Anthea's Spider Blocks for Amy

Like everyone else, I really had a lot of fun putting together these blocks Amy. My girls enjoyed arranging the triangles into a spider web and were very disappointed that wasn't my part in the process.

Thank you to Jennifer and Chris for sharing their scraps. I was conscious of trying to avoid too much repetition for you Amy and used that as an excuse to go shopping for some bright modern fabrics. Actually, there really wasn't any excuse, I just wanted to go shopping.

Amy (USA)'s Spiders

I had my sewing machine home long enough to complete these spider blocks! I really enjoyed putting these together! I was able to chain piece the majority of the blocks which made them come together really quickly. This is going to be a bright quilt! Now my machine has gone back to the repairman because he put a piece in wrong and it has the potential to shred thread-ugh! Fortunately the dealer was nice enough to send me home with the floor model sewing machine so I won't be without one! 6 weeks was too long!  I have gotten quite a few hexagons sewn together by hand though! Making lemonade out of lemons :)
Amy (USA)

Chris' spiders

I enjoyed the process of making these blocks for you Amy. My collection of bright and vibrant fabrics has definitely expanded since our bee began last year, and I loved playing around with the colours (and Jennifer you may recognise some of your scraps here too, thank you...:). I wonder if you chain piece does it distract from playing with the layout of fabrics? I tried it out for my last couple of triangles but in the end preferred to sew each strip one by one. Thanks Amy, it was fun to discover a new pattern.

Modern Cross Quilt

It is done! My Modern Cross Quilt turned out so beautifully- I love it! Thank you so much for all of your input. As you can see, I made 25 more squares and arranged them randomly. My girls love picking out the squares that match clothing or accessories they have, and I feel like there are so many stories in this quilt. And it is super warm- perfect for the snowy winter that has descended upon Canada.

December/January Blocks finally done!

Hi All-
My main sewing machine crashed on me in December and my back up machine and I had major arguments over accuracy...so I have been delayed in completing my blocks for Jennifer. After deciding on paper-piecing my last block for accuracy's sake, I was able to get them in the mail today. I sent them on their way...only to get a phone call that my sewing machine is back in working order! YAY! Jennifer thank you for being so understanding! Here are the blocks I was able to complete for the charity quilt and for Jennifer's winter quilt.

 Starshine block

 Indian Summer block

 Air Castle block

 

Amy (USA)

 

 Catching Up!!!

Hello from snowy Wellesley!  Friday was a snow day. Schools were closed and it snowed all day. Our backyard turned into a winter wonderland overnight :). We have had two afternoons filled with friends tobogganing, campfires, roasting hotdogs and skating on the pond. You can even catch a glimpse of my husband and son heading down the toboggan run in our backyard. I finally got around to taking photos of my blocks for the charity quilt. The block with the heart, looks very washed out in this photo - it actually has strong reds, blues and a splash of yellow. I have always wanted to try a pinwheel pattern. Next time I might use a different colour for each 'spoke' of the pinwheel.  Hopefully they will find their place in the charity quilt. Looking forward to seeing all our creations put together :)

I finished my blocks for Jennifer this weekend and love the outcome!  I was pleasantly surprised with myself. My points lined up and everything came together quite smoothly.  After spending the day shovelling pathways through our yard and making pathways with our toboggans, I came inside and sewed the first block entitled, "Pathways". Very fitting I thought :) The second block is called, "Amish Star". I choose this one to represent my Amish roots and also loved the pattern. I have always shyed away from doing triangles, but I must admit I found myself quite enjoying the process. Thanks for the challenge Jennifer. I hope these make a fine addition to your winter quilt :)

Katy's Spider Blocks!

These blocks were so fun and surprisingly easy to make.... Amy, I'll drive them by this week!
We just received a big dump of snow here, and my weekend has been filled with skiing, shovelling, and sewing!

love, Katy

New Arrivals!

Here are some lovely blocks which have arrived in my mailbox 

but have not been shown on on the blog. 

Stephanie's blocks:

Meg's blocks:

Micaela's blocks:

Thank you Stephanie, Meg, and Micaela!

xoJennifer

Spiders are Beautiful!

These were such fun blocks to make! I hope they are what you were hoping for Amy. 

After making the first triangle, I chain pieced the rest of them together which I think made the process a little faster. This was completely a scrap project. All of those little strips of fabric that I have been saving and wondering what I would ever use them for, finally found a lovely use.
Since this is the beginning of the month I should be able to get two more made for you in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks Amy for teaching us something new!

Jennifer

Katy's Blocks for Jennifer!

I did manage to get these blocks sewn Before February 1st!! I did...but it took me a few more days to get to posting the photos...

First, I will admit my other sewing projects were piling up, and I had to get a belated Christmas gift done first! What was it? A recycled wool sweater lap blanket quilt...here's a peek of it. I am happy with how it turned out...the third I've made with felted wool sweaters now, and it is a great winter project! I lined it with flannel this time, but I've also used microfleece...either are great and the quilt has a really heavy weight to it, perfect for cuddling under on these cold winter nights!

So after my wool blanket was done, I dug into the December charity blocks! I must say I got super frustrated by a number of really poorly written 'free' quilt block patterns out there. I scrapped an entire block because of bad instructions (and the fabrics were so lovely)...anyway, here are the two I finally settled on! I absolutely love the simplicity of 'party hats', and yet what a visual impression it makes when it's done...

And then, dear Jennifer's lovely winter blocks! I had fun deciding on the pattern, and afterwards realised how similar the two are! I hope they fit nicely in your quilt Jennifer, and I can't wait to see it come together...

February 2012 was 'my' month last year, and I am embarassed to admit I'm still putting my quilt together. I'm machine quilting it right now, with a simple stitchntheditch pattern, and then will tackle binding. My goal is to finish it by the end of this February. A year a quilt, that's about all my schedule can hope to achieve. I originally thought this quilt would fit perfectly at our cottage on Manitoulin...I'm not sure I can part with it for just a summer quilt. It may end up on a bed at home instead! Photos to come soon!

It is wintery and blustery today. I'm just about to take big A to soccer... The winter in Canada this year has been weird. On and off and on and off...this weekend it is on in full force. We will embrace it with skiing and snow fort building...and hopefully I can sneak some sewing in!

Love, Katy