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