Espritpatch

Unit 9 will be released on Tuesday, starting at block #33 and I have only finished 11 blocks to date when I should/could have a quarter of my quilt done by now. I have done any block since early March. Well, better late than never, I got my fabrics and instructions out this week-end, deciding to make some progress on my BOM. Last block I did in March was block #13, an easy flying geese strips (24 pieces), that I did with the no-waste method. It is a great way of making geese quickly and easily. I finished block #10 that I started in March too. I only add the outside background to add but I wasn't slightly scared of the curved seam. I took the plunge on Saturday and finished the block, which has 11 pieces. Next block #11 wasn't easy either with 3 Y-seams, not something I favour either. Better finished than perfect for this one, I guess although it didn't turn out too bad I think. 23 pieces Block #14 wasn't too difficult, piecing small pinwheels blocks into a 9-...

It is always nice to have a relaxing week-end with not too many plans and no mad rush from one activity to another, even more though when it is pouring down with rain and all you feel like doing is staying in nice and cosy. This was our week-end. It also meant that I actually did find some time to sit at the sewing machine! After finishing a BQL challenge from August 2009, I thought I could have a go at the April 2012 one! This year the challenge is called "Patchwork with a Purpose" and we are making practical stuff. I hadn't participated so far until today. I choose to make a peg bag. I had these tea towels that I bought in our local supermarket a while ago to use for sewing one day... Helped by Miss Strawberry Shortcake, I draw my peg bag to the size of the hanger I had. I added a pretty little ribbon to the pocket before sewing the 3 pieces together. It took about 30 minutes or less to complete the peg bag. Cleverly using the tea towels, I was able to use the h...

The BQL group August challenge (in 2009) was to play with half square triangles. I digged into my red and black stash and came up with this zig-zag panel that had been left aside since it was pieced then. I unearthed it with other half-finished projects earlier in the month with the aim to quilt it and finish it in a cushion. When looking at the panel, I couldn't think how to quilt it to make it a bit more interesting. So I flicked through a very useful and resourceful book : Quilting Makes the Quilt by Lee Cleland for inspiration and I was very glad to find an idea. I never really think about using decorative stitches in my quilting but it can indeed be very effective. I love this "zip" stitch and how it somehow finish my cushion. One more OPAM for this month! Celine

I have now received most of my blocks for the 2 Flicker bees I was in for the first quarter of the year. Well, I have signed up for both to be in for next quarter too, but who wouldn't with such beautiful blocks? Plus I need enough blocks for a quilt so I might not stash them away in a box, waiting for one of these days... My star block for the 3x6 bee from Melissa arrived yesterday - although this one is slightly too small so I'll have to add a border. I don't know which colour I will use as yet. I will have to see when I put all the blocks together. I am only missing one more star now. But these are my blocks so far. Have you noticed that I have received the same star twice in very different colourway? My last block for the 4x5 bee from Jennifer arrived earlier this week and these are all my blocks for the first quarter Did you see the star block I have from each bee in different colourway? And I also received back from Johanna the Maisy blocks for Bee ...

I don't know if you are taking part in the Zakka Style Quilt Along that started earlier this month. I had planned to do it and of course, time ran away. But this week's making is a sewing kit and I am in need of a new one so I thought I'd made an attempt at it, especially after I received some perfect fabrics for it yesterday morning. First I went over to Katy's blog to read her post about the sewing kit. She said they came together so quickly that she'd made not one but six of them! I thought I'd be lucky to complete one. And then when I started cutting the fabrics yesterday afternoon, I thought I'd cut 2 out so I could maybe give one away. Anyway, Katy was true, they come together in no time and with a little sewing time yesterday afternoon before the school run and swimming lessons, and a little bit more in the evening once all the kids were asleep, I managed to finish my two sewing kits and I must say I love how they turned out. And this is at least o...

I know, I know it is April and not October. But to be honest, it might as well be October today, the weather is so horrible. I got soaked and very cold on the school run this morning, I had to dry my hair and change my socks when I finally got back home. Miss Strawberry Shortcake was so wet when she got to pre-school that we had to change her trousers. And Mr Cars was pushed the pram on the way to school but his hands were freezing so he stopped, for someone who is never ever cold! Anyway, perfect weather to snuggle under a quilt with a good book or do find some time to stitch! Now back to the subject, Halloween! Well I have finished paper piecing my own little witch. I used a pattern from the Spellbinding Quilts book by Maaike Bakker to make it. I also used the same colour combination she used in the book. She described it as the shadow of a witch flying in front of a fire and I liked the idea. My block will now flying over to Diane for her to add a border. Last week, I rec...

I had cut out a couple of Dear Jane blocks before our trip to France but I only managed to complete one. Anyway, last week, I had a couple of quiet evenings while hubby was away so I sat in the sofa with Baby Daughter and completed A4 - Courtney's Stethoscope. I also added the sashing and it is now attached to the rest of the row. Row A is only missing 2 blocks: A1, A2... getting closer to complete my first row ever. Wow! My numbers are growing too! I have reached 116,7,0,2491. Celine

As usual, I didn't progress as much as I was planning to with my sewing, what a surprise! I guess it doesn't help that the kids have a busy social life now and then need Mum and Dad's taxi. I also realised on Saturday that I completely forgot about the Friday Night Sew-In, too bad! Anyway, I managed to make a whole Circle of Geese in grey (I struggled to find 12 different grey fabrics between my scrap box and my stash). I received the white background I used for my block this month from my secret pal in 2006! This is one of my BOM Rehab project as well as a Rainbow Scrap Challenge block. I started on my Halloween block, copying Diane's idea and making a witch but she's not finished yet so I'll show you later. I have finished the first round of the Modern Round Robin so I can now send the block off to the next person but because this is a mystery RR, you won't be able to see the block now, sorry! And finally this morning, I finished this hexie flowe...

The postman has been very busy recently and I have loved opening the mail these last few days. I have received lots of lovely swaps from various corners of the world. I had this lovely Dresden plate from Jill for the [4x5] Modern Mini Bee . I am expecting one more block for this quarter and I'll have receive them all. Kim sent me this gorgeous Japanese girl for the framed hexie swap on the craft forum and Sandy sent me this pink dotty flower to add to my garden April is my month for Bee Europa 2011 as you probably know if you have read my blog before. Well, I have already received one set of blocks back, from Muriel . I just love what she has done with the Maisy picture, and so is Miss Strawberry Shortcake. I love her pieced ladybug, so clever! Finally I received Diane 's block for the Halloween See Sew that Michele is organising. I haven't done my block yet though. Diane's paper-pieced witch is lovely and that makes me want to do a witch as well... ...

I think there is no hiding from it, I must be a swap addict... I am always finding it hard to resist the call of a new swap and more often than not end up signing up for yet another swap. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy the swaps I am doing or have done in the past. As I am often quilting on my own, bar the rare visit to my quilting group (quite difficult to organise logistically with a baby at the moment), being part of a swap brings some new friend and also extend my horizons. It sometimes takes me out of my comfort zone to. BUT as much as I enjoy the swap, making the blocks/items, sending them off and receiving a gem back in the mail, I am ashamed to say that most of the time, my blocks end up being stashed away in a box, waiting to be used. WHY? Why can't I use them? Why can I do justice to the time, effort and money my fellow swappers and myself have put into the swap? Well, I don't really know is the answer. I guess often I'll jump into a swap, make a few blocks s...

The rainbow Scrap Challenge this month is light neutral. I was wondering whether to do any blocks at all for my Bento Box quilt as I am using a white background. I wanted to make sure I keep enough contrast in my blocks so they can be read as Bento Box blocks. So I decided to use grey as my light neutral (might not look very light to some, but I am happy with it!) and made these 2 blocks this week: One tick on the BOM Rehab list as well! Celine

While I was away, I also received my first block for the Mini Modern Round Robin. This is Martha's block. Her colourway is quite define. Now it is up to me what I want to add to it. And I have a pretty good idea of what to do but I can't show you all because I would spoil the surprise for Martha, should she be stalking my blog... While I was working with this colourway, I also did a 8-pointed star to send to Michele for the quilt she is making in honour of her nephew. I choose the Ribbon Star for her that I made with black, red and white solid. If you are willing to help her put her quilt together, hop over to her blog to read all about it here . Celine

There was a huge stash of post when we came back home on Saturday and amongst the bills and other boring letters, it is always nice to find some little gems. I received 2 more lovely blocks for the [4x5] Modern Mini Bee . And there are another 2 on their way to me! The first quarter swap is now over and I have sure signed up for next quarter. I need more of these beauties to make into a nice fresh and modern quilt. This block was from Anna and I believe it is her original design and this one was from Megan And this morning I also received this lovely star from Constanze for the [3x6] Mini Sampler Bee . The first quarter of this bee is over too and I have received 4 stars so far, 4 more to go! Celine