Spring Quilt Show

Being a lover of all kinds of dolls, I thought this cloth dolls was very cute with her garters and vintage purse made from hankie.

I loved the pastel fabrics in this wall hanging and took a close up,

Look carefully....this wall hanging is composed of "circlular quarters' and repositined. I loved the ladybug!

More photos to come later...

April's Block

After twelve days with the dreaded flu bug, I finally started the April block. It took me a long time to start as my fabrics were all from my age-old stash and I had only this one 'wittle' piece of brown for the chocolate bunny, but he is finished. I vowed I was not going out to purchase more fabric for this project. I loved doing this one.

My TIPS and LINK to Great Hand Applique Video

I would like to suggest 'hand' applique video I viewed on hand applique. I used this method to make my "A Tisket a Tasket' Bunny Hill Blocks. In fact the bunny block was the first time I ever hand appliqued. I had completed minor applique on a quilt over 25 years ago, but never used this great method until now. Please view this video for some helpful instructions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spjJD78DJWk&feature=related

Helpful hint:

1. I printed the pattern directly onto the dull side of freezer paper and it saved tracing, and reversing image! Before printing, I trimmed my freezer paper and taped top edge to a regular sheet of paper.

2. Cut out pieces, leaving approximately 1/4 inch around the edge of pattern for turning under. This 1/4 inch does not have to be exact. I turned fabric under with my thumb, then stitched as video demonstrates.

3. Cut out pattern pieces, press freezer paper pieces to the "right' side of fabric (contrary to other popular methods).

4. Iron two pieces of freezer paper together to make a firmer template.

Hope you understand these tips...as this method worked great for me. I made all three blocks up within two weeks, so you can do it too. These blocks are 'sew' much fun!

5. The only pressing I did beforehand were the tips on the star points, etc.

TIP: To make nice circle for the snowman's head, I cut the pattern out of cardboard and then hand gathered 1/4 inch seam.

Block 2 - January Bunny Hill's "A Tisket a Tasket" Block completed...waiting for April's release

....I completed the embroidery stitches this morning and anxiously wait for the April pattern to be released on the Bunny Hill website...please see my posts and link below if you are interested in sewing these FUN blocks.

After seeing all the other member's blocks on Flickr site, I decided to enter this project late. My sewing machine is too old to feature the blanket stitch, however I really loved hand stitching these blocks. This was my first project using hand applique.

I was happy to use several of my fabric 'scraps' for these blocks as the pattern pieces were very small and did not require purchasing 'new' fabrics. The blue celestial and snowflake fabrics above are actually from celestial themed fabrics I had collected on my travels for my Millenium Quilt which is still a WIP. I have assembled three or four blocks for my Millenium project using machine piecing technique, however have misplaced these blocks in my stash in the basement. I am now hoping to relocate these blocks and perhaps finish that WIP in 2009-2010!

And the weather outside is 'frightful', with fresh snow from last week, so I didn't feel guilty about consuming my time rather than the dreaded H word...and this is supposed to be spring!

Block 2 - A Tisket A Tasket Block of the Month

Here is Block 2 of the " A Tisket A Tasket Block of the Month" series. I can hardly wait to stitch Block 1 before the new design for April is released. If interested in these adorable 'free' quilting patterns (for personal use only), these patterns are available online here:

http://bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=Free%20Patterns

I had so much fun making this block and my applique stitching is getting faster and easier with practice. Of course I am also doing Part 2 of the Mystery Garden Stitch Along. I have accumulated many Victorian theme fabrics and am trying to use my 'scraps' for these BOM blocks. When I saw the bird pattern, I immediately wanted blue birds as they remind me so much of cottage times at the lake.

I may even 'complete' a project soon, however I admire some bloggers who post all projects finished in one month.

Block 3 BUNNY HILL BLOCK OF THE MONTH

FREE PATTERN FOR THIS BLOCK HERE:

http://bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=Free%20Patterns

I completed sewing this March block on St Patrick's Day!

This is my FIRST attempt to 'hand' applique and it was so much fun! I had found several tutorials on Google and used the freezer paper 'on top' method. I noticed most members are machine stitching their blocks however I have an old sewing machine. And I enjoy hand stitching.

I am now working on Block 2, a basket with two birds, then will proceed to attempt the January block of a snowman holding stars. Of course I have the Garden Mystery Stitch Along in progress, but decided to make these blocks as all these designs are too adorable!

I have learned lots about applique and am looking forward to more applique. I ripped out the bottom shamrock three times because green did not show well against the green basket as a background!

I would highly recommend making these blocks...so much fun. Please read my post below for more information if you are interested in these free patterns.

And better LATE than never is an IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH:

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Good Luck!!

Adorable FREE Quilt Pattern at Bunny Hill Designs

I could hardly wait this morning to check my internet site for the new block designed for March. And to my delight the design is of a bunny rabbit jumping over Shamrocks in a basket. And pattern is free on the Bunny Hill Blog Site. She writes:
I love a free pattern and I hope you do too! Please remember that these are "free" and at no time may they be sold or distibuted commercially. Have fun and enjoy!
Anne Sutton

A Tisket, A Tasket
Twelve Months of Baskets!

Yes, a Free Mystery Block of the Month from Bunny Hill Designs!

Now I have another 'just-gotta-do' project...is there such a thing as having too many projects on the go? I am enjoying my Garden Fantasy Stitch Along so very much and vowed to myself that I HAVE to complete one project before commencing a new one. Surfing these blog sites is so much fun...however can be a distraction for housewives.

Then I marvelled at the collection of blocks entered at Flikr:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/969252@N20/

Enjoy the site.

...and here is a cute little song you can sing while you are all sttiching. My mom used to sing this to us girls when we were young:

A-tisket a-tasket

A green and yellow basket

I wrote a letter to my love

And on the way I dropped it

I dropped it, I dropped it

Yes, on the way I dropped it

A little girlie picked it up

And took it to the market

She was truckin' on down the avenue

Without a single thing to do

She was peck, peck, peckin' all around

When she spied it on the ground

A-tisket a-tasket

She took my yellow basket

And if she doesn't bring it back

I think that I shall die

A-tisket a-tasket

A green and yellow basket

I wrote a letter to my love

And on the way I dropped it

I dropped it, I dropped it

Yes, on the way I dropped it

A little girlie picked it up

And took it to the market

(Was it red?) No, no, no, no

(Was it brown?) No, no, no, no

(Was it blue?) No, no, no, no

Just a little yellow basket.