Last Block Arcadia Avenue

I'm so happy that I'm finally on the last block of Arcadia Avenue! It's taken forever but I'm at the end! This is block 12 out of 12 blocks. I will still have to quilt the border that's made up of diamonds. I've already quilted the diamonds that separate the blocks so I will continue that same quilting motif to the remaining diamonds. 

I quilted tight wishbones in the white spikes. I quilted parallel lines in the colored triangles. 

I'm not sure what to quilt in the black/gray areas. I'll think of something. I'm too close to finishing to stop now! These blocks were a challenge to quilt. So happy I actually got it done!

Border for Green Tea and Sweet Beans

It's so hard to get a good picture of a border. Too long! It measures 8 inches wide and 60 inches long. I took a few close up pictures also.

I love using different green fabrics for the stem. It makes the border so interesting. I'm reusing a lot of my freezer paper so it's actually a little faster. I have everything marked with a water soluble blue marker so it's easy to work on one small section at a time. 

This picture gives you an idea of how the border will look on the quilt. I like it! An appliqued border takes a while but adds so much to the quilt. I'm looking forward to making more borders. I think I'll make the top next since it will be a mirror image of the bottom border. Another great way to use scraps!

My Slabs

I almost forgot to post the slab blocks I made for our block exchange.  This block is about 8 inches square. It was supposed to be mostly blue and turquoise.

This one is a fall theme. It's also about 8 inches square.

This one is 6.5 inches square. It is made up of neutrals to browns.

These are 8 inches square. Directions were anything but green!

These slab blocks are a blast! I got to play in my scrap bag and make something. The fun is that you can use any size scrap you like. You end up using pieces that you thought were too small. I guess the moral of the story is to save the scraps! You can make great blocks from them. 

I'm so happy I was asked to participate in this block swap. I'm planning on making a table runner with my blocks. I'm looking forward to more swaps!

New Books

I recently bought a couple of books. Quiltfolk is actually a magazine. However, it has no advertisements. I just started reading it. This issue focuses on Iowa. There's only one quilt pattern that I saw when I flipped through it. It looks like an interesting new concept in quilt magazines. It's a bit pricey but that's to be expected if there are no ads. There are lots of articles on people involved in the quilt world. 

Stunning Stitches is the latest book written by Jen Lucas. I love her books. I love to knit shawls and she writes some beautiful patterns. She also has directions for cowls and scarves in this book. I'm trying to pick out my next knit project. I feel the need to start knitting. It's so relaxing to me! I'll let you know when I start!

Slab Swap

I was asked by some fellow to bloggers to join in a block swap. I haven't taken part in a block swap in ages so I thought I'd give it a try! I was told we were making "slab" blocks. I had to google it to make sure it was a block I could make! There are 5 of us in the swap. We each asked for specific colors and sizes. I asked for a pink/green block that finished at 10 inches square. 

Dawn made the squares at the top of this post. Aren't they pretty?! I just love them. I was thinking of making a table runner.The fabrics are perfect. Dawn blogs at sewyouquilt2 and  you can find it here. I love her blog. There's always something fun going on!

Julierose sent me this beauty! One of the fabrics looks like Little Red Riding Hood dolls, So cute! She made her block a little larger but I can always trim it down. These blocks are fast but so fun to look at the various fabrics. You can find Julierose's blog at julierosequilts. She's very artistic and I love to see what she's working on. 

This last block was made by Jacky. She doesn't have a blog but she does have some gorgeous pink and green fabrics! Another lovely block for me! Such fun! I really looked forward to receiving mail! Each envelope I received held a surprise for me!

My slabs have all been mailed. I like symmetry and straight lines so I did the best I could! It was fun to play in the scrap bag and  put together some nice fabrics. Thanks for asking me to participate!

Block 11 Arcadia Avenue

This block is quilted! There are 12 blocks in Arcadia Avenue and this is the 11th block I've quilted.

Yes, that means I have one block left! 

I outlined the arrow shapes. I also stitched around each of the triangular peaks. The center is all stitched also. 

I stitched ribbon candy in the black triangle. This block worked up so fast. Hoping that last block is fast too! So happy I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. This quilt was very time consuming to quilt but I'm so glad it's just about finshed!

Backings and Quilt Tops

I haven't done much sewing or quilting lately so I decided some retail therapy would be helpful. I bought this backing last week at my local quilt shop. It's from the Little House on the Prairie fabric line. I think it's just perfect for my Patchwork Swoon quilt. 

This is the Patchwork Swoon quilt. I like that the backing is a soft blue with little flowers running through it. I think just about any fabric would have worked but this fabric seemed the best choice to me. 

I bought this beautiful Kaffe Fassett backing for my Kaffe Mystery Quilt. This backing is so pretty! I couldn't pass it by!

This the mystery quilt that my guild sponsored this past year. It's made up of all Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

I'm busily marking the Patchwork Swoon so I can quilt it nicely. I've never pre-marked but took a class where the teacher thought it was the best way to go. I'll try it out and let you know!

Applique Border

I've picked up working on the applique border for Green Tea and Sweet Beans. This the the bottom border towards the left hand side. If you look at the border, it looks like a vine that winds all the way around the quilt. It starts in the bottom border moving towards the right side. When it meets again, there is a little garden of flowers. This is that garden. The vine will end to the left of that red flower with the polka dot middle. 

Once again, I'm content doing handwork while sitting on the couch. I really think I'll start sewing on the machine again sometime this week. I'm buying backing and batting so I can start machine quilting again also. I've already been back to work. Life goes on. Sad but true.