Orphan Adoption ~ Quilt Blocks Looking For A Home

We all have a stack or two (or 4 or 5) of blocks we made that never see the light of day. They hover in limbo, get shoved to the back...neglected and forgotten.  It sounds so sad!  

There is a solution, actually a couple.  One is to make a quilt.  Seems logical, but we sometimes lose interest and can't seem to take that step.  The other solution and a very good solution at that, let some one adopt them!

Cynthia @Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework has her Fall 2016 Fall Quilty Orphan Adoption Event happening right now!!  It seems like the perfect time to offer up a couple stacks, don't you think?!  

You can check out what others are putting up for adoption by clicking here:  Quilty Orphan Adoption.  The rules are simple:

The blocks must be free.  Define the criteria.  Shipping, blocks used in a charity quilt, how you will selected the winner and how long the adoption will last.

I'll show you what I have first and at the end I'll give the details for adopting the blocks!

First up is a stack of 22 ~ 12" Plus Blocks.  I've had them far to long and it's time they get the love they deserve!  They are a rainbow delight that would make a gorgeous quilt!

Polaroid Blocks!  Cute as can be...look at that Ninja!  The blocks are 3 1/2" x 4" and there are a total of 23.  

If anyone is interested in either batch of blocks, my criteria is very simple:

• The blocks are free.
• I'll pay shipping anywhere in the US.
• You can use the blocks anyway you want.
• Leave a comment telling me if you would like the Plus or Polaroid (or both).
• I'll use the Random Number Generator to pick a winner on Monday (Sept. 19th)

Make me happy...ask for these blocks...make them happy...make a quilt!

Don't forget to check out other adoptions happening now! 

 Quilty Orphan Adoption

The Epic Saga Continues!

I might be a little proud of myself, after all, I am staying caught up with Epic Sampler Block of the Month this year. It is a surprise, and maybe takes the sting out of the fact that I haven't even looked at my Skill Builder BOM ~ Technicolor Galaxy in months!  I suppose I need to revisit that one in the very near future!

I'm anxious to see how it all comes together...design and my rainbow take on it.  I truly won't know until it's finished!

Another month, three more blocks.  Rumor has it we have nine blocks left to go!  I can see the finish line!

What I have loved the most about this BOM is all the paper piecing.  Seriously!  If you know me, know my blog, I thrive on improv and the unconventional.  So, how does one go from that to the precision of paper piecing?  Total opposites?  Maybe it's the precision, or the amazing shapes and designs...either way I have come to love paper piecing.  Putting myself in one category has never been a goal, it's all about creativity in my humble opinion!  

Without further ado, let's check out the blocks, shall we?!

Here we have 'Bow Tie Mania', this 12" block features a combination of purple and light grey. Traditionally pieced, with my fingers crossed every time I make a block for this rainbow vision I have!  I just do not know if it will come together!

Bow Tie Mania - 12"

We have 'Star of Awesome' next.  Paper pieced  12" block.  This one is a favorite of mine. I had extra paper templates left over that I used for one of my Secret Surprise quilts!  

Star of Awesome - 12"

It looks like blue and black, but it isn't!  This one is all about the blues...singing the blues, perhaps!

I'll finish with another paper pieced 12" block, aptly named 'Spider Web'.  I'm good with spider webs, just not the spider part.  Being from Tennessee, I can't help but worry about the infamous Brown Recluse spider!  I won't bother you Mr. Brown Recluse, if you don't bother me! 

Spider Web - 12"

Can you see the end coming?!  I can't wait to get some yellow added to this mix!  

LINKING:

Main Crush Monday

Sew Cute Tuesday

Epic Sampler ~ Caught Up

Yay to catching up on on my Epic BOM Sampler blocks!  Just in time to get the next batch in a couple days!  I know, it's all part of the deal!

12" - Star Crossed

I was ready to make some of the bigger blocks, so this 12" block was very welcome! 

6" - Twirl

Full disclosure...I messed this one up!  Can you see it?!  

12" - Lattice of Stars

This traditionally pieced block was a thorn in my side!  Some blocks you power through but do not enjoy...this was one of those for me!

12" - Spunky Pinwheel Star

This block I enjoyed making, love the colors and the spunky middle star!

Finally moving into the green area of the quilt.

12" - X Star

Green with a hint of aqua/teal/turquoise.  Both of these are paper pieced. 

12" - Sunray

I knew there was a way to put all the finished blocks together to see how this quilt is coming together!  Some days I surprise myself!  I played with Pages and came up with this.  It looks like one more 6" block, eleven 12" blocks, two 18" and one triangle row!  Five more months?!  Looks like you'll have to suffer right along with me!

And that's a wrap!  Thank you for indulging me!  I am really looking forward to putting these blocks together!  A few more months...patience! 

LINKING:

Main Crush  

Freemotion By The River

Epic Sampler BOM Blocks

Here I am three months behind on my Epic Sampler BOM!  Seriously, not a huge surprise.  I started back in October with high hopes of staying on top of it, unlike my Technicolor Galaxy which has been tossed aside (don't ask...but I'll get back to it), this one was to be different.  I was going to control it.  Good intentions and all, right?!

Yesterday I pulled out the previous blocks and decided to make some sort of progress with it.  Always wanting to put my own spin on a design, I totally colored out side the lines on this one!  Why don't I just go simple?!

Total crazy!  Which, in my opinion is so much harder!  Three blocks a month are released, not in any particular order, so getting the rainbow effect is a challenge.

There are 6" blocks, 12" blocks, 18" blocks...traditionally pieced and paper pieced blocks.  It has been a fun ride, but this girl has got to get on the ball!

This one was paper pieced, talk about lots parts and pieces!  It helps to mark each color on the paper template first, especially because I'm trying to make these blocks flow from one color to the nest.

6" - The Claw

Baby Paw was a traditionally pieced block.  It was nice to have a simple block in the mix!

6" - Baby Paw

And then there was this one!  I did have a little issue with the quarter square triangles, but quickly fixed the problem.  Which was most likely my problem not the pattern!

6" - Polaris

Three more down, 6 more to do before I'm caught up!  Making progress is always a good feeling, there is no denying that!

These are the blocks that are finished so far.

In between these, I've been working on a design, wall quilt and tutorial for Benartex.  Stay tuned for that!  I'll share the details soon!  

I made a test quilt from the tutorial to make sure it would 'fly'.  However, I changed several things in the final design.  It always happens, which is why it's a good thing to test it out!  

It was a miracle that I had the exact perfect thread colors in my stash for these odd colors, how often does that happen?!  I hope to finish the quilting today.  And yep, I'm attempting more free motion quilting!

LINKING:

Let's Bee Social

Needle & Thread 

TGIFF

Epic Sampler BOM ~ Update

I think this is the first Block of the Month where I have kept up!  I'd like to think I have turned over a new leaf, but sure as I say that I'll fall behind on the next one!  

I have two more months worth of blocks to share with you.  The rainbow concept of this Sampler Quilt is coming together.  Knock on wood...it ends up looking like I see it in my head!  I shared my idea here: Epic Sampler BOM, you can see my idea take form.

I know this is a strange color combination, but I really like it!  And it's the first time I've made the ever popular 'X' Plus block!

6" X-Plus

Pinwheel Star is a paper piece block.  Total hotness!

12" Pinwheel Star

12" Ninth Frame

Finally getting in to the blues!

6" Courthouse Steps

This Sampler quilt has quite a lot of paper pieced blocks, like this one.  The more I paper piece, the more I am totally in love with it!  For someone who does a lot of Improv...paper piecing is totally the opposite!  I like to think of it as a good balance!

6" Double Star

Last one!  Purples!!  This one looks pretty simple, and it is...except when there is a pattern problem! It didn't take long to figure out there was an issue.  I swore a little and then figured out how to make it work.  Since then the February pattern has been updated!

12" Radiant Ring

I'm at the point where laying out the finished blocks before making new blocks is a good idea. It helps to ensure the rainbow effect will happen and flow.  

Three months left, nine more blocks.  I can't believe I'm caught up...that's all I'm sayin'!

LINKING:

TGIFF

Crazy Mom Quilts

It's A Party ?!

You can't  have a party without confetti, right?!  But you can have confetti without a party...I'm making this up!!

When I find time to do what I want, with no deadlines or pressure, self imposed or otherwise, I like to revisit previous projects.  How can I make it different or better?  Do I really need to change it up?  Is it even worth the trouble?  Can I take it to another level?

When I first made my Confetti Pillow Cover, there was a lot of interest in it.  Honestly, I liked that...a lot!  It feels really weird saying that!  I have always wanted to give this design another go, I know there is something more I can do with it.



For the past week I have been plotting, cutting, stitching and piecing.  There is a plan in mind, however it changes with each completed block!

As of today, I have five blocks.  One that I am sure I will not use, as it was my first and I was just playing around.  While I would like to call this my Alison Glass quilt, I don't thing you get that Abacus 'Artifact' by looking at this!

Especially this side, which is the back and basically is just like the front.  I am mesmerized by the seams, can I say perfection?!  The squares are 1/2" finished and believe me when I say it isn't easy getting the rows to line up perfectly!  

  
I started out with a whole lotta these pieces, specific measurements, a huge variety of solids and Kona Snow.

And ended up with a whole lotta of this!  I'm going to say it!  I love seeing this, I love taking pictures of scraps!  

I'm a huge fan of what I like to call 'Quilt Porn'.  To me this is quilt porn, I cannot get enough of it!  Grab your camera, zoom in and snap!  

A warn and fuzzy feeling washes over me when I see something like this!  Seriously, is this not an amazing shot?!

I would love to have a regular feature of 'Quilt Porn' on my blog or even a link up!  Am I the only one who gets a little excited seen shots like this?  Would you link up? Or maybe to start out, would you send me pictures to feature on my blog?  Just wondering!

It may be a while until I figure this Confetti Quilt out, but it sure is fun to play once in a while!

LINKING: 

WIP Wednesday

Let's Bee Social 

TGIFF

Epic Sampler BOM

Late last year, before things became crazy with the holidays, I decided to join another Block of the Month.  I tend to fall behind (way behind) with these, and then have a marathon session to catch up...only to repeat the same process a few months over again.  I've nearly accepted that that is the way I work with a BOM!

Elizabeth Dackson from Don't Call Me Betsy started the Epic Sampler BOM in October. The finished quilt will be 60" x 72", consist of 6" and 12" blocks, some paper pieced and there will be three blocks a month.  

It didn't take long for me to become behind!  I was behind before it even started!!  Four months later, I decided I better get my butt in gear!  But wait!!  I didn't have a clue what colors or fabric I was going to use!  Same old, same old!  

After a couple attempts with the color sheet, I settled on a rainbow theme.  This will be my guide.  Since there are three blocks per month, and they aren't in any particular order, it will be interesting to see how this will play out.  The background will be a combination of white and grey.    

This is a good old classic!

12" Paper Pieced
Bear Paw

If you want to learn paper piecing, I think this is a perfect block to start with.

6" Paper Pieced
Economy Block

I lost my way on this one!  With 37 pieces, I easily became confused.  In the end I changed it up and decided it will be just fine!

6" Paper Pieced
Pineapple Block

I am in LOVE with this block!  I see a future in this one, by far my favorite!

12" Paper Pieced
Less Is More

Top Left: Patchwork Wheel, Top Right: Churn Dash
Bottom Left: Exploding Star, Bottom Right:  Color My World
6" Blocks

How about that Vinyl WIP bag?!  It's the perfect size to hold and keep all by finished BOM blocks safe and sound!  

I bought more vinyl for a new idea I have brewing in my head!  Stay tuned for that, it should be interesting...she said with her fingers crossed...

Clear Vinyl WIP BagsCrazy Mom Quilts

Three more blocks to go and I'll be caught up!  Yay!  Picking colors and fabric for a project is difficult for me, it always has been.  And I often wonder why I make it difficult for myself. Especially for a BOM.  In the end, I go with my gut and as always...fly by the seat of my pants!

Tell me what you think?  Do you like Block of the Month clubs?  Are you participating in one now?  Do you enjoy them?  

LINKING:

WIP Wednesday

Let's Bee Social 

Needle & Thread Thursday

  

Challenge Improv

My guild (Music City Modern Quilt Guild) decided to participate in the Modern Quilt Guild's Charity Challenge.  The challenge:  A collaborative effort using a predetermined color palette and Improv With Intent.  The quilt will eventually be donated to a local charity.  Easy right? 

Once an idea was settled on, we were free to do what we do...quilt!  As you know, I do my fair share of improv.  What I don't do is improv specific shapes.  

These are the predetermined colors.  Solids are good!  White, off white, sunflower, tomato red, light teal, grey and black.  Coordinating prints are also allowed.  

Ladies and gentlemen...we got a theme!

This was my first attempt.  It worked pretty well, but I was going crazy trying to figure out how to pull it off.

The second one went a little better.  I'm trying to make each one different and unique.

Hash tag?  No, but it could be.  Let's call this a Sharp Music Note!

This one would be my stealth note!  Kinda funky, kinda weird, but sleek!

I have a couple more I need to make before our next meeting, so I better get busy!  

The more I look at the notes, the more I like them!  Seeing them all together gives me ideas and right now...I don't have time for new ideas!  ARGH!  I really would love to make these into paper pieced patterns.  Which I have never done before!     

My husband thinks they're 'cute'.  Cute!  I can hear the gears turning in his head on this one! He's a musician and his job is to make things perfect...I'm sure these notes are throwing him for a loop and probably make no sense at all to him!

LINKING:

Sew Cute

WIP Wednesday

Let's Bee Social