Friday, December 30, 2011

Here We Go - Mary on Lake Pulaski's January Block

I knew you all love both applique and paper piecing so it was hard to choose...but.....
I chose
PAPER PIECING!!!!

 

ETA:  12 1/2 inch block - 12 inch finished block
  • Pattern is from www.piecebynumber.com
  • I washed all the fabric I'm sending so don't use anything else (let me know if you need more). 
  • I've included the printed pattern on vellum so it's easy to remove 
  • I printed out an extra copy of the design and cut one of them up so I could use it as templates for the fabric. I put the template on the fabric and cut slightly bigger around it for the seam allowance. I found that this method ensures that the fabric is the perfect size and is less wasteful than judging by eye.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Leaves for Shelly

My fingers are a bit sore, but with Helen's encouragement (thanks for coming over to sew today!), I pushed myself to finish this block for Shelly tonight, so it can get in the mail before the new year. 
Sorry for the bad lighting in the pic, but I knew I should keep the momentum going and just get the blog post done now..
Shelly, please ignore my bloggy whining about this block, it really was a fun one to do, and I'm grateful for the challenge you gave us.  I had forgotten how much I like applique and was excited to rediscover the style and my water soluble marking pen (hope i got all the blue lines out, btw).  You have inspired me to add some applique to my current project, and if it turns out half as cute as your laurel leaf quilt will be, I'll be satisfied.

Can't wait to see all the blocks together.

Jessica's Blues and Browns


Hello again, all! I stayed up last night and worked on Jessica's blocks. I got half of the block sewn together before I went to bed. I got up this morning and finished it. I figured since I'm in "sunny" (not so much today--and brrrr, it's cold!) Florida, I would take the photo outside on a bush near our hotel.

This was a fun, quick and easy block to put together. (I just realized the block us upside down in this photo. Sorry!) I hope you like it, Jessica. Like I said, I went shopping for some fun blues yesterday to add into the block. I was SOOOO disappointed that I had to find a quilt shop here in Ft. Myers and had to fabric shop. I surfed on the net to see what was here and found a place called Quilt Lover's Hangout. When I got in there, I realized they were just featured in the most recent issue of Quilt Sampler's Ultimate Shop Hop, where they feature 10 of the best quilting stores in America. For good reason! It's a great shop! I was in a hurry to get back and sew, so I didn't spend too much time looking around. I'm planning to go back, though. :-) I'll do a review of the shop after that.

I also got to christen my new Featherweight on this block. That was really fun. So, this is the first block I've sewn on it. (I'll blog about that on my own blog shortly. I couldn't get the second photo to load properly here, so you'll have to check it out at www.peasinapod.typepad.com if you want to see it. Sorry!)

Anyway, thank you, too, Jessica for your patience, understanding, kindness, graciousness, etc. on my tardiness. You guys are great. I will look for a post office and get this in the mail to you!

Best,
Stephanie

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Bringing up the rear...


I finally finished Shelly's block. I want to thank Shelly for being so gracious, kind, patient, and understanding with my tardiness. It really wasn't that this was too difficult. It was just that my life went haywire with all my traveling at work over the past few months. I knew it was coming....it wasn't unexpected. My inability to "handle it" was somewhat unexpected for me. I apologize to everyone for getting so behind....especially to Shelly and Jessica.

I used scraps from the cowboy quilt I made a few years ago. I blogged about it here, if you want to see it. I thought these scraps should belong to Shelly. It just seemed right. :-) I hope you like it, Shelly. I'm sending along some of my little leftover scraps. If you need more, just let me know.

I really think this is a beautiful block, and I cannot wait to see how Shelly puts it together. It's going to be amazing. I loved sewing all the applique parts on by hand, too. I love handwork.

We had a long car ride to Florida for the holidays. I had already had all the leaves sewn on one branch. I did the second branch in the car on the first day of driving. That night in the hotel room, I made the rest of the leaves (I use the starch method...sorry, Shelly, my needle-turn skills really suck). I finished sewing them on during the second day of our trip. It really helped make the car ride pleasurable. So, thanks, Shelly!

Now, I'm on to Jessica's blocks. I am in Florida and forgot to bring some blue scraps with me. So, I had to go shopping today for some fabric for you. Oh, darn! (LOL) Found a GREAT quilt shop here, so thanks for that! I sewed up all the half-square triangles tonight and have two of the four rows put together already. I should have your block done in the next day or two.

Next, I need to find a post office so I can get these blocks off to you gals. More soon!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Stephanie

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Snow Balls for Helen



I enjoyed working with your lovely, delicate whites.  This will be one beautiful quilt!

Monday, December 19, 2011

From Jessica

Jessica delivered her delightful Snowballs in person. No snowball fight, tho. My aim is not good enough to take her on, and besides she is such a sweetheart. Can you read the words on her fabric? "Thrifty - Kind - Obedient - Love - Cheeriest - Friend"... That's Jessica, thank you very much!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

For Helen

Hello Everyone,

Beautiful red and white blocks just in time for Christmas!


They will be on their way to you tomorrow, Helen!  I hope you will enjoy them and that they will make a great addition to your quilt.

Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time...

Friday, December 9, 2011

Two Colors for Jessica

It was a treat to get to work with blue and brown this time.


It made me painfully aware that my stash is sorely lacking in bright blues. I have TWO entire bins of blues, but they're all dark, or tend toward green or purple. I had a hard time finding some that were just right. Does this mean I need to go blue shopping?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

laurel leaves block

For Shelly. I am sooooooo happy to see this block completed!

This block was challenging for me, even with a little applique experience under my belt. Shelly, it's a good thing I love you so much!! :)

Friday, December 2, 2011

Jessica's block



Here is Jessica's block. It is stunning. The blues are so rich looking. This will be a fabulous quilt. Bonnie

Thursday, December 1, 2011

HSTs for Jessica

Two's Company Bee: Jessica

I also finished this in the actual month of November, just slow to take a picture of it. This quilt is going to be great! Luckily I'll get a sneak peak of some of them all together this weekend...

Just In Time For Jessica

Hello Everyone,


I finished it officially in November!  This little beauty will be on its way back to Jessica today.  It was fun to make.  I used my HST tutorial that you can find by clicking here.


If you would like to read more about the block you can click over to my blog, I have a few more photos and detail.  This will be a beautiful quilt, Jessica.  Enjoy!

Until Next Time...

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

For Jessica

Will deliver this in person, Jess. See you soon!

Jessica's Block

I sent this off to you yesterday Jessica:

 The colors are off in this photo and I think in person they all work.
Can't wait to see what your finished quilt looks like!

Better Late Than Never!

Hello Everyone,

Shelly, this was truly a test for me! Thanks for bringing me outside my box!


It is winging its way to you and I hope you like it.  I put up a post on my blog with a little more detail about the block if you would like to read about it, click here.

Now onto Jessica's block!
Until Next Time...

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Helen's December Block(s)

Hi to all my TCQB pals. I would be so happy to have some help making snowball blocks for my Red & White quilt. I made these today and posted my process on my blog. Click here. If you need red or white scraps, I will send them to you. Just say the word..... But I would rather receive a great variety of fabrics for a scrappy look. Hoping you will each make four 7 1/2" blocks which will make up one 14" block, finished.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

At Last!

The last leaf is on and I will be sending it off to Shelly now. Will be hard to let it go, but I know it will get a good home!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

jessica's block

I managed to finish Jessica's block right away. I loved working with these colors! Such a nice pairing. I loved working with the HST's. This quilt is going to look amazing!

Still chugging along with Shelly's block. I looked at all the other applique blocks posted here, I think I'm going to have to do some stitch ripping...

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Shelly's Block


Your block is in the mail, Shelly!  This is going to be one gorgeous quilt!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

October Two's - Company Bee block for Shelly - FINISHED!!

This is going off in the mail tomorrow Shelly!

Hope it works into your plan:
I'm still stuck on what I'm going to do in January, but I'll come up with something good!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Yes, I Can Do It

Hello Everyone,

Just thought that Shelly might like to see that my block is coming along for her...


Did you know that this is the perfect project for plane rides?


I hope you like it so far, Shelly?

Until Next Time...

Leaves for Shelly

Hi Shelly,  Here's a crummy photo, just to let you know that your block is coming along.  Sorry it's late!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Jessica's blocks for November

I love all the red and white quilts we've been working on, but right now I just don't think I want to own one.  (that may change, as quilting tastes often do)So I'm going to switch it up a bit, this month we're going to sew with blue and brown.

I love love love half-square triangle quilts, but even though I've tried to make one in the past, I just couldn't stick with it.  I made 3 blocks (9 patches) and I was pooped.  I hope you have the energy to make me just one of these:

I am sending packages of brown solid and enough blue for 10-12 triangles, I'm asking that the blue for the remaining 4-6 blocks comes from your stash.  Please try to use medium bright blues that are similar to the ones I sent.  If anyone needs blue fabric, please let me know asap and I will mail it out to you.
My method for HSTs is similar to this tutorial, but you can use whichever technique you're comfortable with, as long as the blocks come out ok.  The cut squares measure 5", you'll trim to 4.5", and the finished HSTs will come to 4".  The entire block will be 16.5" unfinished.

some inspiration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66362701@N00/5001362909/ (my current favorite)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgiamcdonald/3783247223/ (I was very close to choosing orange and white..)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98708600@N00/4762452258/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/claremansell/6042454692/

Thanks everybody, let me know if you have any questions.  If you're going to be at the NYC Metro Mod Guild meeting in December, I'll happily accept the blocks then.  Everybody else can mail them whenever you're finished.  I'll keep chugging along and make more blue & brown blocks, I think I'll need about 3-4 blocks' worth of triangles to add some rows and make it large enough for my son's bed.
Ok, now back to stitching Shelly's leaves...

Friday, October 28, 2011

Autumn Leaves

I am watching my dogwood leaves turn red and float past my windowsill.....[Hmmm, sounds like a song I once knew].... while I am enjoying sewing these laurel leaves for Shelly. Am a slow worker and may not finish in time, but who wants to hurry the seasons anyway?

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Mary's quilt

Here's Mary's Maverick star quilt, complete! Thanks so much, to each and every one of you, for making such gorgeous blocks for this quilt. I gave the quilt to my friend for her birthday (only 11 days late!) and she loved it. She told me to thank all of you for your contributions, too!

You can read my complete blog post about it here, if you care to. :)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Are You Ready For the A-Word?

I do realize it's already October 5th, and I'm just now posting my block instructions. I should have done it at least a week ago (before I got sick -- whoda thunk?), but the packets are in the mail as I type, and I'm finally sitting down to type up this post.

I'm asking for an applique block . . . I hope you don't mind . . .

The block I've chosen is the traditional block called Laurel Leaves:
I've always wanted a quilt like this, and now's my chance to get one without having to do ALL the work myself! Plus, it'll provide me with great memories of good friends with it having blocks made by others in it -- it'll be even more special than if I just made the whole thing myself, don't you think?

So . . . what you'll find in your packets is the following:

A piece of white background fabric. I sent the background so it would all be alike. I wanted a KONA or Bella white, but those are hard to come by where I live, so I made do with what I had.

A paper pattern representing 1/4 of the design, and a plastic template for the leaf. The template is heat-resistant plastic, so if you use a method that requires ironing around the piece, you're good to go. You DO need to add seam allowance.

A red strip to use for the vines. I just included this because I thought it'd be easier for you to get started if you didn't have to make your own vine. That way you can concentrate on leaves . . . 32 of those buggers, to be exact. Please don't panic!

Here's what I'd like to have happen:

I'd prefer the needle-turn method of applique, but if you just can't stomach that, use your own favorite method -- really, I won't mind. If you haven't tried needle-turn applique before, but would like to give it a shot, I wrote a tutorial in preparation for this post that shows how to do this particular leaf: How to Applique a Leaf.

Use your red scraps to make the leaves, and use all different sorts of reds. I don't care if another color creeps in. As you can see from some of mine, they have specks of white or black in them. Just as long as they read mostly red, they'll be fine. Variety is the main thing. AND . . . feel free, in fact, I'd love it . . . if you piece some of the leaves from even tinier scraps, as you can see that I've done here:
And finally, one more favor before I go . . .

When you send your finished block back, can I ask you to send me a few red scraps along with it? Something you might have been going to just throw away anyway? I'm planning to put an applique border around the edges of the quilt when I get all the blocks back, and if I have some of all of your scraps, I can make some of my leaves for the edges of the quilt out of them and carry lots of the colors from the quilt's center out to the edges (so all the leaves are not just from my fabrics). Totally optional, and not necessary, but I'd really appreciate it . . .

So . . . there you go. If you have any questions, or your packet doesn't arrive, or you don't understand something, or I've left out something important, let me know . . . and Thanks So Much, all of you!!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Measuring

Now there's something I haven't done in a while, hehe.
I hope this block plays well with the others, it went in the mail to Bonnie today~

Monday, October 3, 2011

Bonnie's Block

Sewn up and on it's way to Bonnie's house.  What a fun block to sew...and a good accurate piecing challenge!  Can't wait to see your end design. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

A Day Late and A Dollar Too Short

Hello Everyone,

Well, I could make up excuses, but I won't... I will give you the truth. I was away for 9 days in September and without my sewing machine until last Thursday. I know, how could you go without your sewing machine?? It was hard, but it really needed a good spa treatment.

But alas, I did make Bonnie's block yesterday, October 1! So I was just one day late despite my hardship... LOL!


In any case, I do like how it turned out and I hope you do too, Bonnie. It will be winging its way to you bright and early tomorrow! This is going to be one lovely quilt!


Until Next Time...

Friday, September 30, 2011

Bonnie's Block


Sent this back a while ago, so this should be no surprise to Bonnie, but I'm glad to finally get a chance to share it with the group. As everyone else has said, this was a fun block! The tiny piecing was great, even if it came out a wee bit crooked in some places. Hope the reds are okay for you--some lean a little pink, but it's because I might be out of red scraps already! Speaking of--loving seeing the variety in everyone's blocks. This quilt is going to be fantastic!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

bonnie's block

Here's my September block for Bonnie. I popped it in the mail today. I LOVE those tiny 1" squares! Thanks for a fun pattern to try, Bonnie. Your quilt is going to be charming!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Monday, September 19, 2011

A Block for Bonnie

This was fun.
Since I'm working on a quilt using 1 1/2" squares of all different sorts of reds, I just dipped into that project and most of my pieces were already cut!

I hope it works for you, Bonnie.

It's my turn next. Gotta cook up something good for you all . . . Stay tuned!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Bonnie's September Block

I put Bonnie's block together this afternoon and here is the result:

Hope it works with your plan Bonnie!

This sure is moving along very quickly.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

more on my block

If you have gotten carried away and used only one fabric fine. You do not have to confine yourself to two color reds...they can have other colors. Just let the red be predominate. Also small pieces sometimes tend to have minds of their own. If things don't quite match and are not quite straight, don't worry. It is all good. Bonnie

Monday, September 12, 2011

Oops. I goofed, too. In my zeal to get this done, I did all the same fabric on mine as well. I should have re-read your post and not relied on my memory of what you wanted. I remembered you wanted something that "reads" as solid, so I pulled out this fabric. I also thought the fabric was in keeping with the "traditional" look of the center fabric. I hope that's okay. Now that I look at it, the print on my red is sort of similar to the print on your fabric. I hope it doesn't compete too much. When I look at it at home and from a distance, I think it looks nice.

I'll be happy to remake it more scrappy if you want, however. I really liked making the block, and it went together quickly. I think this is going to make a really great quilt. Did you design the block yourself, Bonnie?

And amazingly (for me) it is exactly 9" square!

Just let me know if you want me to do it again!

Stephanie (AKA Mama Pea)

Friday, September 9, 2011

September Block for Bonnie

I got the fabric in the mail yesterday, and went for it.  Oops!  Now I see that you wanted something more scrappy.  I'd be happy to do it again if you want, Bonnie.  It was a fun block!  Haven't worked with tiny pieces since beginning quilt class.  I felt that magic again. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Oh My!







I was planning to post my block for this month on Sept 1., however there seems to have been a cosmic convergence at my house. My husband had to go out of town for several days and as soon as he left my computer wouldn't boot up when I turned it on. Since he is my inhouse tech support I waited for him to get home. In the interim I made arrangements for Andrea to call me to be able to post my computer troubles, but as I went to get a writing implement to write down her phone number I inadvertently deleted her voice mail. This sounds much more amusing now that when I wasn't sure that I would be able to get my blocks out or not.










My tech guy got my computer to work mostly. It is kind of limping along...takes 30 minutes to get online and I don't dare turn it off. I can post my block though, and let you know that I will be sending out fabric packets on Tuesday. I wasn't quite sure what I would need to include in the package. I will send some directions for cutting out the pieces, but there is no tutorial as this block is so simple, it shows you how to put it together.










I am sending the center square and cream solid, the reds I would like to be scraps or whatever that you have. Fabrics that read mostly red. The second picture shows a pile of 3 inch drunkard's path blocks that I will somehow use as a border. Actually in a moment of insanity I made about 200 of them and my lovely blocks from this exchange will make a fun challenge to make it all work together.










Thanks for you patience, Bonnie

Oh My!

Oh My!

Sunday, August 28, 2011