WIP Wednesday - Hand Pieced QAL

Who would have thought that I'd enjoy hand piecing...definitely not me.  😊

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts is co-hosting Hand Pieced QAL with Kristin @ Simple Handmade Everyday.

This is last week's block.  I did not enjoy the HSTs.  My block is a little wonky and not quite 6.5 inches.

Oddly, I did enjoy the flying geese.  It took a long time to mark the seam allowance on all those little triangles.  But then the piecing went fairly quickly.

Here are all three blocks together.  I'll be doing the on-point layout.

I wonder what we'll be making next week.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

OMG: February Goal

One of my FAL 2019 Q1 goals is to quilt my Yin and Yang quilts.  I've finished piecing the second one.  So my February OMG is to quilt both tops.

I've decided they are just going to get an all-over stipple or loop motif.  Both quilts are 50 x 70 inches.  Getting quilts finished and out the door is still a priority, so no time for fancy quilting.

Here are a few of my favourite prints.

These are awesome Art Gallery fabrics, and I was fortunate enough to have won them.

I highly recommend One Monthly Goal as a tool to assist in getting projects finished.  Your goal can be something simple such as sewing blocks, cutting fabric, whatever you want to accomplish.  And the bonus is...there are prizes!  Patty is a great host, and you can find more information about OMG here.

Turnabout Patchwork Blog Hop

I mentioned previously that I was participating in a blog hop.  I realized that I forgot to share the blog hop schedule with you.

Teresa @ Sewn Up, Teresa Down Under has a great new book called Turnabout Patchwork.  You can buy the book here.

I'll be sharing my project this Friday.  Here is the schedule.  Make sure you stop back here on Friday -- there's a giveaway to win an electronic copy of Turnabout Patchwork.

January 30 - Quarter Snow Ball

Arrowhead

• Jen Shaffer blog: Patterns by Jen
• Lorinda Davis blog: Laurel, Poppy and Pine

Sweet Bows

• Kate Colleran blog: Seams like a dream
• Sandra Healy blog: Sandra Healy Designs

Tutti-frutti

• Moira de Carvalho blog: Quilt Design Duo
• Lynn Kane blog: Puppy Girl Designs

Sun Dunes

• Sarah Goer blog: Sarah Goer Quilts
• Tammy Silvers  blog: Tamarinis

February 1 - Modern Shoofly

Flying Rainbows

• Gretchen Wylegala blog:  Snug Harbor Quilts

Flying Butterflies

• Anorina Morris blog: Samelia’s mum
• Raewyn Barge blog: Stitching Farmgirl

Flying Flags

• Tammy Silvers blog: Tamarinis
• Becca Fenstermaker blog: Pretty Piney

Flying Confetti

• Laura Piland blog: Slice of π Quilts
• Sarah Ruiz blog: Saroy

February 2 - Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and squares

Rose Garden Star

• Anne Boundy blog:  Said with Love

Swirl

• Joanne Harris blog: Quilts by Joanne
• Sarah Myers blog: The Quilted Diary

Houndstooth

• Becca Fenstermaker blog: Pretty Piney

Diamond Star

• Sarah Vanderburgh blog: Sew Joy Creations
• Sarah Scott blog: Piccolo Studio

February 4 - Striped Fabric Block

Shells

• Gail Sheppard blog: Quilting Gail
• Julie Burton blog: Running Stitch Quilts

Xs and Os

• Linda McLaren blog: The Quilting Biker
• Sarah Scott blog: Piccolo Studio

Jaws

• Cheryl Brown blog: QuilterChic

Arrowhead

• Stephanie Jacobson blog: Steph Jacobson Design

February 6 - Coordinated Strips

Peaks

• Afton Warrick blog: Quilting Mod

Diamond and Crosses

• Linda McLaren blog: The Quilting Biker
• Brandy Pettit blog: Pampered Pettit

Knots and Crosses

• Leanne Parsons blog: Devoted Quilter
• Andy Knowlton blog: A Bright Corner

February 8 - Double Disappearing Nine-Patch

Holiday Trellis

• Sherry Shish blog: Powered by Quilting

Stepping Stones

• Bobbi Bridgeman blog: Snowy Days Quilting
• Anja Clyke blog: anjaquilts

Two for One

• Mania Hatziioannidi blog: Mania for Quilts

Cross

• Sandra Starley blog: Textile Time Travels
• Anjeanette Klinder blog: Anjeanette Klinder

2019 Island Batik Ambassador

So this happened...I'm a 2019 Island Batik Ambassador.  When I applied back in December, I had no expectation that I'd actually be chosen.  I'm both excited and nervous.

A few weeks ago, two boxes were delivered to me.

One box was full of fabric and batting, including a Surprise package that I can't share until August.

Thanks to Island Batik and sponsors Hobbs Batting and Aurifil for all the wonderful goodies.

Here's a peek at two of the fabrics I received.  I'll share more of the fabrics over the coming months.  Each month, the Ambassadors will have a specific challenge to create something.  February's theme is Magnificent Minis.

The second box was a huge surprise...a GO! cutter from Accuquilt.  So very exciting!  We also received dies and a pattern book.  Thanks Accuquilt!!

I hope you'll join me this year on my journey as an Island Batik Ambassador.  Let the creativity begin!

TGIFF - Curved Pillow

I finally got around to piecing and quilting some curved blocks I made back in December.  A 14-inch pillow is the result.

Since it was a small piece, I thought I'd attempt free motion quilting again on my Singer domestic.  I decided on wishbones.  I carefully matched the thread to each colour, and then when I was done, I realized you couldn't see the quilting.  Well darn.

So here's a photo of the back.  I was impressed at how well it turned out and will use wishbones again.

A simple envelope back for a quick finish.

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Devoted Quilter

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She

Modern Plus Sampler QAL

Here are the last blocks for the Modern Plus Sampler QAL, hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms.  I highly recommend the book Modern Plus Sign Quilts (Canadians can purchase at Chapters Indigo).

February's instructions will be piecing all the blocks together into a quilt top.

This is the 14-inch Kaleidoscope block.  The colours didn't come through well, but that's Kona Tiger Lily and Saffron.

And Faceted Rings is another 14-inch block.

I can't wait to get all the blocks pieced together.

Wire Flower Sew Along

My January OMG goal was to piece all my blocks for the Wire Flower Sew Along hosted by Karen Lewis Textiles.  You can purchase the Wire Flower pattern here.

I made nine blocks -- eight to swap and one to keep.

The first two took me a long time to make.  But then I had a feel for the pattern and was able to make each one in about an hour.

I had fun searching my stash to find colours to match everyone's preferences.

And here are all nine blocks together.  In case you didn't figure it out, the last orange one is mine.  😊

I can't wait to start receiving blocks in the mail.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Project Quilting 10.2 - Red, White, and Blue

It's time to show my second project for Project Quilting -- an annual challenge hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams.  The second theme was Red, White, and Blue.

I recently watched a video by Nicole Neblett @ Mama Love Quilts on big freezer paper quilt making.  First, you draw a design.  I decided on 20 inches -- I didn't want to go too big for my first attempt.

Then you transfer and enlarge the design onto freezer paper, cutting out each of the sections.

Iron the freezer paper onto your fabric and sew them together.  Similar to paper piecing, but you don't sew through the freezer paper -- you add a quarter-inch seam allowance when you cut out the fabric pieces.

You have to remember that the design will be reversed.  I had a bit of trouble lining up my pieces, so I had a few uneven edges.

I enjoyed this new technique, and I'll definitely try it again.  I quilted with my walking foot in a variety of thread colours:  red, blue, and white.

I used the following Kona colours:  Blueprint, Lipstick, Stratospher, Ruby, Pimento, Royal, Flame, and Bleached White.  I used Lipstick for the binding.

TGIFF - Have a Jolly Little Christmas

On New Year's Eve, I finally got around to piecing my blocks for the Have a Jolly Little Christmas QAL hosted by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts back in 2017.  I shared my progress here.

I did an all-over loop motif in gray thread.  I've been wanting to be more creative in my quilting, but the priority is getting stuff finished...and hopefully out the door.

The gray blended in with some of the colours, but I love the texture.

So I guess I'm already for Christmas 2019 -- 11 months early.  LOL

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She

Hand Pieced QAL

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts is co-hosting Hand Pieced QAL with Kristin @ Simple Handmade Everyday.

The first block was announced on Monday -- a 4-patch.  I watched the videos and jumped right in.

And then there was a 16-patch!  The pieces were 2-inches unfinished, for an unfinished 6.5-inch block.

Look at my beautifully spun seams on the back.  😊  I am surprised at how much I enjoyed piecing this block.

I'm using Kona White and Michael Miller Hash Dot in Red, Rose, Orange, Yellow, Meadow, Aqua, Marine, Periwinkle, and Blue.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

WIP Wednesday - Blooming Wallflowers QAL

Did you see that Christa @ Christa Quilts is hosting a Blooming Wallflowers QAL?  I've been drooling over this pattern since she first shared it on Instgram back in the fall.  But I didn't buy the pattern because I have far toooooooooooo many projects and patterns...and then she announced a QAL.  Sign. Me. Up!!!

The QAL started last week with the cutting instructions.  You can use the templates in the pattern or use a Tri Recs ruler.  I bought the ruler last year for a project I saw online, but now can't remember which one.  LOL

I just discovered that you can use the second part of the ruler (for the side triangles) to make HRTs.  I've been wanting to try HRTs but have been avoiding them because I thought they were a little tricky.   I found this tutorial, and I'm going to give it a try.

You don't always need a specialty ruler, but to me, the cost is worth it.  There's no thinking involved, but I love the notched edges to help you match up pieces.  I need all the help I can to ensure accurate piecing.

The colours for my triangles are actually a lot brighter than they appear in this photo.

These are the low volume triangles.

And blue for the background.

We'll get the next set of instructions on Friday, so stay tuned for more exciting photos once I start piecing the blocks.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter