Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Going to pieces - WIP Wednesday

I had a lovely time at the Road to California quilt show last week, but it has taken me a few days to get back in the swing of things.  Partly because I caught a cold while there, returned to a household of similar colds, had a mountain of laundry waiting for me, and, well, you get the idea.  I do plan on reviewing the classes I took while at the show, but first I figured I should finish one of the actual projects first.

This is what I've been working on:

Discontinuity WIP

This is a pattern by Emily Cier called "Discontinuity".  I am only 4/5 of the way finished with the baby sized quilt top, which has 723 individual pieces to it (according to the cutting directions - for the baby quilt!!!).  I can't write a review yet because 1) I'm not done, 2) I'm not done cursing it yet, and 3) I think more cursing might be coming as the top hasn't had a single seam pressed yet (Emily recommends waiting until the entire top is completed).

I realize that sounds pretty negative, so let me say something positive.  I adore the look of this pattern, and I know of a much easier way to piece it for future quilts.  However, I paid my money, so I played along with the original directions.  Curse me. Curse, curse, curse.

This Wednesday...

Completed Projects:
  • Bee Blocks - Lucky Stars BOM practice block and sample/tutorial block for the We Bee Learning bee

On-going Projects:

AKA - "stuff I plan to touch this week or next".
  • My Blue & White One Block Wonder -This is my January UFO - decided I had to go with what I had for backing. 
  • Bee Blocks & BOM blocks - Skill Builder BOM blocks
  • Star of Africa Bee - catch up continues  
  • Curves Class goodies - I haven't done a single project yet.  So sad!  My printer won't allow me to print anything at the moment, so I can't print any of the templates needed for the majority of the projects.  Ugh, technology!
  • Discontinuity Quilt - I didn't quite finish the first 1/2 of the baby quilt in class, and I am STILL working on it.  Tomorrow may be the day if I don't throw it out the window.

Back Burner:

These will likely be touched in a couple of weeks.
  • Handstitched Medallion Quilt - quilting in progress.  I actually did a little bit of this one on my trip!
  • Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery - top needs to be put together. It is ridiculous that I haven't just slapped this one together yet.  I am taking Leah Day's Craftsy class how to quilt a sampler hoping to get some good quilting ideas.
  • Charity quilt for the guild - not started.   
  • NEW Baby quilt - two friends are having a babies soon, and it sounds like a perfect reason to make a couple new quilts, right?  
The Back, Back Burner:

Lightning would have to strike twice, but I like to keep this category going just to remind me what I have in the pipeline.
  • Handstitched goodies - several small projects in limbo.  
  • Star Circles aka New York Beauty blocks - time is coming to get back to these

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 1 ish
New projects - 0
Currently in Progress - 5

Don't forget to link up any blocks you have been working on to the Building Blocks Tuesday post!

And as always, thanks for reading,

Jen

Quilter in the Closet

Linking up with
 WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

String Quilt Block - Building Blocks Tuesday

Welcome We Bee Learning Bee bee-mates!  Building Blocks Tuesday is where I normally show off the blocks I've been making for the week.

For my regular readers, I am participating in the We Bee Learning Bee, organized by Mrs. Pickles Garden.   February is my month and I need to do a tutorial for my fellow bee-mates to follow.  So, today for Building Blocks Tuesday, I am going to show you all (or y'all) how I built this string block.

string trimmed

This block is not original.  There are plenty of other tutorials out there like mine, including this one from Film in the Fridge, and this one at PS I Quilt, and another from the Sometimes Crafter.  There are probably dozens of tutorials out there for this block, but I had never tried a string block until this morning (the reason Building Blocks Tuesday is a little late today).

OK, here we go....

You will need:
supplies for string
  • a 13 inch square of muslin**
  • one 18 1/2 inch strip of solid white (I used Kona PDF White)
  • various strips at least 1 1/4 inch wide to 2 1/2 wide, varying lengths.
  • fabric glue OR Elmer's Washable School Glue (the washable part is key!)

1) Take your muslin square, join a bottom corner diagonally to a top corner and finger press.  You could also use a temporary marking tool to draw a diagonal line here.  This is just a reference point, it is not essential.

muslin foundation


2) Apply a small amount of glue along this diagonal mark.  Only a little glue is needed, don't go crazy. (If the glue makes you nervous, you can use pins.)  Center your white strip of fabric along this diagonal line where you have put the glue.  If your white fabric has a "right side", make sure it is facing up.

center string

3) Take the first strip of fabric you want to use and lay it right side down on your white strip, lining up the raw edges.  Secure this strip by sewing a 1/4 inch seam.

first string

4) Press toward the fabric you just added.

first string pressed

5) Take your next strip of fabric, lay it right side down on the fabric you just added, sew with a 1/4 inch seam, and press. 

second string

6) Repeat the process until you reach the end of this half of your muslin square.
half string

7) Turn the block and start adding strips of fabric to the other side of your white strip, using the same process,  until the whole square is filled.

string finished

For those of you who are wondering, this is what the back looks like.

string back


8) Trim the block to 12 1/2 inches square.  I found it easiest if I did it from the back, that way I could make sure my diagonal stayed intact.

string trimmed

9) You are done!

I don't think that these blocks look like much on their own, but when you put them together.....

4 strings together

Nice, huh?

It is a very similar effect as the Depression blocks we made in January with the HST's.  Just different.

Here are some additional tips:
  • the muslin is optional, but you do need some kind of foundation.  You could use paper, but if you do, make sure it is very thin, like paper-piecing paper, or telephone book paper.  Because I wanted my blocks to be 12 1/2 squared, and I didn't have any paper that size, I used the muslin.  You can tape paper together, but it might leave a little residue on your needle when you sew through the tape.  You will also need to remove the paper at the end after you have trimmed your block to size.  I am LAZY and didn't want to deal with the mess.  I had a bunch of cheap muslin laying around....you get the idea.
  • OH!!  If you use paper, make sure you shorten your stitch length to 1.5 or 1.3 so the needle will perforate you paper as you go, otherwise it is much harder to remove the paper afterwards.
  • When laying your strips down, make sure they at least reach the edge of the muslin foundation.  I had you start with a 13 inch square, so there will be some trimming.  There is a little distortion though, so don't rely on that extra 1/2 inch.
  • Strip width - I found anything wider that 2 1/2 inches just looked like an enormous chunk of fabric in the block.  Likewise, anything smaller than 1 1/4 inch tended to be a little too thin and warped a little.
  • The ends of you strips do not need to be perfectly cut, but it is easier to sew a strip that has a consistent width.
  • Strips like it best when cut on the grain instead of on the bias.  Leftover binding tails are wonderful!
  • It seemed easier to use leftover triangle scraps in the corners instead of little thin strips.  So get out those HST leftovers or the triangles you cut off when joining binding, etc.
  • COLORS!!  My eyes tend to be drawn to cool colors, but I don't want to limit you.  So anything goes!
  • However, please choose colors and fabrics that you like, otherwise if you use a fabric that isn't your favorite -- it will stick out like a sore thumb!  I'll let you guess which fabric I used that I wish I hadn't!
I hope you enjoy the process like I did!  If you have any questions, please let me know!


So what have you been working on this week?

Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open for a whole week.  And spread the word!


Quilter in the Closet

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!


Thanks for reading,

Jen



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Too picky - WIP Wednesday

I am off to the Road to California Quilt show early this morning.  I can't wait to see what wonderful things await me there!

Thanks to the holiday on Monday, and a sick Olivia (nothing serious, just no school), I don't feel like I've spent much time at the machine the last few days.  I did put the borders on the OBW quilt.

B&W OBW WIP

I had just enough of the original fabric left to make a border.  The quilt is now a decent lap throw size.  I am stumped on how to back it.  Usually, I use left over fabric from piecing to back my quilts - but this one just had the one fabric and I used it all.  A nice navy solid would look nice, but I don't have much left from the Totally Groovy quilt.  I'm not ready for a white backing.  I have a few other blues that would do, but not enough and for some reason they don't look good used together.  Perhaps I am getting too picky??   A possibility!

I'll worry more about it when I return from the quilt show.  I wonder how many Inspirational Sunday's posts I will get out of this show.  I hope you come back to find out.

This Wednesday...

Completed Projects:
  • How Far Will You Go? QAL - done!  Hooray!
  • closer shot of top
  • Bee Blocks - 1 Star of Africa, and 1 1/2 Lucky Stars BOM (I will post next week)

On-going Projects:

AKA - "stuff I plan to touch this week or next".
  • My Blue & White One Block Wonder -This is my January UFO - I finished up the borders for this one, but I am still contemplating what to do for the backing.
  • Bee Blocks & BOM blocks - January Bee's are done, Lucky Star BOM is done, just need to get crackin' on the Skill Builder BOM
  • Star of Africa Bee - catch up time!!  
  • Curves Class goodies - Class started last week, but I have been a little distracted.  I am super excited about several of the projects that have been presented so far.  Hopefully you will be seeing some from me soon.
  • Discontinuity Quilt - this is a class I am taking tomorrow at Road to California!  During the class, we are supposed to complete 1/2 of a crib-sized quilt.  I am determined not to let it stay 1/2 a quilt.  

Back Burner:

These will likely be touched in a couple of weeks.
  • Handstitched Medallion Quilt - quilting in progress. 
  • Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery - top needs to be put together. It is ridiculous that I haven't just slapped this one together
  • Charity quilt for the guild - not started.   
  • NEW Baby quilt - two friends are having a babies soon, and it sounds like a perfect reason to make a couple new quilts, right?  
The Back, Back Burner:

Lightning would have to strike twice, but I like to keep this category going just to remind me what I have in the pipeline.
  • Handstitched goodies - several small projects in limbo.  
  • Star Circles aka New York Beauty blocks - time is coming to get back to these

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 2
New projects - 0
Currently in Progress - 5

Don't forget to link up any blocks you have been working on to the Building Blocks Tuesday post!

And as always, thanks for reading,

Jen

Quilter in the Closet

Linking up with
 WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced



Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Creative Block - Building Blocks Tuesday


Star of Africa block

I may be in a creative rut.  I'm not ready to admit it yet, but I am getting that feeling.   This is a block for November's queen bee for the Star of Africa Bee.  She requested these butterfly signature blocks.  The Star of Africa bee is made up of ladies from all over the globe, and we are supposed to make each block with our "home" in mind - be it our home city, state, or country.

So far, I've made blocks with a setting from a national park and one with the Washington monument.  I've also had a block that had a Hollywood Walk of Fame star showcased in it.  But this block, I drew a blank.  When the block was announced, other members joked that the queen bee would be getting a bunch of flags. Honestly, I was headed in that direction from lack of creativity.  Not that our flag isn't pretty, but when I went through my red, white, and blue fabrics, I came across this one and thought "well at least this would be pretty!"  Obviously, I still need to sign it too.

I've warned the November queen be that my block might not be spectacular, and I've reserved the right to make another when inspiration strikes.  Luckily, going to a quilt show usually inspires, and I just happen to be going to one tomorrow!  Hooray!

So what have you been working on this week?

Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open for a whole week.  And spread the word!


Quilter in the Closet

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading today!

Jen

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Confessions from a Color (Theory) Blind Quilter


All in Color

I have been struggling for weeks trying to decide what fabrics to use for the two BOM's that I joined in the New Year - The Skill Builder BOM at Pile of Fabric, and the Lucky Stars BOM at Don't Call Me Betsy.  I keep sorting and petting my fabric, hoping that inspiration will strike.  I would think I came to a decision, but then, "No, that won't do".  I had to have a heart to heart with myself.  I'm talking about some serious introspection, people.  I came to several conclusions:

First, not necessarily the most important, I needed to USE my stash.  I wasn't really considering buying more fabric for these BOM's - what I am talking about was the decision to actually use some of my higher quality fabrics that I've been collecting hoarding over the last year.  First a little background.

When I was new to quilting, my LQS' prices were just to high for someone who was ripping out so many seams that the fabric would fray before a block was actually completed.  I stumbled into Joann's with my coupons and went a little crazy.  This was back before I knew anything about fabric quality.  All I knew was that I wanted red fabric that day, and I had a vague concept that a quilter needed a "stash".  Fast forward to current times - I now know that many of those fabrics are pretty much crap quality.  Not all!  I do think you can find decent quality fabric at Joann's and I have some of it.  But plenty of what I do have is truly crap quality.  I've been holding on to this fabric anyway and using it in projects when it doesn't really matter too much, like practice pieces for me and my daughter, trying out new patterns, and shamefully QAL's where I intend to give the quilt to charity**.  I am not sure what I will do with the quilts from these BOM's, so my first instinct was to continue to pull fabrics from my huge bin of bargain fabrics.  However....

Over the last year, I have committed myself more fully to quilting, found reasonably priced online fabric sources, learned what quality fabric feels like, and joined several bees where quality fabric is a requirement.  So, I have been buying it!  Probably too much.   I have more yardage than I do scraps, and I am somewhat protective of cutting into it for some reason.  I also have a fair amount of fabric from Connecting Threads - quality that falls somewhere between bargain basement and quilt shop.  As I pondered what fabrics to use for these BOM's, I began to realize - what am I saving this stuff for?   It needs to be used!  So that was the first revelation.

The second came to me as I tried to figure out which fabrics to use for the Skill Builder BOM specifically.  Alyssa suggested choosing 4 to 5 colors, and selecting several values of each color.  Now, color theory is usually a "basic" shared in nearly every quilting book I own.  I've read it countless times and nodded my head up in down in color theory agreement.  I understand the color wheel and the terms used like "hue", "saturation", "complimentary", etc. etc.  But that's all it was, a "theory".   Practice, is a whole different story. Staring a bunch of bins of different colored fabric, I still didn't know where to begin.

Many of the BOM participants are using solids for the Skill Builder.  I LOVE solids!  And thanks to several rounds of the solids group of the 3 x 6 bee, I have a bunch of them.  With solids, it is easy to pick out differences in value.  I started to look at my stash of solids, but the second revelation struck me - I wouldn't be stretching my skills.  This is supposed to be a skill "builder".  Solids are easier for me.  With prints, you usually are getting some other color making the design that mucks up the value in your head.  I decided for better or worse, I needed to use my stash of prints.  I'll start with the ones I have the most of - pink and aqua.  I found choosing values for the pink easier than the aqua (or so I thought).

"Oh crap", I thought, "I still need some help."  Luckily, there are loads of experts out there.  I just needed to actually LISTEN to them!  So, I needed to really pay attention.  I started with one of my guru's, Rachel from Stitched in Color.  Late last year she was participating in a QAL with the main focus of using Color Value - Perfect!!  I had glanced over her posts last year, but now that I need them, I am reading them with fresh eyes.  Her QAL partners' posts were amazing too.  Yet, my head was still spinning a bit.

I pulled some more fabrics for the Skill Builder, some grays, blue-greens, greens and yellow-greens.

All in Color

I actually have one color too many.  Hmm, let's see if I have enough value.  Using the "camera trick", turning the photo to black and white, I can see the values easier.

All in B & W

Well, as you can see, I have a lot of "medium" values.  Not unusual, most of us choose medium values.

Colors in Color

I think I am going to ditch the grays.  I like them, but maybe I will use a solid gray for the background fabric for the blocks.  Although, white is predominant in my mind at the moment.

Now just looking at the colors, I obviously need some more greens.  I find it hard to choose greens.  I like green as a color, but I rarely see any green fabrics that I like.  Anyone else have trouble with a color like that?

OK, just looking at the colors now...

Colors in B & W

Yep.  A couple more darks and lights are needed in each color.  I can't believe it, even my pinks need more contrast.

Well, I have been saving up my allowance the last few weeks for the quilt show next week.  I guess I will have to keep my eye out for some new fabric.  Who would have thought?

Now that I've blabbed on and on about the Skill Builder fabrics, you might be wondering about that Lucky Star BOM.  Well, all those revelations took their toll.  I was mentally exhausted. -- I hear you chuckling!  It so happens that I had a "Clouds and Sunshine" fat quarter pack from Connecting Threads.  I am sure I bought it after becoming interested in the color combination from one of Esther's quilts.  I added a couple more values in both yellow and gray, and presto!  A three color scheme for the paper pieced blocks.  Here is a preview.

Lucky Stars Practice WIP

Until next time,

Jen


** A side note about the charity - my guild requests each member to make 2 quilts for the Highway Patrol in the mountain areas.  These quilts are typically kept in their trunks and used whenever they have to escort a youth away from their homes to a foster situation.  Sometimes the quilts are kept by the foster home, some by the kids, but many end up back in the trunk of the cop car for a while.  Thus the guild ladies have warned me NOT to use the fanciest fabrics.  They are more interested in quantity rather than quality, and practicality rather than beauty.  Well, OK.  I can use up those lower quality fabrics, but can't I make them a little pretty??  It is a balance I can live with.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Channeling my inner Jenny - finish Friday

OK, so you already saw this quilt, but I was able to get some better pictures of it in the morning light after dropping the kids off at school.

HFWYG quilt top 1.2

As you can see, I was really trying to channel my inner Jenny Pedigo (from Sew Kind of Wonderful).  She does the most amazing things with little squiggles, and pebbles.  I love to see what she quilts each week.

Honestly though, when I looked at my little flimsy and began to ponder quilting it  All I could see was that white space.  I couldn't get it out of my head, so instead of quilting an all over design, I went with my first thoughts.  None of the colored fabric is quilted (at least not intentionally, I do still wiggle a bit on the seam lines).

big block detail 2

And look!  I even tried some more of the dreaded feathers!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I wouldn't have even attempted to do them if it hadn't been for Patsy Thompson's lesson as part of the December Free Motion Challenge at Sew Cal Gal.  Most of the links for the tutorials are still active.  If improving your FMQ is on your "to do" list for 2013, those tutorials are a perfect place to start (and FREE!).


favorite block detail

The How Far Will You Go? QAL was such a great experience.  I really want to thank Jess and Jess.  They  really did a fabulous job putting it together.  I really enjoyed the variety of blocks - unlike the endless HST blocks in the "other" QAL I was doing simultaneously.  And I thought the whole thing was very well run - a block every week, plenty of time in the end to get it together (even a procrastinator like me).  I know I will be revisiting some of their block tutorials in the future.

I also really appreciated that they allowed for multiple sized projects to participate at the end.  That is really thoughtful!  Last year was my first on the quilting web and I participated in a few other QALs and some were all or nothing at the end.  I could have made a set of coasters from the 5 inch blocks I had left over, and could have linked them up!  That is nice, and goes a long way to take the pressure off participating.  This is after all, supposed to be about having fun, right?

On a different note, it has been so crazy around here that I'm not sure I even mentioned Road to California is next week!  Last year I was literally counting down the days for this little "Mom-cation" of mine.  While I am super excited about it, this year I've almost let the whole thing sneak up on me because my focus has been elsewhere.  Now that I am in the final stretch, I really can't wait.

The classes I selected this year aren't particularly awe-inspiring, but I know I will learn something and I know  it will be lots of fun.  I get to hang out with one of my quilty friends and I'm even meeting up with Esther from Threads on the Floor.  I know we will have a great time.  I also hope to get loads of pictures for Inspirational Sunday posts, so you can feel like you got to go to the show too.

Thanks for reading,

Jen

Linking up with TGIFF and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?





Thursday, January 17, 2013

How Far Will You Go? - I went half way

After getting the top from the How Far Will You Go? QAL put together unexpectedly on Sunday, this one was begging me to finish it.  But how?

HFQYG top

Sorry for the hideously dark photos.  The only room bright enough to take pictures in at night is the kitchen and even that isn't ideal.  I will try to get a few decent ones tomorrow if it is sunny.

big block detail

I had actually written off joining the link up for the quilt along.  I didn't like the idea of letting the Jess's down after they put together such a marvelous QAL, but, I had no idea how I wanted to quilt it and I didn't want to rush it.  In the end, I just sat down and started to play around.  Once I got going, I really got going.  And it looked like the deadline might be possible to meet.

block detail

I will have you know that this is the only spiral in the whole quilt!

block detail 2

I finished all the quilting this afternoon before the kids had their activities, and I will admit that I was up after my bedtime finishing the binding, and writing this post.  But hey, it is done, and I like it!

I started by stitching in the ditch.  This was a bit of a mistake.  SID isn't a mistake in itself, I needed the stability it provides for some of the FMQ, but once you start SID-ing it is hard to know when to stop. It took a while. In the end I did almost all the seams except for some that when through the background areas.  It was a bit of a mistake because when I was FMQ, I had to use a bunch of those SID lines to travel to my next white space.  My FMQ travelling still needs some work.  So even if I hadn't wobbled with my walking foot, I definitely did with my free motion foot.  Plus now those stitch lines are a bit bulkier than they needed to be.  Ah well.  This was supposed to be practice - fun practice, but practice.


HFQYG back

The obligatory back shot.  Nothing special here.

My quilt finished 40 x 50 inches, short of half the intended twin sized quilt for the QAL.  But I sure did have fun!

So that's it!  One UFO down for the month!  Yippee!!  Linking up with the HFQYG? QAL.

Thanks for reading,

Jen


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

I obviously didn't get far - WIP Wednesday

My DH gave me some unexpected sewing time on Sunday, and I was able to finally put my top together using the How Far Will You Go? QAL blocks!  I really like how the blues turned out.  This is only about half of the blocks we were supposed to make.  After ordering 3 different colors to try to match the background fabric I ran out of, I gave up.  Terrible.  So as you can see, I didn't get very far in the How Far Will You Go? QAL.  Yet, my top measures 40 x 50 inches - OK for a toddler quilt or really big baby blanket.  I decided not to add borders to it, since it seems a little busy already with all those different fabrics.


HFWYG flimsy

I also have a backing and piece of batting ready for basting.  Unfortunately, I've been feeling a little under the weather the last few days, so I haven't progressed further.  I also have no idea how I am going to quilt this top.  Samplers always give me quilter's block.

This Wednesday...

Completed Projects:

On-going Projects:

AKA - "stuff I plan to touch this week or next".
  • My Blue & White One Block Wonder -This is my January UFO - I decided to add some thin borders before backing this quilt.  They are only half put on.  :(  This quilt has also been stored for so long that I have no idea what (if any) plan I had for the backing.
  • Bee Blocks & BOM blocks - I am ahead of the game for January Bee's, but I haven't started the BOM's yet.
  • Star of Africa Bee - catch up time!!  
  • Curves Class goodies - Class started Monday!  I am already super excited about several of the projects!!
  • Discontinuity Quilt - this is a class I am taking at Road to California next week.  During the class, we are supposed to complete 1/2 of a crib-sized quilt.  I am determined not to let it stay 1/2 a quilt.  Since I need to make 2 baby quilts, this might end up serving as one of them.
  • How Far Will You Go? QAL -  Now that it is a flimsy, there is hope it might get done soon.

Back Burner:

These will likely be touched in a couple of weeks.
  • Handstitched Medallion Quilt - quilting in progress.  I have the center done and am working on the middle borders at the moment.  I do a little bit here and there whenever I'm in front of the TV and the kids aren't climbing all over me (the 2 rarely happen at the same time).
  • Beginner Quilt Along at Quilting Gallery - top needs to be put together. It is ridiculous that I haven't just slapped this one together
  • Charity quilt for the guild - not started.   
  • NEW Baby quilt - two friends are having a babies soon, and it sounds like a perfect reason to make a couple new quilts, right?  
The Back, Back Burner:

Lightning would have to strike twice, but I like to keep this category going just to remind me what I have in the pipeline.
  • Handstitched goodies - several small projects in limbo.  
  • Star Circles aka New York Beauty blocks - time is coming to get back to these

This week's stats:
Completed projects - 2
New projects - 3
Currently in Progress - 6

Don't forget to link up any blocks you have been working on to the Building Blocks Tuesday post!

And as always, thanks for reading,

Jen

Quilter in the Closet

Linking up with
 WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced




Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Carried away, by geese - Building Blocks Tuesday

MMB January block 1


I've been working on blocks for the Make it Modern Bee!  This one is an improvisational log cabin block for  Kelie.  I must admit that I got a little carried away with the improv part of the block and somewhat forgot about the log cabin part.  I hope she likes it.  I had so many scraps in her colors, it was hard not to keep adding them.  I probably could have made a whole quilt for her!

I also made this fun block for Samantha.

MMB January Block 2

It's called a Mama Goose Block!  So fun.  You can find a tutorial here.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what she does with this non-square block.

So what have you been working on this week?

Link up your fabulous blocks.  You put a lot of hard work into them - show them off!  This free linky will stay open for a whole week.  And spread the word!


Quilter in the Closet

Rules:

1) Please link up only to the page in your blog showing your wonderful blocks, not just the blog homepage.  Flickr pictures are also OK.
2) Make sure to put your blog name as the description so people know where they are going or the name of your block!
3) Please grab my button and post it in your blog post or sidebar.
4) Visit other linky participants!

Thanks for reading today!

Jen


Monday, January 14, 2013

Giving Hearts

I'm not sure I have ever met a group as wonderful as the quilters of the world.  It seems like everyone who quilts has a giving heart, and shares the warmth and love a quilt provides.  So, today I wanted to share two ways you can help others with your quilty goodness.

First, Jess from the Elven Garden is asking for quilty donations for those affected by the Tasmanian Wildfires.  Here is her post - I couldn't have said it better, so I hope she doesn't mind that I copied her post and put it below.  We have a lot of fires here in Southern California, and the effects are devastating, both physically and emotionally.  If you can help in some way, please do!


Tassie Bush Fire Quilt Appeal

As some of you may be aware, my home state of Tasmania has been devastated by some huge bushfires in the last week. Many, many homes have been completely destroyed and families have lost everything. The latest report is that about 200 homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged in the bushfires.
According to the Tasmanian Government, the best way to help is to donate money at either

St Vincent de Paul - 131 812 or www.vinnies.org.au, or
Red Cross - 1800 811 700 or www.redcross.org.au

If you're local, donations of the following are being accepted:
  • Toilet packs 
  • Essential new clothing 
  • Necessities for children and babies 
  • Batteries (including 9V) 
  • Torches 
  • Lanterns 
  • First Aid supplies 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Aeroguard 
  • Blankets and bedding 
My heart goes out to all the people and families affected by the fires. What I've decided to do is ask for donations of baby's and kids quilts to pass on to the families who have lost so much in the fires. If you can help out with this, please let me know and I'll give you details of where to send them.

If you have quilt tops that just need backing and quilting, I'd be happy to accept these too and quilt them up myself to give to the families who've been affected.

UPDATE: There is a register being set up of children who have been affected by the fires - all the donated quilts will be matched to a recipient via the register (based on gender and age), and delivered directly to the families in need. This will be an ongoing effort, so there is not really an accurate time frame I can give.

There is also a handmade auction being hosted by The Handmade Library - if you are interested in donating anything for the auction, you can find the Facebook group here.

Thanks so much,

Jess




Also, there is a online auction of handmade items going on via Facebook.  The auction benefits the Newton Parent Connection of Sandy Hook, CT.

You can read more about it at the Imagine Gnats Blog or go directly to the auction on Facebook here.  There may even be more time to donate an item for the auction if you hurry!

handmade for newtown button

Thanks for reading!  I'm off to check on the bidding and see if there is a quilt top somewhere I can donate to Jess.

Jen