Scraptastic Strings

About a bajillion years ago (okay, in 2010) I was in my first quilting bee, the Scraptastic Bee. Every month our Queen Bee sent out an inspiration fabric and we made the block of her choice in our own stash fabrics using the inspiration charm as a guide - sometimes including it in the block. I loved the idea (still do!) because I think it's such a shame and a bit of a waste of talent to send out fabrics and just ask for people to put them together a particular way. I like the idea of either having slightly different blocks in the same fabric, or the same block in different fabrics. Gives a bit of personality to the whole affair. But I digress.

 

I sent out a few strips of Moda's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and one centre strip of Bella Grey and asked for a 12 inch string block. This was my test block. I loved the slightly vintage feel.

 

Well. Blocks came back here and here and I made some with my new machine around about here. I was a woman on a mission after Christmas and finally had all the blocks done here. And at the weekend I set to laying them out to try and mix the original very de-saturated blocks and the slightly bolder toned recent ones. With Jones slavering all over supervising, obviously.

 And I finally got them all together last night. I rather like the difference in tones. Gives some interest. It was surprisingly hard to photograph, it's slightly warmer than it looks here. But it's big enough for my bed - a much needed swapee for the Godzilla shoo-fly.



 

So now I just need to join the backing (Ikea's finest) and figure out how the hell to quilt it. Answers on a postcard, please! I'll leave you with my most handsome drooler helper. His wee pal is curled up on my knee squeezing the keyboard right on to the ends of my knees. My wee cat. *soppy grin*

Finish along quarter 1

New year, new projects, right? Or in our case (OUR as in, all us joining up with Rhonda's 2012 Finish-along) New year, old projects getting finished!

I've had a rummage and I actually don't have that much to get finished. Don't hate me! But this first one's a biggie.

Ten of these blocks were from my 2010 Scraptastic Bee. I've actually spent a few days of this holiday making up another 7 blocks to go alongside them and some I did with Chookie last spring. Trouble is, I think I want to make it a bed quilt so you really see the pattern (they're 12in blocks) so I'll need 36. And I'd like to get it quilted this quarter, too. Like I said, a biggie!

Number 2 is much smaller. I started this sewing machine cover 2 years ago and got nowhere near finishing it. My new machine needs a cover for when the table is out (the hard one doesn't fit then) so perfect timing. Plus I can try out some quilting on my new boy......he needs a name...

And that's me! I have one other UFO quilt but there's no way that'll get done this quarter (Sarah is planning a quiltalong and that's much more important than languishing paintbox quilts!) but hopefully this year! If you need a nudge to get those dusty project baggies opened up you should come join in! There's prizes and everything!

strings and little stars.

I'm all caught up currently in the quilting/sewing area. Well, when I say caught up, I meant there's nothing needing my immediate attention which is a rather lovely place to be. And it prompted me getting out my string blocks from the Scraptastic Bee and having a wee play. I really love how it's looking!

 The Moda "Breakfast at Tiffany's" strips I supplied (only a couple or three in every block) wasn't my first choice to send out. In fact, I think it was my third or forth but it has resulted in some very pretty, desaturated blocks that have a really lovely vintage feel. One of the bee girls (Kelly) supplied a HUGE bag of strips, too and Chook and I got them out today for a proper look. We've made 3 more blocks and the one Chook's pointing to up there is the first we did - she picked the strips and did all the ironing and some sewing, too! It took aaaages but she was having a ball! We have hardly made a dent in Kelly's stash it's so huge. So only 10 to go for a nice new snuggly throw in the livng room! The Jamie-Lee has been greatly used this winter.

I got some great mail yesterday, too! A wee while ago I won a giveaway on Lynne's blog.  The dearest little handmade stars. But she also included lots of other stuff!

 Paper, a magnet and postcard from her native Oz and the best sweeties!!! Not to forget the awesome croc oven mitt - he's by the same people who made my favourite koala one which is getting sadly worn out. I think he came from Perth on one of Papa's visits to his family. And now he has a pal!!

Isn't this wee star sweet?

Thank you, Lynne!!! You spoiled me - it was worth all those thwarted trips to the post office! *g*

Saying goodbye to 2010

I love these mosaics of quilts made in a year! I wasn't as prolific as 2009, I think, but I DID make 2 proper bed sized quilts. And as the piecing level increases they are definitely taking longer to pull together.

1. jelly-filled holly-blossom, 2. counterfeit change, 3. not pushing up daisies yet!, 4. ORBC lucky charms, 5. asterisk quilt, 6. the Godzilla shoo-fly quilt, 7. world cup watchers - DQS9, 8. Jamie-Lee quilt - round 4 ORB quilt group, 9. love hexagons quilt, 10. Freddie's pinwheels., 11. quilt hanger - a la P.S. I Quilt., 12. dqs8 - Gnorman the Gnome's house.

I made my very last Scraptastic Virtual Bee blocks, too. Wonky stars for Susan - they really are the best fun to make.

They're actually late December blocks. I'm a bit annoyed with myself because I *always* had my blocks posted before the designated month ended (well - except that one month where I posted on the 1st but that was a weekend no-post-on-a-Sunday thing) and here I've fallen at the last hurdle. Never mind, eh? And this means I have NO commitments now! Quite a nice feeling, actually, and I think I've decided to not try for entry into the 10th Doll Quilt Swap. I've done the last 2 and they are a riot but I think I need some no pressure sewing for a while. I can see me in about 6 weeks joining random swaps just because!

scraptastic strings

My string blocks from the Scraptastic Bee on Flickr have started arriving home! I supplied some strips of Moda's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and a little grey bella solid. Look how fab these look together!

I'm hoping for a vintagey feeling quilt and I think I should have nearly half of the blocks for a quilt once they all roll in. Exciting!!

Chook got on well at the dental hospital, BTW (thank you everyone who has asked!) and was delighted to have no work done. I think they're letting sleeping dogs lie - especially given the festive shutdown is looming! So hopefully we'll make it through to the middle of January with no hiccups. Fingers crossed!!

strings and stars

The time really is just scooshing past just now, innit? I should really be elbow deep in gift sewing but I just can't get in the right frame of mind currently so I'm diddling about doing everything BUT sewing for others. Like this string block.

It's a test block for my Scraptastic Bee. It's my month and after a loooong time agonising what to do and being thwarted left, right and centre by out of stock shops of all varieties I decided on this mix. Strings (which I LOVE but haven't the patience to make a whole quilt) and some strips of Moda's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" from a scrap bag. If you haven't seen one of those they are awesome! Lots of selvedges if that's your thang but (more importantly for me) loads of half WOF strips in almost all the fabrics in a range. I'm hoping to end up with a vintage looking quilt. The fabrics I sent out were green/blue/faded red/butterscotch and some Moda grey (like Kona Ash) so we'll see what the girls put together for me! There's only 4 strips of Tiffany's in my block and I love how it looks.

In other Bee news, I finally put together my wonky Christmas stars from the Quick Christmas Bee.

Now the only debate is whether to put in a final white border. I'm tempted to leave it as is - I'm not a huge border fan. I love how it looks, though! Possibly my favourite quilt ever!

bee blocks

I've been in a 6x3 bee for the last few months called Bee Mental. It basically entails choosing ONE style of block and making it up in 6 different colour schemes which are supplied by your fellow bee mates. I made sure to pick a nice achievable block!! I've also received 2 of my own back already - it's going to be a fantastic collection of blocks!! These are mine that I sent out.

 And in October at the Scraptastic Bee, Tami sent us a square of Halloween fabric and asked for any block we liked. It's to make a quilt for her Halloween mad daughter. I kept it simple but used lots of fabrics.

And, of course, November is MY month in Scraptastic!!!! So my parcels of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and Moda Bella grey strips went out on Monday. I've asked for string blocks since I love them but haven't the heart to make a whole quilt of them by myself!! I'll show you my wonderful wonky stars from the Quick Quilting Bee when I (eventually!) get my arse in gear and get the top put together.

Thank you so much for all the messages of support regarding Chookie and that pesky tooth. Her root canal treatment went really well yesterday - that happy gas is a miracle!! She was SO alert but so incredibly relaxed!! The bad news is the consultant says the outlook for the tooth isn't good. It was simply out of her head for too long for her to be entirely happy that it will take. Still, we shall see. At worst it will fall out and she'll need a wee fake tooth on a plate for the next few years until she can get a bridge and then an implant at 18. There are worse fates!

September bee blocks

I never did post my Bee blocks of the past month. 'Kay.

2 very pretty chubby stars for Julie in the Quick Christmas Bee.

4 Ohio stars for Jo - also for the Quick Christmas Bee

and 4 wonky stars for Nichol in the Scraptastic Bee.

It's my month next in Scraptastic and I still haven't a clue what to go for? Any suggestions?

outgoing and incoming mail.

Outgoing number 1. Augusts Scraptastic Bee blocks - aren't I nice and organised?! Liz supplied the Alexander Henry owls fabric and asked for slightly wonky but definitely funky square-in-square blocks and since she's on "a solid kick" right now non-patterns were especially welcome. They were fun to do!

Outgoing number 2. There's a little girl who lives in the States called Rosemarie. The wee pet is only 4 years old and has been battling cancer for three quarters of her life. Her Aunt is a Flickr buddie, Emedoodle, and she is making her a quilt for the long journey to and from the hospital with the help of quilters all over the world. Pinks and purples and girly. Now, that I can do!!

And finally an incoming parcel of happy mail. I did a wee favour for another Flickr pal, Puk, who was having trouble getting a company to despatch a much wanted embroidery kit to Denmark. So she had it sent to me and I passed it on to her. No big deal for me and I felt it was a small deposit into the bank of quilters karma which has seen such sterling withdrawals by me for the past year. Look what the darling sent me!!

Dontcha just LOVE them!! She knows me so well, funky but pretty and I couldn't pick a favourite. I really couldn't. So thank you to Puk and her Mum!!! And you were very, very welcome!!

scraptastic bee - July

scraptastic bee - July
Originally uploaded by ochil_lynz

I had such fun this month!! Claire sent out Kona snow and the centre block of flowers and asked for wonky stars. Now I'd always fancied a go at making them but had never gotten round to it. And I'm always a bit nervous trying new blocks (if bolshy and the owner of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants have-a-go mentality!) With someone elses fabric, too! I needn't have fretted. They are cool and easy and freestyle and non-critical in the quarter inch seam department and I totally love them!!! Really! I could have made a bunch but, alas, Claire only included enough solid for 1 block. Just have to make my own, won't I?

June Scraptastic bee block

June bee block
Originally uploaded by ochil_lynz

Jennie at Sunflower Quilts asked for the scrapbuster #2 block from Little Miss Shabby's blog. We did the original block in April for Corey herself and I DID NOT enjoy it at all. So I really wasn't looking forward to this one. But, you know once I'd cut out sll those one and a half inch squares (about 90 of them!) it wasn't such a pig to sew. This type of block will always be a challenge for me since I have an inconsistent quarter inch seam and I don't think I'll ever enjoy them but I'm glad I've tried (and managed!) them. And the finished quilts will be amazing!!

may bee blocks.

For the Scraptastic bee this month, Kelly sent a neutral backing, a piece of black cotton print and a strip of greens and browns and asked for freestyle wonky houses, pretty much any size. Woo-hoo!!

Next month it's back to tiny 1in piecing - bollocks.

Aaaaaaaaargh!!!

This is my April Scraptastic Bee offering. Cute pattern and the quilt will be amazing but, bloody hell, this took 4 hours!!! And it's FAR from perfect. What a pain in the arse and if I never see a 1 inch block again it will be too soon!!! My quarter inch seam needs work, too. It's cute though, eh?

pretty stuff

My March Scraptastic Bee block for Kristin. She wanted raw edge applique circles and sent the pears and the brown circles. There's another 3 blocks the same, all not made up so she can put them together with the other girls mini blocks. This will be an amazing quilt!

And see what I bought! Japanese imports with no purpose but I fell in love with them. Little Red may be getting stitched into something useful - plan is afoot!

Still no keyboard. I am heading into the loft to find my old tower one before this on-screen one gives me RSI!

Scraptastic Bee - February

This month is Hats' (Heidi's) turn for block challenging. She sent out some striped fabric and asked for Kaffe fasset inspired mitred squares. I admit - I was bricking it!! But they were actually really good fun to make. It'll be such a cool quilt!!

the Scraptastic Quilting Bee

I've joined my first quilting bee with a bunch of girls in the States. This is our first month and Jenna has sent out the gorgeous Robert Kaufmann Starlings fabric (in the very pretty blush pink colourway) as her inspiration fabric. *edited* No it flamin' isn't! It's Alexander Henry - thanks for telling me you guys, NOT!! We then use our own scraps (hence the scraptastic bit!) to make a block of her choosing. She wanted log cabins (not wonky ones!) and I had such fun I made 2. And I want to keep them. *pouts* It's so very me! It's going to be a beautiful quilt!!!

My month is November which while being a loooong time away, gives me plenty thought-time for fabric choosing!