2022 Monthly Colour Challenge - February Block

It's the last day of February, but I've managed to finish my February block for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

February's colour is green.  I used Kona Kale and Parakeet.

You start by making some strip sets.

The strip sets are cut into sections.

And then you have a finished 12.5-inch block (or 6.5-inch block).

February Bloggers

Carolyn - Appliques, Quilts and More

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

Frances - Frances Quilts

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Carole - From my Carolina Home

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Rising Star QAL - Block F

This week is Block F of the Rising Star QAL hosted by Bea @ Beaquilter.  

I'm using Kona White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine. 

Although the pattern has the piecing of all the blocks together once all the blocks are made, I'm at a point where I can start to piece some blocks to the centre block.  I'm anxious to see how my colour choices play out.

Rising Star Progress:

• Blocks A, B, and C
• Block D
• Block E

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 4 - Signature Block

Only two more rounds after this one for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.  If you have not been able to sew along, you can always do the round robin at your convenience.

Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life has chosen:  Signature Block

I pulled out Kona Kale (from the curved round) and Grellow to make my signature blocks.  I wanted to use my Accuquilt Go cutter and dies to make the signature blocks, but that would have resulted in a 4.5 inch row.  So I improvised.  I am a Girl Guide after all. 😊  Use your resources wisely.

I decided on a 3.5 inch row (to match the previous row).  Instead of putting a 2.5-inch square on the corner of the 3.5-inch squares, only to cut off the excess of both fabrics, I used my HST die for the corners.

Because I was sewing late at night, I didn't pay attention to the fact that I didn't have enough Grellow to do signature blocks for the entire border.  Sigh....  But I'm going to say this was a design choice, because I love how it turned out.  This now finishes 26.5 inches.

Make sure to visit Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life to link up your signature blocks.

SAHRR Progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1 - Curves
• Round 2 - Diamonds
• Round 3 - Stars

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3 - Stars Take Two

Take two for the Stars round for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

I gave up on my first attempt and came up with a new plan.  I started out with 1.5-inch HSTs.

I added some 1.5-inch squares to make friendship star blocks.  I upsized my blocks to 3.5 inches as 2.5 inch stars were too small for my sanity.

This now measures 20.5 inches.  Now to decide whether to do 2.5 inches or 3.5 inches for the next round.

SAHRR Progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1 - Curves
• Round 2 - Diamonds
• Round 3 - Stars

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

TGIFF - Quilt for the Invictus Games 2022

I was asked by a Canadian veteran to make a quilt, based on a design he created, to take with him when he participates at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands this April.  I was both honoured and nervous to attempt the quilt, but I am pleased with the result.  Thanks to my quilting friend and quilt consultant, Dena, for her help with the math and cutting the two triangle halves.

I designed the quilt based on this photo from Darrell.  He created his design out of wood.

The design is a combination of the Canadian flag, and the flag of the Netherlands.

   

Darrell will be participating in archery and wheelchair basketball.

The tulip is a symbol of the games.  I appliqued the maple leaf and the tulip using the Crafted Applique method.

I did an all-over stipple, matching the thread colours.  The quilt measures 60 x 72 inches.

I also made two matching pillow cases (one blue and one red).  The Canada print is on the back of the quilt.

I had a small window to take photos.  The white specks on the blue fabric is snow, not lint, because it had to start snowing while I was taking photos.

Darrell gifted me with an Invictus Games hat and coin.

I wish Darrell all the best at the Invictus Games.  My thanks to Darrell and other veterans for their service.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Slice of Pi Quilts

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 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

Rising Star QAL - Block E

We are now on Block E of the Rising Star QAL hosted by Bea @ Beaquilter.  

Here are my eight friendship stars.

Rising Star Progress:

• Blocks A, B, and C
• Block D

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3 - Stars

How are you doing on your Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?  I have to confess that I do not have an update to share.

Roseanne and Sue @ Home Sewn by Us are this week's designers:  Stars ⭐

As I mentioned last week, I had planned to add 2.5-inch borders.  I used EQ8 to design and print a paper pieced star template.  Paper piecing is not my favourite technique, but I will admit that I have moved from hating it to tolerating it.

It was an extremely busy work week with overtime, so I didn't get to my stars until Saturday night.  I should have known better.  I had half of one (just one) star paper pieced, and I decided 2.5-inch paper pieced stars were not for me.  So I abandoned this plan.

I didn't sew any more Saturday night because my body was aching from shovelling wet heavy snow from yet another weekend winter storm (the third in four weekends in January).  Twice I had to shovel, and twice I was wet because of the rain. And that doesn't include helping a neighbour push her car out of the street because for some reason she thought she could drive her car down her unplowed driveway into the unplowed street with summer tires on her car.

And then we had rain and a drop in temperature.  So needless to say, my driveway was a sheet of ice Sunday morning.  I decided to stay put (missing my weekly hair appointment 😭) and ended up working most of the day.

So life got the better of me this past week, and there was limited sewing.  But that's the beauty of this Stay at Home Round Robin -- you work at your own pace, doing your own thing.  No stress.  No pressure.

So my project remains exactly as I shared last week.

Despite today's overtime, I did manage to purchase an electric snow shovel.  I'm ready for the next storm, which sadly is expected to arrive in time for the weekend...again...sigh......

SAHRR Progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1 - Curves
• Round 2 - Diamonds

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Rising Star QAL - Block D

It's time for the next block for the Rising Star QAL hosted by Bea @ Beaquilter.  

I love the Kona combination of White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine. 

You need four Block D.

The blocks are coming together quickly and nicely because I used my Accuquilt Go to cut all the fabric.  No trimming for the win!

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 2 - Diamonds

Did you finish your curves last week for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood is this week's designer, and she has chosen:  Diamonds.

I added a 2.5-inch border using Kona Orange and Regal.  It was easy to cut the diamonds using my Sidekick ruler. 

A bonus of using the Sidekick ruler is that the pieces fit together for better piecing.

My block now measures 14.5 inches.  My goal is that each round will be 2.5 inches unfinished.  We'll see if I can continue it with next week's theme.  I asked my friend Dena (aka my quilt consultant) for some advice on whether to continue with the navy background for all the rounds.  Stay tuned to see how her advice plays out.

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Rising Star QAL

I'm sewing along with Bea @ Beaquilter for her Rising Star QAL.  The pattern is Accuquilt friendly, with rotary cutting instructions also included.

I'm sewing with Kona White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine.  I love a star block.

Kona White, Orange, and Black

Block A is 16.5 inches.  You can see Bea's two versions here.

All the colours:  Kona White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine

Block B is a checkboard border, which increases the block to 21 inches.  Here you can definitely see the difference between Kona White, Dove, and Quicksilver.

Block C is not joined at this time.

Kona Black and Orange

There's still time to join the QAL.

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 1 - Curves

It's time for round 1 of the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail. 

Curves!

I revealed my centre block last week.  This week, I added a 2.5-inch border using Kona Nightfall and Kale.

Convex and concave pieces to start.  I folded the pieces in half and creased them for easy matching.

I like using the curved templates created by Jen @ Betty Crockerass.  Based on Jen's advice, I use a yellow glue stick (fabric to fabric) to hold the pieces together instead of pins.  It makes sewing so much easier and faster.

There are many types of curves, including orange peel and improv curves/waves.  There are a variety of curved piecing templates to assist with cutting.  You can find lots of information and inspiration with a Google search.  Here are two to get you started.

Sew Kind of Wonderful - The Quick Curve Ruler makes cutting curves so easy.  I used the QCR Mini to make Posh Santa last month.

Quilting JetGirl - Yvonne has a tutorial for sewing full circles and has several curved piecing patterns.  Yvonne's patterns are well written, and I had no troubles with the curved piecing.

Here is my 10.5-inch block.  I didn't intend to have a dark background for both rounds, so I have to decide whether to continue or to figure out a transition to a different background for the next round.

Once you've finished your curved round, come back and link up (before midnight Sunday, January 23).  Don't forget to check out the other SAHRR bloggers (listed below) to get some inspiration to help you decide what type of curve you'll incorporate into your block.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 You are here.

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Stay at Home Round Robin 2022 - Centre Block

I'm sewing along with Gail @ Quilting Gail for her third Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR).

Generally, a round robin project consists of each participant passing the project to another person for each round.  For this SAHRR, there is no passing of the project, and you do all your own sewing.  Each week, there will be a theme for the round, and you choose how to implement that theme -- you choose the size, the colours, etc.

Today's round is your centre block.  You can create a new block, or you can use an orphan block.  My centre block measures 6.5 inches unfinished.  It does not look exactly how I had planned because I cut my strips of fabric for the concave pieces too large, but didn't realize that until I had sewed the blocks and realized there were some slight puckers when I pressed the blocks.  And I trimmed the curved blocks incorrectly so the curves do not end up in the seam allowances to match up with the centre orange block.  But I've decided to leave it as is.

I used Kona Nightfall and Carrot.

Here is the schedule for the SAHRR:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Project Quilting 13.1 - All the Colours

I finished my project before the deadline!!!  I used a technique in the Turnabout Patchwork book.  

In case you missed my earlier post, Project Quilting, hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams, is a 12-week challenge that consists of six themed challenges.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following Sunday to link up a project that you made during the week.

The first theme is All the Colours, and we had to use at least five colours.  I made a baby quilt using a variety of Kona colours, with Kona Silver for the background and Kona Peacock for the binding.

I did an all-over stipple to give the quilt some texture.  There's not a lot of light on this gray day.

Linking up my finish with Kim @ Persimon Dreams.

Project Quilting 13.1 Progress

Have you heard of Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams?  The 12-week challenge consists of six themed challenges.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following week to link up a project that you made during the week.  The first theme is All the Colours - your project must be colourful with at least five colours present.

I started out with some colourful Kona colours.

I added some Kona Silver to make some HSTs.  Bloc Loc ruler for the trimming win!

My goal is to make a baby quilt.  Check back later to see if I succeeded. 😉

Giveaway Winners - The two winners from my Storm at Sea giveaway are:  Diantha and Debbie.

Linking up with:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter