Still, we have mounds of snow that has needed to be dealt with, in one way or another- We had our roof shoveled off on Saturday as it was causing some problems for us in the house.
Hopefully it will be better now that the roof is cleared but it is a challenge to get rid of the ice build up. Bruce found some lovely pink and white carnations to grace the table. Nothing like flowers to add color and life to the house.
On Saturday, I decided to get going on some quilt projects - I pulled out this Tesselating Pinwheels and counted out the block pieces that were already cut. I discovered that I had not cut enough of the black background to make a bedside quilt(a large twin) so I went upstairs to dig around for the black fabric. I was pleased to find another piece of the background. A little while later I had enough cut to make the blocks required.
Here are a few of the blocks made up - the colors are much richer than the photos show- I can't seem to get the light quite right for taking inside photos.You can also see the bag of block pieces waiting to be put together.
While I was upstairs looking for black, I pulled out some fabric to make some new baby clover leaf shaped wraps.
I cut three - all will have the green minkee inside them and different outside fabrics- the sock monkey, the Yellow Golden books and the Raggedy Anne and Andy fabric. I will put batting between the layers and quilt them on the machine and then bind them with bias made binding from the matching cotton fabrics.
Some friends and family members are having babies this spring so I need to get the baby quilts made soon.
My intentions were good but then I got distracted by some blog reading here: Naomi of Nome's bragalong blog posted this You tube link of Suzanne McNeill making this very cool block. ( I learned something new today- I figured out how to embed a You tube piece in my blog_ Wahoo!) Do visit Naomi's blog to check out her beautiful version of Suzanne's 10 minute block
After viewing the tutorial - I had to try it- so after a few tries of getting everything to be in the right direction( sometimes the seam ripper is one's best friend) I made these blocks. They are just test blocks out of charm squares. I still need to press them and I think I will fold them back like Suzanne suggests and make the cathedral window edges.They really are quite fast if you get them oriented correctly.Suzanne had some really nice ideas on the You tube tutorial.
I love the look of curved piecing- Perhaps this is the pattern for my sunflowers with dark black centers and sunflower fabrics.. Hmmmmm...
It was interesting to see the difference between the blocks that were all one color and the printed ones.
There are so many things to consider when you are choosing a quilt pattern.. Do you make your own? Use a commercial one and follow it exactly? Start with a pattern and change it to fit your ideas ? Do you add you own borders?
I sent off the parcels from my last giveaway and got word that one has already arrived. It is always nice to know that the post had safely delivered them to the new owners.
There are some interesting giveaways going on in blogland just now. Do go and check them out if you have the time:
Lila of Lila Tueller Designs is having a very nice giveaway- just because- She is giving away a layer cake and a fat quarter bundle of Riley Blake designs. She does beautiful fabrics and patterns - do go and visit her.
Linda from Stray Stitches is celebrating 400 followers. She is sharing some lovely fabrics - She is one generous lady and I know you will enjoy reading her posts.
There is also a blog hop going on that is being hosted by Moda bake shop and Stash books. Stash books is publishing a book with some Moda bake shop patterns in it. Each of the posts on the blog hop has a nice recipe to share. There is a chance to win a book and the grand prize of some great Moda fabrics. You need to enter all the designer's posts in order to be eligible for the grand prize.
If you have not heard of Moda Bake shop, you may enjoy checking out their blog to find some new patterns as well as gathering some great recipes.
January has been a difficult month for some of my blogging friends. My hope is that their loads are lessened. My thoughts are with those who are struggling with the floods in Australia ,and others, who are dealing with family illness. May the new month bring brighter days and new beginnings.
Until next time,
Be well - Warmest regards,
Anna
9 comments:
Mmmmmm carnations by favorite flower ,yes I will pick them over roses any day .
I tried that "10 minute block" a few weeks ago and when I get the time I plan to make a quilt out of them in the mean time it will be interesting to see yours .
The parcel hasn't arrived yet ,soon as it does I will let you know .
Our weather is finally warming up. Suppose to get to +1C on Thurs. with the possiblity of rain. We don't need rain, they are already forcasting major flooding this spring. It looks like you guys got lots of snow...we have too. Hugs
I liked the video...How did you embed it into your post?
Micki
what a jam packed post of interesting things
We are seeing a lot of ice build up on roofs around the neighborhood. Keeping a careful eye on ours.
I have started trying to keep a small bouquet of fresh flowers in the house all the time - the color is just perfect when everything outdoors is coated in white *s*
Great post Anna! Love the tesselating blocks. I made a tesselating quilt once that just about drove me crazy. I didn't have one background fabric, so the tesselating blocks had to have the colors of the surrounding blocks in them. You had to lay out all the pieces of the quilt before you could start sewing!
In regard to your question about changing up patterns---I tend to make the pattern as written as far as the mathematics go, but take a free hand with changing out colors and contrasts to get the look I want.
And here we are mid summer! We go back to school tomorrow, in 38 degrees C. Could you send a little snow over for us? :)
Thanks for the links to the give-aways! I love them :-D
that block looks like a lot of fun to try1 there are just so many things I want to do....wish I could find some bottled time to draw upon when needed! ;)
Post a Comment