New Quilt Along - Join the fun!

All over flckrland there are photos of projects using text fabrics. It seems to be all the range. I'm loving most of what I see so I went and bought 3 fabrics.

Today I stumbled across a fabulous quilt along Sew Out Loud and I think I'll join. Why don't you join the fun too?

Don't forget to join the flckr group to watch or share progress.

Blogging On My Terms

I've missed blogging and have decided to give it another go. In the past when I was blogging I felt guilty whenever I hadn't had the time to blog for awhile, like I hadn't completed my homework on time! I also felt like I was living my life so I would have specific interesting photos for my blog.

I've decided to give blogging another go, free of guilt. I'm not going to put any expectations on myself about how often I blog and I'm going to try and be more casual about it, use it more like a journal to learn more about myself and share with others. 

So first the blog will get a whole new look and then I'll start posting again. 

I have lots going on like an extensive UFO/WIP list that I've been plugging away at, I've entered 2 swaps, and I'm going to try my hand at some tutorials too.

Looking forward to sharing with you all again!

No More Blogging

It's been a long time since I've been here.

After a break over the summer from blogging I have decided that I was finding the effort of keeping up my blog, along with looking after my family and business too much and have decided I will be not be continuing with this blog. I feel it is time to step back from the blog and look after my self and my family. I want to thank everyone who has been reading and commenting, you have all been a great source of encouragement to me.

Even though I will be backing off a bit on flckr too, you can still find me there. I will be finishing out 3 bees until my commitments are met and will also be completing round 2 of Hoop Up! Stitch and Send.

 

My flckr username is maripenquiltmom!

Pinwheel Sampler Top Done

I finished my pinwheel sampler which I made following Rachel's, p.s.i quilt, quilt along.

When I saw Rachel's first 2 blocks I could no longer resist joining in and knew I had the perfect fabrics for it. In 2007 I bought a Moda line of fabric called Visions by Sandy Gervais. I loved it so much I couldn't cut into it. When I saw the first blocks for the quilt along I knew I had to use it. The solid fabric I used is a Patrick Lose Marbles color.

 

My first 2 blocks.

I went ahead and made all the blocks and then realized I did not have enough of the Marbles fabric for sashing but I did have enough of the blue to sash it with that. I like the effect. I think the quilt looks very soft and subtle and the blue sashing allows each block to shine.

I usually don't love yellow but in this quilt I am just loving the yellow, especially together with the blue.

I've had the top done for about 2 weeks but am stumped on how to quilt it. Any quilting suggestions would be great.

May Bee Blocks

The Maple Leaf Quilter's Bee

I've been putting off Spiderweb blocks, as lately I've been trying to avoid paperpiecing, but this month Lesly sent us some templates with the starting kites and asked for spiderweb blocks using some scraps she sent us along with some scraps from our own bins.

It actually turned out to be quite a fun block to make and I can now see myself making more of these.

Sew Modern Bee

May was my month and the starting month for this bee (a group of 12 Canadian women). I sent out some packets with large cuts of "Flourish" from Studio E along with some solids (half the group got off white and half chocolate).

I asked everyone to make me a miniquilt as a block  and for it to be 16.5 inches unfinished. Some examples I gave them to look at were theblock along tutorials Elizabeth Hartman did up for Sew, Mama, Sew's quilt month.

I decided I would like to use up all of the fabric I have for this line so I have been making blocks with the scraps that have been sent back.

 My fourth block is a disappearing 9 patch row 3 block 4 below.

Here is a photo of the blocks I have received to-date along with the 4 I have made too.

I think they are looking amazing together. I'm still waiting for a couple of blocks and then I have to decide to sash or not to sash and if I sash what color to use. Any advice would be very welcome.