Blocks for Others

Two quilt blocks for two separate comfort quilts.  A quilty friend is collecting friendship star blocks for a neighbor in need of comfort.  Leona (more than) often gives to others, and I was happy to help in a small way.  The 6.5" blocks come together quickly.

Quilty Friends DO Rock!

The purple heart block is destined for a quilty friend who recently suffered a devastating loss.  Several quilters quickly volunteered to create a quilt for her using Allison's simple heart quilt tutorial.    I can't wait to see this quilt finished and hope it provides some measure of comfort and love.

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 September bee blocks are in the works.  Here are the July and August  blocks that I forgot to share.

navy star blocks

July's wonky star blocks for do. Good Stitches Wish Circle.

the one where I didn't follow directions

Susan's red and white Christmas stepping stones block for July's MCM Bee.

Union Jack for Mary

Union Jack block for Mary, this time for our Sew Sisters Bee.  She is combining blocks from two bees.  This one came together much quicker than the first one I made when she requested them as MCM Queen Bee ;-)

August MCM Bee block

Again, practice makes (sort of) perfect.  I didn't have as much trouble with the basket for Mary as I did for Carla.  By the way, Carla just finished her basket quilt.  It's gorgeous!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Finish: Fall Tablerunner

Well, it definitely doesn't feel like fall here in Florida yet, but I am anticipating cooler evenings and hanging out by the pool without melting....soon I hope!  I made a cute little table runner with Florida fall in mind.

chilling by the pool

I took the strip of practice squircles (technique from Savor Each Stitch) I worked on a few weeks ago at Caroline's and added a few low volume strips here and there.  Mostly the fabrics are Carolyn Friedlander with the addition of Jennifer Samprou and Amanda Jean (new Good Neighbors from Connecting Threads) prints.  It's great when fabric lines can be mixed so nicely.  Not shown is a pretty pear print from Riley Blake for the backing.

fall colors

I quilted organic straight lines (don't I always!) using my walking foot and Aurifil (2600) thread of course.  The runner is on the small side, measuring 10.5" x 24", and is perfect for our patio table.  

squircles 

I have added a set of squircle placemats and a longer runner to my to-sew list.  My kitchen table needs a new look!  In the meantime, I look forward to sipping cocktails outside by the pool and trying not to spill anything on my pretty new table runner!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Happy Friday to you!

Hope you enjoy some lovely weather this weekend.

Friday Finish: EPP Pincushion

I have pincushions on the brain.  (Read all the way to the bottom and you will know why!)  Here is another quick pincushion I made from a test EPP block.

EPP pincushion

I fell in love with a similar block on NanaCompany's Instagram feed and had to give it a try.  After making several blocks I turned one into a pincushion.  

Love this EPP block!

If you want to see some beautiful pincushion inspiration, check out the schedule for Amanda Jean's Pincushion Party Blog Hop to celebrate her fabric line with Connecting Threads.  Make sure you come back here on September 27th when it's my turn to host the party!

Date	Blogger Name	Blog URL
9/1/2015	Amanda Jean	http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/
9/2/2015	Anna	http://www.noodle-head.com/
9/3/2015	Mary	http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/
9/4/2015	Svetlana	http://sotakhandmade.blogspot.com/
9/5/2015	Debbie	http://www.eschhousequilts.com/
9/6/2015	Holly	http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/
9/7/2015	Carla	http://carla-graceandfavour.blogspot.com/
9/8/2015	Faith	www.FreshLemonsQuilts.com
9/9/2015	Vanessa	http://www.vanessachristenson.com/
9/10/2015	Anna	http://www.thimbleanna.com/
9/11/2015	Krista	http://poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com/
9/12/2015	Erin	http://whynotsew.blogspot.com/
9/13/2015	Lee	http://www.maychappell.com/
9/14/2015	Alex	http://teaginnydesigns.blogspot.com/
9/15/2015	Cheryl	http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/
9/16/2015	Penny	http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/
9/17/2015	Amy	http://duringquiettime.com/
9/18/2015	Debbie	http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/
9/19/2015	Anne	http://www.springleafstudios.com/
9/20/2015	Melissa Corry	http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/
9/21/2015	Amber	http://www.oneshabbychick.typepad.com/
9/22/2015	Nettie	http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/
9/23/2015	Adrianne	http://www.littlebluebell.com/
9/24/2015	Cindy	http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/
9/25/2015	Amy	http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/
9/26/2015	Chase	http://quarterinchmark.blogspot.com/
9/27/2015	Rene' (THAT'S ME!)	http://www.renecreates.com/
9/28/2015	Erin	http://www.houseonhillroad.com/
9/29/2015	Nicole	http://modernhandcraft.com/
9/30/2015	Teri	http://blog.connectingthreads.com/

one more pic

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts!  Enjoy your weekend!

Friday Finish: Book Nook

This makes three Fridays in a row that I have a finish to share.  Yahoo!  Book Nook is another project from the book Sew Organized for the Busy Girl that comes together rather quickly.

This is a big pillow.

 I must confess though that I was a bit surprised at how large the pillow finishes.  Of course it says right there in the book 26x26.  I guess since I had recently made the pin cushion I expected it to be a little bit bigger than that but not much.

side by side comparison

You can see by this picture the size difference!  Makes sense though.  The book nook is designed with a large pocket to store books and possibly a stuffed animal.  The stuffing is such that there is plenty of give and squishiness for the child.  (It has been tested and approved by Max!)

quality control tester

The pillow was originally intended for a baby gift, but that's OK.  I know a cute toddler that will love it!  Unless I change my mind before December, this goes in the Twelve Months of Christmas stash.

Bear not included....ha!

 Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Have a fabulous weekend my friends!
Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Pretty Pincushion

Made another Twelve Months of Christmas gift to put aside with the others.  This pin cushion is destined for a special quilter in my life.  

can't throw away any of my Carolyn Friedlander scraps

The pattern is from the book Sew Organized for the Busy Girl and is perfect for those 1.5" scraps of precious fabric you just can't part with.  

There is a pocket to clip Wonder Clips and place a small pair of scissors (both acquired from Massdrop by the way) which comes in handy while sewing.

This pincushion came together quickly and I see myself making more of these in the future.  

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  

Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Pillow for Baby

Now that Kirsten has received her gift, I can show you the sweet pillow I made for Kirsten's virtual baby shower.  There are three ladies in our Wish Circle having babies, and this is Virtual Shower 2!

Patchwork pillow

With permission, I based this pillow on one that Amanda Jean made for her daughter's friend.  It helped having Amanda sewing right across from me at retreat while I made this.  Nothing like having your own personal tutor available for questions ;-)

My pillow is a bit smaller measuring 18"x12".  I used 2.5" scraps from my scrap box, pieced nine blocks across and six down, quilted straight lines on each side of the seam lines going up and down, and finished with an envelope style back.  Voila!

such a sweet name!

I really like the embroidered name to personalize this little gift.  Her brothers won't be able to steal this one away.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts!  

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Pretty Patchwork

It's the third day of August and I already have all but one of my bee blocks finished for this month!

Wish Circle blocks for July

Kirsten requested red and white nine-patch checkerboard blocks following Rita's tutorial for our Wish Circle at do. Good Stitches bee.

These need a bit of pressing.

RPQ's method produces two blocks, one light one dark, and the instructions are spot on.
I found myself making more of these blocks, playing around with different fabric combinations, and quickly became hooked.

These come together quickly

I'm Queen Bee this month and have requested them from my Sew Sisters Bee.  Those friends that are also in my MCM Bee will appreciate an easier block from me this time around!

There's something about a square and simple patchwork!  Love it!

Happy stitching,