Ribbon Stars

More 3x6 Bee Blocks off to their new homes today! Before the mailing deadline - always a good feeling! These are for Hive 2 - "Now Starring". Seems the beginning of the year is always super busy and I am glad to have these completed. I really enjoyed making them, they each have such a different personality-so fun picking the fabrics to go with everyone's request!
I used this tutorial from Lee at Freshly Pieced, which is great, and has lots of pics to help with the layout. These blocks finish at 12in.

For Andi who requested Orange, Grey and White with a touch of black

For Jodi who requested Aqua, Pink and Cherry Red on white

For Linda who requested the Green, Pink, and Purple the colors of a  Coleus plant

For Leonie who requested Purple, Orange, and Red on Grey 

For Tanyia who requested Orange, Yellow and Grey

For Dawn who requested Red, Black, White and Grey

I must say I really like them all but Dawn and Leonie's - the two on the grey backgrounds- just really popped! I really like them! Which is your favorite?
I hope these ladies enjoy their blocks and they fit with their planned quilts. Once I receive all my blocks I will be posting pics.
Back to the sewing machine! Happy Stitching!
Ginny

Whirlygig Quilt Block Tutorial

As promised earlier this week I have prepared a tutorial for you!

This is for the Whirlygig block. This is an easy block and alot of fun! There is a bit of cutting but the block goes together quickly with chain piecing.

I reviewed a bit with this tutorial and I was totally inspired by SewCraftyJess and her 4x5 Bee Blocks here. I love the way she has put the whirlygig's together, and instead of using the white in between she has used another print. I did think about using my  'Lil Twister template/ruler but there is fabric waste with it so I decided to go with cutting my own templates. 

I tweeked my tutorial a bit as I had made these several years ago but in a smaller size. For this project I made my blocks to finish at 12 inches (12.5 unfinished). This means the 9 smaller individual blocks are 4in finished and 4.5 inches unfinished. 

Ready? Here we go!

As for fabric I used Kona white from a jelly roll - 2.5in strips and Kona grey. For the colors I literally pulled from my scrap bins or simply cut 2.5in strips. The pieces will be cut 2.5in by 3 inches.

First take a piece of cardboard (cereal box, cardboard from charm pac, anything fairly sturdy)

Measure a rectangle 2.5in x 3in and cut out. Next take your ruler and measure 1.25 inches in from the upper Left hand corner and mark. Now do the same from the lower right hand corner and mark. Connect your marks, and you should have a diagonal line as shown above. Cut on this line. You can change this up and make the diagonal more pronounced. It will give your blades more of a pinwheel shape - narrower at the base and wider at the tip.

Next take your template and cut your background pieces. You can cut 2 layers at one time to speed up the process. Just be sure if you are cutting your printed fabric that you cut with BOTH layers Right sides up. If you cut otherwise, as in right sides together or wrong sides together, you will get one set of blades that are backwards (yes, this happened to me- and I am a bit spatially challenged anyways, so it took me a moment to figure out what I had done when the pieces didn't come together!) I cut all nine backgrounds and put each in its own pile and then cut all of my prints and put one print on top of each background. that way you can just pick up each pile and sew otherwise the pieces can get scattered - after all there are 72 pieces to each 12 in block! Don't let that scare you off, it goes together quickly!

                                My cut pieces. You will match a print and a background piece.

 When you put them together to sew they will look off and not match up perfectly. This is the way it is supposed to be. Sew with scant 1/4 in seams and chain piece them. 

 Next open each piece and finger press seams so they alternate.  Lay out in a cross design. Piece the two top sections while nesting your seams. Next piece the two bottom sections doing the same. Again chain piece all of these sections. Finally sew the top and bottom sections together along your horizontal center seam, being sure to nest and match your center seams. If you find that you are having issues due to stretching (if cut on bias) don't be afraid to use spray starch to help with that. 
Ok now your should have one block approx 4.5in!  Repeat to make each of the other 8 blocks. Finally trim each block down to 4.5inches. I used a 4.5 in square ruler but it is not necessary, any ruler 4.5 inches or wider makes it easy to trim.

 Finally arrange all your blocks to your liking. Sew them together by rows. 
Top 3 blocks together; middle three blocks together; and finally the bottom 3 blocks being sure to match up seams. Then sew top row to the middle and bottom row to the middle being sure to match up the seams of the blades and the block seams.  And there you have it!

 I hope you enjoy making these!  I would love to hear from you and see your blocks if you use this tutorial. I think I see a project in my future using this block in a similar way as here. If you have any questions please let me know.

Ginny

A Lovely Year of Finishes 2013

What's this all about?  Do you have a pile of WIP's sitting, waiting, and waiting, for your loving attention for become full fledged quilt? 

It's ok! Many of us do! Now the question is how many? No, no, I won't make you count, but I do have an linky party for you -- may be just the "kick in the pants" that you need to get them finished!

Shanna over at FiberofallSorts and Melissa of bittersweetdesigns are hosting a linky party 
complete with prizes for completed projects each month of 2013!

It's easy! Pick one to work on -- any one, and commit to finishing it that month. You must link up a pic at the beginning and end of each month to be eligible for the prizes.  So hop on over to one of their blogs and link up!  If you have not done a linky party before there will be a tutorial on how to link up posted today!

Here is my project for January. It is a batik, raw edge applique quilt that I made many years ago during a very difficult time in my life. I actually named it Coming out of the Dark, and it reminds me of beautiful tropical flowers in a lush green setting. It was lost for a long time when I moved, and I was thrilled to find it last year! Now it needs the binding finished, so that is my goal for January. See it doesn't have to be a big goal just a committed finish ;)

We actually had beautiful sunshine today so I packed up my quilt and ran out on my lunch hour to a local park. Salomon Farm is actually a working farm that the Park District uses to grow vegetables and teach classes. But the important point today was that there was light! So I grabbed a picnic table and took a couple of quick pics!

Binding clips in place just waiting for some action :)

So, go choose one of those WIP's, hop on over, link up and grab a button! You may just win!

Ginny

Bee Blocks!

Just a quick post on some Bee Blocks that are going out in the mail today!

These are for my friends in the 3x6 Mini Bee. Hive 13. This is a sampler hive, meaning we could pick what ever block we wanted to make. Each person designated the colors and background they preferred. This is a Flickr based group. It is called a Mini Bee because there are 6 members to a hive and a caretaker and you make a block for each (including yourself if you like) in 3 months time. There are many different types of hive: sampler, paper piecing, solids, 30's, a good variety! This quarter ends on Jan 15th, so if you are interested you might pop over and get your name in for the 1st quarter 2013!


Sorry for the poor pic, when I increased the size it distorted. Here is the "mini" version

On to the blocks:

For Angela

For Cathy

For Jessica

For Micci

For Meesh

For Tara

This is the Whirlygig block and finishes at 12in. I will be posting a tutorial on how to make this block tomorrow -- See you then!

Fresh New Year! Happy 2013!

Cheers! It is out with the old and in with the new!

New?? Notice anything? Why yes, Thank you! I love the fresh, new update to my blog! I hope you do to! I have wanted to put up a picture header forever but never had the time to sit down and do - make that - LEARN how to do it!

It took me most of the day today to update this blog, but I did it! I am so proud of myself, I had actually thought about hiring someone to do a new design but well, with my new sewing machine, and Christmas just past; not alot of $$ floating about and what there is appears to be headed off the "fiscal cliff" ;0  The fact that I am self taught at this blogging and tech stuff, I poured through many different tutorials to come up with one that actually worked and gave me the look I wanted :) And I am so happy with the way it turned out! I have added pages -- no, not alot of content on them yet -- but there will be! I have also updated my sidebar and added buttons for all the new things I am currently involved in or that I will be participating in! Lots of fun stuff going on out there!

Today I am linking up with Lilly's Quilts for Fresh New Sewing Day today and she asked:

 - What was your favorites of 2012?  

       -Favorite quilt?  Favorite block? Favorite quilt related anything?

Well definitely my favorite quilt related thing right now is my blog makeover.

Second is my favorite quilt of 2012, my Retro Flowers quilt. I don't think I will ever get tired of it. It was a challenge and took my sewing to a new level. And it turned out beautifully, one of those projects that translated from vision to reality (with just a few doubts in between). 

 

And as far as quilt blocks - well right now I am crushing on this Ribbon Star block from Lee over at Freshly Pieced. I am currently making them for my star hive of 3x6 Mini Bee. Here is my block in my colors. 

This so seems like a Sunday to me! So glad it is not, as it will be a short work week! Hope yours is too! Best wishes for 2013!

Ginny

Auld Lang Syne...Should Old acquaintance be forgot ?

Yes it is that time of the year....New Years Eve here in the USA and for many around the world New Years Day 2013!

Traditionally this is a time to look back and reflect upon the year that has passed and I am no different than others in taking a look back over 2012. A look at where I have been and planning where I want to go in 2013! How about you? Did you find you did more? Less? Learned more? Taught more? Time moves on and lives change - maybe you had one of those years....and your journey took you places you could never have imagined!  I applaud all of you, I find you inspiring, funny, so encouraging and helpful! I enjoy reading your comments, reading your blogs, and looking at your lovely projects and pictures on Flickr!  So Thank you! for being such a great community!  I look forward to spending time with you in 2013!

One of the things that helps put it in perspective, at least for me is a mosaic. I love them! I love to look at all the wonderful projects everyone has worked on this year!  These are my projects for 2012.

So what did I do in 2012?  I found Flickr, and swaps! Love them - built my stash up from swaps and met many wonderful sewist's some of  whom are only on Flickr!  Sew many amazing projects!

My Flying Geese wall hanging was for the Modern She Made Swap and I was sooo happy the way it turned out! The colors were dark and bold and out of the box for me. 

I joined a couple of Bee's -- those are my blocks for this quarter-- the Whirlygig block for all those in my hive and the Ribbon Star block in my colors for another hive. Really fun picking out a block to make and all the fabrics and watching it all come together! I reorganized my sewing room - much more efficient and easy to work in - yea! 

I did a couple BOM and must admit I am not finished with them yet!!  I did make blocks (and finish them) for Hurricane Sandy Relief  :)

I am STILL working on perfecting my binding technique  LOL!

I must admit, I love surfing through blogland and seeing what everyone is up to, but it also adds to my inspiration overload. My to do list is long(er) than ever, and I am sure I will have more projects this upcoming year than I can ever finish!

I passed the one year mark of blogging, and met wonderful friends from around the country and the globe. Fabric and pattern is our language! 

Earlier when I was contemplating this end of year post  I was thinking I had not done enough, you know the comparing myself to others bit....do you do that?  Hmmm, not a good thing to do! There will always be someone else that made 37 quilts and was in 20 swaps and ran a fabric shop out of their basement all the while having a wonderful husband and 3.5 kids all under 5 yrs old at home!  Or the busy blogger who works 65 hours a week and finished 22 quilts and posts from her cell phone and does Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,and  Pinterest and always answers a comment immediately!  Please, all is said in the most humorous, sarcastic tone you can imagine-- it is not meant to be snarky towards those hard working women-- I admire them and they inspire me to try new things - the point is, they are not me and do not have my life and responsibilities just as I do not have theirs. So stop the comparing game. For me, this is supposed to be fun, a hobby, a way to share something I love to do, not a second job. I find when I feel I HAVE to do this, and meet everyone else's expectations (I have enough of that in my paid day job ;)  then I shut down and lose my mojo. So join me won't you for that New Year's Resolution? 

This post has been a bit random, alot of high points and some points to ponder and work on-- I guess that all adds up to a review of the old and contemplation of the new--exactly what New Years Eve is all about!  So I leave you with the words to Auld Lang Syne, chorus and 1st stanza. Tomorrow I will be back with my projects and happenings  for 2013 and then a tutorial for the Whirlygig block above in the upper left corner! 

Come on-- sing along with me :)  Happy New Years!  Ginny

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

A Rainbow for a Grey and Rainy Day!

Hi everyone, how are things going for you? It is cold and grey and rainy here, with the "S" word in the forecast. I guess a little "snow" in December is to be expected! 

I wanted to share my latest swap project with you and it just seemed appropriate given the cold and grey day! Isn't it sweet! I am just lovin' it and I hope my partner does too! This was part of the Modern Scrappy Bits swap over on Flickr. The idea was to swap scraps and add a bit to your collection. You were to send something small along with the scraps. 

Here is a pic of the scraps I sent along, its a bit dark but I think it was like 5am in the morning when I took it and my dining room light is not the brightest! Funny how scraps evoke such good memories---well mostly good lol! of the projects you work on :)  Alot like listening to music and how a certain song can take you right to a certain moment in time. 

So I decided to use some of these scraps to make a little mug rug and came across this fun tutorial over at Sewfantastic. The instructions and pics are very clear and you end up with a little bit of happiness! The biggest caution is not to pull on your fabric strips or "iron" with steam too much vs. just pressing the seams. Doing either of these will stretch your fabric strips and you will end up with wonky looking seams/lines or they will not line up perfectly....uhm not that that would ever happen to me! Yes, it did a bit with this little rug but it's still sweet!

This is the back of it and I used a scrap piece from one of the Victoria and Albert lines. So much like the city and the start of many peoples day.

I just straight stitched this every 1/4in with my walking foot. 

Then I used some left over binding fabric from this quilt here. I like to cut my binding 2 1/4 in and  in this case I machine stitched it on since I was a bit short on time. 

And there you have it, a little bit of sunshine on a grey and rainy day in Indiana. Sit down and have a cuppa and oh yea maybe a couple of double stuffed Oreo's to go with it. 
This ended up being 9 1/2 in  by 11 1/2 in and I used Kona white for the background. 

Have a great week and Happy Stitching!

Ginny