August Block of the Month

I've got a new BOM for August. It's an original block from Quilterscache called The Queen's X. To make it you need two color's plus a background color, although I added a third color to mine--the same red I've been using in the center of all my BOM's. The block consists of 2-1/2" squares and half-square triangles, joined together with 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles. When you join the squares and half-square triangles into four-patch units, notice that two of them are mirror images of the other two. Here's a picture of what I mean:

I wanted to share a trick I learned from one of Darlene Zimmerman's books (sorry, I don't remember which one) for joining four-patch units. Turn the four-patch unit to the wrong side, undo the stitching in the seam allowance at the center, and twist the seam allowances in the opposite directions, so that it will lay flatter when you press the seams. Here's a pic of what I'm trying to say:

And here's a picture of the completed block all sewn together:

I hope to get another block done in August if time permits, so check back around the middle of the month.

Carolyn

Another Giveaway

There's another good giveaway at QuiltingB29's Quilt Life. Be sure and check out the great prizes she's giving away in honor of her 100th post!

Blog Giveaway

Here's a giveaway I'd really like to win: http://bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2009/07/charmed-gift-bag-giveaway.html. Isn't that the cutest little bag? If you visit the blog, be sure and take a look at the previous entry with the cute quilted placemats. They're just darling.

New Inspiration

No wonder I can't get my UFO's finished.....there are too many new project calling my name. I got the July/August issue of Quiltmaker magazine primarily for the new Bonnie Hunter mystery that starts in this issue, but I found a new inspiration even though I wasn't looking for one--the Thirty Something quilt project:

I love this quilt, and I've been collecting reproduction thirties fabrics for a long time hoping the "right" project would come along. Something that would justify cutting into all those pretty prints. Here's a pic of some of my fabric--this is just a small sample--LOL!

The quilt requires 56 blocks, but I've already got about 30 of them stitched. Pretty good progress considering I'm hand-sewing them. I hope to hand quilt the finished top; I haven't done any hand quilting in a few years, and I'm surprised how good it feels to have a needle in my hand again.

Happy quilting,

Carolyn

July Block of the Month

I only managed to get one block of the month posted for June, but I was away for a significant part of the month because of a death in the family. I have been very lucky to still have grandparents living (even at my age!!), but in February 2008 I lost my paternal grandmother, and now in June, my maternal grandmother has gone to heaven. I had planned on a quick trip to West Virginia for the funeral and ended up staying longer than originally planned.


So anyway, on to the block. The one I chose for July is called State of Georgia, and the instructions are on Quilter's Cache.


I had never made this particular block before, but it's easy enough with no new techniques, just simple sqaures and half-square triangles.



Here are all the patches laid out after I finished sewing the hst's.
















And, here's the finished block:




When you open the instructions on Quilter's Cache, be sure and click over to the second page to see how the blocks look once they are all put together. It's really neat how the secondary pattern develops and forms "circles" across the quilt. This block would make a great quilt in planned colors or even in scraps if you are careful with the light-medium-dark contrasts.





Have fun sewing!
Carolyn

Birthday Fun

Kathryn Grace, darling granddaughter and light of my life, is two years old! How about that for a milestone? The birthday party was Saturday at the park.

The problem with a two-year old's birthday party is getting the birthday girl to hold still long enough to get her picture taken.

Apparently, playing on the playground is more fun than singing Happy Birthday or opening presents.

At least she seemed to enjoy the cake! How big a bite did she put in her mouth?!

What I've Been Working On

I've been busy sewing.....not sure it can be considered quilting though. I got a pattern a few months ago called "Little Glam Bag" and finally got time to try it out. Here's some pics of the five I've made so far.

The one with the cherries is for me (of course!). I really enjoyed making these little bags--each one uses less than a fat quarter quilted to some fusible fleece, and it's a good way to use up some of those little pieces of ribbon and trims that I can't seem to throw away. I also made a set of pillowcases. Sorry the picture's not better--they're already on my bed. I like that novelty fabric with the chocolates on it. Now I can have chocolates on my pillow every night with no calories.

Happy sewing,

Carolyn