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Saturday 26 January 2013

This n' that

With the exception of one, I've got all the blocks back from the "Around the World Quilting Bee". I'm immensely pleased with them, as they are exactly what I wanted.

I have been making a few more blocks, trying out some  new techniques I've learned on an online class on Craftsy called "Big Techniques from small Scraps" with Sarah Fielke. For this block I used my Dresden ruler. I really like the look of it and I'm tempted to make a quilt this way using my scraps. 

The next thing I tried was curved piecing without pinning. I've always been very scared of curves but it was actually quite easy. 

Then I tried out some deconstructed piecing, which is another name for free hand cutting and piecing. 

The next two blocks were inspired by Syko. She calls this "close your eyes quilting", meaning she doesn't plan the layout of the blocks, but just dives into her scrap bin, takes some out and sews them together any which way. A perfect way to use up all the scraps I got back from the bee members together with the blocks. 


I couldn't help myself and joined another Quilt Along, called The Hasenbach Challenge. It's being organized by Katrin in Germany. I fell in love with the winter scene and as we only need to make one block each month, even I should be able to keep up. 

My first paper pieced block.



Then I made another friendship block as we had to say good bye to another member of our Tuesday crafts group. 
  

I realised that I never showed you the quilt or cushion I received as part of the swap I've taken part recently. This little owl is now sitting in my sewing room and it came from Cathy all the way from the USA. Thank you Cathy!
And out of the blue, my friend Rose-Anne sent me this lovely embellished heart. Isn't it gorgeous?

Enjoy the weekend and happy Australia Day to all my friends Down Under.
Vreni x


22 comments:

Marg said...

I love the colours of your Bee blocks, and you have a lovely variety of blocks too.
You've been busy trying out the Craftsy blocks, the paper pieced house and the friendship block.

FlourishingPalms said...

Your Around the World Bee blocks are great! Such a nice variety of designs that work well together. And the additional free-form blocks you've made will look really good with them. It's neat how you've branched out from the traditional blocks. It's tough to do, isn't it, after years of precision sewing?! That Dresden ruler one is my fav. The curves without pinning look nice too. Good stuff, all 'round!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I love the splash of yellow in your bee blocks! Kind of a modern sampler!

Cattinka said...

Hallo Vreni,
an Deinem Ende der Welt ist aber grad sehr viel los und es gibt eine Menge zu sehen. Ich könnte mir gut einen Quilt aus lauter verschieden farbigen Tumbler Blocks vorstellen, fang doch einfach damit an.
Den Hasenbach Block find ich sehr schön,aber Du hättest mit dem Zeigen bis zum Letzten im Monat warten können, so haben es alle Challenge Mitlieder geplant, damit das schön spannend bleibt. Im Februar dann eben, okay?
Liebe Grüsse
KATRIN W.

Anonymous said...

Hallo Vreni,
der Challenge-Block ist wirklich gut geworden. Auch ich bin eine von denen, die mit dem Zeigen meines Blockes etwas zu schnell war. Der Winterquilt ist schon gut zu erkennen. Schnee haben wir hier in Mitteldeutschland zur Zeit genug.
Spannend bleibt es trotzdem zu sehen, was alle anderen genäht haben.
Viele Grüße

Geckoboxes said...

You found your sewing mood again! I love your different blocks, it is always good to challenge yourself to the next level!
I love your heart, lucky girl! ;-)

Lynda said...

You have been so busy! Absolutely love the gray, blue, yellow modern quilt. I am cutting out a quilt using those colors right now but I've added orange. Mine won't be so modern (I'm a bit scared to try it) but I'm making it in a Chevron pattern. Hope it looks as good as yours does.

Marjorie said...

I have some leftover yellow and white blocks from my last pillow case project. You've given me new color inspiration on how to use them! Thanks.

Sheila said...

Wonderful post. Full of beautiful projects! Thank you for sharing :D

Julimond said...

Das sind aber interessante Blöcke, liebe Vreni, und deine Experimente sind gut gelungen. Ich hätte immer den Mut nicht, einfach mal so einen Block auszuprobieren.

Und dein Winterhaus sieht schön aus.
Ich hab noch nicht angefangen damit, lag mal wieder flach tagsüber. Nix nähen.
Aber ausgedruckt ist alles ;-))
Hab einen schönen Sonntag.

lg
Iris

Astrid said...

Love your scrappy bee blocks! The Hasenbach quilt is lovely and your little house so cute. Beautiful small projects!

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

I love the colours of your bee blocks - very unusual and very effective!!

Grit said...

So schöne Sachen machst Du. Schön, dass Du auch bei der Hasenbach Challenge mit machst.
Dein Haus sieht toll aus.
Lieeb Grüße Grit

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
skippie said...

Lovely blocks, hope to see the finished quilt.

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

Fabulous blocks! Its going to be a lovely quilt.

Petras Kramkiste said...

Hallo Vreni,

schön schaut dein 1. Block zur Hasenbach Challenge aus, und wie schön dein Blog ist...

Liebe Grüße und ich freu mich ein gemeinsames Projekt mit dir.

Petra

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Vreni -- you're been busy! Your bee blocks are all so beautiful and unique. Do you have a plan to put them together yet? I love your cute little house block too -- I'm especially partial to icicles LOL.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Hallo Vreni,
durch den Challenger von Kartin habe ich dein Blog gefunden und mich gleich als Follower eingetragen, denn dass mir deine Arbeiten gefallen sehen ich schon auf dem ersten Blick!
Super schöne Sampler Blöcke oben im Post, tolle Stoffe!
Dein Hasenbach Block sieht auch sehr sehr schön aus, ein toller Quilt!
Ich bin gespannt auf dein nächster Blog.
Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Sonntag und ich hoffe dich auch bald in mein Blog begrüßen zu dürfen.
Liebe Grüße
Bente

Shirley said...

You are bang on trend with your colour way Vreni. Some great ideas there. Lovely gifts you received too.

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

I love the way your gray and yellow blocks look, you did a great job with the new techniques! I'm jealous of the winter quilt challenge, I love the way the quilt looks since I love snow! Your house is adorable! :)

Judy said...

When I first glanced at your blocks I couldn't understand how you had gotten a photo of the blocks that are on my design wall at the moment. You have very good taste!! LOL Can't wait to complete mine.