Sweet Tweets

Simple truth: I was tickled to be invited by Erin/Why Not Sew? to participate in her blog hop for her new book, Sweet Tweets: Simple Stitches, Whimsical Birds. I've admired her work for ages, with the delightful combo of cute birds and sketch stitching.

I couldn't resist making a project right away, and I chose the Early Bird Place Mat. Besides the bird, of course, the patchwork called to me. And the tree looked like good practice for a novice sketch stitcher like me.

Of course, as soon as I decided what I wanted to make, it was time to decide on fabric, and immediately, Ayumi Mills's Lighthearted came to mind. Oh it was fun to use it again, and I think it is a perfect fit for Erin's Sweet Tweet projects. (I was pretty pleased that when my project called for a crocheted edging that wasn't in my skill-set, I was able to substitute with a flange made with one of Ayumi's prints.)

Erin's book gives a helpful overall description of raw-edge appliqué for the birds, then each project has a more detailed diagram and tips for the sketch stitching (aka sketch appliqué or free-motion appliqué) necessary. In my case, the tree was easily manageable, and I really had fun with it.

As part of the blog hop, I'm able to offer a giveaway for an e-version of Sweet Tweets! Just leave a comment on this post, and I'll choose a winner Friday night, September 11. This giveaway is now closed - thank you! Congrats to #56, OhioLori! Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the blog hop, and check out the Instagram hashtags #sweettweetsbook and #sweettweets to see more darling projects!

Sweet Tweets Blog Hop

Tuesday, September 8 - Erin (Introduction post) Why Not Sew?

Wednesday, September 9 - Heidi Fabric Mutt

Thursday, September 10 - Debbie A Quilter's Table

Friday, September 11 - No Post

Saturday, September 12 - Jacque Brown Dog Prims

Monday, September 14 - Amy nanaCompany

Tuesday, September 15 - Svetlana s.o.t.a.k handmade

Wednesday, September 16 - Renee Sewn With Grace

Thursday, September 17 - Martingale Stitch This! The Martingale Blog

Friday, September 18 - Heather Vintage Grey Handmade

Saturday, September 19 - Clara and Jennie Clover & Violet

Monday, September 21 - Amanda Jean Crazy Mom Quilts

Tuesday, September 22 - Cindy Live a Colorful Life

Wednesday, September 23 - Carla Grace and Favour

Thursday, September 24 - Mary Molly Flanders

Friday, September 25 - No Post

Saturday, September 26 - Erin, Big Giveaway Post!!! Why Not Sew?

W.i.P. Wednesday

I've seen many a post lately where folks are suffering from a loss of mojo. I can't say I'm there, but I do feel a lack of direction. I finished my Emerald Challenge project, which was great, and was treated to a bit of fun in the latest Lucky Star, but where next? I have commitments . . . even a couple of deadlines . . . and a still overflowing scrap bin. But what I really want to do is toss it all aside and make something fun and unnecessary with lines of fabric I've never sewed with before. It may happen yet.

Completed projects
Emerald placemats - We've been enjoying using these all week!

March's Lucky Star block - The Ninja Star was as fun as all the others!

Ongoing projects
x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - still cutting more blocks out.

Scrappy triangles - As I'm going through my scrap basket cutting x and + blocks, I'm also cutting any large pieces into triangles (6" finished). I've got an idea or two, but for now will just keep cutting.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler - I've worked on it like three evenings! A long ways from being caught up, but I am moving forward!

Pin Cushions - I've got a custom order from a friend - 30 assorted 4" patchwork pincushions. So I've been using leftover blocks and scraps to piece some tops - 7 down, 23 to go.

March bee blocks - I've got a few done. The assignment is pending on the last one.

February's FAITH circle quilt - The last of my blocks arrived this week and I have the top pieced! I still have a few extra blocks, so will be using them on the back.

Upcoming projects
* Always Bee Learning bee block for March
* table topper for mom
* Doodle Memory Game
* SMQG star challenge quilt
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

An Emerald Table

I'll come right out and say it. Before last year, I had no idea there was such a thing as 'color of the year.' But Tangerine Tango piqued my interest, and I created "Tangerisk". So when Emerald was chosen for this year, I really didn't think twice about joining in the Emerald Quilt Challenge. Daughter dear got us official Pantone swatches so we knew what we were looking for, and the search was on.

Rachel searched out and found a solid that was very very close - Pure Elements Emerald. Green prints I added in my grouping were Lizzy House jewels in dark green and the pearl bracelets in Swiss chard. But it was Art Gallery oval elements in emerald that helped me decide on the rest of my palette, the addition of black and white. So you'll see some of my favorite black and white prints, plus for something a little different, I used just a bit of white Essex Linen and green Dupioni silk, both of which added some nice texture.

Somewhere along the line I decided to multi-task, and rather than make a quilt, chose to make placemats, a project that's been on my list for a while.

I made three sizes of wonky cross blocks. Unfinished, they were 3 1/2", 6 1/2", and 9 1/2". I put the same size assortment in each mat, mixing up their placement, and of course, the colors and fabrics.

I used Aurifil 50wt to piece, but was on retreat when I picked up thread for the quilting, and chose a variegated Sulky cotton for the matchstick quilting on each of the large crosses {lesson learned, use a larger needle}. The best match I could make for the rest of the quilting was a green Amann. It quilted the organic straight-line well though, adding a nice sheen.

And I couldn't resist changing up the binding just a bit. So while the majority is a Sew Mama Sew zig zag, the largest row of small blocks in each placemat got bound with some white on black Remix ovals, which also happens to be the backing fabric on each of the 12" x 18" mats.

So now they are done and were put to use last night at dinner.

 I think they'll work just fine.

Linking up with the Emerald Quilt Challenge and Finish it up Friday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

This last week I have been focused on two projects only - my Scrappy Trip Along quilt and my entry for the Emerald Challenge. One is done now and one nearly - I hope to post about them each separately over the new few days.

Completed projects
Scrappy Trip Along - I'll tell more about it in the reveal post but I tried a new-to-me quilting pattern on this quilt, love the look, and hopefully will be perfecting it on future quilts.

This quilt is so cheerful, and I love the unique color theme that grew out of the scrap basket.

Ongoing projects
Emerald mini/placemats - This project is nearly done! Using pretty simple blocks, I've tried to add interest with bold colored prints, quilting and thread, and binding. Anxious to be using these on my dining table soon.

x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - This is next up on the scrappy quilt list! I counted 40 completed blocks (badskirt's original 8" unfinished blocks), and 8 more cut out ready to sew. Unfortunately I estimate I need 30 more than that to make a good-size lap. So this will take a bit.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler - no progress.

Upcoming projects
* pin cushion custom order
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* table topper for mom
* March bee blocks
* March's Lucky Star block
* February's FAITH circle quilt
* Doodle Memory Game
* scrappy Metrolink - still debating
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

Tuesday at the Table

Surprise, surprise. No recipes today. Really no food talk at all. But I do have one of my current projects to show, table-related and all . . . the first in a set of wonky cross placemats.

I'm expecting each to be just a tad different in their block arrangement, though all with the same number of 3 1/2", 6 1/2", and 9 1/2" blocks. I'm using my favorite emerald, black, and white geometric prints, along with a variety of solids, which I'll describe better farther down the line.

Quilting design is still TBD, so feel free to share your thoughts. And as I continue piecing, if you have something to link up, you can do it here!