The Splendid Sampler - playing catch-up. Blocks 9, 10 and 11.

I have been working on a lot of other projects, so I have fallen behind on my blocks for The Splendid Sampler.

I had cut blocks 9, 10, 11 and 12 a few days ago, so they were ready to sew "whenever I had a couple of minutes" - I just never did! Or....when I did, I chose to do something else :)

Today I finally just sat down by my machine and started....

Block 9 "Local Quilt Shop"

This was a fun block, I really like house blocks, but I don't think I ever made one before! One of many advantages to The Splendid Sampler - trying new things!

Block 10 "Iowa"

This one reminds me of a frosted donut, or sherbert..... My daugther loves it and wants me to make her a pillow with one giant Iowa block. 

Block 11 "Crocheted Thoughts"

This one obviosly still needs the crochet/embroidery. I am not sure how I am going to do that, So I am leaving it like this for now..

I still need to sew blocks 12 and 13. But I feel like I am caught up for now. I'll have some time to sew over the weekend - but I have a special block planned. So the sampler may have to wait until next week..

Black and White Squares WIP

Why not start something new? I only have a huge pile of quilttops waiting to be basted, quilted and bound... Anyway, I started this...

I first remember seeing this pattern in a sweater by Kaffe Fassett. It is fun, a bit of a pain to figure out the size of everything - I guess I forgot most of the geometry I learned...

I need to cut a lot more - this is going to be huge! I love it already :-)
Tomorrow is A's birthday, so I ma putting this away for now, but not for too long. Can't wait to satrt sewing those squares!

The Splendid Sampler Update - I am behind!

It's difficult to do 2 blocks every week. It sounds easy, but it really isn't. So...now I am 4 blocks behind. I decided to just cut the fabrics needed, and then they are ready for me to sew, when I get a chance.

I am going to start with the newest block, and work my way backwards...

Pat Sloans "Checkerboard" block

"Crocheted Thoughts" by Alyssa Thomas:

Sherri McConnell: "Iowa" - I really like this one :)

...and "Local Quilt Shop" by Jane Davidson

Now I just need some time to sew!!

My 11 year old hair stylist and an early birthday present

Next Monday is my sons 9th birthday, I made him a floor cushion - and I just couldn't wait, so I gave it to him today! 

I pieced blue strips from my bigger scraps, and quilted with a loopy pattern. The pillow is 65 cm square, so it is big enough for him to sit on, while playing games or watching tv - or building LEGOs or whatever else he does. 

My feet are in the pictures for scale - because you all know how big my feet are, right? :)

The pillow is fully lined, and with its really big zipper, it is easy to just throw this pillow case in the wash.

In other news, I really desperately needed a haircut. So I asked my daugther, if she would do it, she reluctantly agreed. Yesterday she cut 4-5 inches off the length, aaaaah. But, I really wanted bangs....so today, she cut those too. 

Yay. I am really happy with the result. And really proud of my very brave 11 year old hair stylist daugther!

Dressmaking, Part 1 (....of who knows how many!)

I have made some clothes before, but I try to stick with the not too complicated patterns. I am ok (sort of) with zippers, but no lining or stiff interface-heavy collars for me.... Oh...and buttons are not my favorite either.

Anyway...the dress. The kids have this week off, so I will be taking them on day trips - and not have much time left for my sewing project. But a little each day will make a difference. So today: tracing the pattern!

I had forgotten the crazy look of the pattern sheets in Burda magazines :-) Oh well, I got it done. The pattern is traced, cut out and ready to go! But then it was time to cook dinner, and play a board game and bed for the kiddos. So...I will make more progress tomorrow. I hope.

New Potholders

I needed a quick and easy project - and new potholders! 

I decided to do HSTs, so they came together pretty quick. That made me think I could spend a little more time on the quilting...

I do love straight line quilting, but it takes such a long time....

I am happy with the result, though!

New potholders, a finished project, and it didn't take too long. What's not to love about that?!

Itty Bitty Pin Cushions...

Pin cushions! I have been meaning to make some for the longest time, but just never sat down and did it. I have looked at Amanda Jean's pin cushions, all the pretties under #thepincushionproject on Instagram, and today I finally pulled some scraps

The top for this is 3'' sq before sewing it to the backing, making the finished pin cushion app 2.5'' sq. So it really is just a small little thing. Perfect for a travel project. Or just because....

.......because it's impossible to just make one!

The Splendid Sampler, Block 8 "Friends Around the Square"

I seem to always be a block or 2 behind everyone else :) 

Today I made block 8, it was a fast and fun block, designed by Julie Karasek.

I am downloading the patterns from The Splendid Samplers website when they are published, then when I have time, I am ready to go. I hope I'll keep doing this - also when I am 8 - 10 or even 20 blocks behind :)

I dream of sewing dresses....

I love wearing dresses. Especially in summer. I haven't had much luck sewing my own - but surely, that must be possible?!

This afternoon, I bought a burda style magazine, and I took a coffee break and read it. There are so many cute dresses and skirts in this one. 

Just look at this dress on the cover. I have to give it a try! If you have a favorite dress to sew, please share :)

Getting Ready for Easter

I try to hang seasonal wreaths on our door, but since we don't have anything other than a Christmas wreath, we always have to make the wreaths for the specific season. And....well...let's just say, that doesn't always happen.

Today I bought 65m/71yards of ribbon, and Ask and I cut it into pieces and tied it to a metal ring.

Then I glued the little chickens onto it with some very strong and smelling glue. My fingers got stuck to the container, the ribbon, the chickens, the table....evrything I touched. Now I am wondering, when I will ever get the rest of the dry glue off my fingers again.. 

Anyway, we are quite pleased with our new Easter wreath. I doubt we'll be able to save it - after it has been out in all kinds of weather! But it's cute for now :)

Finding Treasures in the Stash

Since I am going to sew mostly (I want to say only, but let's keep it real...) from stash in 2016, I decided to rearrange it a little, to clean up and see what I have.

 I have plans for this architextures fabric already...

And look, I also have ideas for how to use this Denyse Schmidt FQ bundle. I forgot the name of this line...probably says something about how long it's been hiding in my stash :)

I have other projects lined up forst, but oooooh...I so want to cut into these!

New Crafty Storage

Living in a small apartment in downtown Copenhagen with my 2 kids does mean, that we don't have a lot of room. Needless to say, I don't have a craft room, and I need to be a little creative when figuring out how to store things.

I found these pretty round boxes the other day:

The bigger one is perfect for my growing pile of hexies

One of the smaller ones holds my small solids scraps. It's nice to have them handy when working on Splendid Sampler blocks

Much better than having everything laying around in piles all over the living room :)

I bought (!) a quilt...

I saw this quilt at a store for app USD 50. I would not be able to buy the materials needed for that amount of money. So I bought one. I have wanted a solid color quilt for my bed for a while, so now I have one

So...the bed is made, and it looks a lot calmer than the patchwork quilts I usually use. I'll want one of those back in a couple of weeks, but it's nice to be able to alternate :)

I have also decided, that Easter is close enough for decorations to come out 

I also need a new wreath for the front door......must put the kids to work!

The Splendid Sampler, Block 7 "Snug as a Bug"

I have been putting this one off a little bit, I even considered doing a bonus block instead, just because I am not comfortable with embroidery. I put on my brave pants, and I did it...

It's a lot more white than any of my other blocks, but I like it.
These are my first 7 blocks:

This is such a fun project, if you haven't already, you should join. Go to The Splendid Sampler and get started! All the information is there.

The Splendid Sampler, Block 6 "Focal Point"

For this block, I actually did need to stay focused. It's another one of those "it may look simple, but really it isn't!"-blocks:

 The pattern is designed by Natalia Bonner, and you can find on The Splendid Sampler's website until spring 2017.

Sarah Fielke BOM - Block 7

This was a difficult one to complete. But the purpose of joining the BOM was to learn - so the challenges are good.

Look! Points! That made me happy :) So far, so good!

Here is the block with the rest of what I have finished so far:

Well....the vine border block on the bottom is not completed. I am still working on that.

Today (or rather yesterday) was also a happy mail day. I received these needlekeeps, they are going to be really helpful for me to keep track of my appliqué needles.

Miss V wants the green one wiht the rabbit, so if I need more than one, I'll have to order a new one for me.

New glasses and some slow progress

When you start sewing needleturn appliqué, you will discover, if you need glasses. I did! 

So here they are, I am very happy, I can now see....even the small things such as the eye of an appliqué needle :) 

I have finished one vine border block, and am almost done with number 2. I am taking my time, and enjoying the process.

...and let me just add: it's a lot easier, now that I can see, what and where I am stitching!

Day at home with the kids

My kids are sick, so most of yesterday, and pretty much all of today, I have been doing this:

No sewing and no work - just Monopoly Disney. And sick kids.

The Splendid Sampler - February blocks done

The first month has been so much fun. The patterns have been so pretty, and also so challenging.

I am still thinking of redoing block 4 "Happy Happy", Those circles just are not very round, and they are not growing on me - quite the opposite!

Other than that, I am happy (!) with my blocks so far:

I want to sew block 6 today, but then, I also want to read these: 

I think I'll make a cup of tea and sit and read for a bit :-)

Sarah Fielke BOM: Practicing needle turn appliqué

Moving on to month 2 of Sarah Fielkes BOM, and this is a lot of applique setting blocks. It's a good thing I have until October to get these done. I am new at appliqué (actually I have no idea what I am doing), but it was one of the reasons for me signing up for this BOM. I have always loved Sarah Fielkes quilts, but have never made one, because I was intimidated by all the appliuqué (we'll talk about all the hand quilting another day....)

Anyway, I have prepped the appliqué blocks with green stems, I have cut my leaves, and I am ready to go. We'll see how I do. This is how far I got, before I had to stop last night. Also, I need to get more thread - I apparantly don't sew a lot in yellow, orange and light green :-)

In all fairness, Sarah gives excellent instructions in this BOM, so if ever I am going to learn, it is going to be while finishing this :-)

The Splendid Sampler, Block 4 "Happy Happy"

2016 will be the year I learn to appliqué...I will! I love appliqued quilts, but I am way too intimidated to try it.

This year I have made sure I am part of different projects that all include appliqué - because then I can't avoid it :) I didn't know The Splendid Sampler would be one of them, but why not?

Jen Kingwell designed this block, and I loved making it. It's a little wonky in places, but for a first try I would say it is ok.