A Paper Piece Challenge

My local quilting group issued a challenge to its members for our Annual General Meeting in August. 

The challenge was to make an item using English Paper Piecing. Of course how could I refuse a challenge like this. It happens to be one of my most favorite things to do.

So I put my thinking cap on and came up with my project. I've decided to play around with baby blocks and 2" hexagons using solids. The fabric is Kona solids of course in the color way for Quiltcon. When I saw these fabrics at the Fat Quarter Shop I could refuse them.

My challenge is only going to be a mini quilt so that I can have it finished in time. Stay tuned to see how it comes out. I'm going to start playing this week.

Making a commitment

I'm making a commitment to my little girl. 

As part of her becoming a permanent member of our family (it was supposed to happen in May but has been adjourned off till October) and at a request made by her in 2010 for a "Love Quilt" in purple, I have finally pulled out a long awaited W.I.P. to finish off her Love quilt.

The love quilt is made up of 9 stitchery blocks designed by an Australian designer, Rosalie Quinlan. The quilt was called "Love Is". Hence Miss A has called it the "love quilt". My Mum and my friend Michelle have already completed their quilts. Here they are.

Michelle's Quilt

Mum's Quilt

I have stitched the first block. It is actually block 6.  I used a variegated purple thread (DMC 52) to stitch. In the original pattern, the designer back stitched various hearts in the blocks to fill it in. I have decided to use applique with blanket stitch instead.  I will applique all the hearts on each block for variation to the pattern.

Here are blocks 1, 2 and 8. Traced and ready to stitch or have started to be stitch. They are a bit hard to see but hopefully they will be clearer once these are fully stitched.

The next round of blocks are waiting to be traced. This will be done at my next Sunday sewing group.

So I have a deadline to have a finished quilt by the end of September in anticipation of Miss A becoming a permanent member of our family.