Just Take 2 Update...

I'm all up to date with my Just Take 2 blocks and ready for the next bunch.  These are such fun to put together and are very much like the red blocks I did last year.  AND before you ask...no I haven't done anything with them yet :o)  I have some other red and white blocks that I would like to add to them and  I just need to sort out how they can all go together.

The assembly of these blocks was quite painless...The first 2 from left to right were paper pieced while the last was traditionally pieced.



I'm thrilled how well this schoolhouse block (below) went together...eventually!  I don't know how I did it, but the original templates I printed were the wrong size.  I'm sure I ticked the box for actual size, but somehow they all came out wrong.  I reprinted them and checked the box "choose paper source by PDF page size" and that seem to fix the problem.  It shouldn't have had any effect, but second time round the templates were the right size and the construction of the block went smoothly.

It was a mixture of rotary cutting and freezer paper templates which were ironed to the wrong side of the fabric and stayed in place while you sewed as to mark the pivot point for the Y seams.  This was a very effective method of piecing these odd shaped pieces and all my points ended up in the right place...oh and the block measures right and is flat! LOL  I'll never be so lucky again.

Until next time....

112 in 2012 (#4)

I've been lucky enough to see this orchid I was given for my birthday last summer grow a second spike and flower for the second time.  It is blooming marvellous!

..and the secret to this success, well I did like you told me and ignored it!

This is my
#20 Wild Plant or Flower
entry for 112 in 2012

Until next time....

In Progress...

January has proved to be a rather productive month.  I completed my first set of blocks for the "Just take 2 Challenge" and I'm well on my way to completing set 2.  I will be using dark blues and whites for this challenge... I figure you can't go wrong with blue and white.

Next was two afternoon sewing session that got this scrappy bargello sewn into a top.  I used Bonnie's instructions, but instead of 2 1/2" strips I used 3 1/2" strips.  I don't think the effect is as nice as it would be with the smaller strips, but it will be perfect for Project Linus.  I don't know many patterns that come together as quickly as this one did and I already have another bin of smaller strips ready to go to make a second one.

Until next time....

Sew Hip...Sew Cool!

Lookie lookie.... I hope you don't mind but I wanted to share with you the little article on page 15 of the current (March) issue of Sew Hip.  How cool is that?!
If you are here because you found me through the magazine, then welcome!  I hope you enjoy your visit and that you'll visit again soon :o)

Until next time....

Sploosh....

Well I resisted as long as I could, but in the end I couldn't help myself...and sploosh I dove straight into making a house from the Building Houses from Scraps blog.  I figured if I made one then that would satisfy the itch...right?

I redrafted the original pattern in EQ7 so I could work in inches.  (I just couldn't get my brain to work in centimetres as the original was 7.5 cm) This does make my blocks a little bit bigger finishing at 3 3/4"...but in cm or inches it is still small.  I printed my templates onto freezer paper and set myself up to hand piece the block.

So can any of you bright sparks out there see the mistake?

Well it would seem I forgot to mirror my templates so my house will be facing the other way!  :o)  Doesn't really matter (unless there is some reason it should face the other way) and it is still cute.



So did I just stop at one?  Well you will have to wait and see :o)

Until next time....

112 in 2012 (#3)

Another set of pictures for the 112 in 2012 Challenge.
As January comes to a close I'm rather pleased with how many pictures I took. Normally January is a rather blue month, but this year I conscientiously decided I wasn't going to let it get me down.  It has helped that we've had some sunny days and I've made sure to grab the camera and my children when inspiration has struck! :o)

#74 Backlit
I like her reflection in the glass too...
Taken when the sun decided to make a rare appearance...


#88 Silhouette
Slightly tweaked in Gimp to increase the glow. Taken during the busy morning school run.
(one should always have a camera handy!...and be prepared to have "Mom, are you done taking pictures?" chiming in the background) :o)


#24 Black & White Portrait
Caught during an impromptu "photo shoot..."

Until next time....

Local Quilt Shows - Part 2

Last Wednesday 4 of us, Lynda, Liz and Muriel (no blog) and I went to the Heart of the Shires to see the exhibition of student's work at Crafts and Quilts.  There were some fantastic projects and I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but I didn't take note of the names...I know terrible!

I love this draft stopper!...but I also love the stripey quilt you can see behind it because that is the work of one of my students that took what she learned on my FMQ class and put it to use!  For me that is the biggest compliment to know that I empowered someone to go forth and quilt!  Just wonderful!



Now this next piece is so stunning...An English walled garden!  So many details and so much work!!



Look at the little gate...



..and the outside as decorated as the inside...



You can almost hear the water...



..and the dog and his lead.





These teddies were sweet.



And here's Alice's cardigan...
Now I'd like to draw your attention to the label.  Started in 1993 finished in 2011!
You know what this means?!  There is hope for the oldest projects in the UFO box!



Lastly, but not least another example from a student who used FMQ for the trees.  I think she did a fabulous job!

Until next time....

Local Quilt Shows - Part 1

I found an happy surprise when I checked the files on my pocket camera only to discover the pictures I took at the Bramble Patch exhibition which took place before Christmas.  It's never too late to show you some of the treasures that were on display, so here is the post about them...enjoy!

These close-ups were of a stunning quilt made by Janet Howes and I have just checked the Bramble's website and it would seem it was the winning quilt!  Congrats to Janet.  If you liked to see a full picture there is one with Janet on their site.



I also loved this scrappy quilt and the gorgeous hand quilting...so pretty and so bold to use red thread!
Love it!





Then there were these lovely hearts with buttons...



I thought these were sweet and would lovely in any sewing space.



Tomorrow I'll post about my trip to the Heart of the Shires....stay tuned :o)

Until next time....

Grab your Daughters, Grand-daughters and Nieces to watch....

This video, which I first saw on Violet Posy's Blog, is so clever and so true!  If you have young females in your life then this is worth a watch...



Fotoshop by Adobé from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.
This commercial isn't real, neither are society's standards of beauty.

Until next time....

112 in 2012 (#2)

Well I might actually stick with this photograph challenge.  It is only week 2 and I have another set of pictures.  Granted I have another 50 odd weeks to get through, but it is promising to get a few more snaps done at this early stage.  The whole point of the challenge is to keep the camera handy and keep taking pictures and that's what I'm doing. :o)

This week has seen chilly weather hit the U.K.  (granted not nearly as cold as Canada where Montreal saw -19C!  Now that's cold!)  Check out Lina's post and you'll see what I mean! But with the chilly weather brings some beautiful crisp blue skys and plenty of picture taking opportunities.


#75 Five minutes from home
Taken last Saturday while the sky was clear and crisp. Slightly modified in Gimp to give it a bit more punch.


#51 Winter
The cars were covered in these amazing snow crystals.  If you look closely you can see the odd hexagon!


#51 Winter (yes another one)
More icy crystals... couldn't stop at just one entry for winter..


#93 Reflection
I was really please I caught this water droplet as it dripped just after the picture was snapped...I love the cool reflection captured.  Once again my little pocket camera is the best for these close up shots.

Until next time....