Block of the Week Quilt Along - Part 1

Dena and I have created another Block of the Month quilt along for our quilt guild, but it's actually a Block of the Week.  There are 100 blocks over 11 months -- 8-inch blocks and 4 x 8 inch blocks. Dena is the creative side designing all the blocks, and I'm tech support, formatting the instructions and creating the blocks in EQ8.

Here are my first 10 blocks.  I'm using bright colours from my scrap pile.

We started the BOW on January 1.  I sewed several blocks, but then I fell behind because I was focused on getting the files ready for the weekly release.

Dena loves tiny piecing, especially HSTs.

And of course, she loves paper piecing, but the flying geese were easy to make.

The paper pieced pineapple almost put me over the edge.  I limited it to two colours so I wouldn't mess it up.

I've been sewing all weekend trying to catch up -- we're on block 42.  I'm working on two pieced blocks.  I also have two paper pieced blocks to make.  And I need to make an alternate 8-inch block and an alternate 4 x 8 inch block because I don't want to make two of the blocks, one of which is paper pieced with tiny, tiny piecing.  No thank you.

TGIFF - Sailboat Quilt

I upsized this sailboat block into a 24-inch quilt.  I used Kona Natural, Red, Chocolate, and Royal.  I quilted organic wavy lines in matching threads.

This quilt joins others that I was commissioned to make for The Secret Codes:  African Nova Scotian Quilts exhibition currently on display at the Dalhousie Art Gallery. 

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Sew Cute and Quirky

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

TGIFF - Abstract Landscape

My guild hosted a workshop with Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  Andrea taught us bias tape applique using her Abstract Landscape pattern.

I used Kona Terracotta, Pimento, Cedar, and Blue.

We used a twin needle to stitch down the bias tape.

I tried some free motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.  This is 18.5 x 19.5 inches.

This was our guild's first in-person workshop since the pandemic, and we had a great time learning from Andrea and socializing with each other.  Andrea has some great patterns and workshops.

Pattern Testing - Leading Edge

I had the opportunity to test a pattern -- Leading Edge -- for Joanne @ Canuck Quilter Designs.  

I used fabrics from Makower UK, and now I regret not having purchased more fabric.  You know that I had to include some orange. 😉

You make strip sets, which become "arrows."

And then a finished quilt top.

I have not yet quilted this top.  If you have followed me for any length of time, you know that I always struggle with a quilting plan, so tops end up the laundry basket of unquilted tops.  I hope they don't feel that the basket is like the Island of Misfit Toys in the tv show Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  LOL

I have made a list of unquilted tops (20 tops and counting.....).  I need to make an effort to get these quilted.  As always, suggestions for a quilting plan and thread colour are always welcome.

You can purchase Leading Edge here.

2023 Monthly Colour Challenge - May Block

Having you been sewing along with Jen @ Patterns by Jen for her annual Monthly Color Challenge? 

I used Kona Robin Egg and Deep Blue for the May block.

I use a Hera marker to mark lines and use a Bloc Loc ruler to trim HSTs.

Hourglass block.

You can use the HST Bloc Loc ruler to trim hourglass blocks.

All those units turn into a 12.5 inch block.

Don't forgot to sign up to receive the blocks by e-mail.

WIP Wednesday - Melodic Mystery QAL

Did you sew along with Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs for her Melodic Mystery QAL?  I love the slow monthly pace, and I've mostly kept up.  And now I have a finished quilt top to share.

I paired Kona Chartreuse and Storm with two prints.

It makes sense for the low volume to be the outer border as it is the sashing fabric, but I don't think I like it.

I have no idea how I will quilt this, and sadly it is now quilt top #19 in the pile waiting to be quilted.  I think I'll bind it with Kona Storm.

Cheryl's annual mystery QAL starts in July.  Make sure you're following her so you don't miss out.

TGIFF - Project Quilting 14.5

Welcome to this week's edition of Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week. You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

We are on the penultimate challenge of Project Quilting Season 14, which is hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.  This week's theme is Sew Not a Square -- use any shape but a square.

I found this tutorial for a hexagon quilt and decided to make one block as a mug rug.  The pattern uses strips and triangles.

Somehow I managed to sew my strips wrong and didn't get a swirling effect.  I was almost done when I realized my error, so decided to keep going.  I did some big stitch quilting with perle cotton.

It's about 7 inches wide and 6 inches high.

It's time to link up your finishes from this week. Please visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 6

We've made it to the final round for the Stay at Home Round Robin hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.  We hope that you have enjoyed sewing along with us.

This final theme was chosen by Gail @ Quilting Gail -- pinwheels.

As I only had enough fabric for four square-in-square blocks, they ended up in the four corners.  I used leftover fabrics from previous rounds for the pinwheels.  I used Kona Dove (from the spool round) for the background.  Now that it's pieced, I don't like Kona Dove for the background.  I also see now that I mixed up the blocks on the right-hand side -- I had planned for the pink pinwheel to be in the middle.

This finished 42 inches.  I will likely quilt this will an all-over stipple.

My progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5

There will be a quilt parade on March 13 to showcase your finished quilt top.

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 5

This is the penultimate round for the Stay at Home Round Robin hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

This week's theme was chosen by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood -- square-in-square blocks.

I decided to make smaller versions of my centre block.

I've decided to combine the final two rounds.  I ran out of the yellow background print, so was only able to make four blocks.  Stay tuned next week to see the final layout.

My progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4

Each Monday, a different blogger will reveal that week's theme.

• January 16 - Centre block - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 23 - Round 1 - Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
• January 30 - Round 2 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 6- Round 3 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews
• February 13 - Round 4 - Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 20 - Round 5 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 27 - Round 6 - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• March 13 - Quilt Top Parade

Project Quilting 14.4 - A Novel Project

We are now over the halfway mark of Project Quilting Season 14, which is hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.  The fourth theme is A Novel Project -- our project must be inspired by a book we've read.  Hmmm....what book and what do I make??

I knew I had a busy week, so I needed a quick and easy project.  The Yada Yada Prayer Group series of books by Neta Jackson were the first books to come to mind.  I thought maybe a prayer themed quilt.  While I was searching for inspiration, I found a tutorial by Shabby Fabrics for a pocket prayer quilt.

As I was reading the tutorial, I was contacted by a friend's daughter (we were in all in Girl Guides together) asking if I could officiate her wedding on short notice.  Her mother is on palliative care, and she wanted to ensure that her mother was present to see her get married (the wedding was originally scheduled for September).  I knew then that I had to make the pocket prayer quilts. ♥  So it was my honour to officiate the wedding on Valentine's Day.  It was both a joyous and sad occasion.

I used a fabric printed with inspirational words for the front.  The hearts are about 4 inches x 5 inches.  I quilted a few diagonal straight lines.  Although the tutorial said to use a thin batting, next time I'll use something a bit thicker as the hearts are quite flimsy.

There is a pocket on the back in which you can slip in a piece of paper with a prayer.  I found some other tutorials, so I think I will try making some other styles.

Go well and Safely (Girl Guide song): 

Go well and safely,

Go well and safely,

Go well and safely,

The Lord be ever with you.

Go well and safely, my friend.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Lovingly Lissa

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

WIP Wednesday - Diatom Quilt Along

Are you participating in the Diatom QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl?  I always enjoy Yvonne's QALs.  She has great patterns.

I'm using Kona Enchanted and Kale, along with two prints.

The blocks are 18.5 inches unfinished.

I'm making the throw size, with the star setting.

I need to catch up and make the third block, but I doubt I will have it done before the fourth block is released on Friday. 😂

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 4

Can you believe we're already on round 4 for the Stay at Home Round Robin hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail? 

I chose this week's theme -- flying geese.  There are many ways to make flying geese units.  I chose to paper piece mine.  No, I have not lost my mind (well...maybe LOL).  I wanted to make sure I had crisp points, so I took the opportunity to practice my paper piecing skills.

I combined this week's flying geese units with last week's hourglass blocks to make one border.   This now measures 33 inches.

I used Kona Pink Flamingo and a colour I forgot to label.  I wanted to pull out some of the pink from the centre block.  Now I need to decide on colours for the next two rounds.

My progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3

Each Monday, a different blogger will reveal that week's theme.

• January 16 - Centre block - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 23 - Round 1 - Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
• January 30 - Round 2 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 6- Round 3 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews
• February 13 - Round 4 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.
• February 20 - Round 5 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 27 - Round 6 - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• March 13 - Quilt Top Parade

For a chance to win some great prizes, link up your round 4 progress by Sunday, February 19.  You can read about the sponsors and prizes here.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3

It's time for round 3 for the Stay at Home Round Robin hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.  Are you having fun sewing along?  We are now at the halfway point.

Chris @ Chrisknitssews chose round 3 -- hourglass.  

I made 4.5 inch hourglass blocks.  I had a plan, but then I changed the plan.  I'm hoping my idea works out.

My progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1
• Round 2

Each Monday, a different blogger will reveal that week's theme.

• January 16 - Centre block - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 23 - Round 1 - Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
• January 30 - Round 2 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 6- Round 3 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews
• February 13 - Round 4 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.
• February 20 - Round 5 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 27 - Round 6 - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• March 13 - Quilt Top Parade

Project Quilting 14.3 - 54-40 or Fight Block

The third challenge for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- is the 54-40 or Fight block.

I started this on Sunday when the theme was released.  So I thought I'd make nine blocks and make a baby quilt.  I strip pieced the 4-patch blocks.  And then I had a hectic week and was scrambling last night to manage a finish by the deadline. 😉

The blocks finish at 12-inches.  I made the blocks as designed.

But I rotated some of the blocks to create a secondary pattern.

I've made baby quilts for all three challenges so far.  Which has turned out in my favour, as there have been several babies born in my circle recently.

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 2

We're already at round 2 for the Stay at Home Round Robin hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life chose round 2 -- stars.  As always, you decide how to interpret each weekly theme.

It was a crazy week for me, so I went the easy route -- I used a star print for a 3-inch border. 😉 I wanted to use green for the next round, so win-win.

This now measures 24.5 inches.

My progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1

Each Monday, a different blogger will reveal that week's theme.

• January 16 - Centre block - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 23 - Round 1 - Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
• January 30 - Round 2 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 6- Round 3 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews
• February 13 - Round 4 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.
• February 20 - Round 5 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 27 - Round 6 - Gail @ Quilting Gail
• March 13 - Quilt Top Parade