New York Beauty blocks #3 and #4

I'm just back home after a wonderful 1 hour+ fast walk together with one of our dogs. The morning was a bit crisp - if I can say so during the Mauritian tropical summer. I'm an early bird, so out we went at 05:30 a.m. Sunrise, and the sky was so pretty blue and pink. This was the first day out after some 3-4 mornings when it has been raining cats and dogs when we were ready to go out. The path was a bit muddy, but that doesn't really matter; out is out! :) 
Update: I wrote this draft in the morning, but then decided to do some gardening. I spent about 4 hours in the garden and was able to do more than I expected! Feels good! :)

We had lots of rain Sunday morning, so what felt better than to snuggle up in front of the sewing machine to finish more NY Beauty blocks. See my previous post.

 

This is block #3.
The tutorial is by Katy at 'The Littlest Thistle' - click here. What I noticed now after looking at the tutorial (I didn't do so while sewing), is that two of the center pieces should have been inverted! :( When I sewed them together, I had the feeling something was wrong, but couldn't figure out what and I was too lazy putting on the computer to verify. Oh well.. the blocks are not sewn together, so perhaps I'll redo two of them - it all depends on how I'm placing all the blocks in the quilt...
 

...and block #4.

This block has Lee from 'Freshly Pieced' tutorial. Click here.

As you can see, I'm making 4 of each blocks. Last night I made one from the next block, was 'interrupted' by gardening earlier today, so perhaps I'll sew more tonight - if I'm not dead tired after all the exercise today! :))

 

New York Beauty Blocks - workings on UFO's

If you read my previous post, you already know I have joined 'Nothing but UFO's in 2013. My goal was to sandwich the 'Colorado Star' quilt, because I have batting and backing - I said... WRONG! I pulled out the batting, measured and it was absolutely not enough! :(( I have to go to the neighbor town to get the batting and I don't know when that will be.

Well, since that project has to wait, I decided to work on the New York Beauty blocks. The NYB QAL was hosted last year by Kim over at My Go-Go Life. You can still get the tutorials there.  
This is block #6. Amy over at Sukie Don't You Know Who I Am has the tutorial.

 

The next block I will be working on is block #2.

 

 

Quilt tops finished in December - #2

The second quilt top I finished, is the Blogger's BOM 2011/2012, hosted by Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works. When the BOM started in September 2011, I decided to make two blocks of each to end up with a bigger quilt. I think 13 blocks of 8 inch square is a bit too small to my liking...

It took some time before I decided on the setting. I wanted to set the blocks diagonally, but couldn't decide on blocks in between. The only thing I knew is that I wanted it to be a bigger quilt.

 

 

The most difficult was to decide on the design of the 'in-between' blocks and sashing. I tend to buy half or one yard fabrics, and I didn't have anything suitable measuring 1.5 yards. In the end I decided on two different greens on the sashing and using the white tone-on-tone fabric for the extra blocks, the cornerstones for sashing and triangles. I had just enough left of one of the greens I used for the sashing, for a narrow first border and then I've used a yellow floral fabric for the outer border.

 

 

I've noticed after the top was finished that I've made a mistake; I'll have to turn one of the blue-ish blocks in the center... If I don't do it, I know it will haunt me forever - LOL!

You can see Jackie's finished quilt top here.

 

 

 



Quilt tops finished in December - #1

I know that some of you have noticed I haven't been much online this month, which is true. I have been busy, busy sewing! :) I have finished some quilt tops, which feels very good! :) The first one I finished some weeks ago is a Postage Stamp Quilt - a QAL we do in this wonderful group. To avoid punishment (swords etc!), I finished the quilt top in time before deadline December 31st! Don't know what will happen to those who have not finished theirs?! LOL

 

 

Closeup of the fabrics I have used...

 

 

The full size quilt...

 

 

Some of us are making the quilt using jelly rolls, while others are cutting and piecing squares together.

I had a jelly roll - 'Evening Mist' from Moda sitting on the shelf for months, which I had no plans for. I added one solid jelly roll - Bella Solids Natural. I love the fabrics, even if they are a bit outside my comfort zone.

I have yet to decide if I'm going to add a narrow border - or not.... I think I won't - it looks good as it is and I'm not sure I want it bigger....  

 

 

 

Blogger's BOM #12 and #13

As you surely know, this year has been 'the year of visitors'.

It all started at in June when we had friends over from India. Then August came and my dear friend Johnny visited. Four weeks almost on the day after he left, dear girlfriend Kari and lovely daughter Nina landed here - for three weeks. Needles to say it hasn't been much quilting lately, except the birthday quilt to Kari as well as to Johnny.

Three days after my dear friends left, I'm almost back to normal routines. It certainly take some time to 'recover' after being together with friends and having a wonderful time....

 

Today though, I decided to do the last two blocks on 'Blogger's BOM', hosted by Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works. If you have missed the links to some of the blocks or haven't started yet - you can find the links to all the blocks at Jackie's blog, on the right side bar.

 

I started out with block #12 (August) - from Amy Ellis over at Amy's Creative Side.

For the tutorial of this block, click here.

I'm not sure I like the way it turned out.... it's too busy. I should have used more contrasting fabrics...:( But done is done... I don't think I'll bother to change them or even make two new blocks... I shall see......... They will be 'hidden' together with the other blocks...

 

 Block #13 (September) - from Sarah Fielke over at The Last Piece

For the tutorial of this block, click here.

I love this block; a star in the star.

 

Now all the blocks are done! When it all started one year ago, I decided to go for two of each blocks, which means I now have 26 8 inch blocks. That will be a good size quilt.

Jump over to Jackie's blog to see the setting....

I think it looks great - doesn't it?!
I hope I have fabrics for the setting.... For all the blocks I have used bits and pieces, hence I do not have enough for the setting, so I'll have to look for something suitable from my stash. Yesterday I had in mind to finish at least the quilt top, but this morning I came up with an idea for a few small Christmas projects that I'll do today! :)  

 

Blogger's BOM #9, 10 and 11 and progress on BD-quilt

As you know, I have been - still am - extremely busy completing Johnny's birthday quilt. Victory to me; the quilt top is done! :) Some days ago I decided on backing; flannel and today I started the sandwiching, pin basting and thread basting. The quilt takes up the entire dinning room table - a good reason to tidy up a little bit of stash, sewing equipment etc. I'm not going to tell more about it now, it has to be a secret! :)

Well, being busy with visitors (June) and thereafter the birthday quilt, I have not had time for the Blogger's BOM blocks - until some days ago... After working weeks on a big project, it feels good to rewind with a few blocks only.

I thought it was time to do Blogger's BOM block #9 first of all. Jacki over at Canton Village Quilt Works is hosting Blogger's BOM quilt-a-long.

Block #9 has Cathy from Cabbage Quilts tutorial

Since the start, I decided to make two of each block, alternate the fabrics I'm using. I'm not sure about the colors I have chosen here... perhaps a bit too bright to my liking...
Anyway... they are OK... :)

 

Block #10 is from Pam over at Pam Kitty Morning and you'll find the tutorial here.

Block #11 is from Victoria at Bumble Beans Inc. Click here for the tutorial.

Block #12 will be out August 25th and has Amy Ellis at Amy's Creative Side direction.

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It's weekend and I think I'm going to continue working on Johnny's quilt. I have started quilting it, it will be a mix of FMQ and stitch-in-the-ditch. I've started with the latter, but - sigh - it goes slow... I had a break from it yesterday; I was fed up! :( That is how it should be, isn't it, a love & hate relation to a quilt?! :)
This is all I can show.... Be patient, it will be revealed in a 3-weeks time...

Dear readers; have a wonderful and crafty weekend!
  

Blogger's BOM #8

The blocks for Blogger's BOM #8 - April 2012 is done.

Blogger's BOM is hosted by Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works.

The April block #8 has Amy Lobsiger from Mrs. Schmenkman Quilt's  tutorial. Click here for the tutorial.

 

  Block #8 (May) will have Cathy Underhill from Cabbage Quilt's tutorial.

Check out her blog on May 25th for the tutorial.

 

Blogger's BOM #6 and #7

I had in mind to blog block #6 after I made it some weeks ago... That never happened, so here are block #6 and #7. As you know; I make two of each, for a bigger quilt.

Blogger's BOM is hosted by Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works.

The February block #6 has Amy Smart from Diary of a Quilter's tutorial. Click here for the tutorial.

The March block #7 has Allison Harris from Cluck Cluck Sew's tutorial. Click here for the tutorial.

The April block #8 will have Amy Lobsiger from Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts' tutorial. Check back around April 25th.

Blogger's BOM #5 & (I've) Got the blues

As mentioned in my previous post, I've done Blogger's BOM #5. If you don't know by now, Blogger's BOM is hosted by Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works.

Block #5 is designed by John Adams over at Quilt Dad.

Quite a cool block, isn't it? A great way to use up 1.5 inch strips.
The February block will be designed by Amy Smart - Diary of a Quilter.

I was a bit surprised by the cutting instruction though, but didn't notice until after I had made the first block. (I make two blocks of each, for a bigger quilt). The background fabric pieces is said to be cut 4x6 inches, but according to me that is waste of fabric. It's OK when only one block is made that way, but imagine the waste making a queen or king size quilt! When making the second block, I cut the pieces 3.5 x 6 inches, which is still a bit too much. As you can see, still 1/2 inch too much, so I believe 3 1/4 x 6 inches is sufficient. No offense to the designer, I was just thinking BIG! :) Fabric is expensive, so I believe we all want to save where it is possible, don't we?

  

I wonder if I'm pre-senile??!! I had already forgotten about these blocks, which I sewed in the beginning of January! The fabrics I've used are swatches from the box I received last year - remember my friend Johnny and the old lady? :) The fabric line is 'Just wing it' by MoMo for Moda. The plan is to make a baby quilt, but even if I've added white tone-on-tone, I don't have enough even for a small baby quilt... and you know what that means?! SIGH! :) Yes, made a purchase today! :)

What's going on in your head when you are quilting? If you are like me; all sorts of thoughts, new ideas etc. I came up with the idea to do a bedroom makeover! Our bedroom is old fashioned pink with a darker shade on the focal wall. I loved it when it was freshly painted, but now - after almost 5 years - I'm a bit tired of it! :) I got the idea to repaint the walls, the bed and bedside tables and... here it comes; quilted curtains and bed spread in blues and white!

I have been into repainting, restoring and all that for many years, so I know it is a lot of work, but this is something I really love to do. It's too hot and humid for painting this time of the year though, so I'll have to concentrate on quilting... :)

Here's the beginning of either the bed spread or curtains... I've made only four blocks so far.

 Navy blue is not really my color,  but this is the color I started with. I'll use blues from my scraps so each block won't have the same blues, they will vary from light to darker blues. I know what I already have of blues won't be enough, so I have already sinned! I had to purchase some fat quarters from Hancocks of Paducah! :)   

I hope I won't be tempted to start yet another project!!! I think these - in addition to the UFO's - should keep me more than busy the coming months! :)

Blogger's BOM #4 and NYB blocks

Canton Village Quilt Works - Blogger's BOM block #4 is done!

Block #4 is designed by Pat Sloan over at The Voice of Quilting.

I'm not sure I like my color choices - only myself to blame for that!!!

Next block - #5 - will be designed by John Adams over at Quilt Dad.

As you may remember, last year I tried my hands on New York Beauty blocks. Piecing those blocks are not the same as piecing squares together; they have scary curves!!!

These are the first ones I made... I'm far from happy with them; they are wonky and no way they turned out the size they were supposed to be; 6.5 inches square. :((

I decided to make them different, by omitting the two curves at each side of the center/points, cut the two pieces a little bit bigger for so to trim the block to the right size later. This is how they turned out;

Still a bit wonky, but I should get some good practise working on those, before I proceed to the more complicated ones - like those I made first... :)

To those of you who makes those blocks; do you prefer hand- or machine piecing?  

Blogger's BOM #2 & #3 / Hand stitching

Today I'm ready to tidy up and put away my sewing equipment - for a few weeks! The sewing machine is cleaned and oiled and all the other stuff ready to be put away... somewhere.... Yes, I say 'somewhere', because I don't really have enough space for much more now! :))

This morning I did the final hand stitching (binding) on a Christmas gift (can't show it now, because the recipients have yet to receive it) and I did 'Blogger's BOM' block #3 too. I made block #2 long time ago, but never got around blogging it.

Since the quilt will be rather small if making one block only, I decided to make two each month.

Well, here it is, block #2 - hosted by Vicki Welsh - Field Trips in Fibers

For these two blocks I have used fabrics (except the background fabric) from 'Love is' by Nancy Halvorsen.

Blogger's BOM block #3 - hosted by Stephanie Dunphy - Loft Creations

I don't know what fabric line this is... What I know is; it's beautiful! :)

Even if I tidy up & put away my sewing equipment for Christmas, I won't be out of work!

I finally received the fabric and quilting thread to finish up four table toppers. Now the quilting is done - binding is on - and the binding is ready to be hand stitched to the back on all four table toppers, plus the huge Polar Bear quilt! I don't know if I'll do them all... it depends on the weather.... Yes, the weather!!! We are into summer now and if it hits the +30C's, it will be too hot 'wearing' the huge Polar Bear quilt on my lap hand stitching the binding! :)

Wonderful last week before Christmas to you all!



Bloggers BOM

I'm not really into BOM's, but I couldn't resist this one!

I got inspired by this blog, this blog and of course this blog! There are many others out there who participate in this BOM, but those blogs I've linked to were the first ones where I saw the first block and learnt about the BOM.

Jackie over at Canton Village Quilt Works is hosting a free BOM and you can read about it here.  The first block is already available - click here for instructions.
Cille over at this blog has a point; the blocks are only 8 inch square, so she has decided to make two for a bigger quilt or perhaps another quilt... I think that is a good idea, so I decided to make two too.

My blocks are going to be scrappy. It was easy choosing these fabrics; they are - except from the background fabric - leftover from a Christmas gift I'm currently working on... The background fabric I have saved and saved - for what ? - you may ask?! Perhaps it has waited for this BOM?! :) I got it from my friend Ragna (no blog) in Norway, at least 4-5 years ago - so I guess it is time to use it!

Jackie, thank you so very much for hosting this BOM! I can't wait for the next block!