Just a matter of time

This quilt was made by Chaletgirl. The pattern is Bento Box.

I've been in love with both this collection of fabrics (I already have many of them) and the pattern Bento Box. I guess it was just a matter of time before someone else put them together. I love it. It's on my "to make" project list! I will have to wait until I finish up some of my other projects first. So hard to resist though!

BOM Blocks

These were a couple of blocks I made in an effort to get this quilt done. Originally it was started as part of the live journal "block of the month" quilting group but the mod sort of disappeared and since then no one has been posting any new patterns. I'm also signed up for a Birthday Block Swap over there as well. In the BB group, Sewingjo requested her blocks in yellows and blues. I liked the patterns I picked for her so much that I decided to make these for my poor neglected BOM quilt as well.

I had 14 sampler blocks done already so I just needed two more to get to a lay out similar to the one below that was pieced by Terri Kilgroe and freehand Quilting by Jessica Brunnemer. It was not my original intention to do this type of layout but I really quite like it and so will work toward completing it with something akin to this.


Here are images of my last two "outside" blocks... now I just need to figure out the math to get the set in, on-point block in the center. 0.o Also not sure what that block will look like but I have all the time I need. I'll just have to dream something up.

No Name Block #2


12 Triangles

Z Block - Birthday Block for Churlish

I'm a little early on this Birthday Block But since Ofenjen reminded me about the BD blocks with her post today I thought I'd work on getting this one done as well. It was also very convenient that my baby cooperated by taking a nice long nap!

Churlish requested that it be pieced traditionally with autumnal/food/harvest themed fabrics. I didn't really have fabric that was harvest or food oriented. Since I'm not working at a paying job currently, spending money at the fabric store is kinda out. It's good though in that it will make me use up some of my stash! I need the extra challenge. ;^) I still really like the way this block turned out. I could do a whole quilt... (Except I really don't need to start any new projects! And of course can't afford it. lol) I used the bright colors of falling leaves and warm golden brown trees as they start to lose their leaves with a swirly cream that reminds me of how dry and dusty the end of summer is while waiting for the late fall rains to start.

Z Block

Jane Austen Coverlet

I was reading one of the Dear Jane e-mails when a coverlet made by Jane Austen her sister and her mother was mentioned. It peeked my curiosity and so I sharpened my Google-Fu and found a reproduction of her work made by Rosalee Clark. Very pretty!

J1 - Josepha's Jonquil

Block: J1 - Josepha's Jonquil
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/24/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Hand Applique / Reverse Applique

Blocks: 15
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 212

Well the color in this photo is terrible. The orange is not as bright - it's more of a burnt pumpkin / rust color - not neon! However, I am very proud of my appliqued square in the center of this block. It's perfect! Who knew I could pull off such a thing? ::grins madly::

B12 - Starflower

Block: B12 - Starflower
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/24/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Hand Applique / Reverse Applique

Blocks: 14
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 206

I probably should've reverse appliqued the center block too as it came out a bit wonky. I may redo this one but for now it stands... maybe I'll just pull off the center bit and reverse applique it. It's not too late for that. Otherwise I really like the tan fabric that makes up the majority of this block. Yummy!

RS8 - Love Forever

Block: RS8 - Love Forever
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/23/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 200

I feel better about my points and my ability to make the pieces "stick" where I want them... though the little triangle gave me a bit of trouble I think I'm getting my techniques down a bit better so I don't have wonky points or (too) skewed placement. I am enjoying the applique process so much these days in fact I'll be sad when I have to go back to standard or ::groan:: paper piecing.

LS9 - Kiwi

Block: LS9 - Kiwi
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/18/08
Number of Pieces: 7
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 2
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 195

This was a fun one to do. I liked the name and let it direct which green fabric I used. The fabric kinda reminded me of the fuzzy bits on the outside of a kiwi fruit - little green hairs! Have I done any of my other green blocks? I don't think so... maybe just one? Anyway I still need to figure out a few things with the applique techniques I've been trying. My next experiment after completing this block is to give up on pins. They always seem to make things worse for me whenever I use them. I had the shapes on this block laid out perfectly then pinned them and it all went to hell in a hand basket. Oh well. I'll try basting or using the spray next time to get things to stick and stay where they should. I don't think it's terrible but I know I could've done better. At least my points are improving!

TR12 - Jane's Oak

Block: TR12 - Jane's Oak
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/17/08
Number of Pieces: 4
Description: Hand Applique & Machine pieced

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 1
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 188

Whew - the first triangle out of the way! I'm not sure how much I like it... it maybe a do over at some point but for now I'm okay with it. I got to practice more applique. Someday I'll get the hang of it.

A7 - Dad's Plaids

Block: A7 - Dad's Plaids
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/16/08
Number of Pieces: 8
Description: Hand Applique & Reverse Appllique, Machine pieced

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 184

I feel much better about my points. They're still not perfect but the brown fabric is very thick and difficult to work with so I'm not going to be too hard on myself.

Applique

I did it! Haha! I appliqued a perfect point on a mellon. Yay me! I'll post pics once I finish the block. =)
I think the Tiny Iron really did the trick along with using the freezer paper so it sticks to the seam allowance when you flip it over and iron it down. Good tools and tricks really make all the difference.

Center Block for the Round Robin Quilt

YES! My kid slept long enough this afternoon to get the whole block done in one sitting! It was so freeing! I mean I really like the Dear Jane blocks but I didn't realize how much I needed to look at some bright colors and make some sloppy seams! lol... I've ALWAYS wanted to do a string quilt. Ever since I laid eyes on one for the first time. That was years ago - this is my first attempt at it and OMG - I LOVED IT like I always knew I would. I think I smiled the whole time I was making this.



Notes to the next round of folks to work on this:
*14 1/2" unfinished (so 14" finished when the next border is sewn on)
*Scrappy! Summery! Fun! Please try to stick with the color pallet - hot pink, white on white, aqua, green, (a pinch of red), let the fabrics in the block be your guide.
*I like diamond shapes and circles and stripes... (just thought I'd throw that out there).
*I designed this block to work either on point OR not... so surprise me!
*Key fabric... since I was hoping for something kinda scrappy I'm not sure I'm going to send out a key fabric unless someone in our group really feels like they need it. Please let me know and I'll send it along then. Cheers~

Chickens are Silly!

Despite the fact that I really don't like paper piecing, the chicken theme for Cat's blocks really called to me to make these. =) The silly chicken block was originally supposed to only be 8" but I enlarged it to fit the criteria (Cat wanted 10" blocks). And of course chickens need a bit of shelter - not a coop exactly but a giant red barn! Chicken luxury at its finest. ;^) I kept trying to dye the fabric piece I used for the side of the barn with teas and coffee's to get it to come out darker. I fail at dying stuff. It came out a little darker, but not much. Not as much as I wanted it to anyway. Ah well - time was up so I went with it. At least it smells like a cafe!

SILLY CHICKEN


OLD RED BARN