Progress on Block 16

Such beautiful spring day! Waking up to sunshine is such a good feeling. Still a bit chilly this am, but the sun should warm  things up nicely.   Sometimes this time of year can be difficult, I can be torn between my stitching and my love of gardening.  It is still a bit too early to do much yard work or start my little kitchen garden, so today I will put in a few more applique stitches on block 16. 

Block 16

This block is very similar to block 15.  Two birds some garland and a few flowers.  My favorite time to stitch is after my morning cup of coffee. Sitting at the breakfast table in the sun and working on my block is a great way to start the day.  Do you have a favorite time to stitch? 

March RSC2014 Blocks!

Another successful month! I wasn’t sure I would get all my blocks finished with the man and the dog of the house both having to have surgery this month.  Both are doing well.  Tom will head back to work with the assistance of his crutches on Monday.  Max will be begging for long walks everyday, but there will be time to get going on  next months block as soon as Angela announces April’s color.  It is never too late to visit RSC2014 over at Angela's blog to see what others are doing with their scraps.

Block #15 Baltimore Garden

I hope to spend a few hours today working on Block #15 of Baltimore Garden. I have some embroidery to add to this block. A branch in a couple of bird’s mouths, some bird legs, some bird eyes and  some details stitching in the tail.  I love adding these kinds of details as they add so much to a block.

 

I did notice this morning after I finished adding the stems that my block has a bit of bulge in the center. Sometimes, I find this happens when I add add bias stems as I have a tendency to stretch them a bit when stitching them down.  I find that a good blocking of the block works all of this out.  I start with a very light spray of starch to the back side of the block. I lay it out on a soft terry towel, and start pressing with an up and down motion smoothing any wrinkles with my hands as I move around the block.  This is the block after the blocking.
As you can see that solved any stretching or distortion that happened while I was stitching.  Now, I just need to get the little swag detail templates made so I can applique them into place and then I can move on to adding the embroidery.  I will be linking to Kathy’s blog to see what others are slow stitching today.  Seeing all the hand work being done is so inspirational and there is always something new to learn.

March's Wonky Star

I decided this week to work on my Wonky Star block for RSC2014.  I knew it would be a hectic week, since my husband had knee surgery Monday.  We are also dealing with a sick dog.  Although, I didn't finish my block I got it laid out and started to assemble.  I had to dig deep in my pile of scraps to find enough teals, but I was able to come up with enough.  I love all the shades of teal, they remind me of a trip to the Carribbean. Maybe that is my brain just trying to cope with everything this week. I do know the importance of some "me" time, so I will find a bit of time this afternoon to slip away to my sewing island and enjoy the teals and finish up my block. I will also be linking up to RSC2014 to see what others are doing with their teal scraps.

Baltimore Garden Block #14

It feels so good to be working on Baltimore Garden again.  I started this block last year, but only got a few leaves appliqued when the weather started to turn.  Once those cool days arrived it was time to switch to hand quilting.   So last Sunday I got the block out and got to work.
As I said in my previous post, I decided to switch out the layered flowers in this block for some ruched flowers.  I am so happy with the way it turned out.  The flowers won't get stitched to the block till after the quilt is quilted. They can interfere with hooping and throw off the tension, so for now they are just laying where they will get added.

This and That!

Well, I hope everyone remembered to set their clocks forward! We can all thank Benjamin Franklin for daylight savings time. Thankfully, I only want to accomplish a few slow stitches today.  I just need to applique the center circle on cogwheel block #2.

I also have a little bit of applique on block # 14 of Baltimore Garden to finish, then I can make some ruched flowers.  I need a total of eight for this block, so I need seven more.

The little ruched flowers are so much easier to make than the layered flowers in the pattern.  I am all about keeping it fun and enjoyable! Hope your enjoying some slow stitching today.

March Week 2 Teal RSC2014

Well, I did find some time to stitch the first of three teal pickledish blocks for this month's challenge.  I ran out of a black and white scrap so decided to add a few strips of a white to make it a bit more scrappy.  Do you get that good feeling when you use a piece of fabric up?  If you need help with some scrappy quilt ideas follow this link to Rainbow Scrap Challenge and see what others are creating.

What's Next?

 I am ready for a change, this winter has been too long.  Next weekend brings us Daylight Savings Time and spring officially begins on March 20th. So why not jump the gun and pull out a summer project and do some slow stitching.  In the winter, I generally am hand quilting but as warmer weather approaches I often time enjoy applique.
Last year I started Baltimore Garden.  It is a 25 block album quilt based on an antique quilt. 

Now I just need to figure out where I am on this block and start stitching. It should be quite simple since the prepared pieced are all numbered and waiting in my folder. I lined it with some batting so it works as a mini design wall keeping them safe and flat.

I think I will applique the center of my compass block down first. I might need a little warm up since it has been awhile since I have done any applique.

I am also linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday.

Now to get started!

Looks like teal is the new color RSC2014!  So I just headed to the sewing closet to see what was in the stash. Looks like I have everything to make my 3 pickle dish blocks. Since it tax season, I am not sure any sewing will get done this week as tax preparation will take center stage.

I am glad to report that I did make some progress on my hexie project this week. Now to decide what that center medallion will be.  My first thought was an applique block, but this morning I though maybe a crazy quilt block. I have wanted to try one, is this my opportunity............hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??????

Well, I have some time to think about it!  I did decide since I finished my Floribunda quilt that my new focus will  be finishing the rest of the blocks for Baltimore Garden. That along with my RSC2014 blocks should keep me pretty busy.