Wednesday 30 January 2013

A quick Dear Jane update

I'm on a roll..made 2 more Dear Jane blocks.
Total blocks is now 8, which averages to 2 blocks per week..

A-2




This one is called "One-Two Buckle my shoe" and it is foundation pieced.

There are 40 pieces in this tiny block!
..and the bulk of seams at the back makes it very tricky.

I'm making these blocks by hand and I must say after this block my left wrist was a little sore..







A-3


This one is called "Hunters Moon", and has normal applique as well as reverse applique.

Relatively easy block, but still takes some time to get it all lined up correctly..

Note to myself, must remember to make the outside seams slightly bigger on all of the blocks, better to crop them afterwards than having a block that is too small!!

See you next time!
Essie

Saturday 26 January 2013

Slowly but surely..

 

While outside is cold and snowing (again), I'm working on the last 3 blocks of the BOM Happy Hearts.  (I know.. can never seem to finish one before starting a new one, but I bet I'm not the only one here ;) )


The stitchery on block 12 is finished, still need to applique a heart to block 11 and then sew all the pieces of the blocks together.





Next wednesday is our next quiltbee meeting (hopefully this time it won't be cancelled due to the snow), don't think I will have the time to sew all 12 blocks together to show the finished top..but we'll see how far we get!!

...at least all the blocks will done by the end of January...like I planned.

Till next time..
Essie


Wednesday 23 January 2013

So far so good..

What have I been up to since my last post, well I'll show you..
made 3 more blocks for the Red-White-Blue Dear Jane:
A-1
A-4
A-7

Three weeks in to the new year and so far I've already made 6 blocks... I'm actually ahead on my schedule of 1 block per week!!!  That's not bad... I'm sure there will be a few weeks where I don't have the time to make one..so it's good to built a little buffer.

Block A-4 was very tricky because of those tiny little white corner blocks. 
Block A-7 had reverse applique in it and that was something I had never done before, but it was easier than I expected...also it was the first time I used freezer paper for the applique.

Next up I think I'll try block A-2 and A3...

Till next time..
Essie


Thursday 10 January 2013

Keeping a promise..


A-5
I set myself some goals for this year, and seeing as I have the time right now I have been busy trying to keep to my own promises..
After all..if you can't even keep a promise to yourself..

The goal was to make at least 1 Dear Jane block per week..but it turns out they are quite addictive to make.. Made 3 Dear Jane blocks so far, must say they are turning out very yummy!!

A-6
A-8


A recap on the Happy Hearts BOM project:

Block 1-5 : Done
Block 6-8 : Working on it..about 70% done
Block 9    : Done
Block 10  : Working on it..about 50% done
Block 11  : Nothing done on this one just yet
Block 12  : Working on it..about 50% done

So..all in all, with a little hard work could have all blocks for the BOM done by the end of January.


Essie



Saturday 5 January 2013

Goals and plans for 2013

A new year..what are your goals and plans for 2013?

A list of things I would like to do this year:

1. First things first,  I really need to finish the block of the month project I put together.
(A few more blocks to go, not sure yet to quilt it by hand or machine, all of it so far is hand made..seems a shame to not finish it by hand..)

Block 1 of the BOM "Happy Hearts"

2.  When the BOM is (nearly) finished I can start on my quilt for the OEQC this year. The theme for this year is Berlin.

3. Practice and practice and practice some more FMQ.

4. Perhaps try out some blocks for a Dear Jane quilt like this one in red white and blue? ...perhaps if I can do one block a week I can have it finished in maybe 3 or 4 years..??? ..OMG..pfff !!!



Let me know if you have any goals and plans of your own for the new year?
Let's make it a good (quilting) year!!

Till next time,
Essie