I know it's very early...but

Well yes I know that it very early but seeing that I am so slow at sewing and getting anything finished these days, I decided to get some stockings for Christmas done as soon as possible.

And yes it was nice to do a little project rather than thinking and planning time for a quilt to be made.

I'm not a big fan of Christmas fabric but when Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting got this fabric in, I knew what I would use the fabric for and grabbed it with delight.

I did look around for some free tutorials for stockings but I ended up buying a pattern from Etsy.

although it was only pittance, it wasn't a great pattern and I did get frustrated with it and thought it  really wasn't written well at all.  (it didn't even have a list of fabric and supplies that are needed for that project.) but what attracted me to the pattern was the curly feet in the stocking so I kept with it and finished them over the week. 

There was only a few photos on IG of my progress, I find it difficult these days to be organised to have the camera out ready to show progress.

And yes you may be asking why there are two stockings made...well this little one will have first choice.... 

The other is for our next arrival...

 I am getting my hand sewing projects organised already.

Happy Sewing

Erin

Log cabins

I got a Jelly Roll in the mail one day after an  order went missing in the mail....I don't really buy jelly rolls but I thought it was probably the best time to try a basic Log cabin block.

Now again, I know some of you are saying 'um Erin we have seen these before,, didn't we?'  and 'Gosh do you not have anything new to show us?'  Well I'm sorry I don't but there were a good few quilts tops that needed to be finished as they are taking up too much precious room.  (Cora is really making her mark in the house)  I even had the binding done, why did it take me so long, I do not know.

So last week,  I pulled the backing out (after a trip to Ikea that day) and before I know it I had it on the machine and began to quilt it.  So each night when Cora went down to sleep I turned on the machine and got a bit more done, and with a little bit of handsewing the following nights, bit by bit I had it finished.

No real love for this quilt, and  think next time I will use log cabins I will try the wobbly look.

Its such a good feeling to get something crossed off the list.

But no rest, I have another ready to be tackled next week.

Another Swap

I signed up for The Big Stitch Swap that Sarah at Fairyface Designs and Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting had organised.

As usual time has flown by and I haven't even written a post that I had joined.  (Sorry mystery partner) but I did get my mosaic up as soon as I could.

Now really I do not know why I joined up.  I don't like hand stitching at all. I don't even have time to get my bee blocks done let alone a swap, but I always find that I am thinking that I am going to miss out on something.  Sucker!

I had spotted something on my secret partners mosaic that I really liked and thought that I would try, so I bought the pattern and I stalled even starting it.  Maybe I stalled for a reason but I then saw another two doing the same pattern so I went back to the drawing board.

I had decided to make a tote for my partner but I needed to practise so out came some cardboard and I played around with a few ideas.  French knots are not my forte and I did try but I had to go back to just simple stitching.

Yes she doesn't like being left out of a photo.

In return my secret sender packed this little parcel up and it landed at my doorstep about a week ago.

I lovely canvas bag of her own pattern (which is what I like to see) and as my other bag from a swap has outgrown my bundles of wool and all the knitting needles I have accumulated in the past year.

And a little treat.  Thanks again Kirsti.  The bag has been filled already with my little knitting projects that I have to do are in the bag and awaiting my return.

Catching up on Bee blocks

Over the past month I have started some new projects (before others have been finished.) but have been very conscious that I needed to get back on track on making the bee blocks for the Irish Modern Bee.

Myself, I really do not mind when my blocks come in...I still have last years blocks sitting in my sewing room wondering when I will get to them. but I don't have the same relaxed attitude as my other bee ladies and know that they may be waiting with hesitation to start their own quilt top, so I got cracking on them.

May, June,  July, August, September.

One block to finish for Anna.

May off the list

Two blocks for Irina

June off the list.

Eight blocks for Fiona R

Yes there were 8 in the envelope

July off the list

Two blocks for Fiona L

August off the list

And four blocks for Helen

September off the list

Great now I am back on track.

Chevron rainbow quilt

Many moons ago I bought a charm pack from Karen at Blueberry Park.

I fell in love with the bright contrasting colours and that splash of grey that Karen has used with her fabulous designs.

I did  know that I would use the charm pack (and not just sit in my stash to make it look pretty) but I would have to admit that it took me a little while to decide what I was going to make from the pack. 

I do think it was in the wee early hours of the morning that I made my decision...a chevron quilt.

I used Kona Ash and Kona white with the charm pack to make up the top, 

HST's seem to be my thing...I can't seem to get past them when I think of making a quilt top.

The quilt top didn't really take long to make but then it sat for a long long time...as a little girl arrived and took up a lot of my time.

This is where I stalled again.  I sometimes know exactly how to quilt the top before I even start a quilt and other times I ponder.  This was one of those times...I just couldn't decide if I would FMQ or just do some straight lines.  

But a few months ago somehow there seemed to be a bit of time in the day to get the machine out again and it just came to me.  I sat down at the machine and I began to to quilt.

I know it would not be to every one's taste but as it was a little quilt..( 24 "x 32") I thought I would try something different.

Again it sat on my sewing table for another few months as now I couldn't decide on the binding colour.  I knew I wanted a solid but what colour....in the end I went for Kona Navy, and I was glad I did.

Ikea print on the back...nicely priced for backing fabric.

And there you are, finally a quilt finished.  What to do with it, I do not know but happy there is another WIP finished and off my sewing table.

Thanks Karen for such a lovely inspiring charm pack, I will be retuning for another soon.

Happy Sewing,

Erin

Getting my bee hive to work.

May already.....did I really put my name down to be Queen Bee for The Modern Irish Bee for May thinking that I would be organised enough to be ready at the start of the month?

Last year I made some  Road to Tennessee blocks for Jan at Isisjem for the Bee a Brit Stingy group.

I fell in love with Jan's quilt and told myself that I need to put this down as a great quilt that would use up all my scraps, (or everyone elses)

So this is it.  I want a quilt just like that.  Jan used a Tutorial that Sarah @ Sew Me.  has written.  I found it easy to follow then and want to return to it again for my quilt.

For each 12 1/2 " finished block you will need......

 32  x  2" squared blocks of Kona White
I have also put in a few Kona Ash to replace some of the white blocks.  If you want to do this you are more than welcome, but I would only like a splash of the ash.  I am not bothered where the ash is when you sew your little blocks up.

16 x 3 1/2"  of lovely bright colours using modern fabric. As Jan said to us, think of summer,  Aqua, yellows, oranges, reds, pinks. You can put in dark purple, navy blue but not too much please.  I am not keen on fabrics for this quilt that have lots of black and brown or dark green.  Batiks are not a favourite of mine, and I don't want obvious children's prints in it either.  (sorry for being so fussy)

I am looking for two 12 1/2 " blocks please.

Like Sarah has mentioned in her tutorial you will need to draw a line down the 2" blocks, it makes life a lot easier and the blocks will come together better.

What is great about this block is the chain sewing.  It really does come together really quickly once you have dome all the cutting.

You can find the thread that I use at a great price at Threads and sew more (did you like that Fiona)

Once you have made your little blocks it is time to put them together. 

Follow Sarah's tutorial and please, please, please use a SCANT seam.

My blocks came out just over 12 1/2" 

Don't worry if yours do too.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with and getting all these little parcels in the mail.

Happy Sewing

Erin

Progress

I'm slowly making progress on my Medallion quilt.

I finally chose which block for the centre and some fabric.

My little bits of fabric were cut and are together.
It was looking bright already.

 

I was happy how the circular blocks turned out but they were very fiddly and took a long time to prepare (freezer paper and bond a web)

The little yellow curve blocks are only an inch wide and when I tried to sew the orange blocks, I gave up after the first one  and pulled out the bond a web again.

 

 

 I was so impressed with Cindy's block and how good it looked when it was set with triangles that I wanted to give it a try with mine.  The centre block was only 12" and was a bit small, I needed to bump it up to 15" or more or it would be lost as the quilt top grew with borders.

It took me a while to decide what fabric to use to set my block in.  I wanted to take a chance with the black and white fabric but thought it would be overpowering. 

Glad I took the chance now.

 

 

My next border seems a little thick and haven't decided if I am going to cut it back or not. 

The top measures 24" and know that will be easier to set the next border if I keep it at this size.

 

 

I am off to find some white Kona and scraps to make some flying geese or maybe just some HST's.

 

I'm a little behind on my borders but I'm sure I will catch up some time soon.

If you would like to join in with us, please do.  You can find us here.

The next linky party will be on the 5th of March.

 

Happy Sewing

 

Erin

 

 

Modern Irish Bee 2014

I signed up for the Modern Irish Bee again this year,  and have had two sets of blocks to make.

This year we are encouraged to find blocks to make that our hard working bees can make from our own scrap stash.  I love these bees as it really makes me use up my scraps.  We are to also use white Ash or snow Kona.

January was Ruth's month and was a fantastic block inspired by Oh Fransson, We were asked to make blocks that were 1 ½ “  squares and be bright and colourful.

 

 

 

I really should press my blocks before I take a photo.

Ash, and snow Kona was also used. Ruth looking forward to seeing your top.

February was Cindy's month . 

I must say spool blocks are fun,

 

I hope they are not too dull for you Cindy. 

I found the fabric tricky to pick but I hope you like.

I would have to say, my old bee group (Bee a Brit stingy) will be well shocked that I have January and February's blocks done and am twiddling my thumbs waiting for March to come around.

Happy Sewing

 

Erin

Modern Quilt Guild Ireland Medallion QAL

When the Modern Quilt Guild Ireland decided to do a QAL this year I was happy to join along.

Medallion quilts wouldn't be on the top of my list of quilts to do  but  I thought that I would give it a go and be yet another quilt top I will start.

We are to head off and find some Medallion quilts that inspire us and make a mosaic of our favourites at our flickr group and find a few ideas on what we would like to make. 

I have found some amazing medallion quilts and lots with very detailed centres, but thought that I would move away from the star in the middle and try something different.  I do have the pattern template and sewing foot to sew curves and thought that maybe a flower from Retro Flower quilt would look nice in the middle ( yes another QAL that I never got around to doing)

 

 

Photo from the front cover of Retro Flower pattern.
 

Then I came across this block for the middle in one of my many books.

 

 

Wedged in found in Modern Blocks.

 Yes the ideas are changing all the time and although there will be lots of flying geese, I seem to find more and more little ideas for framing my flower. Although I do want to incorporate a few curved blocks into the edging too.

 

And then I found this block.

I wouldn't know where to start with this block, maybe I should shelve this for another project.

 

Drop over to the Modern Quilt Guild Ireland if you want to see what others are making.

 

My stamp it up swap

I know it is awfully late of me to write this post but better late than never.

 

Last year I put my name down for a swap...( a month before my first child was born...What was I thinking????) Really I couldn't resist as it was a swap organised by Nicky at Mrs Sew and Sow.

Nicky had organised a frame purse swap the year before and I really loved learning to make them and know that I will use the skill to make more in the future so I joined again for this swap.

 

My imagination and time was limited and I wanted something modern....could I think of anything with 3 week baby brain....um no, but I did see something that inspired me.  Cora's first toy.

This is Lady B

and the other side is Buzz

Cora has had many hours enjoying her first toy and finally she can grasp it herself, ( so now I can have a cuppa)
But it wasn't until it was sitting on the table one day that I realised its geometric shapes on it.  How simple but very effective I said to myself. (I did tell you I had baby brain didn't I)

 

So off I went to try this out.  I knew that I would need a number of stamps so the pattern was not all the same.

 I did have an idea for my partner, and a cover for a note book would be quick.  I do know that she has a computer program to design her quilts but I sometimes find it is when you are just sitting at a table and having a coffee, that these little ideas come into your head for a quilt design and it is always good to have a book to jot these ideas down.

 

My design book is just a simple school science book.  Graph paper on the left for your design and lines on the right page to jot down your notes. I also like to pick out my fabric and stick it in.

My quilt design book.

 After picking out the fabric and making my stamp to incorporate into the gift I went to work using Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting notebook tutorial for a book cover.

 

It is a quick make if you can follow a pattern and not sew the wrong side of the fabric back to front. ( I think I did it twice)
I know it wasn't the best in the world Sarah but I  hope that you do like it.

 

I did make a brown linen and orange too, just to see how it would work out. 

 

So what did I get in the mail......he, he, he,

 

I always forget that you are going to receive something when you do these swaps and I was very lucky to receive this from Collette at Poppy and Poochie

 

Hit the nail on the head Collette and I did post a photo being used straight away with my mince pie and cup of tea on Instagram.

Collette also sent me a little lavender bag...yep put that in Cora's clothes draw straight away...

 

Thanks again to Nicky for organising the swap.  I do enjoy the pressure of what to make.

 

Happy Sewing.

 

Erin