Boomerang!!

This is Boomerang, block 8 of Arcadia Avenue. The wedges were easy to paper piece but not so easy to put together. I was chopping the points off of a few of the wedges as I put them together. This doesn't usually happen when paper piecing. I'm not sure I made the wedges properly. It ended up working out but this block made me sweat!

I think they look pretty good all together! I can't believe I'm so close to finishing these gorgeous blocks. I thought it would take me so much longer. I'm starting to think about what color background to choose. I still have no idea.

Here's a peek into the next block. They may look like rockets but the name of the block is Filmstrip!
Doesn't it remind you of old filmstrip?? You'll have to wait and see what this block looks like when complete!

Baking and Churning!!

Here are my first 5 blocks for the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along. The top row are blocks from the first 2 weeks. The bottom row are my new blocks featured this week.

Butter Churn is the top block and Baking Day is on the bottom. They all measure 6 1/2 inches square.

I found the first blocks very challenging. I haven't pieced difficult blocks in a long time! This week's blocks seemed to be easier. I followed the directions and had no problems at all.

I love this little sew along. I'm using fabric from my stash. (Free quilt!) The blocks are so darn cute! I just can't resist! There are 45 blocks that make up this quilt. I have a long way to go! I'm hoping I can keep up!

Circling Geese and Constellation

Here are my 7 blocks so far of Arcadia Avenue. I'm truly enjoying making these blocks. I thought each block would take me longer. I've sort of devised a plan that works for me. Each block is made up of 12 wedges. I work on 3 wedges at a time. It usually takes a little over an hour to complete the 3 wedges. It takes 4 sessions to complete one block. Then all I have to do is put the block together!
(Easier said than done!) I'm actually getting better at sewing the wedges together and having the seams meet where they're supposed to meet to enhance the pattern.

Circling Geese is Block 6. This block was very easy to sew the wedges together. No seams had to meet.

Constellation is Block 7. As I made each wedge, I wasn't sure I was making it correctly. The pattern didn't really emerge until the wedges were sewn together. I really love this one. Then again, I love them all!

On to Block 8, also known as Boomerangs!! (Also working on other projects! Quilting can become an obsession!)

Happy Mother's Day!!

Wishing you all a wonderful and Happy Mother's Day! Hope you all enjoy the day.

This is what I think about today. I miss my babies! This photo is 23 years old. They're so grown up now. It's sad and wonderful at the same time.

Enjoy your day! Remember your memories and look forward to the future! There are more wonderful times ahead.

Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage

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I don't need another project but I couldn't help myself! There's a quilt along over at A Bee in My Bonnet that started this past Friday. It follows the directions for the blocks shown on the cover of Lori Holt's new book, Farm Girl Vintage. It's a wonderful book. So many gorgeous blocks and so many projects! It's a feast for the eyes!!

The first block is Apronstrings. You can make 2 different sizes, 6 1/2" or 12 1/2". I'll be making the smaller block. The quilt along will be making 2 blocks per week from now on. I'm not sure I can keep up at that pace but I'll do the best I can.

You can also make a pin cushion using the Apronstrings pattern. The directions are on Lori's blog.

I think it's going to be fun. I also love being able to use my stash. There's so many options with this quilt along. I had to join!!

Blooming!

Blooming, block 5 of Arcadia Avenue, is complete! The wedges were rather easy to sew but sewing them together proved to be a bit more difficult. As you can see, that center has to be just right! I tried it about 4 different times before I was satisfied. I will say "satisfied" since it's still not perfect. It's good enough and I was getting tired of doing that one seam over and over again. It looks better in the picture than it does in person! I think I'll like it better once all the paper is removed. That's going to be a fun job! (Not really!!)

Here are the 5 blocks all together! So fun to make! This quilt has to be one of my favorites so far. It's like getting a surprise with every block. I'm always afraid a block might end up being too hard for me so I'm so happy when it's done! I can actually do this! Block 6 is already underway. I'm almost halfway done!

I thought you'd like to see Molly and her cupcake! She's one year old! My little 4-patch kitty is now a cat! (But she still acts like a kitten!) She wasn't interested in the cupcake. That's okay! It wasn't a problem to get rid of it!!

 Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Can't believe it's May already. It really felt like Spring today. At last!!

Knitting Projects

 I just blocked my latest shawl. This shawl is called Monarda and designed by Jen Lucas. I found the pattern in her book, Sock-Yarn Shawls II. I have both of her books and I really enjoy them. Her patterns are beautiful and the directions are easy to follow. Each pattern has a chart as well as written out directions. I actually contacted her once and she helped me understand one of her patterns. I missed one crucial part of the directions. After she explained it to me, it made perfect sense!

It measures 18" X 56". I used sock yarn I had in my stash. I love using variegated yarn. It adds some interest to the shawl.

Here's a close up of the stitch. This shawl had a 14 row repeat that made up the actual body of the shawl. I never had to rip out once!

I also made this little dish cloth for a friend of mine. Can you see the kitty?? My friend can't have cats at her apartment so I decided to make her the next best thing! (At least, in my opinion!!)

I've already started my next knitting project but it's very early. I'll show you soon!