Espritpatch

  If you read me regularly, you'll know that the big event that has marked this year for me has been put move from the UK back to France after 21 years. A major change that has required some planning and organising made quite difficult by the pandemic. And of course, moving after so long and after 16 years in the same house has required some serious decluttering in all areas, including sewing and crafting supplies. And of course while going trig my stash and boxes, I have unearthed a (large) number of UFOs in various degrees of completion. I had never really considered letting go of my UFOs until probably about last year. First I never thought anyone would be interested in some partly done projects from someone else. Well, I was wrong! So I took a good look at these projects that I hadn't touched for years before deciding if they realistically had any hope to be finished one day, and as a result were worth packing and moving with us. I posted on most of those throughout the yea

  Another quilt-along that I started years ago (in 2012) and that has never been picked up again. Just Take 2 blocks were released twice a month by Brenda Papadakis and the quilt was supposed to be made in 2 colours. I duly started in January 2012 and made a few blocks during the first half of that year and then it was parked for later...  There were lots of different techniques in the quilt, including a big applique block (Hawaian if I remember well) that I never found the courage to start. Another bag that I have emptied last week and sold on to someone else. I had a lovely message from the lady who bought them from me, saying she was surprised I had let go of the blocks as they were beautifully made. This was so nice to hear, and I am happy that they are getting used finally. Celine

Not much progress to report for me this Monday. My Mum came to stay with us for 2 days over the week-end so I was out of my sewing room while she was here. And the kids have had a bug (again) with quite a lot of temperature and seriously disturbed nights (and it is not over yet unfortunately) so I haven't had much time at the sewing machine. I did very little on my Just Takes 2 again. I finished the very easy block #28 - 20 pieces Total pieces for the finished blocks = 647 and joined blocks #19 and#20 that I finished last week-end to the rest of the blocks I have so far to create this big piece. Well, I can't wait for the kids to be back to good health and good nights really! Celine

More BOM Rehab on my Just Takes 2 blocks for me this week-end. And I am very happy to report that I have finished block #19 - Feathered Star. I took it very slowly as it was advised on the instruction because it is a difficult block, lots of pieces and some partial seams. Lots of points to meet (mine don't all meet though)... it was indeed a challenging block and I am very happy that it is finished! 117 pieces My second block was easy peasy compare to the other one, I did block #20 - a row of flying geese, once again using the no-waste method. 30 pieces Total pieces for the finished blocks = 627 I started block #28 but this one is not finished yet. I now have 4 blocks left to do to finish the first quarter of the quilt: block #23 which is a big and difficult one I think hand-piecing with curves, block #25 with Y-seams, block #26, paper pieced and block #27 which is all hand applique. The next unit is released tomorrow so I am still behind but slowly catching up thanks to

I tried to catch up further with my Just Takes 2 blocks this week-end but I haven't been as productive as the previous week-end. I started with block #17 which is paper-pieced. Although I decided to do the flying geese with the no-waste method rather than paper piecing. I am not sure it was a good idea as there were small size geese. After that I assembled my block the wrong way so had to rip off but I ripped off the wrong seam first... Anyway finally here ismy slightly wonky block #17 , started on Friday and finished on Sunday, with its 57 pieces. I then made more geese for block #24 again with the no-waste method, 24 pieces. I also pieced block #18 but haven't applique the melons as yet so this one doesn't count as a finished block yet. I'll add the applique next time we go away. Easy transportable project. Next block is the lovely feathered star #19 which is big and complex so I went at it very slowly, cutting my pieces as I went along. I haven't finish

Unit 9 will be released on Tuesday, starting at block #33 and I have only finished 11 blocks to date when I should/could have a quarter of my quilt done by now. I have done any block since early March. Well, better late than never, I got my fabrics and instructions out this week-end, deciding to make some progress on my BOM. Last block I did in March was block #13, an easy flying geese strips (24 pieces), that I did with the no-waste method. It is a great way of making geese quickly and easily. I finished block #10 that I started in March too. I only add the outside background to add but I wasn't slightly scared of the curved seam. I took the plunge on Saturday and finished the block, which has 11 pieces. Next block #11 wasn't easy either with 3 Y-seams, not something I favour either. Better finished than perfect for this one, I guess although it didn't turn out too bad I think. 23 pieces Block #14 wasn't too difficult, piecing small pinwheels blocks into a 9-

Last week, I stumbled across this post from Sinta about her BOM Rehab programme that she was planning to launch and I thought it was a very good idea to help me keep focused on some of my WIP which could easily turned into UFOs. So I have decided to join her on her rehab program and will see how I do. Do you have BOMs that are in progress or in the waiting stage that you'd love to see getting somewhere? Why not join the club then and get some encouragements from fellow BOM addicts? Check over Sinta's blog and see if you want to join in as well! I have a couple of BOMs that I have started and so many more that I have saved "for later". These are my in-progress one that I should really concentrate on finishing before starting a new one: the Birdie Stitches BOM from last year where I have the last 2 month to stitch the Civil War BOW from last year that I have only started (I think I have about 8 blocks out of 53) the Shabby Roses BOM where I have stitched about 

 I have finally made some progress on the Just Takes 2 blocks that I hadn't touch since early January.I finish block #6 early in February. Hand applique (5 pieces) And this week, I pieced block #7 (28 pieces) block #8 (21 pieces) -which was foundation pieced block #9 (22 pieces) I have paper-pieced the fan of block 10 but haven't sewn the curved pieces yet and finally block #12 (45 pieces) which was paper-pieced as well Total =  212 pieces I have now completed about half of the blocks released so far but I am still 8 behind even before Unit 5 is published on Thursday... I have also finished a UFO yesterday - my last OPAM this month - but I can't show a picture as yet because I need to send it to the recipient first. Once she receives it, I'll disclose it fully. You'll have to make do with a sneak peak for now. This was a friendship project for which I gathered blocks in the Spring last year with a view of assembling and finishing the quilt to send it