Modern Quilts

As I browse my favourite blog sites, I'm amazed at the gorgeous modern quilts that are being produced. So my mind has been boggling about what kind of pattern and fabric I would use and I think that I have found just the answer.

So for the time being I am keeping things a bit hush. I want it to be a surprise and a show and tell along the way. What I can tell you is this.

Finished Quilt Size: 50" x 61"

There are 2 different blocks used in the quilt and there will be a total of 80 blocks made. I have a white homespun for the background and 10 different fabrics.

The original pattern was used with 1930's fabric but I have looked outside the box with the fabrics I chose to make this quilt. I love looking at patterns and seeing more to them by using different fabrics.

 

I am enjoying seeing how modern and fresh the new contemporary fabrics are and how people use these fabrics in basic designs to give it a fresh look. I am also enjoying how these modern fresh fabrics are being used to give traditional patterns a new lease on life (as an expression of speech). I have noticed this especially with the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along and the Skill Builder Sampler Quilt Along.

So I am spending my evening cutting up this gorgeous fabric to make a start on the quilt. I want to make it with my Synchronized Squares Quilt Along that I have cut ready to sew.

W.I.P. Wednesday

I'm joining Lee at Freshly Pieced again for another W.I.P. Wednesday.

So what have I been up to over the past week. Well my kids and I went to stay with my Mum when my Dad went away for a golfing trip. Whilst I was there I sewed together one of my gifts for the Snickerdoodle Paper Bag Swap. I also finished hand quilting the top of the gift and now I just have to finish sewing it together.

 

I also worked on my hexagons. I finished off another diamond and one of my half blocks for the sides of the quilt. 

Hexagon Diamonds Completed: 19 (out of 99)
Background Hexagons: 52

Half Side Diamonds: 1

Half Length Diamonds: 0 

 

I also cut my fabric for the Synchronized Squares Quilt Along. I'm ready to start and can't wait.

Blissfulness

I think that I'm starting to get to the stage with my kids that I really enjoy my solo time. Having two little dependent children who rely on you 24/7 becomes draining at times especially when you are faced with hourly challenges.

But then again there are those moment of bliss the come along that you are so grateful for. I'm grateful that my 2 year old still needs an afternoon nap. So today he decided to fall asleep in front of the TV  after lunch and his morning playgroup session. I thought that I would share the blissful photo.

I am also grateful for my friends and family. 

I love catching up with my Sunday group of special sewing friends monthly. Its my down time, my time to be silly and have fun and my sanity time, to recharge the batteries for the next month. But when I look at the photo above, its not all that bad, just at times, manic and mad...

Saturday's developments

Well I would have to say that I've had a productive afternoon. Whilst my son was asleep for his afternoon nap, I cut and sewed together my present for the Snickerdoodle Paper Bag Swap.

I was so impressed with how everything came together and though I had to read the instructions and some things were a bit trial and error the overall achievements left me feeling warm and fuzzy.

So I posted a couple of weeks ago that I received my goodies for the swap.

Well here is what I have done with the fabric and goodies so far. 

In case people are wondering what its going to be. I'll give you a hint. Every woman has one.....

Now the evening is ahead of me and I'm planning to do some hand quilting to finish off the front of my project. I will be so excited to show off this swap to people and I do believe that it will be another project that I would make again and again.

Massachusetts Star Block for June Swap with Quilt Block Swap

So this is our June block swap for the quilt block swap group I joined on Facebook - Massachusetts Star Block. The 6th star block is used in a charity quilt for Quilts of Valor. 

I finished off the blocks this evening so that I can meet the mailing deadline. These are going to US for distribution into the charity quilt. I don't want any to be sent back to me this time. 

I love star blocks. They were fun to make (thanks Marybeth). I will definitely make more in the future.

Next swap will happen in August. Can't wait to see what Marybeth comes up with next. I need to finish off the charity quilt for the April swap which was log cabins with a nature theme. Stay posted as I have come up with a great EQ design for one of the quilts and I'm struggling with what to do with the other blocks.

W.I.P. Wednesday

Today its Wednesday again. Another week as past. Where has the time gone????

So I'm heading over to Freshly Pieced to join Lee in another W.I.P Wednesday post. 

 

 So what has happened this week for me. 

1. It was a long weekend in Australia for the Queen's Birthday weekend.

2. Our town had their annual winter races known as the June Cup. (I didn't go as I was happy to sew at home)

3. I had my Mum's sister and Brother in-law come to stay with her for the weekend.

4. My DH worked his 5 nights on over the long weekend so we only saw him occasionally.

5. My 4 year old decided that she was turning into a banshee and has I Don't love you anymore Mummy moments about every 1 hour. 

But I did happen to get some sewing done. Yeah!!!

1. I completed a crazy patch block for my Friendship Swap with Murray Mallee Quilters. I just need to add some embroidery stitches to finish off the block

2. I happened to complete some more sewing on Archie's quilt. Top is yet to be finished but it is closer. I will post a picture when I get the top done.

3. I worked on my Quilt Block Swap for June - Massachusetts Star Block. I have nearly finished all the quarter square triangles and then I can finish off the blocks. I have decided to give my blocks (6) to the Quilts of Valor charity quilt.

4. I completed 2 hexagon diamonds for my quilt. I actually enjoyed this the most this week and was so happy to be doing this again. I so want to finish off this quilt so that I can have prime position on my bed.

Hexagon Diamonds Completed: 18 (out of 99)
Background Hexagons: 0

Half Side Diamonds: 0

Half Length Diamonds: 0

So for next week. I'll just wait and see. Hexagons are definitely on the cards. Have chosen the next lot of fabric for the next diamond. I have to pull out my machine some more and get going on some projects that have been lingering just so I can happily show some finished items off.  

Happy W.I.P Wednesday.

Something I'm not so crazy about

I decided to work on my next Friendship Block Swap for my local quilting group Murray Mallee Quilters today whilst I visited my Mum. We are both quilters so I was able to use my Mum's sewing machine.

This month my friendship swap is for Ann. Ann is a beautiful quilter and her workmanship is amazing. So Ann requested a 12 1/2" crazy patch blocks in purples and creams from her swap partners. Now not ever having done crazy patch before, I have to openly admit that its just not my thing. I sewed the patch up and now I have to do the decorative stitches. 

I am happy to try out new techniques or patterns but I don't think crazy patch is for me.