Sarah Fielke BOM - block 4

I am trying my best to finish the last blocks of my Sarah Fielke BOM 2016 "Happy Days"

 

I finished this today. 

It is paperpieced and as always, Sarah's pattern is perfect and so well explained. 

This was a fun block to sew. I hope to make the next block tomorrow. 

.....and still need to pull the paper off of this one 😉

Sarah Fielke BOM - update #2

 For some reason I have been focused on the appliqué blocks in this BOM - but there are plenty of pieces blocks as well. 

This is one of them, lots of hst's in this one

 

I do like how it turned out. 

I also finished the block that has little curved almost-hexies flowers in a vase. 

 

That one was really fun to sew! Now I have 3 appliqué blocks left to do, and a bunch of pieced blocks as well. I'll get there - it's a fun learning proces! 

Sarah Fielke BOM - Block 19

I had a hard time choosing fabrics for this last block of month 3, block 19. I ended up making it very coordinated, the overall look of the quilt is going to be so scrappy, that I decided to keep the colors within the blocks more "calm"

This is before glueing the pieces down. Lots of curves in this block, lots of inside points - great for practising!

This is my progress so far:

I finished all the setting stars, and I have 3 vine border blocks left to stitch. But I have until October to get those done, so no rush...

The Splendid Sampler - Block 13, 16 and a bonus block...

It's been a while since I made some of the splendid sampler blocks, and you really do fall behind pretty quick... Today I started out just prepping some of the blocks, I had a really bad headache, and then prepping is a nice and quiet activity....

This evening, I was ready to sew, and I started by making block 16 "Pieces of Friendship"

I moved on to block 13 "Scrap Stars" - this one was a little tricky, so I took my time. I was so pleased that it came out the right size, because that's a lot of seams in one little 6.5'' block :-)

The last block I pieced today is a bonus block. Why not make an extra, when there are 4 patterns waiting for me.......??

But I just love this "Inside Out" block - and it really is a fast block to put together

I would like to make a whole quilt of these - but then I would probably make each block bigger......and wonky :-)

Sarah Fielke BOM - Block 1: The Bird Block

I have made some progress on my Sarah Fielke BOM "Happy Days". Somehow, between my different projects, I just don't seem to finish anything these days :-)

Anyway....this BOM is so fun, and I am learning so much. I would never have dared try to needleturn applique something like this bird:

But tonight I finished it, and I am so happy with how it turned out

Next up is a block with lots more circles, inside curves and small pieces....I can do it!

The Splendid Sampler - Block 12 "Checkerboard"

This was a fast and fun block to sew. I didn't cut all the little sqaures, but cut 1.5'' strips and went from there. I considered choosing a different color for each strip, but I have made the decision to stay as close to the original patterns as possible. For me to learn as much as possible.

So here it is:

This block was designed by Pat Sloan. It was fast and fun to sew. Makes me want to finally sew that trip around the world quilt :)

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!!

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 :)

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.

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.

The Splendid Sampler, Block 5 "Simple Simon"

This was fun! But also, I need to remember, that simple is not always easy... This was great for practicing accuracy, because if everything is not cut and sewn right, those seams are not going to lign up right...

To join the fun, go to The Splendid Sampler's website, download the patterns and go!

WIP: Scrappy Wonky Spiderwebs

....so, while I'm working on block 4 in The Splendid Sampler, and waiting for Month 2 of the Sarah Fielke BOM, I'll share something else I am working on - on and off in between the quilt-alongs!
I have so many scrappy strips in all different widths. I bet I can make several quilts just from these strips. I have not sorted them in any way, and one of the things I like about working with scraps is, that everything is more or less ready to use as is.

I love the spiderweb block, so I have been working on a quilt with that block - I made mine wonky, just because I like it that way

The top is almost done, but it's little small....so I am thinking about ideas for a border. I have a few ideas I have to audition :-)

For this, I bought the grey background fabric, the rest is all scraps. Oh my....

The Splendid Sampler, Block 2 "Wings"

I made this block twice as well. The first one is mostly white, and that just doesn't work for me. I was concerned that a mix of colors would make the block so busy that you wouldn't be able to see the butterflies - but I think it works.
I am not very good at quilting over embroidery, so I decided to draw the antennae onto the butterflies. 

To get an overview of the LO, I did lay it all out on the table before sewing it up. It's fun to sew with such little pieces. These are 1'' finished.

If you want to join, go to www.thesplendidsampler.com - the patterns are free, and it's a lot of fun to sew these 6.5'' squares. I am probably not going to be able to sew all of them, but that's ok. It's a fun learning process.

The Splendid Sampler, Block 1 "Hearts Aflutter"

I am trying to catch up the first 2 blocks. I had made one of block 1 already, but didn't like it. So I made another:

I always like pictures with quilts with lots of white - but they never really work for me. Somehow I cannot balance the white, and it just doesn't look good. So I am going to play it safe, and use very little white, and lots of color :-)

This was the first block I had made:

Much too much white for me.... I kept it, but it will most likely be an orphan going into another project some other time....

The Splendid Sampler, Block 3 "Lots of Love"

So since I am behind, I am starting with block #3 - and then catching up!

I chose to put the color in the background fabric, instead of in the hearts. I like it.

It's a lot of little scares. My first time sewing with 1'' squares.

Cutting was the most difficult part

Now on to block 1 and 2.

You can find all the patterns and other info on The Splendid Samplers website.