Herringbone Blocks

AND.....

Just because....

So sweet!

Who doesn't love Peanuts?

Kona was on sale - such luscious colors

I couldn't pass up these odds and ends!

Now that I have all this new fabric, I better get to the cutting table.

Thanks for stopping by!

Delivered!

I worked until the last minute possible to get this quilt delivered to the party - it was still damp when I dropped it off.  The party organizer took all the pictures of the finished quilt - THANK YOU!!

 BASS LAKE QUILT

Due to time constraints, and being overwhelmed by the size, (102" x 102"), I chose straight line quilting with a decorative wave stitch where the blocks joined together, and joined with the border.  The two color binding was machine sewn.

The backing holds the signature blocks from the eight siblings who gave this quilt as a gift. As amazing as they are, I'm not including close-ups of these blocks as they are personal with family information.   I'm so happy that the everyone loved the quilt.

Here's a close up of the fabric:

I thought perhaps making so many HSTs would stop me from using them again.  No way.  I am already onto the next project, you guessed it, made from HSTs!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

The List

I'm sure many of you are like me - lots of lists.  I have more to-do lists than one person should write.  I have lists for reading, work, the house, projects and of course, quilting - and I am sure that's not all.

Happily,  I can say that I can check off 2 projects!

First Check:  I completed my first bee swap blocks for Scap-bee-licioius (my first bee ever!).  Our first Queen is Ashley from Wasn't Quilt in A Day.

• August: Ashley @ Wasn’t Quilt in a Day
• September: Gwendellyn @ The Rainbow Revolts
• October: Cath @ Wombat Quilts
• November: Alyce @ Wonderland by Alyce
• December: Nicole @  Modern Handcraft
• January: Rachel @ Let’s Begin Sewing
• February: Nanette @  Yeah, I Made That
• March: Liz @ beadqueene’s bits and baubles
• April: Robin Sue @  RobinSue Quilts 
• May: Stephanie H @ Simple Sewendipity
• June: Stephanie A @ Quarter Incher
• July: Michelle @ Factotum of Arts
• August: Laura @ Little and Lots

 I am glad Ashley chose a block I had never made - Converging Corners.  The tutorial from Ashley @ Film in the Fridge was super easy to follow!

I like them so much I plan on doing this pattern for myself - so easy, fun and scrap friendly!



Second Check:   I completed the Red, White & Blue quilt - you'll have to wait for the photos.  I was working until the last minute the recipient was to receive it at a birthday party. I managed to deliver it just in time, a bit damp but clean.   No time for photos, but the party organizer said she will take photos for me and I will post them ASAP.


Where does this leave me with the list?  I am ready to make my block for The Global Scrap Bee hosted by Adrienne from Chezzetcook Modern Quilts, begin my Scrappy Trip Along block for Gwendellyn from The Rainbow Revolts, cut fabric for at least two more quilts and sew blocks for my Orange Peel quilt that I cut at the beginning of summer.   And the list?  It didn't get smaller.  While I was checking off the two projects, I thought of at least three more I want to do!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fabric Polaroid Swap

After the Blog Hop,  I joined several events - the first is the Fabric Polaroid Swap hosted by Kris at Duke Says Sew What.  This is my first event where I actually send my work to another person.  Can I tell you how nervous I am?  I measured at least three times for each cut, pinned, and sewed slowly, hoping to show my best work.  Three sides were only 1" - I checked and double checked the needle placement multiple times, and measured seams after they were sewn.

Fabric Polaroids

The instructions were to make no more than two of the same fabric.  I chose as many fabrics as I thought would look good as "snapshots" and only duplicated 3.   Well, truth be told, I made myself a complete set to mingle with the the ones I will receive.

I am sending them off in the mail tomorrow - Phew!   I'll be looking forward to receiving the "polaroids" from the other swappers.

Thanks for stopping by.