Modern Medallion Round Robin - Sharon

A few months back I joined (through Facebook) a medallion quilt round robin (see earlier posts with my medallion center).  The first quilt sent to me is Sharon's.  She loves flying geese and constructed her center block by paper piecing some rainbow colored geese.

Immediately when I saw it I knew I wanted to make a circle of flying geese to go around the center.   Little did I know how challenging it would be since I essentially had to draft the pattern and figure out the construction details.

I think it turned out pretty good considering it was very difficult!  I used a variety of fabric that included some pieces Sharon sent (to tie my part in with the center block) and various other scraps to create a rainbow of geese!

It is not perfect but it does lay flat, so I will be content with that.  I can't wait to see what is added next and also can't wait for the next quilt top to work on ( I think I get Myrth's next).

Such fun!

New equipment for the studio!

Tell me, is there anyone out there that does not appreciate the beauty (and functionality) of a perfectly sharpened pencil!  Sometimes it's the little things.

I asked my hubby for an old fashioned, hand crank pencil sharpener and this is what he brought home.  It works like a charm!

***Bonus - my initials are on it too!

Finished Flags on the Fourth!

I recently had a bee in my bonnet to make some SGQ bunting to hang from the canopy of our tent at craft shows. I mentioned it and showed my fabric pull here. I'm pleased to say I just finished up these adorable flags and I am completely enamored with them!

One of my dogs "helping" in the top left corner!

I had originally planned to make the letters out of felt. I was planning on drawing a pattern for each one, cutting them out by hand and then appliqueing each one. The thought of doing this stalled me for a while. However, one day I was picking up a few things at Walmart and I just had to browse the craft section. I happened upon the iron-on letters. A thousand light bulbs flashed inside my head. Problem solved! Amazingly enough, only one color was on sale and it was the lime green I needed. $3.57. Well, I couldn't beat that deal with a stick so I bought them. I saved so much time and energy using the iron-on letters and they have such a nice, uniform look. All the letters are the same size and font, and I only needed one package. Another bonus is that they are "flocked" so they are kind of fuzzy, like felt, rather than being shiny like the screen print looking iron-ons. Here's a closer look at the letters:

To give credit where it's due. I loosely followed a pattern from One Yard Wonders to make the flags themselves. I used freezer paper to make my template. Basically, you draw a 6" line, then at the 3" point, draw a perpendicular line down 8". Connect the points and you have your triangle piece. Cut 2 and sew down the bias (longer) sides RST. Trim the point, turn right sides out and iron. To assemble, I used pre-made bias tape because I had it on hand in the correct lime green color. You could make your own tape though, I don't think it needs to be bias tape as you are sewing in a straight line, not around a curve. I used my clover clips to hold the flags in place and top stitched in the same lime green color.

I have to say I am really, really pleased with how this project turned out, and I honestly enjoyed working on it. Kimberly already said these flags will by hanging in her studio when they aren't on the tent at craft shows!

I hope you are all having a great holiday weekend if you are in the USA! Linking with Amanda Jean and Sarah and Laura and Diana.

Francesca

CMM July: Starflower

So even though I still haven't done June's log cabins for the CMM QAL, I did finish my July blocks already. I love the starflower block and HSTs in general.  My personal theme for this project has been to focus on color and arrangement, rather than taking traditional blocks and making them wonky (no offense, Erin!). Wonky just feels wronky for me and for my version of this quilt. You'll see I played with color and layout a lot when I worked on these blocks, and I'm really pleased with how they came out.

Step away from the colored pencils.

The "traditional" rainbow starflower.

My 'alternate' rainbow starflower.

Starflower in complimentary colors.

Looking forward to August...I'm pretty sure I know what the block is and it's one of my favorites!

Francesca

June Bee Blocks

The end of the month rush is here to complete June's round of bee blocks.  I  had lots of help this month from Francesca and Margaret (go Swink Girls!).

First up is rounded log cabins for Ellen in my Do. good stitches bee.  She requested a light blue background and either navy or orange for the featured 'logs.'  I am looking forward to her finished quilt - I love this color combo.

SMQ 3 for June was checkerboard blocks with 30's repro type fabrics along with white.  These were pretty quick to make.  The final product will be stunning with a billion little blocks finishing at 1 1/2" each!

Finally, the Modern Instabee Block for the month was Stacked Windmills once again.  Lots of HSTs to square up!

Yup....another dust cover!

I guess  it is because we have so many sewing machines and have just now gotten around to making covers for them that it seems like it is all we are doing lately!

This one is for the Bernina 350PE.  I used a remnant piece of fabric that I simply LOVE.  I tried to find more  but the search was fruitless so I am glad I decided to use it one something I can see every day.

Margaret did the quilting on the Innova and it really looks nice.   It is even monogrammed!

What's up::

I don't really have much to say (shocker) but I just want to share some of what I've been working on lately.

I been into color theory recently and I've been playing around. It's amazing what you can do by manipulating color.

Since I busted out my colored pencils, I decided to make a zippy bag for them. I used Kristin Link's pattern from her bag making basics class (free on craftsy). The exterior fabric is Corsage by Alison Glass. The interior is a pretty grey solid.

After cutting into my second (of twelve) fat quarter of my Corsage bundle, I didn't feel so bad about slicing into this Amy Butler fabric either. I made a ribbon board for a wedding gift and (of course) forgot to take a picture of it before I gave it to the happy couple. I ended up going with the black ribbon and black tacks.

Here's a quick shot with the beautiful bride:

And one with my main squeeze:

The humble beginnings of my Jinny Beyer Palette Bag (all batik (shocker)):

Messing around with the "baby" size half hexie on the hex'n'more ruler:

And lastly, if you're still with me, the last few months of bee blocks from the SMQ 3 Bee.

Thanks for stopping by...hope you had a lovely weekend!

Francesca

Linked with Marelize, Lee, Kelly and Lorna.