Snowman Wall Hanging

In another finish for 2013, I completed a wall hanging of a snowman that Kelly Ann's Quilting presented as a Block of the Week. This was my first foray into the world of fusible applique.  I am still undecided how much I like the technique, but it was certainly faster and more accurate for me than needle-turned applique.  And it's really cute!

One of my big projects for the coming year is going to be a large Gerbera daisy wall hanging that will use fusible applique so I'm glad I got to practice on this one.

RBD 2013 BOM Mystery Top Completed

I completed the top for the Riley Blake Designs block of the month mystery.  The series was titled "Things We Love".  The first 8 months for this BOM included three applique blocks.  I did them because I decided to do blocks of the week/month this year so that I would make blocks I would not have otherwise tried.

HOWEVER, I drew the line at the final block they posted for month 9 (September).

Flower Garden by Cindy Guch (from Pinterest)

Flower Garden

The left is what they designed. Umm, I do not LOVE applique, so I opted to substitute a Flower Basket block on the right above.

For the setting, since this was about learning new techniques, I decided to do a Twist n Turn treatment to the blocks as shown by Sharyn Squier Craig.  Then, I used sashing with cornerstones which was also something I have not done before. The top is done!

I will bind it in the orange fabric used for the little cornerstones.

Since this is now three tops I have completed and are ready to go to a longarmer, I guess I better go contact someone.

Dear Jane .... And so it starts ....

I have officially, bona-fide-ily lost my ever-lovin' mind!  I have joined a Dear Jane club at Kelly Ann's Quilting!  I went to an information session this past Saturday and signed up.  Doreen Johnson is presenting her methods for making (and finishing!) a Dear Jane quilt in 13 months.  Well, we shall see if I can keep up with that pace, but it sounds very interesting and very fun.

Besides, what's a girl to do without an intense project on her plate?  I finished the Grandmother's Choice so thought I would try this one next.  We will meet once a month to see techniques demonstrated/taught and there may be a "sew-in" once a month as well if there is enough interest.

The first thing I am doing is deciding on a color scheme.  With the club we have a choice of receiving a packet of reproduction fabrics or bright fabrics each month to incorporate (or not) into our quilt.  Anybody who knows me, knows I selected the bright option - oh yes!

However, I am not sure I want to do a completely scrappy, bright quilt.  I may use the fabric we are given in practice pieces or other projects.  I am just not sure yet.  I have developed a plan to use grays, purple/lavenders, and mustardy-yellows.  I think I will use gray as the background and probably the sashing for the blocks and use the purple and yellow shades in the block patterns.  I will likely mix in a different bright color or two as I go as well.

The club does not start until the second week of October, so I may come up with 10 more designs before I finalize my decision!  I really like this idea, though!

There's still time to sign up if you're in the Northern Virginia and Warrenton areas. There are three sessions you can join, two on Thursdays and one on Saturdays the second week of the month.

Update!  I changed my mind from the lavendar/yellow scheme below.  I am going to use the bright colors provided each month along with embroidery pieces, similar to what I am doing in the Dixie Diary BOM.  I think this will be really cool, and I won't have to buy any more fabric for it.  Except, of course, for the background and sashing.


Here's my tentative plan for use of colors:

I will probably use a purple instead of the black for the center cross. Or a medium gray.  Or not.

Dixie Diary - Month 9 - The Hands of Strangers

This month we read about how difficult it was to know someone else was in your house using your things and knowing you could not do a thing about it and would not get back.  So Barbara Brackman split the center square of the block "to represent the break in the Morgan family life."  It resonates a bit with me because I hate being in my grandparent's home town and not being able to sleep in that house - the one they lived in for 50 years, and I visited for over 40 years.  Sigh.  Time does march on.

I had a little trouble conceiving this block. After a couple of false starts I'm pleased with the end result:

I believe it blends nicely with the set so far:

Three more months to go.  I have planned my setting and have started working on it off and on.  Part of it will entail a bit of work, so I will be working on it from here on out so that I keep momentum to finish it once the final block is completed.

Here's a sneak peak: