Birthday Blocks

The request for these blocks (both for macbeaner) was to follow a star theme using the colors red, orange and yellow. This is a hard pallet for me as I'm really drawn to cooler colors but I think they came out quite nice. I especially like the Card Basket Block.

CARD BASKET BLOCK


STAR BLOCK

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

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

Birthday Blocks

Here are a few Birthday Blocks I've made for the lj Birthday Block Swap Group.

BROKEN WHEEL VARIATION
This is a pretty straight forward block I did in a hurry since it was nearly a month late. 0.o I know, I know. I should've worked on it sooner but we've had company for a few weeks which makes it more difficult to find the time and well, it's summer so slightly less quilting a little more gardening.



INDIANA CIRCLE BLOCK
Besides the fact that I like this block and wanted to make it anyway, it was a great excuse to practice my hand stitched applique. . I tried using freezer paper for the first time and ironed it onto the right side of the fabric and needle turned it under and used a ladder stitch. It was a lot easier than the other method's I'd tried till now - so as of current, it's my favorite method! I think it came out pretty good. (Much better than my last machine applique block! 0.o) This also makes me much less nervous about all the applique work that's coming up in the in the Java Jane quilt.