WIP - Browns, Blocks, Baddies and Bears

I have been super-dooper pre-occupied of late and, though that has had a negative effect on my blogging, the opposite can be said about my sewing.

Here's a quick overview of some of the things I've been working on of late -

Toffee Shards Quilt

I finished this quilt top weeks ago in preparation to link up to Le Challenge on July 15... but then I forgot.  Doh!

Last month's theme was TOFFEE so I took my inspiration from images of toffee shards - hence the name.

I've since unpicked the quilting I started (stop groaning Mum), with the need to re-baste after my rather poor job initially.  I will get this one finished - and soon - to gift to a darling baby boy.  Watch this space. 

Churn Dash Blocks

For July, Rachel requested that all of us in the Care circle of do.good.stitches, make scrappy Churn Dash blocks.  I went a little crazy and whipped up three.

Please excuse the dodgy IG pics. I bundled these babies up before realising I hadn't taken "proper" photos.

Darth Vader

I've been planning to piece this bad dude ever since I saw Kristy's version, made from her free pattern (available here).  Oh yes, you read that correctly.  Free.

So... the pattern is printed and the fabrics have been pulled.  It will be interesting to see how long this takes me (to even start).  ;)

Bear Paw Quilt

I've gone Bear Paw crazy and have now completed 23 blocks out of 25.  Whoop!

Unfortunately the final two reds are proving difficult as I hunt for the perfect shades, with the probably ridiculous hope of some not-too-pink tone-on-tone fabrics.  The search continues.
 
Of course, the other projects on my FAL list for this quarter have also been playing quite heavily on my mind.  I may just have to get a move on with those soon.  That donkey will not quilt itself!  ;)

E.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. Stop by and say hello to the gang.

WIP - Mish Mash

As I've had a few other things on my mind of late my craftiness has been jumping around like a frog on steroids.  You have been warned

First up, I was a good girl and finally quilted my plus quilt (first shown waaaay back in March).

Now all I need to do is to have a few hours of quality couch-time while I handsew the binding on.  Any good movies anyone can recommend?  Please, no fantasy or sci-fi.  Blurgh.  ;)

To continue being a good girl, I also finished up my blocks for the Care circle of do.good.stitches.

For June, my gorgeous friend, Kristy, requested Garden Lattice blocks (minus one strip) in yellows and greys, with a black centre and bright white crossover.  I love the simplicity of these blocks and think the final quilt will look stunning.

Another set of blocks I've been working on are Bear Paws, as I've been itching to join along with Lucy and Janine.

Originally with these I tried this method for the HST but found the bias edges a little tricky.  After a small moment of stomping my uggies I pulled it together and went back to ye olde fashioned way.  Sure, it is a little more work but I was much happier with the results.

The plan for these are a baby quilt for a little boy born just last month.  My colour palette will be based around this perfect backing fabric I picked up yesterday, while engaging in some much needed retail therapy.

Cute, no?

While I was shopping I had to pick up some backing fabric for Shiver Me Timbers, my pirate quilt.  I initially wanted something theme-appropriate, like crossbones or some such, but in the end I went with something on sale and in Perth. 

Sure, an excuse to order online and then have to fill up the envelope with the full 9 yds (to save money, obviously) would have been nice but... so would a new bathroom.  And laundry.  And furniture.  And garden.  I'm sure you get the picture.

Thirdly, I might have also grabbed this sweet Wink Wink in Meadow, a part of the Botanika collection by Paula Press for Michael Miller.

The reason for this purchase is hush hush but... aren't those birds just so sweet?!

And then, lastly, I also grabbed a few bits and pieces for my secret Le Challenge project.  Are you playing along this month?  I hope so!  I can not wait to see everyone's interpretations of the theme: TOFFEE.

Well that's where I am at currently.  I can't promise that anything listed here will actually be worked on next - but one can only hope!  ;)

E.

PS - Apologies for the crappy phone pics.  My camera and I are currently fighting.  Unfortunately it seems to be winning.

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced. PS - have you seen her fabulous new pattern, Diamond Tread? LOVE!

WIP - Hellooooo

Hello everyone

As promised, I am back after our epic honeymoon in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.  A big thanks to everyone who left such lovely comments on my last post.  Even Mr C was touched!  Thank you all.

In all honesty we have actually been home for just over a week now and though I haven't been blogging I assure you I have been sewing.

First up were my May blocks for the do.good.stitches Care circle.  Merran had been kind enough to wait for me to return from my travels so I made it a priority to get these paper pieced fish finished and sent straight away.

Thankfully Merran's package of the template and some Kona Snow was patiently waiting for me... and... the tutorial she wrote was super simple to follow.  YAY!  It was a new method of paper piecing for me (using freezer paper) but they all came together quickly and easily.  Double YAY!  I can not wait to see this quilt finished.

Next up was... a secret project.  More to come on that one, but you may have to be patient.

Thirdly... another secret.  I know, I know, I'm a total pain.  Never fear, though, this one is for this month's Le Challenge so all will be revealed this Saturday, 15th June.  Until then all I will say is this - Mr C helped me in narrowing down the focus of this one so you may need to think outside the square to guess where we took the 'maritime' theme.  Definitely no pretty dolphins for me.  ;)

See you on Saturday!  Hope you'll have some to link up too.

Ahh... it's nice to be home.  :)

E.

Linking up to Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

WIP - Let's Catch Up

As promised yesterday - I'm baaaack.  In truth I haven't actually been anywhere but whenever I'm online it seems to be to organise our wedding and, thus, my poor little blog has a few nasty cobwebs.  Massive apologies!

Saying that, though, I have still managed a few crafty projects in between party planning, including...

JUST MY TYPE BLOCKS

To help Kristy test her fabulous new Just My Type paper pieced alphabet patterns a few of us joined forces to make up some encouraging words for a charity quilt.

For an update on "Fontastic" be sure to check out Kristy's recent post.  LOVE!!

SCRAPPY TRIPPING BLOCKS

For March's blocks in the do.good.stitches Care circle, Jane chose Scrappy Tripping blocks in seaside colours of greens, aquas and turquoise mixed with low volume neutrals.

I have discovered that scrappy isn't really my thing but am keen to see how this one turns out.

TIPPE(N?)CANOE BLOCKS

After seeing Lucy's gorgeous block from the How Far Will You Go? QAL I had to jump in and make a few for myself.  Of course, "a few" turned into 9.

Original plan for this was a pillow / cushion cover but I'm now leaning towards a quilt.  Hmm...

OWL CROSS STITCH

Our mechanic / friend and his wife recently welcomed a new bub into their little family - a much anticipated girl.  As I knew the mum was super excited about the chance to decorate in pink, after having two boys previously, and had chosen owls as her nursery's theme, I went with a sweet little framed cross stitch.

I found the free cross stitch chart here and then just played around with a few different fonts for the name.  Admittedly, I'm a little bit chuffed with how this one turned out.  It's just a shame that I seem to have misplaced my camera charger and, thus, only have crappy phone pics to share.  Boo!

PLUS QUILT

Speaking of owls - this is also the theme chosen for my niece-to-be's nursery.  Of course, I have to make her a quilt and when I saw these adorable owl and flower fabrics by Ann Kelle I couldn't resist basing my whole colour palette around them.

I've wanted to try a plus quilt for ages so bringing that all together I've come up with...

I'm currently working on the back and hope to have this one finished by the end of the month.  Ha!

BIRDS IN THE AIR QUILT

I started this one in January - with the hope to send it to Jess and her Tasmania Bush Fire Quilt Appeal.

It was rather simple to put together - it it consists of four orphan Birds in the Air blocks from a swap I used to be a member of.  I then added another splash of colour with some orange binding.  Fun!

This little baby (and by little I mean just 24" square) is now on her way to Tassie.

SECRET QUILT

I'm also making another quilt for a special little girl who has been patiently waiting for over two months now.  Luckily her Mum knows I'm a complete weirdo and stresshead and can just laugh at me when I admit to a few unpicking sessions.

Never fear - I'll get there!  ;)

LE CHALLENGE

Lastly... whew... I've also jumped on board of Lucy and Nat's fabulous new Le Challenge.  This month's theme is "geometrics" and has certainly got the cogs turning.  Check it out by clicking the button below and join in the fun.

Ok, I'm out of breath after all that so time it's probably time to shush and get back to some wedding planning.  Less than 5 weeks til the big day.  Wowsers!

E.

Linking up at Freshly Pieced

WIP - Blocks, Blocks and More Blocks

I don't know what it is about the new year but at the moment I seem to be in a serious clean-out mode when it comes to all my unfinished projects or bee commitments.  So... this week, in particular, I have been concentrating on various bee blocks.

First up is some AMH feather blocks for Lara in the Quilt Club Australia bee.  Admittedly these were due last month but I got a little behind as these drove me completely bonkers and ended up sitting on my table half-done for weeks.  I am definitely not feeling the love.

Lara asked for feathers in pink, orange and yellow, with a black centre and a grey background.  These blocks are large (18" x 9") but, for some strange reason, my first attempt came up a little short.  ARGH!

So I tried again and managed to come away with two half-decent blocks.  I've made two as I stupidly offered to make Laura's for her... and I'll send off the original smaller one as well with the hope that it can be used on the back or some such.  Even though they are pretty, I can't say I'll be sorry to see the back of these.

With the end of 2012 I've now retired from the QCA Bee and have instead turned my attention to the do.good.stitches Care circle.  I am stupidly excited to be a part of this fantastic cause.

For January the new hostess with the mostess, Kristy, requested Charm Stars (using this tutorial) in blues and aquas.  I was happily surprised to discover that I do have a few blues in my stash, so was able to create two blocks with completely different fabrics.

These stars came together quickly and easily and, after seeing all the pictures popping up in the flickr group, I can not wait to see the assembled quilt.  Great block choice, Kristy!

Surprisingly, February's block has already been announced so I jumped right in and got them done, while I was in the mood.  Eva-Marie asked for improvisational aeroplane blocks (using this tutorial) in blues and greens, with touches of red, orange and/or yellow to spice things up.

These were fun to put together and allowed a little creativity as far as shapes, sizes, placements etc.  Each block is the same at 11.5" x 11.5" - but I like how different they look.  The small, stripey version is definitely my favourite.  I think this quilt will be very interesting and I am intrigued at how Eva-Marie is going to pull it all together.  Will definitely keep an eye on this project.

Lastly, I recently re-discovered these orphan Birds in the Air blocks from when I was a part of the Quilt Block Swap Australia group and thought they'd be perfect sewn together and made into a little charity quilt.  Timing for this couldn't have been more apt as Jess has recently put a call-out for donations to those affected by the terrible bushfires in Tasmania, Australia so I plan to get this quilted asap and sent across country.

For more information on how you can help this cause, then please, please, please read this post.

I'm off now to start quilting.  No idea what I'm going to do but something should come to mind.  Ahh!  ;)

E.

 

 
Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Quilting for Kids Block

Just a quickie post today to beg plead blackmail kindly request you to sign up to the latest round of Quilting for Kids.  Nita, from nitadances on flickr, is making quilts for kids living in emotionally precarious situations and has put the call out for Reverse Rainbow Starburst blocks, as per this tutorial, in purples and gold.

I signed up yesterday and managed to get this finished in the same day.  Yep, it is that quick and easy!

So, if you have some spare time and are able to get a block off to Nita in Canada by 15th December, please, please, please sign up here.  I will love you forever and ever.  ;)

E.

Linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations.

UPDATE - Oops, just read that to link up to Megan's Sew Modern Monday it's supposed to be a finished project.  Hmm... a finished block counts right?  I'm going to say it does.  ;)