Saturday, March 26, 2016

Spring Stitching

Happy Spring everyone unless you’re in the southern hemisphere, then Happy Autumn!  Either way, the temperate seasons we’re coming into are beautiful!

Last week I mentioned but didn’t show my purple improv (scrap) blocks. They’re 8.5 inches and I had enough of the smaller scraps to do 8. I still have larger chunks of purple scraps - from fat eighths to FQs, but I didn’t cut them up for these blocks. I`m doing other quilt tops that may call for those larger chunks. If not, they’ll be ready for RSC2017.  Speaking of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, why not join us over at Angela’s SoScrappy for Scrappy Saturday. There is always lots of great eye candy!


This week I finished my Birds and Bees quilt which uses mostly fabrics by Tamara Kate for Michael Miller. I love the navy fabric with colored stars, but am not crazy about it as the first border. The quilt finished at about 56x64” (after washing), so it’s not a huge quilt.  I worked out the pattern on Pattern Jam according to the fabric I had on hand. We forgot to take a picture of the back which is made up of the outer border fabric, plus the binding fabric (aqua) and yellow. The quilting is a simple stipple and batting is Warm & Natural Plush. It will go into the linen closet to be added to the pile of Quilts for Christmas Gifts this year.

This is also a finish for my 1st Quarter Finish Along Goals, #6 to be specific.  And this is the 3rd quilt finish this quarter.  I am hoping to possibly finish one more this month.


I have finished three more Splendid Sampler blocks since the last time I shared. They have just introduced block #12 (the 36-patch ), but I have only done 10 blocks to date. Two of the introduced blocks have lots of embroidery and I am not enjoying that right now after doing my crazy quilts (see older blog posts) for the last 15 years.


The bottom block was supposed to have an embroidered center, but I included a Lori Holt little fabric piece instead  and then surrounded it with selvages. It did not turn out as I hoped. In fact, I think it’s fugly.  But it’s done and it’s staying as is. In a quilt, who will know or care?

Moving along, this is what I am working on now. I was originally doing some crazy-pieced 6-inch blocks with the thought of graduating the colors as I went around. But it wasn’t looking good. Then I pinned the 2.5” black strip around it and really liked that. So, from this picture I have decided to include the black border, skip the crazy patch, eliminate the red and olive green, and cut off the top light blue/white part of the print.


And then the colored outer border surrounding the black inner border will be pavers (bricks) of color, and most of them will be from two fat eighth assortments from Vicki Welsh in Blue/Green color wheel and Grape. They are drool-worthy!  So, hopefully I can finish this up next week.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Cathy maroon

13 comments:

  1. So much going on this week! Love that graduated border! So pretty

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  2. oh my gosh! What a lot you're getting done Cathy! Very satisfying. I like the improv blocks so much. Leeanna

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  3. the border on your city quilt is going to be fantastic!

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  4. Cathy, you have so many beautiful blocks. I still LOVE the Splendid Sampler blocks. Your last project you shared is also a favorite. (I love buildings in quilts almost as much as trees...) It looks fantastic with the black border and I love the other fabrics you have selected.

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  5. Congrats! on your newly completed quilt and I really like where you are headed with that city scene. It's sounds like a great plan and it is looking GOOD!!!

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  6. I really like the white and purple improv stripes popping out of each of your purple blocks.

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  7. oh, I can't wait to see more of the city landscape! Love the border you are working on!

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  8. Cathy, you are doing a great job with all those projects. Congrats on the finish. Love the cityscape with the black border.

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  9. Man do I LOVE what you are doing with that City Print. That black sure sets it off and you really have an eye for color.

    there is always so much to drool over in your posts. Better hurry though, pretty soon you'll have to trade your sewing tools for rakes and spades!

    Happy Easter
    xx, Carol

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  10. Beautiful projects in the works in your sewing room. I really like the city scape, it's beautiful.

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  11. Another post that fills me with awe over all that you accomplish. I'm interested to see what you do with the cityscape (think I told you a friend here is using the same panel for a guild challenge....I'll try to get a picture if I can so you can see what she does with it).

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  12. I'm always inspired to see all you do. I'm also doing the Splendid Sampler, although I haven't posted any blocks -- I don't always follow the directions.

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  13. Wow, what great quilts! Love your finish and congrats on getting so much done! Thank you for participating in the FAL, on behalf of the 2016 global FAL hosts.

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