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

Unpacking the sewing machine.

 

I cant seem to stop starting projects.

I have been meaning to make a few little things for myself over the past few months but just haven't got around to doing them..

I finally found a pattern by Cloud 9 for a knitting needle roll here. It will be tackled before Christmas.

And I am making a few of these sewing kits that were in the Zakka Style  book.

picture from Amazon

Judith from Just Jude gave me some really lovely thick linen pieces last year and I have been stashing them away until I found the right project.

 

 

I'm also going to use some of my liberty fabric that I bought last year. 

I'm not a big fan of Liberty fabric....ok  shun me if you want. 

 I can here all the gasps and horrors that you are all saying. 

 I just don't get it.  I do like some of the silks but these are not really my favourite so I'm happy to cut them up and use them.  I'm not going to use a second contrasting printed fabric.

 

 

I need a little sewing kit for my knitting bag and another one for my hand sewing purse so am going to make three...(which so makes sense Erin...)  You never know I may need another one.

(three months have been and gone since writing this...and my little bundles are still the same)

Sewing machine was unpacked this week and my wee one let me have a little time to sew..
(I'm very happy today)

I hope to show something soon.

Happy sewing.

Erin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energizer Bunny.

I have been lead astray of late, but  all because of good cause...

 

 

This not so little (anymore) bundle of joy arrived a month ago and Cora has kept me on my toes since day one.

 

Very alert and loves to stay up all day and has to be poked and prodded to wake up at night to feed.
I'm not complaining...just at the end of the day I need to recharge the batteries again...I feel like that pink bunny running around all day.
 

I have been really bad at looking at any blog but am finding Instagram on my little iPod a saviour 

during the day when I want to have a wee escape from it all.

I have my stamp swap to finish and am trying to keep up with the bee blocks coming in but you can understand when all I want to do is cuddle.

 

 

So forgive me if you haven't heard from me.

 

Erin



Stamp, stamp, stamp.

Ok I know that I will be hard hit for time but I couldn't resisit joining up to Nicky's new swap.

Stamp it up!

Nicky tried this out as one of her classes at the FQ retreat recently in London.
I love that we that are unable to get to the FQ Retreat can still get something out of the weekend with a new skill.  Last year it was the Frame Purse swap which I loved.

No you don't have to be an artist,
No it doesn't cost a bomb
(All you need is an eraser and a little carving knife, some tracing paper....(did you think I could draw?) and a fabric ink pad that once ironed will be permanent on the fabric)

Think of all the lovely things that you can do with your new skill.
You could make your own labels for your quilts.
You could make your own business cards or thank you cards to send off with your sold items.
The list is endless.

Nicky has three tutorials here if you want to go over and have a look.

If you are interested this is what you have to do.
Join up over at the Flickr group and post your mosaic.

You will receive a SECRET PARTNER to make a stamp and then use the stamp to make a small gift for them.
One item only....no extras!
When you sign up you can suggest what you would like...coaster, mug rug, framed purse, pin cushion
What have you got to loose.

Sign ups - Saturday 10-17th August 2013 or until 40 eligible swappers have completed the Sign Up form.
The rest can be found on the Flickr group

Here is my Mosaic.

I love things simple (and easy)
I think one of these little Scandinavian flowers would be very easy to carve, or a little bird.
(I did look for a moose but couldn't find one)

I can't wait to start...Are you coming over to join?

Happy Stamping.


Erin.


Productivity is still happening.

Lots of little makes going on over at my kitchen table and the couch.

Another two little knits finished.

Baby ballet cardigan made from Sirdar Bamboo/wool.

 

Pattern is Snuggly baby crofter DK number 1931

Not bad for a first try I thought...I still have a few issues about tension but we'll get there one day.

I have knitted a little stripy hat in blue and white if it is a little boy but it has been packed in the bag already and is in the car. 

Some of you have seen it at my instagram page. (erinbillybuttondesign)

It was knitted out of Drops wool which I like, but my local shop has decided to change wool brand to Sirdar.   I liked Drops as it was easy to knit with for a new knitter, I am not having as much success in the neat look department with the Sirdar.

I made a second set of bunting...if it is a girl out of my Little Apples stash and seeing that I haven't had time to do a quilt for this little one yet, I just spruced up its cot blankets with a bit of binding.

 

 

And I have started a back to front swoon block. (with my rainbow charm pack and the scrap box)

 

At the beginning I was making only two scrappy swoon blocks to make as pillows while I was waiting for the others to catch up to where I am (nine blocks made) but it has taken me about four weeks to finish one block and now I have an idea/dream to make another three and make a smaller quilt. (another UFO)  I am thinking of changing the kona grey shades in the next two blocks.

(this was ash and medium grey)

I forgot how big the blocks are.  They may be too big as a cushion.

You do need a clear head when you are making a swoon block and even clearer when making a scrappy swoon block...something I may do not have at the moment.  I hope to have another made in the next day or two.

Unfortunately my sewing and knitting has not stopped me from buying a few bundles from Fluffy Sheep Quilting store and M is for make.

 

A bit of Nordika

Look at those lovely kona solids

Happy go Lucky bundle

Bits and bobs from Kate at M is for Make.  My yellow leaves have already been used in my swoon block.

The comment of the week was with a raised eyebrow, 'I thought you had stopped buying fabric?'

I replied,  'Really...did I say that? I must be suffering from absentmindedness.'

Happy Sewing

Erin

Playing the waiting game.

Someone has me up very early this morning. 

 No, it hasn't arrived but moving back and forth across my protruding belly.

I thought it best to just get up and get a bit of muesli and a cuppa into me and start the day...I have a great excuse then to go for a Nana nap this afternoon.

 

Anyway there are two more finishes that I have been meaning to show.

 

I found this kimono cardigan pattern on the Internet...it looked dead easy, (just what I wanted) but it is very thick. Maybe a bit too thick for this lovely weather we are having. 

I did knit it in a 4 ply but wished I had chosen something a bit lighter.

The hat has been knitted in a bamboo/wool and is so fine and really soft.

I loved the feel of it so much that there is another little wrap around cardigan almost finished in it. 

 I better get my skates on if I want to finish it before he/she arrives.

 

I have given up on any more sewing at the table...it's not the sewing, I would rather just keep my feet up now and I get too tired standing at the cutting board and ironing those HST's .

I am hoping it will be only temporary and that once baby arrives and we find our routine that bub will give me a bit of time to do the odd bit of sewing again.

Until then it will have to be a bit more of this.

 



 

To keep me away from doing this.

 

 

Shopping!

 

Happy sewing.

 

Erin