WIP's

I dragged my sick dead self off to the fabric store yesterday evening. I had to get out of the house. While I blew the very last of my personal rainy day fund I didn't squander it on random bits of fabric for new projects*. I'm so proud of me! That's so my MO. lol... I actually found a backing fabric for my super outdated celestial navy / yellow log cabin that works.

I wandered all over looking at the seasonal in-line fabrics and couldn't find anything. It's all marbles and florals and repos and retros.

So I started poking around in the Christmas fabrics which I normally don't look at too closely. I found the *exact* fabric I was envisioning! A mottled navy/cobalt back ground with a smattering of bright yellow stars. Perfect. The best part? I needed seven yards. I think they had 7 1/2. lol... It was so close - I was nervous that she'd unravel the bolt and there wouldn't be enough. I also managed to pick up some more black fabric to finish the borders on the twisted sisters quilt. I think the next time I get a chance to sew I'll start there.

I'm also excited to head off to the 2008 NW Quilting Expo on Thursday. I hope this cold is waning by then.

*Okay that's not total honesty. I did buy 1/2 yard of really cute fabric that I have in mind for the Bento Box. But I'm not working on that quilt so it doesn't really count. lol ;^)

To do, to do

Sorry there hasn't been much to share here lately. It's the end of summer and I've been spending a lot of time working in the garden, we also have company here for a few weeks. I did get one block done for a Bento Box quilt I'd love to make. I have a round robin border I need to be working on. I've got it all figured out in my head I just need to get it done. I think I owe a Birthday Block for that swap too. I really should check up on that.

That is all - happy quilting everyone!

D8 - Dee Dee's Delight

Block: D8 - Dee Dee's Delight
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/08/08
Number of Pieces: 9
Description: Appliqued and Reverse Applique, by Hand

Blocks: 19
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 234

Well I can see why Dee Dee was so delighted to work on this block. It's my favorite so far! I love it and think it came out quite well. Of course as with all of Jane's blocks I learned something. And that something was this: If you have a point and want it to stay exactly in the spot you've placed it, don't start with the midpoint of the mellon - it'll shift by the time you get to where you want it to be. Start at the point so it sticks. I think there maybe a life lesson in here somewhere too but I won't get all philosophical on you. ;^)

E10 - Five and Dime

Block: E10 - Five and Dime
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Machine Pieced and Reverse Appliqued by Hand

Blocks: 18
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 225

Not much to say about this one. I think I made it more difficult then it needed to be by sewing the melons on the bias so I could the get the squares in the pattern "on point". Ah... form before function. ;^)

D3 - Jason's Jacks

Block: D3 - Jason's Jacks
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 2
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 17
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 219

There were two corners that came out a little wonky but otherwise the points in general look good to me and the curves are nice and smooth. I'm finding it really is in the ironing and folding the seam that determines so much of what the finished applique piece looks like. It almost seems like the stitching is a formality!

B1 - Batchelor Buttons

Block: B1 - Batchelor Buttons
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 16
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 217

I stitched this one with a fever so if it didn't come out perfect I blame that. ;^) Though I actually think I'm getting better at this whole applique thing. I can see my improvements with each block. I'll be sad when I've appliqued all the DJ blocks I can... lol. I'm really enjoying the technique. I just wish the colors came out in the photo a little better... The warm espresso chocolate looks black and the creamy background is missing all it's cream!

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!