A 6-inch Square Quilt, Snail's Trail, and Bibelot

I had such great plans for today, and for the most part things went really well.

Sunni has a challenge to use 1-9 six-inch blocks to make a project, and I just had to see what I could come up with.  I used six Rosebud blocks to make a wall hanging.  It is a good thing I took a picture previously because I was planning to complete the quilting today and didn't quite finish due to this...

I was sewing along happily and when I went to iron all these lovely blocks I realized something.  They are supposed to look like a "T" not a "Y."  So, I am very patiently taking three seams out and will start to sew them back together at some point tonight.  :)

And of course I had to work on my block of the day which is the Snail's Trail.  I made two instead of one as when I was cutting the first block out there were so many left over triangles I figured I would just make two.  My son loves this block and is asking for a quilt in his color choices.  Seems my "to do" list is growing by the day.  That is okay, it makes it all the more fun when the whole family is involved.  This is a 12-inch block and is number 91 of 366.

I'm going to head back to the sewing room as soon as I get all the taking apart done, not my favorite thing to do, but I'm just sure there is another lesson in this for me.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Crosses and Losses

Today's block was an easy way to end the week, plain and simple.

Just half-square triangles and squares, perfect for a Friday.  It is an 8-inch block and is number 90 of 366.  If all goes well, I should have more than just a block to show tomorrow.  :)  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Square and Star

I have decided that I really like the color orange.  I used to hate it.  With my very fair skin I was never able to wear it, and I could never find a shade of it I liked.  I can now wear orange because someone decided that the right color orange would go well with strawberry blonde hair and that it looks good in quilts.

When I flipped the page this morning I almost passed out.  I could not believe I had something similar to the bird's nest block.  I had these horrible visions of having to cut twice, but this went together well.  I guess the lesson learned today is once you work through the hard ones, the following blocks won't be quite so tough.  This is block number 89 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.

I did some cutting today too.  This should have been started LONG ago, but as usual, I'm going to be finishing up late tomorrow night.  I have to say this is some really fun fabric from Riley Blake called Fly A Kite.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Jacob's Ladder

I'm starting to really like flying geese...even in miniature.  I've been saving every last scrap of fabric and tonight this block was made with the tiniest of scraps.

This is an 8-inch block and is number 88 of 366 blocks.  No hair pulling tonight, and I will probably actually sleep.  There was no struggling, no recutting, no saying things under my breath, just simple sewing only smaller.  I am linking today with WIP Wednesday and Made by Me Wednesday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Bird's Nest (which is what my hair looks like after this block)

Yep, the title pretty much says it all.  I suppose I should rewind a bit and give you a little background on the day, or maybe not.  I started cutting this block out at 6 p.m. after my husband told me it would be nice if I finished before midnight.  So I start cutting and soon realized there are a lot of pieces with a 15/16 behind them and a 7/8.  Which after a little thought didn't seem too bad.  I quit to eat dinner and clean up, a little bit of laundry, and the regular day-to-day odds and ends and returned to sewing at around 8:30...I don't know if I should go any further, but to put it gently, I started recutting the pieces at 9:15.  It is now 10:49 p.m. and I'm sitting down to write.  It is before midnight, but it is getting close in the Eastern time zone.

So it is finished.  I brought it to show my husband and do you know what he says?  "That one is cool and I mean cool."  I sure hope he doesn't think there will be anymore of these made, and especially not a full sized quilt.  Course who knows how I will feel tomorrow, I've been known to change my mind before, and looking at it now wouldn't it be fun to do each block in a different color?  ;)  This is a 10-inch block and is number 87 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Design Wall Monday, Beggar's Blocks, and Necktie

My design wall is a mess...and when I say a mess I mean a mess...but, by the end of the week there should be some really good progress to show.  Or at least there better be, or I will be too late. :)

Today's block is Beggar's Blocks and is 9 inches.  I kind of feel like I cheated today because I had the blue strips left over from another block and all I had to do was cut them into 3-1/2 inch squares.  I still had to sew the pink ones together and now there is nothing left.  It made the block go quickly and actually left some time to piece something else together.  It is block number 86 of 366.

This is my Kansas City Start BOM necktie block.  I had forgotten how quick and easy bow tie blocks are. And it is a good thing I finished it tonight, the next block will be here soon.  I'm linking with Design Wall Monday, BOMs Away, and BOM rehab.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Vase of Flowers

I don't know about you, but sometimes there is just a block that I'm not interested in making.  Either it has some funky thing going on in it that I'm not interested in, maybe I don't care for the theme or size of the block, or maybe it has all of the above.  This block had all of the above.

I've flipped this calendar day by day for the last 11 years, and March 25th has never stuck out as a block that I thought I really needed to make.  Well today I made it and you know, I've changed my mind.  It actually does look like a vase of flowers, and I think I'm most impressed that the vase looks like a vase.  I had to use the trimming templates again, and imagine this, they worked.  This is block number 85 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Rocky Road and the Winners Are...

Today has been a really fun day.  I started out at a soccer meeting, went to a huge sale at a quilt shop, and ended it working on my block for the day and a quilt.

Today's block is Rocky Road (I toned the colors down a bit) and is a 9-inch block.  Once again it is one of those blocks that has a bit of an optical illusion to it, which makes it even more fun to make.  It is block number 84 of 366.

Now for the winners.

I have to say I had a great time again with the blog hop.  I'm still going through the comments, and I'm just amazed at all the new followers!  Welcome, and know that if you haven't gotten a reply back from me I'm still working on that.  I wish I had a prize for all of you, but not to worry, there will be more giveaways soon! :)

The winner of the fat quarter pack was:

 Michelle Olsen said...

Our new rental house has some pretty purple flowers by a little tree in the front yard. I think they are crocuses. There's also a daffodil about to bloom!

The winner of the tape measure bag was:

fenna said...I've seen some Canadian Geese...a sure sign that spring is coming!  

Thank you all for entering, and like I said, there will be another give away soon.  Happy Spring and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Road to Oklahoma

Well, I bet you can about guess what I've been singing while I've been working on this block...O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A.  Yep I can spell it, and I bet I will be singing it all day tomorrow too! :)

 I went brighter again tonight, which definitely changes the whole look of the block.  If I had used a white instead of the blue, the red would have definitely been dominate, and it would have looked completely different.  It is an 8-inch block and is number 83 of 366.  Tonight when my son was going to bed he said "Happy Stitching Mom!!"  Gotta love that kid!  I'm linking with Can I get a Whoop Whoop?  --Kristen

Spring Has Come

Spring Has Come is a great name for a block.  We have had spring showers all day and everything is waking up and turning green again.  There are buds on the trees, the daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are blooming in my garden, and there are robins everywhere.  I guess spring is more welcome this year since we really didn't see much of a winter.  It always amazes me to see everything coming back to life.

This is a 12-inch block and is number 82 of 366.  I do not think I've ever seen this block before, and if I have I think it must have been a smaller block, or maybe the center was smaller.  It reminds me of a  sunflower which will also be gracing our gardens soon.  Have a wonderful spring evening and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Dutchman's Puzzle

The flying geese are no longer a problem!  I almost made two of these blocks tonight, but then decided I should probably make some dinner for my family so they don't starve.

I love pink and yellow together in quilts.  It is looking really bright in this picture, but the pink is much softer than it is showing here.  This is block number 81 of 366 and is a 10-inch block.  I'm thinking when I hit number 100 I will show all the blocks that are completed, which would be April 9, but who is counting?  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Birds of Paradise

Today was like any other day.  I sat down to my desk to work and I flipped the calendar page to see what the block for today was going to be.  I have a list of the days I have to use certain templates, and as soon as I saw the Birds of Paradise block I remembered, oh yes, here we go again.

As I look at these blocks all day I decipher how I am going to construct them, how many pieces need to be cut, and then try to decide a color scheme for the day.  This is one of those blocks that totally took me by surprise when it was finished.  I looks nothing like the bunch of squares I was looking at all day.  It takes on a life of its own, so much so it actually surprised me when I went to photograph it.  I absolutely love it.  It is block number 80 of 366 and is a 12-inch block.

The last time I used this template I had promised a few readers that I would show how I line up the pieces before sewing them together.

The top picture probably shows it a little bit better, but there is just a tiny bit of overlap on the ends.  You can click on the picture to enlarge it.

I'm linking today with Fabric Tuesday.  Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget the giveaway.  You have until March 24 to enter.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain

Today as I was looking at various BOM blocks I need to complete I kept wondering why I have fallen a bit behind with some of them.  Then I started this block and realized why...

I finished this block in only 2-1/2 hours.  For some reason I could not comprehend how to put this block together as all I have are the cutting measurements.  It might have had something to do with having to take a concussion course tonight so I can coach my son's soccer team and my brain was wrapped around concussions?!!  I took it apart about four times and then it finally clicked.  All I can say is, thank you Teri Atkinson!  ;) This is a 12-inch block and is number number 79 of 366.

I am linking with Judy for Design Wall Monday.  Don't forget the giveaway you can find here.  Happy Stitching!! --Kristen

Double Irish Chain

Today's block from the calendar "365 Quilt Blocks a Year" is the Double Irish Chain.  I have another first with this one, it is an 11-inch block.

This is block number 78 of 366 (it's leap year).  If I finish my block early enough in the day, I will show it to my husband to get his opinion.  I can usually tell what he is thinking by the look on his face and the comments I receive.  Tonight I actually got a "would it be really hard to make a whole quilt like that?"  SUCCESS!  I think I may be cutting quite a few 1-1/2" squares to make a bed sized quilt.  If you haven't entered the give away, there is still time, the drawing will be on March 24.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Quilting Day

I hope you had an enjoyable St. Patrick's and Quilting Day today.  I did spend a bit of time in my sewing room, but I don't have much to show for it.  My FNSI was a bust this time too...I tried to pack too much into yesterday and by the time I had time to sew, I was way too tired to even try.

I did finish today's block which is the Shamrock.  It is a 9-inch block and is number 77 of 366.  I must be getting weird in my old age (now that I'm 43) because I am actually starting to look forward to these challenging blocks.  There were 10 template pieces to sew together and some applique to do which was actually enjoyable.  Don't forget to enter the give away here, you have until March 24 to enter.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

It's Almost Spring, Single Irish Chain, and a Giveaway!

Welcome to you who are visiting from Quilting Gallery for the Blog Hop!  I hope you enjoy your visit.

 

In a few short days the first day of spring will be here, and do I have spring fever.  I'm starting to think about flowers...

Even if they are hexie flowers, they speak spring to me.  I've also been thinking about spending time in the garden...

If you would like this free pattern from Homeberries, you can find it here (all the more reason to celebrate spring).  I will be listing the colors I have used for this under the tabs at the top of my blog.

Even the block for today, Single Irish Chain, which is a 10-inch block and number 76 of 366, says "Hey, its spring."  Spring is definitely in the air.

Now for the giveaway...I have a 25 fat quarter pack of Cape Ann fabric and a small bag made of tape measures to give away.  All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment letting me know what has been the first sign of spring you've seen (a robin, some tulips, or other spring flowers).  If you are leaning towards fall, let me know what signs of fall you are seeing.  If you would like a second chance to win, leave a second comment telling me you are a follower or a new follower.  Thanks for visiting Meadowbrook and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Tail of Benjamin's Kite

What a fun name for a block.  Today was one of those days that I wish there was enough wind to fly a kite, and that I had a kite to fly.

This is block number 75 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  It is so fun to be able to work with fabrics that are so bright and cheery when I have spring fever and I can't quite start planting flowers yet.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Windmill Square

Today was a beautiful spring day.  We almost made it to 80 degrees, and in Minnesota in March we never see temperatures like this.

The Windmill Square is an 8-inch block and is number 74 of 366.  

And here they are..flowers number 139 and 140.  I think I can hear the Hallelujah chorus!  FINALLY!  Now to just start the embroidery hexies and get the blocks pieced together.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Windmill

This morning when I got up it was dark again (yeah time change), and when I let the dog out I had a wonderful surprise.  The trees were full of song birds that were singing.  Now I love winter, and I've felt a little (lot) deprived of snow this year, but to hear the song birds back again made my whole week.  We live in an older neighborhood with a lot of big old trees and it is just music to my ears to hear them back and singing again!

Today's block is a 10-inch block and is a bunch of those flying geese.  If I remember correctly, I think I was complaining about making them a couple of weeks ago.  They weren't so bad today, actually I think I enjoyed them?!  Here is another prime example of turning some flying geese units in different directions and coming up with a different block.  So perfect for today's arrival of the song birds.  And come to think of it, I saw two robins today too.  This is block number 73 of 366.  I'm linking with Fabric Tuesday today.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Weathervane And a Few More Hexies

Today's block was a joy to make.  I found a few different pieces of the Toy Box fabric that I didn't already have, and it was so fun to put them to use.

As I work my way through all of these blocks I'm seeing the blocks differently.  I guess it just amazes me that by repeatedly taking the same elements (half-square triangles, flying geese units, squares) and turning them just a little or adding more of one or the other, you can make a completely different block...and sometimes there isn't really that much of a difference.  I would have thought with all the piecing I've done over the last 20+ years I'd have figured that out before, and maybe I did, but not to the degree I am now.  This is block number 72 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.

Here are hexies 136 through 138 of 140.  I could have finished them all yesterday, but I did some major spring cleaning.  The cleaning took a little more time that I thought it would, but oh was it worth it!  Thank you so much for stopping by today!  I'm linking with Design Wall Monday, Made by You Mondays, and Manic Monday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Northwind

This block would have been perfect about two days ago.  The wind from the north was terrific, and it actually made a howling noise.

This block was simple, just half-square triangles, a few more triangles and it was done.  It is a 9-inch block and number 71 of 366.  You know, counting these blocks like this makes me realize how quickly the year is passing, but I have a stack of wonderful blocks to show for it!  :)

I almost forgot my Stash Report again...

The Stash Report:

Used this week:  0 yards
Used year to date:  2.5 yards
Added to this week:  5 yards
Added to year to date: 47 yards
Net used for 2012:  -44.5


No changes from last week.  Nothing in and nothing to count as used yet.  Soon, soon, soon! :)  I'm linking with Judy for the Stash Report.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Tea for Four

Tea for Four kind of ruins my song of "Tea for Two and Two for Tea."  As many of you know, I love to sing while I quilt.  I sing when I'm happy and it just seems natural to sing while I'm quilting, however, Tea for Four just really doesn't work with that song.

So as I'm working on this I start to notice that these blocks look a lot like the blocks for the next Schnibbles parade...

Which of course I still need to start, but they are very similar.  The "T's" in this pattern are not made the same as the "T's" in my block, but it was fun to compare the two.  The Tea for Four block is a 12-inch block and is number 70 of 366.  Don't forget to turn those clocks ahead tonight!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Coffee Cup and a Hexie

That title kind of sounds like a book title...I suppose it could be "Coffee Cups and Hexies."  I'm tired, it is late, and I've had a really long day, can you tell? :)

I know, it looks weird, but once the seam allowance isn't showing anymore it will look like a normal coffee cup.  It is number 69 of 366 and is a 6 x 4-inch block.

Here is hexie number 135, only 5 to go.  Maybe tomorrow?  I'm not going to get too excited because I just never know what is going to come up during a day, but it sure would be nice to start working on the embroidered hexies and then actually putting blocks together.  The new Vignette magazine is out too...that means I really should get started on the embroidery for the mystery quilt.  There is just never enough time for everything...but it sure is fun to try.

We didn't get to see the Northern Lights tonight, it is just too cloudy.  I sure hope we get to see them this year, I'm not giving up yet.  Happy Stitching!!      --Kristen

Cake Stand, February Cottage, and Some Hexies

Today I just had to work on some hexies, had to, I'm too close to having them all done not to give them at least a few minutes a day.

I was kind of in a pink mood today, as you can see.  These are numbers 132 through 134, I don't have far to go to 140.

I was going to post this last night, but my camera battery was low and didn't want to work with me.  I need to get working on the March cottage as the April one is in the mail.  March of course is a green cottage, and April is purple. I love seeing this project progress.

Last but not least is the Cake Stand block.  It is an 8-inch block and is number 68 of 366.  It reminds me of a basket.  

We went outside to see if we could catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight, but it was a bit too early and it was so windy we decided to forget it. Hopefully tomorrow night we drive a little ways out of town so we can really see them.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Cut Glass Dish

Yeah!!!  It is a pieced block again with no templates!  I was excited to get another half-square triangle block today.  This is a 12-inch block and is number 67 of 366.

I have a couple of BOM blocks that I need to work on before the next ones arrive.  I find it is easier to keep up than catch up.  I am linking with WIP Wednesday, Made by Me Wednesday, and Whatever You Want Wednesday.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Here's the Sugar Bowl

Can't have tea or coffee without sugar right?  I don't actually drink either so I really have no idea, but every table service has to have a sugar bowl.

This sugar bowl used the templates again, but no applique..and it is tiny at 4 by 3-1/2 inches.  It is block number 66 of 366 (ONLY 300 to go!!!).  With that I'm going to leave you.  We spent the day on the slopes with a temperature of 57 degrees, in Minnesota, in March.  Unbelievable.  After we got back home again and I got to work, my son went outside to play basketball in short sleeves.  It is just odd, but we are more than willing to enjoy it.  I hope you have enjoyable weather also where ever in this world you are!  Happy Stitching!!

 --Kristen

Design Wall Monday, Hexagons, and The Creamer

It's time again for Design Wall Monday...These weeks sure fly, and I'm still working on a lot of the same projects.  We went for a treacherous ride yesterday in white out conditions (lots of snow) so in order to not have a heart attack (literally) I worked on some hexagons while trying to see where the side of the road ended and the ditch started for my husband.  I think I'm going to stay home for a while (at least until next Friday when I get to go to a class with Terry Atkinson!!!)

Here are 12 more...that brings the total up to 131.  Only 9 more to go...oh I can see the end of this...and then I can start doing the embroidery hexagons that go in between the blocks.  You know when you get this close you actually start thinking about staying up just to see if you can finish them, and then you remember you have the ski trip tomorrow that was canceled from last week, you work the late shift, and it would be best to get at least a little sleep.

And now we have the creamer.  These blocks have combined the templates and the applique...yeah, I'm ready to go back to straight piecing some half-square triangles, squares, and mindless chain piecing. I bet it will be fun looking back at them, right now let's just say I'm glad it is done.  This is a 6 x 3-1/2 inch block and is number 65 of 366.

I'm linking today with Made by You Monday, Manic Monday, and Design Wall Monday.  I love seeing what everyone is working on as there are so many creative and talented people out there.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Teacup and My Stash Report

I'm going to tackle the stash report first tonight.  I found the backing and binding for my Full House quilt yesterday, and it was such a relief to be able to purchase it and bring it home.  I've been looking for it and haven't been able to find any of it on line.  It is always fun to hunt for and find a needed fabric. No luck on the Toy Box fabrics though.

I just love the pink plaid, and I'm really hoping there is a large piece left to use in another quilt.  I have two quilts basted and ready to quilt, I just need to find the time to do them.

The Stash Report:

Used this week:  0 yards
Used year to date:  2.5 yards
Added to this week:  5 yards
Added to year to date: 47 yards
Net used for 2012:  -44.5

There had to be a teacup to go with the teapot right?  This block is 5 x 3-1/2 inches.  I thought the green and the orange would go well together..bright, cheery, happy, and spring like.  It is block number 64 of 366.

I'm thinking the tea service blocks will look nice in my kitchen...a little wall hanging. :)  I'm also thinking I'm going to take the handle off and redo it.  These handles are difficult (obviously so), but by the time I'm finished with these blocks they should not be a problem anymore. I'm linking with Judy for the Stash Report.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Teapot

I don't know if you've noticed the names of the blocks for the last couple of days, but there is a theme going on here...Broken Dishes, Cups and Saucers, and now today...

it's the teapot.  This was a fun block once I figured out how to get the handle to lay down right.  I took an applique class this past fall and boy am I glad I did.  I kept hearing the teacher say "when appliqueing a curve, do the inside curve first."  What I learned this morning when working on the handle is this....the iron is your friend!  I bet you can't guess what tomorrow's pattern will be.  :)  This block measures 11 x 6 inches and is number 64 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen