Block 28 etc.

Block 28 completed

I finished the interwoven block on Thursday.  The preparation was fairly easy once I got things cut out.  But, it took a really long time to sew everything down.  I like how it turned out.

My design wall

I used pink and yellow for this block because I felt like I need to repeat the yellow found in the upper right block and the pink in the block just below.

 It is a commanding block and draws attention to itself right away.

This is the 2nd WOG&C that I've made.  

I am linking up the Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.  Not because I sew on Sunday (I don't) but because the slow stitching part is definitely part of my quilting life.  AND, I enjoy seeing what everyone else it working on.

This is the 1st one I made.  I gave it to my Uncle who served it WWII because of the blue star in the window of the house.

I made the first quilt with the basket and house in the middle.  It was a BOM at Thimbles & Threads in Draper (wow! has it changed since then) a long long time ago.  The 2nd quilt has a large star for the middle with an appliqued vine in the border.  (see above)

I've been working on this Women of Grace & Charm quilt by Blackbird Designs all summer (hence the slow stitching).  I'm mostly just stitching in the ditch but there are a few areas that need more quilting to secure it to the 100% cotton batting.  The link above is to Amazon.com and since this book is out of print, the least expensive option for this book is $49 - GASP!

And I've been picking peaches all week from 2 of our 3 trees.  I've managed to find a home for 3 bushels of them (not a hard task).  There are still 2 more bushel on the tree ripening. After giving most of them away I decided I better keep some so I made freezer peach pie filling yesterday.  It's so yummy!!!

Gotta love that Corelle - ha!

Hop on over to Kathy's quilts (see link above) to see what progress everyone else is making.
Robin

It's working!

Two donuts starch basted and ready to sew down

I trimmed and clipped the center. I sprayed the starch into a small bottle and waited for the foam to turn into liquid.  Then I dabbed it around the center fabric with a small paintbrush.

Using my Clover applique iron, I pressed the clipped edges to the applique paper.

Then I dabbed liquid starch around the outside of the piece and gradually pressed it over the applique paper.

The starch method leaves a softly pressed edge around the outside.

I slowly removed the paper.  It came out easily.
I used Untimate Applique Template Paper by P3 Designs.com

Another time I think I'll try using multiple pieces of regular freezer paper pressed together to make it a little thicker.

Using my light box, I put the pattern under the block, positioned the circles, and pinned them in place.  I made a cut where the yellow circle goes under the pink one.

This process turned out to be much easier than I was expecting.  It will still be a little tedious getting all the donuts into position and sewing them down.  But, overall, I'm glad I tried this new method of starch basting.

Upward and onward to all of you who haven't done this block yet.
Don't let it discourage you.
It isn't as hard as I thought it would be.
Robin

a couple of intermediate finishes

I finished appliqueing one of the four August blocks for the 1857 quilt.  It turned out better than I thought it would and that is always a bonus.

Do you like my make-shift ironing board?  It's a bread board with a wash cloth.
Hey, it works!

I'm starting the most difficult of the four blocks.  It has intertwining circles to make up a larger circle.  It can't easily be done with back basting applique which is my preferred method.  So I am trying the starch basting applique.  I just happened to have some "Ultimate Applique Template Paper" by Pearl P. Pereira Designs that is thicker and a little waxier than freezer paper.

Donuts for the next 1857 block.

I hope it turns out alright.  And, isn't as tedious as I expect it to be.
I'm doing it in a pink/yellow combination.  The yellow looks very gold in the picture but it's the back side of the fabric and not an accurate representation.

Now, on to the border.

I finished the applique lettering on the aptly name "Zip a dee doo dah" quilt top.  I needled turned the letters and it was pretty awkward in the center of the lines.  If doing this starch basting method turns out, I will probably use it when I need lettering again.  I know many of you already do this but it's a new technique for me.

Have a nice Sunday,
Robin

1857 finishes and shortbread

Unique bias black bias for centers

Haven't done the embroidered stems etc. yet

I think I should have chosen a different green for the leaves but  done is good!

Need to add embroidered stems

I don't think I've shown these before.

 I am starting to wane on this project.  I think it's because I'm working with dark hued colors and need a little variety.  I'm not sure I'll do the circles block this month.  It will take some energy to figure out the placement and I don't think I'm up to it.

We will be working 3 days a week for the next 3 weeks because it's corn season at the cannery and I plan on coming home exhausted each day.

Now on to the aroma in my kitchen. . . .

Before baking

There is nothing like a shortbread pan to make me feel like I've made something spectacular

It's cute enough to display without using it for the purpose it was designed.

And here is the final product.  I need to remember to press down more firmly in the corners.  Two of them didn't brown because they were too shallow.  I pressed raw sugar into the dough before it baked so it came out with a double crunch.  I made these to go with the peaches my husband sliced up - YUM!

Our hibiscus at the bottom of the back stairs is rupturing in bloom.  The blossoms only last one day but everyday for the last two weeks has been like this.  It's delightful.

This is Titan, our patio guard tortoise.  He has a smile on his face if you are at the right angle.  He's doing an excellent job.

This is the waterfall my husband has finally had time to build.  He has been collecting the materials for years.
It's right outside the back door and down the steps.  I should have waited to take the picture till there was water running.  Trust me, it's terrific.

And finally, the grand chickens are producing.  It's tiny, it's cute, and it's a good start.
Robin

Creativity thrives on outside influences

It all started by reading Alla Blanca's most recent post here where she gives a list of all the links she's been saving in her head - so now all she has to do is return to her post for reference.                                                 
She suggested we go read Felicia's STASH LESS series in the third paragraph.

And so I went to read about ways to "Stash Less".  It's a fascinating series and well worth the time to read each and every post!

One of the posts I particularly liked led me to the whole cloth quilt Felicia made.  The idea is so creative and quirky,  not at all like what I normally make.  I am a 100% quilt-weight cotton girl.   I don't use wool and I try to avoid polyester (except for batting). The thought of making a quilt out of linen never occurred to me but I love the drape of the fabric on this particular quilt.  Felicia excuses her newness to quilting and lack of experience but I think that her amateur status is what makes this quilt sing.

I want to make a Kantha quilt and I have one all pin basted in the queue.  I'll start out with the overall big stitch with different colors and different spacing but who knows where I'll go from there.

Found on Pinterest

Here is a link and tutorial for kantha quilts like the one below.




I love blogland that feeds my need to learn and be exposed to new things.

Thanks Alla, thanks Felicia, for sharing your ideas with me and the many others who benefit from your information.

Thanks to all,
Robin

PS  I think I might need to go to the bargain fabric at JoAnns and look for some linen.