Friday, January 31, 2014

FRIENDSHIP X AND + BLOCKS

It's the last Friday of the month which means it's time to post my blocks for Cindy in the Friendship X and + swap. The other day it did this--



so I made these


and here are all our blocks so far ( my daughters' socks happened to match! )


We are nearly half way there.
Just incase I start to run low, I picked up a few 'scraps' from work   : )



Have a fabulous week end everyone.

more x and plus goodness at Susan's and Carla's

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

100 MODERN BLOCKS --AGAIN

At long last, I got re-aquainted with my 100 Modern Quilt blocks by Tula Pink. If I just did two blocks a week I could have this thing done this year!  I guess that's a goal I will keep in mind.

block 7


block 8


block 9


Some finished quilts are starting to pop up on-line and they are gorgeous!

I finished my hat too.





Not a great picture--but it's done!

Have a great day  : )

Saturday, January 25, 2014

SATURDAY SNAPSHOTS

This week has been all about making my swap blocks. January is nearly over and I still have four blocks yet to make.

Linda, one of the Mid Century Modern gals lost her house to a fire late last year. She asked us for a house block. She really likes  Tallavera and Mexican pottery with it's bright bold colours. I googled Mexican houses and my inspiration came from this one


First came the fabric pull



I played around with an arched door


and then some windows and shutters. It's hard to fit it all in to a 12 inch block


I thought this fabric worked for a pea gravel driveway

After that, I went for a second block with a more traditional look but still the bright colours. The pattern for this is from 'Bee in my Bonnet' and is in Quiltmakers 100 blocks magazine.


A bit of top stitching to do and these will be in the mail shortly  : )



for the Bee Purposeful group we had to make a yellow and grey block and send extra fabrics to be included in the quilt. Done!


I am off to work.
Enjoy your week end

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

99 CUTE LITTLE BLOCKS ON THE WALL...

99 cute little blocks,


If one of those blocks should happen to fall,



98 cute little blocks on the waaaaaall.

I apologize in advance if that song gets stuck in your head today  : )

I think this is the random arrangement I'm going with. These have been so fun I almost hate to quit making them



linking up with Quilt Story

Sunday, January 19, 2014

WOOL ON SUNDAYS

A couple of weeks ago, I came across this little linky party over at Rainbow Hare.  It's called Wool on Sundays . Since I am a knitter as well as a quilter, I thought I would try to remember to link up some of my knitting projects.  After finding the awesome wool shop on my recent road trip, I am all inspired to get busy again.

This. Poor. Sock. It's been waiting to be cast off forever. I think I started this two years ago?  Norma probably remembers when I started this. Hi Norma !


I love knitting socks, but the cast off usually gives me trouble. I think I found some help. I am following along on a sock knit along at Knitting Sarah 

Janie's sweater is nearly done.  Just one more front to knit



I love this little edging.


One of the patterns I picked up. This one is for me



I found another button. These are made right here in Kamloops.  Soooooo pretty


2 Good Claymates make buttons and jewelry. Katja's carries some of them

A few weeks back one of my boys was shopping with a friend. She found a hat she really liked and my son said "My Mom could make you that".  (bless his heart)



I certainly hope she appreciates his ability to deliver : /

Have I got you running for your needles?

Thursday, January 16, 2014

RANDOM THURSDAY AND A WINNER

Today's post is a little of this and that. We were away for a few days so I haven't sewn much but I have shopped  : )

While in Victoria, I came upon the most amazing wool shop. The building alone was enough to start me drooling. It's been there forever. Bricks, inside and out. Sorry about the glare. I think their windows are cleaner than mine........


Once inside, I was in awe.  Samples were everywhere and the patterns were within arms reach. I bought several. Also a couple of books came home with me.


This book is by two women who live on Vancouver Island. I bought their first book and it is lovely too. The buttons? Handmade by a fellow in Nanaimo. I wish I had these before Christmas for the hats I knit. The bottom one is Burl, and the top is Yellow Cedar.


I'm hoping if I knit that wee sweater on the front of this book, I'll get a grandson to fill it    : )


I'm still having fun with these economy blocks.  I'm up to 56 blocks now. Still, there are several scrap baskets to go through to find more little prints.



I picked up these to go in it. I couldn't help myself!


Also, this little pile was sitting on a cutting table in a shop. I couldn't leave it there could I ?


Thanks to everyone who entered the give-away. There were several 'no-reply' commenters. If you commented through Google+ I can't reply for some reason. Anyway, the winner of the fat quarters and booklet is...................

Karen McIsaac

Congratulations Karen. I have sent you an e-mail .

linking up with Cindy

Sunday, January 12, 2014

GIVEAWAY-HOT OFF THE PRESS

GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED

These little booklets by Moda came into the shop where I work, and Katja offered to give one away to one of you readers. The patterns are jellyroll friendly and easy to piece. The booklet includes patterns for the whole Alphabet as well as several blocks so you can create a quilt measuring 59 x 68. To sweeten the pot a bit I've added some fat quarters of Chantilly by Lauren and Jessi Jung for Moda. Sooooo pretty.



Just to give you a little inspiration, here are a few things I've made using letters:

 The Love quilt


My word for a donation quilt


A baby quilt for Memphis


So if you think you might like to 'Spell it with Fabric' just leave a (one) comment on this post and I will choose a winner later in the week.
******please make sure I can contact you.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

THE PROCESS

The latest craze to pop up on the blogosphere is the economy block. They are fast, fun and a great use of the little novelty prints we have tucked away.  It starts with fabric selection.


This pile was all in that orange basket there behind.  I dug through and started pulling out pieces I thought would work.


Fabrics by Aneela Hoey are just perfect for these blocks. We still have a bit left in the sale area at work. If Gloria doesn't beat me to it, I might get more          : )




Slowly but surely they are taking over my design wall.  I don't think the scraps will fit back in the basket so I guess I'll keep going. 


linking up with WIP wednesday



Saturday, January 4, 2014

YOUR BLOCKS ARE IN THE MAIL

One thing's for sure----I'm never bored. There are always bee blocks to be sewn. These blocks are for December and are currently winging their way to their rightful destinations.

Mary asked for vintage looking blocks with a low volume background. She specified 30's prints and I just happened to have a few


Sheila asked for a Snowflake block.
 Oh. My. Word.

Some strip piecing,


then slicing,


then sewing back together to make this,


that's as close as I'm letting you get.  Sheila said the block is 10 x 12 ish. That's exactly what mine turned out--ish


far from perfect, but done!

These are the flying geese that are coming to my house for a charity quilt. My sewing room felt 10 degrees warmer when I put these up on the wall


and for the Humility group I made star blocks. Sandra asked for beach colours. I think they look great in the sparkling sand  snow.


After all that, I wanted some easy piecing where I didn't have to think too much and made a few economy blocks that I've seen popping up on line. This is a good use of little scraps that I think will be a fun baby quilt.



...........glad you think so dear. Dinner may be late  : )