Initially Yours-Initial Block Challenge

One of my guilds programs was to make blocks that start with our initials. The challenge was named 'Initially Yours', over a three month period we showed the blocks we made using the initials in our names. I choose to make mine 6'' blocks. My initials are CEP. Let the show begin with the 'C' block I picked.

C is for compass block in my favourite colour 'green'

My favourite colour is green I'm drawn to it and will always be my first choice. The dark green and the lighter green are both batiks. I wish I knew the name of the print, I only had a FQ of it and I love it. My first name is Cindy, you know that song 'Get Along Home Cindy Cindy' sung by Ricky Nelson, my father heard it playing when I was born liked it and I ended up with it. 

A few lyrics from the song:

 

I wish I was a apple            

Hanging in a tree

And every time my sweetheart passed 

She'd take a bite of me

Chorus

Get along home Cindy Cindy     

Get along home Cindy Cindy 

Get along home Cindy Cindy 

I'll marry you sometime  

I choose the Compass block as you never know what direction life takes and a compass may help keep you on the good path.

Next up is 'E', one of my middle initials after my 'Finish' grandmother. I have more than one middle name. This block dates back to 1815 according to Vintage Quilts.

E is for eight pointed star

My last initial is 'P' for this one I choose the 'Priscilla' block. After doing a bit of googling about the block for this post I found it listed as a 'Bible Block'. I liked the look of the block and was unaware of the bible connection.

P for my variation of the Priscilla block

I added sashing and borders in that same print fabric. I did ruler work in all three blocks in an attempt  to accent various parts of the block. The left, right bottom borders and sashing I free motioned curls and swirls. The top border areas I did feathers.

in order of my initials compass, eight pointed star and priscilla

The wall hanging is 22'' long and 8 1/2'' wide.  I used aurifil threads and sulky in the green print.

back complete with label

A photo of the back.

Linking to 

Main Crush Monday

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Sew Fresh Quilts

Guild Guest Speaker- Sew Fresh Quilts

Today at my guild 'Quaker Quilters Guild we had a guest speaker Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts. I have been following Lorna's blog for a few years and have even tested for her. What a pleasure to meet her in person!

Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts and me

She is a wonderful speaker, everyone commented on how much they enjoyed her trunk show. She brought humour and knowledge along with her many quilts.  She readily shared some of her techniques, such as how she does her wavy line quilting using a walking foot. She is one talented lady! An interesting fact I didn't know she was a welder before a quilter. Seeing her designs and quilts up close was a real treat. 

A small sampling of the quilts she brought along today.

Black birds

That's Lorna peeking over Fox and Friends

Santa's Reindeer from her Christmas Quilt Along 'Have a Jolly Little Christmas'

From her 'Have a Jolly Little Christmas' winter mittens, poinsettia, and reindeer runners

Canada 150 

I helped hold up quilts this one is Kissy Fishy

Monkey see Monkey Do

I hope your day was as good as mine!

Medallion Quilt Month 3

Now that you've got those lovely centers made. You do RIGHT?  If you missed the first two months no problem just look under the Medallion BOM tab.  It's time to start making the blocks. Up first is a variation on the Friendship Star.

friendship star variation

This is a 12 1/2'' unfinished or 12'' finished block.

All seams allowances are 1/4''.

Cutting:

Dark fabric:    A  6-  2'' x 3 1/2'' 

                       F   2-  2'' x 12 1/2''

Medium fabrics:  B   2-  4'' x 4''

                            C   1- 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''  

Background Fabric: D  2- 4'' x 4''  

                                 E  4- 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2'' 

Step 1:

1. On the back of both piece D draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. See diagram 1a.

2. Place the square on top of piece B. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. See diagram 1b.

3. Cut on drawn line. See diagram 1c.

4. Press HST's open to dark side.

5. Trim the HST's to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

6. Make 4.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1. Sew E to A right sides together, pressing toward the sashing strip. See diagram 2.

2. Sew EA units to one of the HST's, see diagram 2.

diagram 2

Step 3:

1.  Sew two of the HST's with C with two A's, see diagram 3a.

2.  Sew one HST and two E's with two A's, see diagram 3b.

diagram 3

Step 4:

1. Sew the two long sashing strips to the rows as per diagram 4.

2. Press and trim to 12 1/2'' x 12 1/2''.

diagram 4

Remember to have fun and to post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

Meadow Mystery Quilted

My Meadow Mystery quilt is finished all nicely quilted and bound. You can read more about the design from Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs and my addition of the borders on my blog post here.

The fence the quilt is hanging on came down yesterday during the very windy day we had. We had no power for most of the afternoon as trees came down on lines knocking out the power.

I do all my quilting on my domestic machine a Pfaff. I had been having trouble with it skipping stitches and breaking thread.  After it went back in for repair it came back working correctly. That may have led to the amount of FMQing I did on this quilt.

Some closeups of the stitching.

figure 8's ruler work and loop de loop 

feathered heart, curls and more ruler work

some curls and loops

The back shows off  the quilting better. I used a Cori Dantini by Blend for the backing.

the back shows off all the stitching

back two

back three

tree shot before the wind 

I used Aurifil thread as that is what my machine prefers for FMQing. When doing regular sewing I can use any number of different brands with no problems. I am just happy that my machine is working beautifully now.

Have you quilted today?