B words were definitely the theme this week; I was busy in a good way.
Blocks were completed for the two sew alongs I'm participating in, which are:
Burp Cloths
Blogging
Blocks were completed for the two sew alongs I'm participating in, which are:
The Freefall Spring Quilt Along hosted by mmm quilts. The QAL is from March 20 thru June 15 and the instructions for the first eight leaves were posted on April 3rd. Some quilters have already posted on the Freefall linky party with details on the making of their blocks which involved rotary cutting, trimming, etc. I have a confession, I die-cut all of my patches, seeing that this block could easily be made with die-cuts and I, for one, never miss an opportunity to use one of my four die-cutters. I have ten good reasons why I die-cut, they're my thumbs and fingers; a ninja with a rotary cutter, I am not. But I digress, because thinking these blocks were going to be a cinch to make, I did run into problems with the paper piecing of the leaf points. I could not get the pattern to print at the correct size and let me tell you being 1/16" short is a big difference, the leaf points did not match for the two blocks I made. I ended up drawing the pattern on graph paper and the correct size of the leaf point made the sewing go a lot quicker. I'm looking forward to making another set of the leaf blocks with a different background; this really is a nice project to use up some of the bright fabrics that I have been collecting. I thinking my colors are more tropical Spring, please don't think Fall.
I also finished the last of the six large hexagons for the unofficial Smitten Quilt Along I am doing with my friend Carol. We are still friends and still am enjoying sewing these hexagons while watching episodes of Gilmore Girls. I only have twenty-two episodes left to watch and eleven more hexagons to make. Lesson learned while making these hexagons is not to watch more than three episodes at a time; when I did, I wanted to drink coffee at Midnight plus my head really started spinning from all the loud bantering from Lorelai and gang which didn't make falling asleep very easy.
More burp cloths for my sweet, new granddaughter Micah Rose. I already made some before her birth, you can read the post about the first batch here. This time no more gender neutral, pink is the color for this batch and I used a much simpler pattern; you could make each one in fifteen minutes. And again, I have to ask myself, why did I make so many.
Blogging
Monday, April 10th was the official start of the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers and I was in the first group of the Better Bloggers Hive to post, you can read my introductory post here. If you are a new quilt blogger, like me, this was a wonderful opportunity for me to participate in this Blog Hop. I'm learning how to improve and increase my blogging/online experience and knowledge. Plus it's the best way to building community and friendship with other quilters. It seems like everyday I am learning something new about blogging and my favorite part of all if when you don't know something, there is someone in the group who is willing to help you, all you have to do is ask. And for someone who is retired and misses the IT Help Desk at work, this is so important. I was leery about signing up at first because of my computer experience but I am so glad I did. Please be sure to check out the Blog Hop by clicking on one of the Hive Host's links: Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl, Leanne @shecanquilt and Beth @cookingupquilts. There are some wonderful giveaways being offered during the Blog Hop.
Bad News (sort of for me)
In a previous post, I was minus 70.75 yards in my 2017 Minus 100 yard Challenge. Well, after ending my fabric fast which lasted over three months and partaking in some fabric sales and attending the International Quilt Festival last week, I added 39 yards to my stash. Yes, I checked my figures and photos of my purchases. Thankfully I had sewing activity this week which used up 9.5 yards and makes the new total still commendable, I think, but I am restarting the fabric fast by resisting a great sale yesterday.
Minus 100 Yards Challenge YTD Total: - 41 yards
Thanks for stopping by. I am now headed downstairs to the studio, where I finally did a much-needed clean up and some reorganization, only to once again create a mess because projects needs to be finish so I can use some yardage up.
Linking up with:
mmm quilts
Linking up with:
mmm quilts
Your Freefall blocks look amazing, really love those colors. I wouldn't have thought about using a die-cutter, but that's a really good idea. I'm impressed that your fabric fast lasted so long. Even though you purchased a bit more fabric, it sounds like you have been super productive. Treating oneself is necessary sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteLove those leaves! Those fabrics really make them pop. Your hexie blocks are sensational. I love the fussy cut centers. I was so relieved to find out the "bad" in your title related only to fabric purchases. I wouldn't say that is a bad thing for someone who is using her stash up so diligently. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. It was bad in a good way. I just needed a fabric fix and I really indulged, didn't I.
DeleteThanks Tish. I really love my die-cutters and look for patterns which I can use them. I think the fabric fast was good but ending it was really good.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your granddaughter! The burp cloths are so cute. And I remember having a newborn that needs burp cloths, I don't think it's too many ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz! Have a Happy Easter!
DeleteRose your blocks look great. Being down in yardage is great. You are still negative for the year that is a win in my book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan. I'm pretty sure I'm still going to meet my goal. Have a Happy Easter.
DeleteYour Freefall blocks are gorgeous! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteYou are way ahead of me in the fabric purchasing game. I had an accidental splurge during a 40%off sale and stocked up on a few pieces. I did resist going back the next day though. Hahaha.
Thanks Jen! It's those 40% sale that I can't resist. I think most of my stash was purchased during those type of sales. BTW, I don't think we were the only ones who had problems with the leaf points. Tricky but well doing them right. I can't wait to see your next batch.
DeleteGorgeous leaf blocks, it's been fun seeing all the different ones people are making. So how was quilt festival? I didn't get to go this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, thanks for stopping by. The QAL is fun. The Quilt Festival was nice but truthfully, I spent more time at the Vendor Mall than I did looking at the quilts--my bad.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful leaf blocks! I really want to work on my Smitten quilt, that just might have to be my summer quilt project.
ReplyDeleteGreat leaf blocks. I find I can refrain from buying fabric for several months, buy a little, then I binge. For me, it's safer to just buy a bit as it suits me. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was great to do this fabric fast and then a binge which made me realize that I needed to do another fabric fast. Hopefully I can wait another three months. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI'm thinking about having 6 months off from buying fabric now, I just splurged, but I got $30 off so I could not help myself:)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way after my latest splurge, so far my new fast has lasted one week. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGood luck with the fabric fast, I'm with you on that one! Of course a baby and a new mum can never have too many burp cloths!
ReplyDeleteI'm one week into the new fast. And yes, Moms can never have enough burp cloths plus it's hard to make just one. I like to make a batch at a time. Have a Happy Easter.
DeleteYour blocks look great! I am so enjoying seeing what others are doing. What is your die cutter? Thinking of getting one to help destash!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen, I have four die-cutters, three are Sizzix and one is the Accuquilt Baby Go. One of the reasons I like the Sizzix is that you can use both Sizzix and Accuquilt dies whereas with the Accuquilt you can only use their dies which I find die cut better than the Sizzix. I got the Sizzix Big Shot Plus last Christmas and it's my favorite now, there is an Accuquilt adapter to use for their dies. This machine is pretty versatile and can fit a lot of dies, I think the width is around 10.5". If I was starting out I would buy this machine after checking the width of the dies you would use (both Sizzix and Accuquilt) to see it would meet your needs. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteI love the fabrics you chose for the leaves and I'm definitely thinking spring!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. Warm but cool, right?
DeleteI love Gilmore Girls! I feel like Stars Hollow would be a great place for an outdoor quilt festival, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteStars Hollow is an absolutely perfect town and an outdoor quilt festival would be perfect. I love the quilts Lorelai has her in home. They should have been a quilt shop in town. I wonder which actress/actor should have played the proprietor?
DeleteGosh, I haven't even added up the yardage from winter in Florida...yikes. LOVE LOVE your Freefall leaves!! I'm so sorry you couldn't get your printer to talk nice to the EQ template, but I am so glad you did draft one and it worked out perfectly. Gilmore Girls! Since we moved, I've been remiss in my dedication to working my way through the episodes, had got up to episode 3 in season 2, and yes, I actually sewed a few times during episodes and that is something I pretty much never do because I need to WATCH not just listen; tried to with 'Frozen' and ended up sitting in my sewing chair, glued. Loved that movie. Anywho. Lorelai and coffee and don't forget talking 95mph, so true LOL. Your other QAL blocks are beautiful too! And something weird? I made one with that exact chicks (Riley Blake?) fabric! Got the little kit from my LQS to make for a friend who was becoming a grandmother for the first time.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra! Would you believe the chick/bird fabric is from Joann's Fabrics. And Frozen, I love listening to the soundtrack while I'm sewing. I am amazed that you hosted this QAL while you were in the process of moving. I just got back from visiting my granddaughter, who happened to be with her parents, ha ha, and it was hard leaving her. They're four hours away and yes we do FaceTime almost every other day. Thanks for visiting, I'll be working on the next set of leaves, love the pattern.
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ReplyDeleteOooh, I like those monkey burp cloths. Are they Anne Kelle?
ReplyDeleteHi Katy! Yes the monkey burp cloths are Anne Kelle. I had a bundle of her fabric in my stash way before grandchildren were going to be in the picture. I'm glad I was able to use it on some burp cloths, they're the sweetest prints. Thanks for visiting!
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