Sylvia's Bridal Sampler block I-10

I am a member of a Yahoo group that is making the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt.

I have been part of this group for a long time. I have stopped making blocks for quite a few months and recently have started working on this 6.5 inches blocks. There are 140 blocks. 

Linda is the moderator and she is awesome. She helps with all kinds of problems including posting blocks for us when we run into trouble. Thanks Linda.

Linda picks a block for the members to make each week; and if you post your block by Saturday of that week on the Yahoo site, your name is entered on a lottery to win a pretty pin at the end of the month. (I have not won, yet !!!). 

The instructions to make the block are on the book by the same name. 

This week it is a block that I had cut the pieces for it about 3 years ago; and had not sewn it together. But today, I took the challenge and finished it.

It is block I-10 called "Rocky Road to Dublin" found on page 62 of the book.

I had made a couple of the green and white units; but they were not turning well. So, I had to go to a better plan. This is how I solved my problem with the small curve. 

I started with a bigger curve.

pinning the 2 pieces together

sewing using 1.5 stitch length and going slow

units sewn but not trimmed or pressed, so the little pleats are shown around the seam.

I had sewn this one 3 years ago with regular stitch length (not so good)

Made a paper template to trim down to size and used a ruler to trim to size as almost seen on the left

Block conquered and I feel so much better

I have not remade the older green/white units. Just to show how much better it got after 3 years.

***Oh happy dance*** I just found out that I won the pin this month. I can't wait to see it.
Thank you.

A Life of Plenty from Jeni's blog

A Life of  Plenty quilt

This gorgeous quilt was a quilt along from this blog linked here:   http://jenifromthewillow.blogspot.com/

Jeni has posted the patterns for the blocks on her website: 

http://www.woolenwillowdesigns.com/weblinks.php

and the directions to make the blocks on her blog.

 So do go to both to figure out the block size and so on.

 Her quilt pictured above, is a really pretty quilt made with cotton and wool. 

I am not near close to make all the blocks; but I have all the patterns. I am using only cottons in spring colors for my blocks.

The photo above is from her March 19th, 2015 post if you want to see it there.

Happy Quilting Day, 2015

March 21, International Quilt Day, Spring is 1 day old in the north hemisphere, and Fall is 1 day old in the southern hemisphere (I know, Australia and New Zealand started on the first of March).

fence pattern in downtown Christchurch, New Zealand

This amazing link fence is around downtown Christchurch, New Zealand. I have pictures of other patterns; but they are in another photo card, so only this one will do for now.

It is made of plastic squares added to the spaces in the link fence. These squares make up some pretty patterns so you don't just see the fence and the construction sites; or the buildings waiting for demolition.

 fence in the cathedral square

A lot of Christchurch and surroundings were destroyed on February 2011 by an earthquake; and most of the town is either under construction, waiting to be demolished, or waiting for a decision on what to do about it.

It is hard not to feel sad there. But the awesome people that live there are moving forward.

The cathedral, photo below, has been waiting on court decisions about how to rebuild it. As of this week, it seems that both parties agree that it will be rebuild in the old style using new technology and materials. Kudos to both parts. All the best to all.

Over 1600 buildings were lost in the center of town. And over 9000 homes destroyed in the area (population 360000). It takes a lot of effort and courage to keep going and they are doing it.

Cathedral as of March 2015