Creativity is messy

So much preparation and not much finishing going around here. Time to some serious clean up and some serious sewing. Happy month of May.

Benjamin Briggs block 5

Last one for this top

Mrs Billings border 9

Mrs. B last border (15)

Old top prep. for machine quilting

More Tops Completed

I am on my ever lasting mission of finishing tops. 

This black and gold one is my version of  "Soot&Ashes"  from Quilts by Cheri. It was a SAL (sew along) in October 2010. I did change it a bit. But I used most of Cheri's elements on my quilt top. I do mark my applique pieces with Crayola washable markers; and in this photo, the top has not been washed yet. I will do that after the top has been quilted. 

I usually wash before it is finished; but these fabrics are unraveling just by sitting there.  

Cheri's finished quilt can be found here: quiltsbycheri.blogspot.com, November 3, 2010.

Black and Gold top

Top number 2  is my "Crayon Challenge."
My Bee is making this fun challenge. We each took 2 crayons out of a bag with 100 crayons without looking into the bag, of course. We must use the 2 colors taken and add one more of our own choice.
My 2 colors are: "cerise" and "yellow" as named on my crayons. My kind of colors.
In this challenge, one can use as many fabrics of the same 2 colors as wanted; but I found 2 fabrics of the perfect colors plus a third fabric that I loved at 5 bucks a yard. Link here: www.5bucksayard.com
Full disclaimer, Kelley from "5bucksayard" is a friend; but you have to visit her site and see the amazing fabrics that she has for sale. She is always adding more fabrics, so visit often and sign up to get the updates.
My block is a Disappearing Four Patch. Easy and fun to construct. I will make the back from the leftover fabrics and already cut the biding out of the "cerise" color.
Now back to sewing.
Cheers

Crayon Challenge

Star Block Challenge and BB block 4

Some  fun work done this week:

BB block 4

BB block 4 is done. I want to share a tip about ironing your blocks after washing them.
To have the block looking like it was never washed, spray it with a starch of your choice, put in a zipper type plastic bag (Ziploc), and put in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. I have left it overnight many times and it is fine. Take from the freezer and iron from the back. It will look great every time.

Your fabrics will look like they came from the bolt if you spray and freeze them before ironing as explained above.

Tennessee Star

I also made my block for the "Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge."
If you don't know about this, it is a challenge put by astronaut Karen Nyberg.
For more information, please go to www.quilts.com. But basically, you need to make a 9 1/2" star block of your choice, write your name and city on the block; and mail it by August 1, 2014.
The mailing address is :
Star Block Challenge
Attn: Rhianna Griffin
7660 Woodway, Ste 550
Houston, TX 77063

To see a video of Karen sewing in space visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0c1CijmH7o.
 It is amazing!

The block I made is called "Tennessee Star" by Carol Doak. From her book: 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars by Martingale and Co, 2000. The stars on her book are 12"; but with a 75% reduction, they finish 9"; therefore, the correct size for this challenge. The colors I chose have meaning to me, so don't mind them.

These last pictures are of donation quilts made by the Boll Weevils group. These are 2 ways of putting these blocks together on a top. We have a few more in progress. 

It is a fun and easy way to make great quilts. We are making the blocks scrappy and with various width of strips; but it can be made with strips of the same size. The instructions can be found in a youtube video by the Missouri Quilt Co; but the original block is by the 3 Dudes Quilting.  

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Ixvjje310&list=TLEDtN97tREsvN5tjTqkTjOdO3pE2VN48g

PS. I have not link the last 2 addresses; but you can copy/paste on your browser and visit the sites.

A give away and new blog

My Soupçon

Faeries and Fibres blog is having an anniversary give away. It is her first one. How fun is that.
I really liked her Soupçon sew along.
She will start a new SAL with hexies in April. So go there and  comment for the chance to win.

http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-anniversary-to-me-or-rather-to-my.html


Another fun link is the new blog that Barbara Brackman is starting with a block of the week. Her new blog is inspired by Jane Austen. I am enjoying reading about Jane Austen and the era she lived. Link below also.

http://austenfamilyalbumquilt.blogspot.com/

WIP for March

Soupçon top is done

When the cat is out the mouse plays. So, I have had some time to work on a few of the many projects I have in progress. I finished this SAL (sew along) from faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca. It was a 6 parts project. I used it to practice some great techniques. 

Center block with some Lady Bugs embroidered

Benjamin Biggs (BB) block 3 is also done. I am using mostly French General fabrics. I don't pre-wash my fabrics, and the one used to make the central ring shrank a lot. So, I had to iron it in submission. It is still not completely flat; but it will work in the end. Better wash the rest of it.

BB block 3

Central block for Mrs Billings' Coverlet (12 inches)

The last picture is the central block for Mrs Billings' Coverlet. It is a pattern from Somerset Design in Melbourne, Australia.
 I will make it very scrappy; and this center  is made with some French General and Tilda fabrics. The striped border is cut larger than needed; but I will only trim it when the next row is ready. I have 13 more borders to go; therefore, this will look very different at the end.

February progress update

Sue Spargo was in town and taught a 2 days workshop on how to embroider on wool. We started with this kit. We prepared the kit to this point before class. I am still adding to my top; but this is where it all starts. If you have a chance to take one of her classes I say, just do it.

Benjamin Biggs block 2 has been completed and block 3 should be coming on March 1st. I am loving making these blocks.

This lovely block is very old and needed to be repaired and finished up. It is actually completed; but this is the beginning. I did applique this Italian silk to the corner of the block to fill in a gap. 

Soupçon is up to date to step 4. It measures 17" to this point and the next border (step 5) will have hexies that are 1/2". Let the fun begin.

The last step (6) will be available on March 14th. 

I will add more embroidery to the center; but I will wait until it is quilted to add beads.

Quilting finished in January 2014

End of January and I have finished a few more of the "work in progress."
Flower Garden is almost all pieced. I have all the 1139 squares sewn into sashings; but not yet attached to the top. It is hanging like this (top photo), on my design wall so I can see it as a whole.
I also finished 2 more blocks for the Beyond the Cherry Tree (BTCT), top. I still have 2 more to go and all 4 borders; but I just enjoy the sewing.
To be honest, I always dreaded the grape block; but it was fast and fun to make. Who knew?
I have already prepared another BTCT block. I am also finishing an wool applique for a Sue Spargo workshop coming up.
Time to turn on the TV for Super Bowl and some sewing time.

Busy design wall

BTCT block 16

BTCT block 24