Hexagons

I have mentioned before that when you see one thing, you then see them every where. This weekend it is hexagons!
I have a busy week ahead and I want to line a few things up so that I would be able to sew everyday (my April challenge). I have been noticing hexagons, and decided to make some more.

I made this pillow last year.

I have had these fat quarters (Glace by 3 Sisters) for a while and thought it was about time I made something with them.
Yesterday while blog surfing I saw Valentina's blog, and she was making hexagons.
There is also a Hexagon Quilt Along going on over at Jaybird Quilts.
Today I cut my fabric and started sewing and cutting triangles. This is really an easy way to make hexagons (well described over at Jaybird Quilts - cutting instructions - I use my regular ruler).

My DH and I are doing some work over at his sisters place and it is in a wonderful spot - it was also a beautiful day.


Apparently there are three eggs in the barrel!

Have a great day!! ♥

Sew-In Results

I had a great time sewing last night (as always!!). Thanks Heidi and Bobbi!


Finished machine quilting the center of the Fruit Basket applique quilt that I am working on.

You can see the design better from the back.

In the outer border I will do a more formal design. I ordered some thread and I haven't decided if I will wait for it to come in or use what I have.

So far I have decided that this type of quilting looks better with wool batting than cotton, and that the thread really sits on the top of Bali fabric, it looks better with a regular quilting cotton fabric. Also plain fabric would be better to show the design. This is still a learning piece that I am working on - so I am learning!!

Thank-you to everyone who voted for my Spanish Steps quilt here.

Have a great day!! ♥

Friday Night Sew-In

For the sew-in tonight I am working on free motion quilting this little applique quilt.

Already started.

I was originally going to mark a pattern and make the feathers more formal. Laura from Periwinkle Art Quilts told me that it was easier to just "wing-it", so I took her advice. I did mark one line for the center of a feather and couldn't even manage to follow it!! I will try doing a marked design in the border because it is probably something I should learn to do.

I entered my Spanish Steps quilt in an online quilt contest at Quilting Gallery.

Please drop by and vote - I would really appreciate it! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day - maybe some time to join in the Friday Night Sew-in!! ♥

Finished Applique

I finished the applique and added the hand stitched details to the little quilt that I am working on.


Added 7" borders - lots of room for free motion quilting.



The quilt is almost 29" square. I have to get a marker that will show on the dark fabric. I think I will have to practice following a line in quilting too - not something I am used to - should be interesting!

Today I was checking out Patsy Thompson's website/blog - she has fantastic designs -lots of inspiration!

Love a prairie sky!

Have a great day and thanks for visiting! ♥

More Applique

Today I pieced a square that I will add some applique to.


All ready to stitch down.



I am using the freezer paper and invisible thread zig-zag method of applique. I am making a little quilt that I can practice some free motion quilting on. It will have a large border with lots of room for feathers - I hope! This block pattern is from Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, issue number 360, March 2004.

I noticed that Marlene over at Sipiweske Quilt Design has some more pictures of this weekends quilt show. Myra at Tactile Pleasures in Fabric has some great pictures too.

I was thrilled this weekend to get an email that my Spanish Steps quilt picture in now on Judy Martin's website! It is from the Scraps book.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by!! ♥

Update

I was unable to access my blog yesterday, so lots of catching up!!

Yesterday, my youngest son, who is 12, designed (with EQ6) a quilt



and started sewing blocks. 5 done, 15 more to go.



They are 12" blocks and it will be a bed quilt. He has already made a few quilted items, but this is the first large quilt he will make. He has done all the sewing so far, and did a great job - look at those points!!

I made four blocks for the pinwheel sampler quilt along. I decided to do Blocks #4, because I was worried about running out of fabric from the layer cake. The other two are a variation of Blocks #1


Only one more week of blocks to go!!

At the quilt show I bought some Aurifil #50 thread, and have been trying it out. It is wonderful!! Nice and fine, and so easy to sew with. I also pieced with it and it makes the seams flatter. The bobbin also lasts a long time. I was so impressed with Aurifil, that I ordered more from Tristan Italian Threads in BC.

The end cap of the thread comes off so that you can wind the end of the thread and replace the end cap, so there is not threads hanging every where.

I tried out some designs.


I don't like the dark thread on the light background.
Also tried colouring the designs with watercolour pencil crayons (a Christmas present from my oldest son).


Today I was checking out older posts from Feather On A Wire and Karen McTavish's website, and was inspired to create this -

I was working out my own version of a background design -
I like the "pearls", the "swoops" remind me of a cross section of a sand dune.

I used a gold colour thread for the centers and one echo.

This -
has now become this -


I sure feel that I have a lot more control of my stitches after a week of practice!

Now I am ready to try out machine quilting on some actual quilts. I think I will start with a mini quilt.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! ♥

Quilt Show!

Today I went to a fantastic quilt show hosted by Manitoba Prairie Quilters. I wanted to quickly post some pictures so that I could go try out some of my new purchases!

These first three are from the Challenge Quilts for Charity section (the challenge was black, white and one colour).



There was lots of beautiful machine quilting.









Way too many quilts to show!! But here are a few more.

I am glad I went early, because it quickly became packed and would have been difficult to take pictures.
I also had some time for shopping!

I found the Aurifil thread I have been looking for, can't wait to try it out! Hamels Fabrics had the best deals on fabrics - $31 for a layer cake (they are normally around $50 here). There are quite a few wonderful quilt shops in rural Manitoba - it was nice to see them at the quilt show.

There are a couple of contests I need to mention.
Sue over at Alderwood Quilts is having a wonderful give away of an iron and some fabric.
Jandi is giving away a beautiful charm pack - Fruitcake by basicgrey. Good Luck!!

Off to sew!!

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day!! ♥