Busy sewing

I finished the X blocks for my Tell-me-a-story quilt.

I have received 8 swap blocks out of 36 that I should get.

Couldn't wait to see how the blocks went together.

I had enough swap blocks to make 4 rows with 9 blocks each.

Above is the left side and below the right side.

I put together a charity top from a kit given out at guild meeting this week.

My DMC order was delivered today!

Finally...

Don't know what caused the delay but I am ready to work on my hand quilting.

Possible places where I will use each color.

Here and there.

This week I hung the first quilt I made many years ago.

I still love the fabric but my quilting skills have definitely improved.

Happy sewing.

 

First Round of SAHRR

The first round is to include a spool block.

I made mine 3.5 inches but changed the method to make the block.

First I auditioned a black and white fabric with pops of solid colors on the corners.

After making one block I tried the colors again.

I made my spool blocks by cutting 1.5 inch strips from the border fabric and the solids.

Then I used the stitch and flip method to make the corner triangles on the border strips.

Ta-Da! My spool blocks are flipping around the corners.

My extra fabric for the X blocks I'm making for another top was delivered.

Next post on that progress.

Happy sewing.

 

Stay at Home Round Robin

Below is my center block for the Stay at Home Round Robin.

Yes, another detour from my list of possible projects for 2023.

I'm going to hand whip the heart to the background before the first border is announced.

Why am I detouring?

One reason is I am waiting for an order of pearl cotton to be delivered so I can

continue hand quilting My Small World.

Second reason, I am waiting for fabric to be delivered for the X blocks I'm making for

my Tell-me-a-story quilt top.

Third reason, I'm waiting for my teams to send their swap blocks for the same quilt.

I am in the mood to sew - not patiently wait.

The next photos are of a secret sewing block for a member of one of my quilt groups.

We were asked to make a heart block.

I made a sort of crazy quilt applique' heart.

I hope the scrappy fabrics remind the recipient of happy times.

Below the finished block (11" x 11")

I used fusible interfacing for the sewn and turned applique' method

I'm going to the Oxford Fiber Festival in Oxford, MS this week end.

Should be a lovely day for a road trip.

Have a good week!

 

Tell me a story block swap

I impulsively joined the Tell me a story block swap.

I made 'cat' blocks using Amy Friend's book Intentional Piecing.

Since I am new to paper piecing, I started working on the blocks as soon as the book came.

The instructions are to make two blocks for each person in the team.

The colorful cats were so cute I couldn't choose which two to use.

I made four different blocks and sent two different ones to each team member.

I made several extra for myself.

When the email came with the list of my team I was surprised to find out I signed up to be on TWO teams.

The second team is a general group. 

I looked through my scraps and found four fabrics to use for the centers.

After counting up the blocks I was swapping I realized that I could make a good size quilt.

I tried out different ways to space the story blocks.

One option was a plain block.

Below are my general story blocks.

Children playing surrounded by books.

Frogs splashing in water on a hot summer day.

Bunny and birdy ready for fun on a pink spring day.

Girls playing on a green grass playground.

Another idea for spacing blocks.

I drew this out in my quilt journal.

I like the lattice look of the X blocks.

Another view.

More test layouts.

I received my first swap blocks - the cowgirl is one.

My finished general swap blocks.

The other swap block is the paper boat below.

Ready to mail.

One last look at the layout.

I will have 54 Tell me a story blocks and 49 X blocks.

Look for more photos when the swap blocks arrive.

A little side trip.

Mr. M and I visited the Dixon Gallery and Gardens recently.

Doris Lee was the featured artist.

She designed the fabric below. I wish it was still in print.

One of her designs was printed on silk scarves.

Little miss Ava is coming over tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait to see what crafty things we make.

Have a good week.

 

January Detour

Last week end I made a list of possible projects for 2023.

This week I made something not even close to being on the list.

Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild has a monthly block zoom tutorial where we

practice a new technique. The practice blocks are made into a charity quilt.

This month we cut out pink or red hearts to applique to the background fabric.

After I cut out these four pink blocks I saw the hearts did not have much contrast with the background. 

I decided to make a sample block with the pink hearts and used my own background fabric.

I needed the hand stitching practice for some of my upcoming projects.

Above are two of the pink blocks in progress.

First, a running stitch, then those stitches are threaded with a different color thread.

The finished appliqué with a double threaded running stitch.

I echo quilted around the hearts with pearl cotton #8 using a chenille 24 needle.

In the corners I chalked and quilted some hearts.

The center has lazy daisies and French knots.

Today we zoomed and made our blocks for the charity quilt.

Two hearts have sewn interfacing using the turned interfacing method.

Two hearts have ironed interfacing with the edges turned with glue.

I like the sewn interfacing method best.

My finished block with red hearts is below.

Tell me a story swap list was emailed today.

Surprise! I signed up for two groups. Whoopsie.

I finished the blocks for the cat group but have 20 to make for the other group.

So I know what I will be working on this coming week.

Have a great week.

 

Possible 2023 Quilt Finishes

Here are some projects I am working on or have plans to start or resume working on this year.

Tell me a story block swap - Cats.

I have finished my swap blocks and six extra to keep.

I have over half a yard of the cat fabric so I may make even more cat blocks with different borders.

Can't wait to see the blocks from my swap group.

I have started hand quilting My Small World and hope to finish in the next few weeks.

I am waiting to get my DMC order of more pearl cotton in new colors.

The biggest unfinished project is my Tinsel wool appliqué block of the month from Sue Spargo.

The photos are in reverse order. 

Documenting how much I have done and how much is left to do.

Some blocks are ready to cut out and stitch.

I have all the fabric and directions in a binder with clear sleeves for each month.

Some blocks are ready to be embellished.

Some blocks need to have the base pieces sewn in place.

An almost overwhelming amount needs to be done.

I know the only way to get this done is to start, 

spend time every day working on a little bit, one step at a time.

There are also 4 Santas to stitch for the grandkids.

Maybe Christmas 2023?

I haven't worked on the Calendar Girls since cataract surgery and our move.

Another cross stitch kit.

I have 3 more kits that aren't shown.

A really old cross stitch butterfly kit.

This is fairly easy to work on.

Just having it near when watching TV might work.

Actual Calendar Girl.

So close to finishing this girl

The tea cup and tea pot paper pieced quilt needs a plan for which blocks to do.

This block may be done again to correct the spout.

I want to enter this mini quilt challenge.

I have an idea.

It should be fun to see if I can design and complete an art mini quilt.

So - there are my possible sewing projects for 2023.

Blank calendar with many choices of how to fill the days.