Red & White Modern Block Swap Update

A while back, never mind how long ;), my quilty BFF's and I had a red and white modern block swap. (Click HERE for forever ago post)  I knew that it would be January before I could get around to assembling it :(

I did, however, map out my design plans.

I knew I wanted to use flying geese to fill out the blocks and complete the quilt.

So, I made a gazillion flying geese ;)

I even arranged them in this fun chevron pattern for little entertainment ;D

I need a bigger design wall.  Here is about 2/3rds of the quilt top.

First off, all of the blocks I make from here on out will be made with a darker red.  I wanted a bit more variation in the quilt.  Also, I am, for the most part, going to be having red be the back ground fabric, instead of white.  After looking at the quilt laid out, I think it needs it :)

As part of my plan, I wanted to include two 16" blocks.  One of which, was my first attempt at Hawaiian Applique.  It turns out that Hawaiian Applique is just a snowflake ;) I opted for a simple one.

I first tried to use freezer paper for a template method.  The paper was too cumbersome, so I switch a 1/3rd of the way through to template free, back basting method.  MUCH BETTER!

Boy, did I enjoy making this 16" Block.

Oh, but I forgot to add the center :(

All taken care of!

Next up was an 8" Celtic knot applique.

This was also my first attempt at a Celtic knot!

I love how the little stitches look on the back!

It came together pretty quickly.

My son traced the pattern onto the block for me with a Frixion pen.

I am so happy with how this turned out! I LOVE it!

The next block is a 12" block designed by an IG friend of mine (aylin-nilya.blogspot.de) called aylinnilya bubbles.

This is a super fun take on the old standard log cabin.

It is foundation pieced.

I love foundation piecing!!

I used scraps from the three different reds that are in the quilt.

Next up is an 8" block, copied from a block that Konda did for her Red and White. quilt.

I used a different method than she did.  I strip pieced it.

I'll post a tutorial later :) ..if, you'd like.

Now for a 12" Dresden plate.  I love them :)

Super quick, super slick!

Simple and sweet!

Now for a 12" foundation pieced star thing  ;)

This block came from the first edition of the 100 block magazine.

It was easy, but took more time than I wanted to spend :/  Happy with result.

Now for my other 16" block.

I had originally wanted to do a intricate feathered star, but the New York Beauty Circle of Flying Geese (by Better Off Thread) won out!

This block takes some time, but is not hard.

The worst part is attaching these little curved pieces. 

 (the big curves are much easier!)

I meant to make the flying geese white and the sky red, but I am SO happy I made the mistake!

It's perfect!

The last block is one I designed.

I have been doing a ton of sketches of churn dash and bear paws.

I think this 8' marriage of the two worked out quite nicely :)

I can't wait to get this top all together!!!

#BFTPqal Week 4

Welcome to week 4 of The Blocks From the Past Quilt Along!

(If you would like to post this button to your blog, feel free to use this graphic and here is the link address to use with it- http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/2015/01/blocks-from-past-qal.html)

This week we are headed over to Konda's place for pages 10, 11, & 61 over at moosequilts.com/blog.

Confession time, I didn't do any blocks this week for the qal.  I have been totally obsessed with completing my quilt from the Red & White Modern Block Swap that my quilty BFF's did last year.  Here is what I completed :)

I'll post the details later :)

Click HERE to go back to the Schedule Post. Be sure to tag your progress on Instagram with #BFTPqal.  You can also join our Flickr group HERE.

The Scrappy Scrumptious String Quilt

Almost from the very first day I started quilting back in January of 2012, 

I started saving selvages for a string project.

The first project I was going to do was a crocheted bath mat.  I gave up on that one when I found out I would need to sew all of the strings end to end :/

Next I saw the string blocks and that is what I stuck with.  

The design evolved over time until I ended up this :)

Each block is 9.5", unfinished.  I used a foundation piecing method.

The white strips were cut to 1.5" wide.

My favorite paper to use is the Ikea art easel paper.

It is so fun to see little bits of all of my past projects.

I need to come up with a new scrappy project for the next few years.

For the binding I used my favorite Grease text print.

And, of course, the pink sparkle peeps had to make an appearance.

My label had a typo :/  I used some white craft paint and fixed it all up ;-)

Now for the washer!

Finished size 72" x 54"

Another Snuggly Silky Heaven Blankie

I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of this before I gave it away :(

This is another of those tricot and minky blankets with a satin binding. 

We all love them and all of the kids want them now!

This blankie was made for my daughters nieces first birthday. 

Little Miss Lila Mae loved it :-)

#BFTPqal Week 3

Welcome to week 3 of The Blocks From the Past Quilt Along!

(If you would like to post this button to your blog, feel free to use this graphic and here is the link address to use with it- http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/2015/01/blocks-from-past-qal.html)

This week we are headed back over to Natalies place for pages 8, 9, & 60 over at natalie-ever-after.blogspot.com

There is a TON of applique in this project.  (A third of the blocks are applique.)

We all have our favorite methods of applique.  Each quilting host will share with you their favorite method of applique.  I use a template free back basting needle turn applique.  HERE is an awesome tutorial of the method from Tropical Applique.  HERE is another super slick tutorial by Applique Addict.

Enjoy!!!

Here is what I accomplished this week :-)

All of this applique might kill me!!  For the flower one, I actually ended up using freezer paper templates.  The shapes are SO small!!!

For this one, I used the back basting method and pretty much hate the result :/

I am going to redo it with a freezer paper template.

Click HERE to go back to the Schedule Post. Be sure to tag your progress on Instagram with #BFTPqal.  You can also join our Flickr group HERE.

Caterpillar Cactus Love

Here is sweet Molly's quilt.

After designing Sarah's Turtle Love, their Dad (Adam Ford) had to come up with an equally cute design for Bittie Molly's quilt,

I love this sweet little (FAT) cross eyed caterpillar.

Again, the quilting was done by SUPER Stacy Simmons.

She is a ROCK STAR!!!

Mom and dad requested that the borders be different for each quilt.

I am so in love with these two quilts!  

And here are the two mini Divas with their quilts :)

PS- BE SURE TO STOP BY AND CHECK OUT MY #BFTPqal!  SUPER FUN!!!  CLICK HERE!

Baby Turtle Love

A few years back, my sister in law and I plotted and planned to make quilts for her little girls, that we all affectionately call the Bitties. (They were born 9 1/2 months apart)

When Sarah saw her dad (you want to click that link) draw a picture of a mushroom, she called it a baby turtle.  That inspired this drawing, that was turned into this quilt :)

Applique is the perfect meduim for this design.

The border is 3" squares.

The quilting was done by the AMAZING Stacy Simmons.

It is so perfect!

Come back in a few days to see Molly's matching quilt.

PS- BE SURE TO STOP BY AND CHECK OUT MY #BFTPqal!  SUPER FUN!!!  CLICK HERE!