WIP - My first Table Runner

I have collected some Christmas theme blocks over the last couple of years.  Via a swap and a quilting bee.  Enough to do something with but not enough for a quilt, which I doubt I would use. 

Being a part of OPAM 2010 and 2011 I have been visiting Peg over at Happy in Quilting a lot and seen the lovely table runners that she makes.  An idea began to take shape.  The two blocks above are my creations.

 The block above was made my Carol as part of the Quilting around the World Bee.  It has been appliqued and fitted in with all of the other blocks.  I am going to make this my centre block.

I had added some gold thread as part of the applique so I decided to add a little gold machining on each of the blocks.

I stitched all of the blocks that I felt went together and it will fit along the dining room table with a block hanging over the edge at each end.

I have two more blocks to add gold thread to and I have some thin wadding to quilt it on to.  I just need to find some fabric for the backing.

This is my first WIP for September and I intend finishing it this month.  Last Year I got to New Year and realised that I had not made anything festive at all!

I will post the finished item when it is done.

Many thanks for the lovely comments for the August round up. 

xx

Final Christmas Quilt Block

Due to a range of reason, some personal some not, I have decided to stop taking part in the Christmas Quilt Bee. The main reason being that my quilt stayed for 3 months with the same person and despite prompting from the host it did not move!

However time was given to other swaps etc but clearly not to my quilt. I do not agree with naming and shameing but there was always a get out clause of if passing the quilt on without a new block would help to keep it all moving then do so and no one would think less of them. this is not happen. Due to personal reasons the host has had to drop out so I have decided to do the same. Ironically, my quilt has since moved on to the next person and I now need to try and get in touch with the new person and ask them to send it to me with or without their block.

It is a big disappointment but the first Bee took 14 months and this one was meant to be done before Christmas, we started in March/May time. I have learnt so much and if it was not for these Bee's I would not have tried the blocks that I have tried, it has taken me out of my comfort zone and for that I am grateful for taking part.

So the above block is now on its way to the USA and I hope Jane likes it.

xx

Christmas Tree Quilt Block

One of the key needs of this block was that it needed to be a tree. The size of the block is only about 15cm square, which I think is one of the smallest so far. This is a tree that I have not used for ages and I am tempted to do it for the next block, but full size.

It has been stitched down with an iridescent metallic embroidery thread which glistens in the light! Nice and Christmas like I hope.

It has been a bit of a week or two in this house. Plenty of sick people about! I dragged myself into work on Friday and managed to get through the day. Went to the works do in Saturday and was fine until Sunday evening when I started to feel unwell. Got up this morning and well, I can only say that I have not felt this bad since I had full blown proper flu about ten years ago which has left a lasting impression on me. Could not face breakfast,

left hubby and Sophie in bed (Sophie is unwell and not been in school since last Thursday) Felt really rough but got through the lessons that I had this morning and then after lunch I had to admit defeat and go home early.

Hubby made me a hot water bottle and I went to bed at 2.30pm. Got up at 6.30pm to have some dinner. I am trying to stay up so that I go to sleep later but I still feel awful. My students want to finish their hats tomorrow etc, hopefully I will be fairly ok tomorrow to drag myself in again. Why oh why is it that you become ill at the most awkward times!!

Sophie is still very poorly, so no school again tomorrow, very unlike her as she can normally shake off a bad cold within 24 hours, quite a strong cold this time I think. A pity as she was due to sing in her school carol concert in the local church and being in the evening I would be able to go as well!

Hope you are all feeling better than me, keep warm.

xx

Quilting by the Book

Above are just some of the blocks that I have made recently and I do have to thank this book for helping me.

I have had so much inspiration from this book. One of the things that I like about it is that it suggests different ways to use the same block, either by changing the colour combination, sequence of using the block or how to combine blocks together. It is also very easy to follow and there are useful photocopiable templates.

Very colourful pages and you can see at the bottom of the page the various combinations.

Clear instructions ans measurements are given and so far (touch wood) I have had no trouble what so ever in making each of these blocks up first time. They also enlarge very easily to produce larger final blocks.

Now, I dare say that most of what I have written here is not new to some, but every so often out of all of the books you buy, one just pops up as a "I am so glad I bought that book, I use it all the time!" This is one of those books.

I completely recommend it, especially if you are learning to do patchwork, or if you would like a lovely book to look at and gain ideas.

xx

Pieced STAR Quilt Block

This is my latest block for the Christmas Bee. Most of the fabric used was supplied by the owner of the quilt and I added the white so as not to make it too dark. I really enjoyed putting this one together. I did have a senior moment or two and kept swapping seams round between table and sewing machine (do not know why onor am I that old, but anyway) but I was pleased with the end result and I shall make some more of these for my own use. Very easy to cut up, I might do a tutorial for this one and pop in in the side bar.

Another busy week ahead but I have managed to sqeeze in some knitting, poor light means no picutres but I shall take some tomorrow hopefully.

Quite into the old knitting at the moment.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

xx

Latest Christmas Block

This is the latest block for the Around the World Christmas Quilting Bee. I sent it off ages ago as I have been trying to collect a series of pictures together, otherwise I end up with so many picture files.

It is a poinsettia which I found at free quilting patterns dot com. There is a printable pattern to be found there.

This particular block is sewn on using applique. It went quite well for the first attempt and the colours went well with the original block.

There has been a massive gap of time since then, with no sign of another quilt coming through. seeing as it is half-term this week I really hoped that something would arrive.

I saw the other day that it is about 60 days until Christmas, I can not see this challenge finishing in time, but you never know.

Take care

xx

Interlaced Star Quilt Block

I decided to have another try at the interlaced star block and this time use a different proportion of colours. It turned out completely different!

With this block you definitely need to sew it all in the right order otherwise you end up in dreadful pickle and have to unpick it start again.

I have started the next one ( I had three quilts all turn up at the same time) and this time it will be more applique based to try and achieve another effect.

Just a quick post today as a friend bought round loads of fruit and veg from her veg patch as a gift and a thank you and I need sort it all out before it spoils. I think that my neighbour will also be receiving some so as not to waste it. More there than we first thought. Very generous indeed.

I have also signed up for a Christmas Craft Fair in late November and making items for it has been difficult to do as the work load for the day job has been really heavy these past 5 weeks. I seem to have spent very little time at home.

Anyway, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

xx

Christmas Tree Block

Using a variation of the Flying Geese block I recently made this Christmas Tree block for the Quilting Bee that I am working with.

I was surprised how well this went together and is in keeping with the rest of the Quilt so far.

My second block is an interlaced star. I decided to make a draft version of this block first. The Father Christmas fabric belongs to the owner of the final quilt and a large piece of this fabric is travelling round with the quilt so that we can all use a little bit in each of our blocks. There will be a common theme running through the final quilt. Lovely idea!

There is now a little gap before I get the next one so I have been crocheting and knitting and I shall hopefully have something worth looking at next week.

Have a good weekend.

xx

Latest Christmas Quilt Block

I am secretly very pleased with this block. I have always loved applique and I was delighted to find out that this technique could also be used along with paper pieceing and other forms of quilt block creating. I did produce another bauble block in May but I wanted to have another go with a different approach.

I decided to use darkr coloured fabric, gold thread, ribbon, a few sequins and this time some holly with a button berry.

The background is a white cotton because that was the background colour theme of the previous blocks.

I really enjoyed making this block and I would like to try a much larger bauble with plenty of hand stitching, but it will depend on what comes through the post box as to whether it would work.

Hopefully all of our quilts (there is about 17 of us I think taking part in this Quilting bee) will be completed before Christmas so that we can make them up and have them on display! So please bear with me for having this topic on my blog in July!

xx

Funky Christmas Tree Block

This is my latest Christmas Block. The package arrived with a large piece of cloth to inspire and this tree is based on a section of that cloth. The photo does not really do it justice which is a pity, it is better in the flesh, so to speak.

I have the next one sitting in my little sewing room and I need to get it done by the end of the week.

We have had a lovely weekend, hubby is away nearly all of next week and of course just about every appointment, school open day for Sophie, a school trip for me, a leaving party etc has to fall in the same week!!

I have some more recipes for you this week with pictures as the sewing front has slowed down a little.

So pop back tomorrow to see what I have for you to try.

xx

Angel Quilt Block

As you know I have signed up for round two of our Quilting Bee Group and it is based on the theme of Christmas. I know that it is only June, but to get it all finished by December we needed to start now. This is my lastest offering, an Angel. I have adapted the colours to suit the person who is going to receive the block otherwise I would have used more gold in the fabric. However, red and green was mainly asked for.

I found the block at Quilters Cache and there are lots and lots of block ideas there, a wonderful site to browse even if you are not a quilter. Some very clever designs. I have heard that the next two quilts are heading my way so there will soon be more blocks to think about and make.

Hope you have all had a brilliant weekend, the weather in Cornwall has been scorching and gorgeous, even if the same can not be said for the football. Enough said there I think!!

Have a great week and thank you all for visiting here especially the new visitors who have let me now who they are. I find lovely new blogs as a result. Click on the comments and you too may find a new blog to look at.

xx

PS, We have a new addition to the family, photos will be posted when I have uploaded them.

Christmas Quilt Block

Here is my latest block for our second round Quilting Bee. I followed the colours and style of the starter block, it does not look very Christmassy but then it could be out and about in use for more than just a few days of the year.

A close up of the fabric that I used. I really like pin wheels, with just changing the colour of the fabric, it can look completely different.

I have just finished the next one too, but I shall keep that for tomorrow.

xx

Santa Claus Quilt Block

This is the second block that I have made for the second round of our Quilting Bee. It has now been sent on to the next person. It is a stylised Santa and was a bit tricky to put together but I got there in the end.

The block plus other ideas can be found at Yvonnes blog. There are several others that I am going to try out too. It is a lovely sunny day here to day and after a much needed lie in this morning I think some time out in the garden is needed.

xx

Starter Block - Christmas Quilt

This logo can be found in my side bar at the moment. My first Around the World Quilting Bee Quilt has not yet arrived back to me but I decided to sign up for round two. This is a similar idea but with a Christmas theme. Ouch! I normally leave it until at least August present planning before I type that word on my block, never mind.Here is my opening starter block. Use my faithful log cabin although I did applique the shape in the middle.
Hopefully in this picture you might be able to see I that I used gold metallic thread and one of the built in stitches on my sewing machine. What do you think?

I hope to be even more adventurous with this quilt and I have already cut out hopefully the next two blocks. I have decided to make a few extra blocks for myself this time as well because I keep saying that I am going to make a table runner when I get a decent sized kitchen table. Well this year I will have that chance due to the kitchen re-fit!!

My first quilt is now moving on to the next stage but I have lost track as to where it is. I shall post it once it arrives.

Well, all of the admin work is now done for the courework and the deadline is tomorrow, so my weekend is going to be filled up with paper and adding up marks!

Plenty of tea and chocolate biscuits needed to keep me going I think.

Bye for now.

xx

Quilting Fun.....ssshhhhhh, it is for Christmas

Many of you will now that I have been working with a group of lovely ladies in the Around the World Quilting Bee. Due to various things a year later we are still going and hopefully I shall see my dear old quilt again very soon.
Well.....in a moment of creative weakness I found myself signing up with some of the same members to create some Christmas Blocks In the Around he World Christmas. I am sooooo sorry to say the Christmas word so early in the year but we have to start making them now so that they will be ready for the festive season.

The above logo will be in the side bar with a direct link to our flickr group. We have not actually started yet but you can also see our current Quilting Bee and all of our blocks so far. Feel free to comment on any of them and say that I sent you.
Best Wishes
xx