Busy Fingers

Spring is not the best of seasons.

Cold and flu are two good reasons;

wind and rain and other sorrow,

warm today and cold tomorrow.

~Author Unknown

There is some truth in that. But, I think Spring is one of the best seasons. Everything comes to life in the garden and I get to see Mrs. Scott Elliot Columbine again. Now, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Can you smell it?

Dwarf Korean Lilac

Oh yes, Spring IS one of the best seasons!

What I have been working on . . . . .

The Buffet, Veranda Views

Count Your Blessings, Polka-Dot Girls

and Love Apples, Red Delicious

Back in January, I prepared lots of hexagons to make Karen's Flower Garden. I stitched together a few flowers at that time and then was sidetracked with other projects. Well, I am back at it and have completed eighteen of ninety-six flowers. I will try not to get sidetracked again (LOL) and see how far I get over the summer.

Before you go . . . . .

Are you familiar with The Rabbit Factory? They are a Canadian quilt pattern company and I think you will like what you see. Also, check out their blog and request a copy of the (first) free applique pattern.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Sweet Treat

Honey Buns Jelly Rolls Layer Cakes Charm Packs Turnovers! So darn yummy and addictive! A taste of each piece of fabric in the collection. How sweet is that? But, what do you do with them?

Charm packs are perfect for Charm quilts. So mine are being turned into tumbler blocks. A true Charm quilt does not have repeats in fabric, so this works out great. But, I still have to be careful. I have noticed that sometimes a designer will use the same fabric in more then one collection. You mostly see this with solids and tone on tones. From the waste of each charm square, I can cut out two 1" squares for my Postage Stamp quilt. But, once I have enough tumblers for my Charm quilt, what will I use charm packs for?

~

I'm trying to think outside of the square, so to speak. Recently, I used a charm pack to cut out applique pieces. That worked out nicely. Charm packs would be great for large yo-yo's and hexagons and perfect for Dresden's. Two 5" blades could be cut from a square. Hmmm.....what else? I do love the variety of fabric you get with a charm pack. And how about them there Turnovers and Layer Cakes?

Now available......Jelly Rolls and Honey Buns! I'm not even going to go there. I can't think of enough ideas for the charm squares, what on earth would I do with a Jelly Roll! Besides, I prewash all my fabric and a Jelly Roll would not hold up to that. So, decision made. I shall never purchase a Jelly Roll. But, that didn't stop my sister from getting me a big fat Jelly Roll and a charm pack to go with it! So, let's see. I could cut the strips into hexagons, mini Dresden's, clamshells, diamonds ......

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

To Snip or Not to Snip

To snip or not to snip? I read in a book that if you snip the corners (a half-inch or less triangular section) of your fabric, before washing it, it will not unravel as much. So, that is what I have always done. I would cut off the threads when the fabric comes out of the washing machine and sometimes have to snip a few more, as I press. My basket would get pretty full. I started to wondered how much I would collect if I didn't snip the corners. So, I gave it a try. The next time I washed a load of fabric, I didn't snip and ended up with way less unraveling. Needless to say, I no longer snip before washing.

My April A Tisket, A Tasket basket is complete and yes, the chocolate bunny is missing. Because I so love chocolate, he never made it to the basket!

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Do you remember my Baby Ralphie quilt? The one with the mini Dresden's. Well, I also have a larger Dresden quilt in the making, that I actually made before the Baby Ralphie one. I'm halfway through the hand quilting, but have not worked on it since Christmas. Shame on me! So close to finishing. Well, something has inspired me and my Dresden is back in the project rotation. Have you seen Thoroughly Modern Dresden by Anelie Belden?

If you love Dresden's, like I do, I think you will really like this book. Anelie has put some new twists on an old favourite. Wonderful blade-top variations, split blades and lots of great patterns for all skill levels. As I finish quilting my Dresden, I will be planning my next Dresden and one thing I can tell you, it's sure to be, a Thoroughly Modern Dresden.

Home Fire Phlox, Dwarf Purple Iris and Pink Bleeding Heart

Lots of rain this past week and the garden is alive with colour. Spring clean-up is complete. The compost pile has been turned over and is loaded with lots of big fat juicy worms. What does sun and rain bring? Weeds! So, off to the garden I go!

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Seeing Red

Look at me go! I just finished Nightshade, block two, of Red Delicious. I'm so very far behind and block six has already been released. To be honest, I have been avoiding it. I think it is more designed for fusible applique or stitchery, then hand applique. But, now that block two is complete, I am feeling a little more comfortable with it.

White Lily - Fritillaria

Dad's Magnolia

Country Calendar - April

Saturday was perfect for working in the garden. A little on the cool side, but glorious! Sunday, I made a cup of tea, put on a sweater and spent four wonderful hours, in the garden, worked on hexagon flowers for Karen's Flower Garden.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen