Pumpkin Patch

I've finished my pumpkin patch of blocks for the second HGTV swap that I joined this summer.  Our assignment was to create 9 blocks with a decent sized pumpkin and a fun background.  I started off trying to use a log cabin background using what I had at hand, but I decided it was too busy.  They pumpkins just didn't stand out as much as I would have liked.  So I switched to a simple cream on cream background and a plump appliqued pumpkin.  I used blanket stitch around the edge of the pumpkins, but I did needle turn on the colored stripes that are supposed to give a little depth and interest.

The autumn leaves fabric is full of rich color and I wish I'd stashed more of it.  After the attempted log cabin blocks, I didn't have enough to sash all nine blocks, so I found another lovely fall colored print.  Oranges and rusts and golden yellows.  Here's my pumpkin patch full of pumpkin blocks!

The fabrics used for the pumpkins are from Connecting Threads.  Its the first time I had ordered from them, and I've been pleased with the quality. Their thread is quite nice too and oh the colors!  do Good Stitches blocks are up next!

Red and White Swap Blocks

I wanted to show you my bounty of Red & White swap blocks!  Aren't they marvelous?  Every one did such a lovely job and I am so tickled.

I haven't decided if I should stick with the 9 blocks and make a wall hanging, or if I should make a few more and create something larger.  Four more blocks would make a bigger quilt, and could be placed in the four corners.

Not all Those Who Wander are Lost - Some are Just Learning to Quilt

This is my second attempt at free motion quilting.  The first time I dropped the feed dogs and changed the foot, and it was quite the work of art.  (Insert sarcastic sneer here.)  Kind of looked like a baby using a crayon for the first time.  Scary!  This time, I did nothing different with the machine - I just fed the quilt sandwich under the needle and went to town.

It was easier than I expected, although this is by no means perfect.  Its a wide meandering, so its not technically stippling.  Wiiiiiiiide meandering, dare I say wandering!  My stitches are not even lengths, and some of the curves are a little pointy, but I think its ok for a beginner.   You can see the quilting itself better if you click on the photo to enlarge it.  I still can't manage to achieve the same quality of photos in blogland as I can in the photo editing software. 

You can see the quilting better on the backside of course.  Its a small quilt, about 18 x 25, made with a set of disappearing 9 patch blocks.  I had intended to get more of the fabric & make it larger, but they were out of stock.  Its a cute size that could be used as a doll quilt, or perhaps as a doggie quilt?  There are a couple of places in the house that Katie will go to during thunderstorms, but those spots are just hardwood floor.  I thought maybe having a little rug to lay on would make her more comfortable.  We'll see later this week for sure, because there are storms in the forecast.

The front is fun!  I messed up one of the big 9 patches, but I did not catch my mistake until it was too late, so this is a little scrappier than a thoughtfully planned disappearing nine patch! 

Any advice for a beginner?

Stashed!

My order from Burgundy Buttons came quick this week.  She's awesome with the quick shipping!  Here's the whole fun package.

I got six yards of Sandy Gervais' Grand Finale to add to a charm pack I purchased locally.  I don't have anything specific in mind, but I really like this line.  My vague plan is to make a fall lap quilt for the shop.  I'm also in a Pumpkin block swap on the HGTV board, so if these fabrics coordinate with the blocks I get back that'll be a bonus!  Aren't these pretty?  I love the teal - it really pops with the traditional fall colors.

Then I got an assortment of fabrics too great to pass up!  There is a Terrain by Kate Spain charm pack, the black is the dog bone print from Max & Whiskers which I'm sure I'll use on a quilt for Katie at some point.  The green is from Strawberry Fields.  Then on the right are two prints from Ballerina Fairies, which I think I'll put into a doll quilt for my sweet niece.  She has two much loved Cabbage Patch dolls, an American Girl doll and countless Barbies and other babies so I can't go wrong with that idea!



This isn't an official Stash Report, because I haven't been keeping track since January.  Its on my radar for next year though - I think keeping track of using and acquiring will be a good incentive to use what's on hand!

And if you're looking to add to your own stash of upholstery fabrics, I added several items to my Etsy shop.  You can click here to go directly to the Fabric Destash category!

First Blocks for do. Good Stitches

I finished these on Monday.  Our quilter called for 8.5 inch blocks in a fadeout like this, and she will put them together in a herringbone pattern.  No restrictions on color, so I went with what I had on hand.  Who knew I even had 4 colors of purple?  ;)

The photo was taken with my new smartphone.  I'm loving it.  It uses Droid and I have had alot of fun finding apps to use.  My current favorite is actually the wall paper - its a 'live' wallpaper with a koi pond.  Little fishes swimming around on my cell phone.  So cute.  Do you have any favorite apps?  I never even thought to look for quilting or knitting apps!

Have a wonderful weekend!