For the Birds

For the Birds
                                             

As many of you know, I simply love to make blocks by the paper piecing foundation method.   One of my primary "paper piecing enablers" is the talented designer Kristy, of the blog Quiet Play.com.  She hosted this year's paper pieced block of the month sew along, And Sew On.. 

And Sew On wall hanging  ( designs by Kristy of Quiet Play blog)

I am so  lucky to be able to test out patterns sometimes for Kristy, before she releases them to the public, on her blog  and Craftsy shop.

This week, Kristy was published in the current issue of Australian Quilter’s Companion magazine  (issue 64 )!  (Yay! for Kristy!)

Birdhouse wallhanging    photo from Quiet Play

Kristy asked if I'd like to test this pattern, and of course I said, "Yes!"

Finished size:   14 inches x 14 inches

Fabric:     scraps including  DS Quilts  
               Grunge Gray  by Moda
               Quilter's Linen Print Lime   by Robert Kaufman
               batting     Pellon Fusible Fleece 987
               Kona cotton   background and backing

Birdhouse          made by Susie's Sunroom

I used embroidery thread for the features on the little bird

I just loved seeing this little bird's personality come alive as I embroidered his feathers!

little birdhouse wallhanging    made by Susie's Sunroom

The Moda Grunge fabric  in gray  has become a favorite fabric.... especially when it is paired with lime! (Note to self:  lime +soft gray= pretty  )

I'm off to my sewing room!

Today, I am linking up at Kristy's  Paper Piecing Party.  

Apple Tea Towel

Apple Tea Towel

Earlier this month, I made a  project using apples, for our November  Across The Pond Sew Along project.

Cookie  Plate Crumb Catcher       design by The Crafty Quilter

In the process of making this project, I ran across a  really cute  pattern for making a cotton tea towel.   I kept my apple fabrics out (on purpose), in case I found time to make an apple tea towel .  

This is the picture of the tea towel, designed by Heidi Pridemore , for Free Spirit fabric, that I fell in love with.

picture courtesy of Quilt Home.com

I just loved the simple style of this pattern.  I decided to use the apple fabric for the bottom ruffle section, and plain muslin for the top section.

Tea towel   design by Heidi Pridemore for Free Spirit fabrics

I made the top section plain, so I could add some applique... an apple pie and a red and a green apple.   I ironed Heat n Bond lite fusbile onto  the back of the pieces and then they were  ironed to the towel.  I  blanket stitched ( by machine ) around the shapes, and added some steam lines from the "fresh from the oven" apple pie.

the applique 

The apple tea towel on my oven door

This is a fun project that doesn't  take a long time to sew.  I think I spent more time on trying to figure out which  fabrics to use,  and what applique to put onto the towel.

Have you checked out Amanda and Amy's   ATPSA projects yet? They are so  pretty and delicious!  

Amanda  ,The Patchsmith's,  Apple Mug Rug Wall hanging

Amanda's blog has specific directions on how to make her sweet little apple mug rug wall hanging, using Lori Holt's apple block pattern.

Amy's , of Amy Made That! , apple blocks for Quilty Fun Sew Along

You can see our projects, and others in our Across The Pond Flickr Group.  Hop on over to check them out.  Hook up any apple projects that you make.  We love to see what you make!

All of these apples are making me hungry for apple pie!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Block Talk

Block Talk

Post your block  over at Summercrafter.com    

Well,  technically, it is Saturday , but I got to sew some blocks. 

First block:  The  Friday Night Block Party, over at Elaine's Summercrafter.com blog.
I started sewing the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt blocks , along with Elaine and Amanda, The Patchsmith.  I enjoy making one block at a time, and seeing my pile of blocks grow.

Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt Block ~  #5  Bat Wing

#5  Bat Wing

I decided to paper piece my block, after Amanda told me that she had a special way to make her block. (Then I saw "flying geese", and I know that I have issues with the triangles being the same size in my flying geese!)

#5  Bat Wing

Completed Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt blocks    by Susie's Sunroom

Second block:   Modern Blocks  

November's  Modern Blocks Quilt A Long at www. AndSewWeCraft.com

November  block:  the Pogo Stick block   designed by Jessica Brown
   (page 142 in Modern Blocks book     compiled by Susanne Woods  )
Roslyn has a tutorial for the Pogo Stick block  over at Sew Delicious.com

Pogo Stick block     made by Susie's Sunroom

This turned out to be a fun block to make!  It has more pieces than I thought it would have , but comes together easily.  I chose to feature the brown fabric, and accent it with the turquoise blue.  I could have fun making a quilt with this block.

7 blocks made in the Modern Blocks Quilt A Long  by  Susie's Sunroom

I will be making some Patchique blocks next... I love working with those browns and blues ...  Amanda will be sharing the newest blocks on Sunday.

I'm off to my sewing room!

I'll be linking up at 
           Friday Night Block Party @ Summercrafter.com
and
            Modern Blocks Quilt A Long @ And Sew We Craft.com