Blockheads 3 - Week 33

 

This week's block is courtesy of Brigitte from Zen Chic.  

This was my very first attempt at curved machine piecing. At first I was going to hand piece it - as that is my comfort zone. Hand piecing, hand applique and hand quilting was all I knew until my first sewing machine about 20 years ago. (There was 28 years of quiltmaking before the machine).  Still, after 20 years, hand piecing is still my comfort zone.  I love to strip piece and make 9 patches and such, but anything more than a 45 degree angle and I'm hyperventilating.  But then I remembered the spirit of this Blockheads 3 thing and embraced the NEW.  Brigitte says I could machine piece this and I did.

Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it better than I expected? Oh yes.  It has straight sides and measures exactly 6 1/2" square.  Victory.  Uh, those tiny little puckers? Never mind. Just look away.

Roselyn is out in the world being shown to shop owners. I hope they like it as much as I do.

I'll be showing the quilts I made with it soon. One is being quilted as I type this and the 2nd top is almost done and I will be hand quilting that - so you should see lots of pictures of that process in the near future.

I also got this picture from Martingale Publishing.  There will be a new book out in November - Red and Green Quilts. This was my contribution.

Once the publishing date gets closer, I will start taking orders on this kit.  

Laurie

Blockheads 3 - Week 32

 

This week's block is courtesy of Jan Patek and you can find the pattern HERE.  Note - take care when trimming down your block :(   I had to improvise.  A little improvisation every now and then is good for the soul.

So much other news........ the fearless, strong, and attractive sales team from Moda is now showing shops  new fabric collections.  Including our newest - Roselyn

 I'm pretty excited about Roselyn.  There will be some fabric give-aways and the new pattern reveals next week.  Make sure to stop back.  

There is another pattern we have been working on - Hartfield.  Hartfield isn't attached to any particular fabric collection. It uses scraps from many.  My favorite kind.  The Hartfield pattern is being written as I type this and it will be available in about a month.  Keep watching. I'll make sure to have lots of posts when it is ready.

Laurie

Blockheads 3 - Week 31

 

This week's block is courtesy of Betsy Chutchian and you can find the instructions HERE.

My block was made with some Mackinac Island and Harbor Springs fabrics. I wish I were at either one of these places right now.  We are having our usual hot, humid August weather right now and some lake breezes would be appreciated. Only in my imagination right now, I'm afraid.  A little birdie at Moda Fabric tells me that Harbor Springs will be getting ready to ship soon.  I can't wait.  Lots of you are awaiting kits and I'm eager to start cutting fabric.

This was a gift to myself this week - a new t-shirt. 

 I purchased it from Hustle and Thrive. It pretty much sums of all of our feelings about 2020, doesn't it?

Laurie

Blockheads 3 - Week 30

This week's Blockheads 3 block is courtesy of Sherri McConnell.  You can find the directions HERE.

Things here in Casa Simpson are good. I'm busy and healthy and I know how lucky I am to say that.  Thinking of you all - every day - that you are too.

What else is new?  There will be some new fabrics and photos to show you in the upcoming week, but nothing yet.   Oh, I know what else is new..... I'm wearing real clothes today. Not a house dress. Not a t-shirt and sweat pants - but real clothes.  Why? Because I felt sorry for the clothes in my closet that weren't getting any action at all. The t-shirts and sweatpants are getting a bit threadbare.  

My first CSA produce box will be picked up from the farm stand tomorrow.  I got an email today that I can expect basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, green beans, blueberries, kale, and kohlrabi.  Kohlrabi.  Unless I can find some miraculous recipe that transform kohlrabi into something edible - someone close by might be gifted with it. 

Laurie