DISTRACTIONS

As I've mentioned here before, I'm easily distracted  : )  I should be finishing quilts, but I've got the knitting bug again and there just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all. Recently I finished off the little hat I was making for my soon to be grandson.  The little shoes were a thrift store find

My co-worker Barb brought me this lovely skein of yarn all the way from Amsterdam.  It was so nice to work with. I'm excited I've got lots left for something else

Quiltmania has been a favourite magazine for a very long time.  I managed to get my hands on the Spring 2015 issue and there is a quilt in there I am dying to make..........but not yet.  I did however start a different project from the issue

more english paper piecing

which led to this little sunflower.  My 'accordion' stem needs some work.......

Oh and then there's this

This is a quarter of a circle.  It took a while to piece, but I love how it came out.  Three more sections to go, then I will show you the whole thing.

Hope you get lots of sewing time  : )

*****Thanks so much for all the nice comments on my house quilt.  I'm really looking forward to the real finish : )  I've had a few people comment lately that I can't reply to.  I do try each time, but if there is no e-mail on your profile page, then I just can't find you.     : (

linking to work in progress Wednesday

LA ROSETTE

My first Rosette is finished and my fingers hate me  : )   The New Hexagon Millefiorie Quilt Along has exploded this past month to over 1600 hexie lovers signed up to stitch along, and over 1000 stitchers joining the Facebook page in about 2 1/2 weeks. Wow.

It's all so very fun!

This is the first and biggest rosette measuring 37" at the widest point.

I didn't think too much about colour until I got to the outer edge. I couldn't decide on what to put there until I found this teal dot in my stash. It seemed to work. I need to consider what block will be up against it and plan from there

The little corners lined up pretty good so I'm happy about that

I took myself out for a little retail therapy and came home with these pretties.

Indelible has been on my 'want' list for a long time.  The top piece is called 'Cherie'.  Love.

I'm hoping to be able to incorporate these into a rosette or two and I think I just might pull it off  : )

Instructions for Rosette #2 will be posted on the first of February.  Bring. It. On.

linking up with Cindy
and needle and thread thursday
Quiltstory

A NEW YEAR, A NEW PROJECT

What better time to start a fresh new project than a new year ? !  This is a project that will span this whole coming year and potentially use 10 meters of my stash  : )  It's a win win in my books.

This is a free quilt along hosted by Katja.  It's english paper piecing using her book The New Hexagon. You can read more about it here

First there was a fabric pull to get started

Then the basting began. These shapes allow for some fussy cutting, so I started with these colourful birds and will play off them

For the next round I'm adding more red for a real pop of colour

This is the first rosette and the biggest of them all. There are a lot more pieces to add so I best get busy : )   I'll post a picture when it's all together.  Are you joining in ?

Happy New English Paper Piecing Year everyone!

QUILTING WITH MY DAUGHTER

My daughter came to work with me yesterday.  In between customers, she wanted something to do.  I suggested she baste some hexagons. Keep in mind, she has watched me make these ever since she can remember.  She sort of turned her nose up, but agreed to give it a try.  After going through my fabrics and choosing a few, she got started.

  When it was done, she said " I LOVE this"! (happy dance)

Here's her first completed flower.

Just for fun, I cut some mini jellyrolls out of Pat Bravo's fabrics.

Delicious.   On payday, this will be coming home with me.  My daughter loves it too, so I think my stash is no longer safe.......


Here is week #3 of the hex-a-long and yes, she wants to make one too : )

I no longer need to worry what will happen to my stash after I am gone.  First though, I hope to enjoy many years of quilting with my daughter.

Have a fantastic day!

FARMERS WIFE UPDATE

I thought I'd show you my progress so far on the Farmers Wife Quilt.  Some weeks I don't do anything and other weeks I get a couple done.  18 so far---93 more to go : )

I am not sure about the layout yet, but I'm thinking probably on point.

Also, I got block 1 and 2 done of the Hexagon quilt-a-long. I think I am going to do extra hexie flower blocks to fill in between.  Might as well make it bigger.

A special congratulations goes out to Dawn, who gets a new grand baby on Wednesday! (I'm soooooo jealous)

Have a great day.

THE START

Yesterday my daughter had a dentist appointment.  I took along my hexagons so I could baste them while I waited.  Has anyone mentioned how portable these little darlings are?  I thread basted rather than glueing because I only had my lap to work on.  I think I like the way these fabrics will all look together.  I am playing with different layouts too.


Block 1

Block 2

I will finish this up today and then I will be caught up to everyone.  No two quilts will be alike so it's fun to see everyone's colour choices.

Oh! I almost forgot. I did #17 of my farmers wife quilt. This one was much easier than the last one. I didn't have to pick anything out : )

Have a happy quilty week-end.

WILLPOWER

Apparently, I have none.  Katja has started a Hexagon quilt-a-long through the shoppe. If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I think the hexagon is pretty much the most amazing shape ever. I was NOT going to sign up, because I already have a zillion projects on the go.  I told myself "you don't have time, or the energy, and you don't need another hexagon project."  But then this fabric came in.....

...and I already had this.  I caved.

  Just look how they go together!

 Rumour has it that Katja had said to someone, "Carla hasn't signed up ------ yet" : )
Do you think she knows me?  Maybe she had a little wager going? At any rate, I have my templates cut out and am ready to start.

I love the feel of the thread coming through the fabric while hand piecing.  I know, I have it bad. 

Following are a few pics of a similar quilt I did eons ago.  The papers are still in around the edges because it's not finished yet. The fabrics are very muted and romantic. My how times have changed.

I will probably set it with alternate blocks something like this to feature the "wrenly" fabric.

First though, is the little issue of 13 for dinner tonight. I better get off the computer and pretend I know what I'm having.

Happy Quilting!