Another Red, White, and Blue Swap Block

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I’ve finished another red, white, and blue block for a quilt block exchange that I’m hosting on the Carol Doak Yahoo group.

This one is the Africa block from Carol’s Mariner’s Compass Stars book. I think this block really gives great movement to the red and blue points. I have enough fabric scraps left over so I could make another one to add to my own red, white, and blue quilt.

Here’s the unfinished block at 12.5 inches:

Africa block

Africa block

My quilting inspector decided to admire from afar while sitting on the fence under a shady tree. With temps in the upper 90s in the Willamette Valley this week, I can’t blame him!

A Shady Spot

A Shady Spot

I’m getting very excited for the upcoming Sisters Quilt Show! We only have a couple more weekends to go. I do plan on dropping off my quilts in person later this week and checking out the Stitchin’ Post before the show to pick up some goodies.

Until next time, happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Hummer Storm at Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

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In an earlier post, I showed you the BOM quilt that I’m entering into the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. I’m also entering this Happy Halloween applique quilt.

I finished my third and final quilt to display at the show called Hummer Storm! This quilt is entirely paper pieced using just 3 fabrics. The design is by Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio.

I just love how this quilt turned out! The movement of the Storm at Sea blocks combined with Snail Trail blocks showcases well and the turquoise zinger really adds that extra pop.

Here’s a look at the quilt front:

Hummer Storm Quilt Front

Hummer Storm Quilt Front

For the quilt back, I used leftover pieces of fabric to add some interest to the label area:

Hummer Storm Quilt Back

Hummer Storm Quilt Back

The finished quilt is about 66 inches by 66 inches.

I can’t wait to see it displayed at the quilt show in just a few weekends!
Enjoy,
~Jennifer

Little Bird!

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I saw the cutest little stuffed bird pattern called Friends of a Feather by Indygo Junction recently and just knew that I had to make it!

This little bird can sit in the palm of my hand very easily so it is the perfect size to perch upon my computer while I work. I used a Kaffe Fassett fabric for the bird body and tail. The pink fabric is something that I pulled out of my stash so I do not know the fabric line, but I think it pops nicely against the body.

For the eyes, I used mini turquoise buttons and attached them with embroidery floss. I didn’t have the proper gauge of wire on hand as the pattern recommended, but I did have some thinner crafting wire in a pretty turquoise color that complements the eyes and the body fabric.

Here are some picks of my new little bird friend. Click on the pictures to see a larger image:

I’m definitely going to make some more of these little birdie friends to give as gifts! The pattern is quick and easy to follow and the birds require minimal supplies that I usually have on hand.

Tweet, tweet!
~Jennifer

Red, White, and Blue Swap Block

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Happy Flag Day everyone!

I’m the hostess for a red, white, and blue block swap on Carol Doak’s Yahoo group! This swap is so much fun to host because I love these colors and the 4th of July is my favorite holiday! Each participant makes 4, 8, or 12 blocks to swap with other members.

Here’s a look at the block that I made today:

Red, white, blue swap block

Red, white, blue swap block

This is the Austria block from Carol’s book called Mariner’s Compass Stars. The white fabric in the background is actually a white-on-white print featuring stars but the camera didn’t pick up the white stars very well.

Now I need to decide if I’ll make all my blocks the same or make 4 different ones.

Hope you enjoy this little red, white, and blue post today and stay tuned for more patriotic blocks!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show – Block Contest

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Westminster Fibers is sponsoring a quilt block contest at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this year! I decided to join in on all the fun by creating my own blocks. I selected the blue colorway from the official block contest fabric line – Parson Gray-Seven Wonders.

The rules are pretty straight forward:
– You must use only the fabrics in the packet ($10 from the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters).
– Blocks must be 9.5 x 9.5 inches (includes seam allowance)
– Any method is allowed – piecing, applique, handwork, just no machine embroidered designs.
– Embellishments are welcome!

I’ve been on a bit of a bird kick this year so I continued with that theme by creating my first block with a birdhouse and a little birdie! Then, I had fun adding a bunch of embellishments.

I used blue metallic thread to applique the upper portion of the birdhouse and green metallic thread along the ground to imitate grass or little plants. I used hot-fix crystals to add plenty of sparkle when the block is displayed in the beautiful central Oregon sunshine! I hope the sparkles will catch your eye if you visit the quilt show.

For additional accents, I hand embroidered a sunshine, the bird’s details, and tall green grasses. On a whim, I stitched on a cute little lizard, making his way towards the birdhouse.

Here’s a closeup of the bird and the lizard details:

Lizard button
Bird detail

Here’s a look at the whole block:

Sisters Outdoor QS Contest Block

Sisters Outdoor QS Contest Block

For the second block, I decided to make a geometric paper-pieced block without any added embellishments. This was a challenge because we only had a 10-inch piece of blue fabric plus 4 individual 6-inch pieces of fabric to work with to create the block! I used Unit 18 from Carol Doak’s book, Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars.

Here’s a look at the second block:

Contest Block #2

Contest Block #2

I had so much fun making these blocks. If you missed my earlier post here, I also sent in some fabric postcards that will displayed and auctioned off at Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this July.

The quilt show instructors will each select their favorite block and the number one block will win “best in show.” I would be so thrilled if one of my little blocks got selected to be a favorite!

Until next time, enjoy these blocks!
~Jen

Quilted Mystery BOM for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

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A few weeks ago, I posted that I had completed piecing together the top of Carol Doak’s year-long mystery block-of-the-month that she created for her Yahoo groupies.

I plan on displaying this quilt as one of three quilts this July at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. I’m calling my completed quilt “Yahoo Stars” in honor of Carol’s Yahoo group and because I used 2 star themed fabrics in the quilt. I will write about the other two quilts in a future blog post.

I finished up the quilting and binding this week and took a few photos of the completed project:

Quilt on a log swing

Quilt on a Swing

Quilt on a Swing

Me holding the quilt front

Quilt Font

Quilt Font

My hubby holding quilt back

Quilt Back

Quilt Back

The quilt back is just a coordinating navy blue/star print with a label attached to the bottom.

I plan on going to the Sisters Quilt Show to photograph my quilt in person. If you see me there, say hi!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer~

Toes in the Sand BOM, Block Two

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I’m working on the Toes in the Sand BOM by Jaybird Quilts as one of my year-long projects. Check out my earlier post here.

I love the blues/greens/aquas in the fabrics selected for the BOM as they do have a beachy feel to them. The fabric is PB&J by BasicGrey for Moda. Check out your local quilt store for both the Toes in the Sand pattern book and the fabric.

For month two, we made 2 of the Santa Barbara blocks. These blocks came together quickly and easily!

Here’s a look at my blocks:

Toes in the Sand, Block Two

Toes in the Sand, Block Two

The weather here in Oregon has finally turned sunny so I’m going out to enjoy it for a while!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer~

Memorial Day Weekend: Quilting and Gardening

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Over Memorial Day weekend, I had a little bit of time to work on several quilt projects.

The first project is a paper-pieced quilt that I’m planning on displaying at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this July. I’ve pieced it, quilted it, and just need to finish up the binding.

Here’s a little teaser:

Rolled binding strips

Rolled binding strips

I’ll post some photos of the completed quilt soon!

My next project involves sewing together lots of hexie shapes! This is a pattern called Snack Time by Jaybird Quilts. I was piecing together some of the shapes when my orange cat made an unexpected move and came to sit behind my sewing machine! Normally, he will only sit on the floor of my sewing room to do his inspection work. The lighting wasn’t great, but I had to take a quick pic before he moved.

Quilt inspector, Tiger, in window

Quilt inspector, Tiger, in window

In between rain squalls this weekend, my husband, 7-year-old son, and I decided to build a second raised bed in our backyard to plant more veggies and herbs. We made our first one two years ago, but decided we wanted to have more fresh salads and veggies this summer. We went to the local home improvement store to pick up some supplies and got building.

The larger raised bed is about 8 feet long! We planted zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, lettuce, and kale. We also planted some herbs in smaller containers as well as sugar snap peas in a round container. Our cat, Cow, decided to test the catnip.

Catnip Inspector
Large Raised Bed

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend and a thanks to all who have served our country!
~Jennifer~

Country Lanes Block Swap

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I’ve signed up to participate in another quilt block swap with my sister’s guild. For this latest swap, we have to make 6 blocks using primary colors and a specific block called “Country Lanes.”

I’m really enjoying making swap blocks because they often use color combinations or patterns that I haven’t tried. I looked through my stash for primary colors that would really pop together.

I used batiks, but found out that I only had enough of the original yellow color for 4 blocks. For the last 2 blocks, I used a substitute yellow that I actually like better than the first one! Since the blocks are going to 6 different people, the difference in yellow fabric should be fine.

Here’s a stack of blocks:

Country Lanes - All Stacked Up!

Country Lanes – All Stacked Up!

Do the colors pop for you? I like the bright snap of these colors together.

Here’s another look at all 6 blocks together. In this picture, the 2 right-side blocks are the ones using the different yellow:

Country Lanes - 6 Swap Blocks

Country Lanes – 6 Swap Blocks

And, finally, what quilt block can be considered ready until it has received an official cat inspection:

Country Lanes Gets a "Paws Up" Rating

Country Lanes Gets a “Paws Up” Rating

My next step is to package up these swap blocks and mail them to my sister. I can’t wait to see what blocks I’ll get in return!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer