Quilt Projects Update, Sites to Explore, A Show Too

 

The autumn pinkish purple Smoke tree was ablaze in the early morning sun which did not stay long.

A little touch of fungus is making interesting patterns on a few of its leaves. 

We are watching a version of D. H. Lawrence's work including Women in Love on Brit Box. It is two very lengthy episodes with a wonderful cast. A little note...there is nudity. 

I'm finished the 10 straight quilt lines on Christmas Coins. I'm happy to be hand quilting more interesting lines now... this design. It's just hand drawn curlicues that I think mimic a vine leafed applique. I settled on the very light green thread as it shows but not too much. All eyes are on the coins still. The marking pencils are working out well, though I find the leads a little soft so you can't press too hard on them. 

 I've continued the Bramble Blooms QAL project. Typical for me, it's taking ages to rest on a particular flower pattern for the center medallion block. I sketched many. I knew I wanted several parts to the bloom itself, just to add interest. But how many parts? Did I want a daisy with 6 petals and a many layered center or a funky tulip look or perhaps the Zinnias I liked so much in the summer? Or perhaps something like this...a hybrid of all of them.

 

Just how primitive did I want the overall look...Jan Patek or Norma Whaley maybe or do my best to copy our own Audrey's version. Those were the kinds of questions I was thinking of. And then the fabrics...maybe Christmasy or autumn colours or a little bit funky. ??? Part of my problem is that I like it all...I love the repro fabrics and quilts, the '30's fabrics, French General, the Valour colours- red, white and blue, anything primitive looking, some of the modern too, etc., etc. and on it goes. Yes an embarrassment of riches when it comes to my likes, that's for sure. Hopefully, settled on this week!

While playing around in the sewing room,  I realized I haven't shown you a kind of leaders and enders project I've worked on occasionally and was reminded myself of when sorting the scrap bins. I've sewn 6 blocks now of my version of Confetti Blocks and have many tiny sections sewn together. The completed blocks are deceptive in how much sewing time is involved in each simple block...many many seams.  I'll keep plugging away at these sections and hopefully have a few more blocks to show soon. Such a super way to use up scraps though.

Two wonderful links to enjoy exploring...

I love how Robin Pickens offers colour study posts where she presents the same block pattern in a number of colours. HERE is the link to her blog. And she links to free patterns as well. Love Robin's fabric lines too like the beautiful Forest Frolic. 

 

I've explored the crochet and knitting banks of free patterns at the Craft Passion site. That link will take you to their post featuring 36 free quilt patterns. And you can find Free Apron Patterns there as well and other crafts too. They've chosen well what to include so I think you will find something that twigs your interest. I found many. 

It's happy hours, isn't it, when we get to spend time like this exploring, connecting and working on what gives us pleasure. It is no small thing to have engaging hobbies.

Next post....what the doctor said about my sleep issue and three meals from one ham. 

Sharing this post with Quilt Fabrication, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Quilting Patchwork Applique and Alycia Quilts.