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

How far will you go? Quilt Along

My friend Jess (and her friend Jess) organised a QAL called "How far will you go?". The idea was that one didn't have to go the whole way but it was up to us to decide "how far we wanted to go" (hence the name).

I didn't get terrible far, I'm afraid! I only managed to make four out of the eighteen blocks on offer (or four and a half, to be precise)

You are now probably wondering what on earth it is supposed to be!

It's a  cover for my Bernina 820. I've been planning to make one since I got it nearly three years ago, but I just never got around to it. This machine is quite a bit bigger than my other machines, so the cover I made before didn't fit. Now I just have to remember to cover my machine when I'm not using it so it won't get so dusty anymore. 

There are even prizes up for grabs, sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. 

As today is the dead line to enter and to have a chance to win one of those gift certificates,  I have linked up here!              

Happy Weekend everyone!

Vreni x

A belated Christmas gift

I made my daughter a shopping tote for Christmas. She liked it but told me that she would have preferred it a bit bigger. So what's a good mum to do? Of course make her a bigger one. And this one got her complete approval (and it's reversible) !

As today is the 6th of January (Epiphany) I made a "Three King Bread" (another Swiss tradition).  Traditionally there's a small plastic king hidden in one of the smaller buns, but since I haven't got one, I used a whole almond instead. Whoever gets the bun with the king inside, is king or queen for the day and is allowed the wear the crown. As it turned out lager than I though, I suspect we'll be eating it for breakfast for the next few days.

Bon appétit!

Vreni x