Block party!

I thought the end of term would never come, but it did! I didn't feel like launching into any big sewing projects over the weekend so worked on finishing up some blocks.
First up Monday Modern blocks for Linda. Linda chose the 6G Quilt designed by Sarah Fielke - I was a bit worried about my ability to get nice tidy points, but I seem to have managed ok. I think this is going to look really good when all the blocks come together:

I've also been playing around with colour combinations for the December HST block from In Color Order. The first was a disaster - so bad it went into the bin! I'm much happier with this version. The solids are all Moda which I got from Helen (along with some great colour advice).  The background is Etchings Charcoal which might just be my new favourite neutral, it's such a pretty soft colour. 

Finally, I made version 2 of the block below. I made the first one a while ago, but couldn't decide if I liked it. So I made a different version. Mmmmm. Still undecided.

Hope you are finding some time to sew, or at least relax in the lead up to Christmas!

Liberty cushion

I decided today was the day to face my invisible-zip fear. Not sure where that came from - when I used to sew clothes I used them all the time, but I have procrastinated like mad whenever I thought about putting one into a cushion. All seemed to go pretty smoothly however, and I was able to finish up my Liberty cushion. I need to get a bigger insert though - the one I have makes my cushion look like it's been on a diet, and I like chubby cushions!

Liberty cross stitch

I have had an enforced pause making my Liberty quilt top. I ran out of white so I'm waiting for some more to arrive. In the meantime I couldn't stop looking at the Liberty scraps I still have and wondering...
I remembered seeing this great idea and tutorial over at Pile o' Fabric for cross-stitch quilt blocks. This idea seemed to offer the opportunity to combine several things I love: hearts, cross-stitch and my precious Liberty fabric.

For any cross-stitchers reading this, I'm stitching a series of hearts on 50 count Newcastle linen. SLOW going. But I love the delicate effect. The cross stitches in fabric were much faster once I got a  little chain piecing production line working. Then some trimming...

And hey presto! A cross-stitch heart in no time (well compared to the real thing anyway). This is destined to be a cushion for the couch - although I'm not sure anyone will ever be allowed to touch it ;-)

Linking up at Lee's:

Say Cheese! Polaroid swap

My Say Cheese! Polaroid swap blocks arrived in the mail yesterday. Kristy from Quiet Play organised this swap, which went really smoothly - thanks Kristy! I love these cute little blocks - I don't really know what I want to do with them yet, so I've just spent some time looking at them today and smiling.

A Christmas stocking

At our last meeting our Monday Modern group decided that we would make Christmas stockings to donate to  Women's Refuge. I have finished my stocking - just need to get to the shops and fill it with some nice bits and pieces to hopefully bring someone a light moment this Christmas.

I  haven't made a Christmas stocking before so it was a bit of a make-it-up-as-you-go kind of project. It didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned, but I think it looks quite cheerful.

Back in love with Liberty

Remember this?

I was never really happy with it - the more blocks I made, the more washed out the gorgeous Liberty fabrics seemed to get. I went to see the genius Helen of The Little Craft Store, and she sorted me out in no time!

A bit of unpicking and some bright solids and I'm back in love with this quilt!

Sew Seasonal Blog hop

It does seem mighty early to be thinking about Christmas, but many of you will have been following along the Sew Seasonal Christmas blog hop organised by Kristy and Alyce. Their patterns are free all through November, so be sure to check them out! I tried my hand at paper piecing some little bonbons and put them together as a table runner. I'm really happy with how festive this looks and that it is a good alternative to northern hemisphere motifs of snow and robins (though I do love those too).



Be sure you pop over and check out what my blog hop partner Jane from Quilt Jane has made!