Another Block Down

This is the fourth block in the Beginner's Quilt-Along.  I think part of what worked so well with Block 3 was the balance of color/shade/scale.  Lacking additional larger sized prints and low on darks, I did add in the blue spools (not sure what they are, I picked it up as a fat quarter at The Noble Quilter.)  The yellow is from A Stitch in Time with Mother Goose by Amy Barickman.

Oh yeah, and I added machine applique too.  I haven't used stabilizer before but I knew it might pucker so I ironed on some freezer paper.  Worked fine!

Also, I have to say: What a day yesterday!  I'm so glad to have visitors to And Chips and the comments are great.  You all rock!  In honor of this experience I added a Happy Blogger button from one of my favorites, Happy Loves Rosie.  (If you haven't, check out her vintage caravan/camper - it is what my dreams are made of!)  Thanks again for stopping by.

~MissEnota Minnesota

Toot-Toot-Tutorial

Rollin' Out!  This Blanket Roll Up brought to you by Hustle, my scooter friend.

Well, it's happened.  I designed a project and turned it in to Sew,Mama,Sew! for all the world to see.  The Blanket Roll Up is my offering for the Ready, Set, Go! series this month.  It was actually my suggestion on facebook for the travel theme.  Because of that and because SMS has been such an influence on me this year, I'm so glad I get to participate although I'm embarrassed at my utter lack of tutorial/photographic timing/even sewing skills.  I think it shows that I was pressed for time and didn't allow for a dress rehearsal.

Still, I'm glad I made something real out of my sketchbook.  I actually genuinely like it and think it will be useful.  Even if no one else makes one (but I secretly really, really hope they do!) I will still probably churn out a few more of these babies myself because I think they make perfect accompaniments for travel fun. 

Just think, a baby shower quilt in a matching little roll with a toy or baby supply surprise wrapped up inside?  Or a really thick, luxurious towel with a good book and some sunscreen just waiting for the perfect beach spot?  Or a present for an adventurous kid?  Am I selling it?  I hope so.  If you do make one, I hope you'll come back here to comment and share the glory that is the blanket roll.

Ready, Set, Go!  Can you see my Blanket Roll Up?

Pocket Full of Horses

Fabrics for my QuiltCon blocks....I really need to get started on those. :)

I've drawn up a few ideas for my QuiltCon Block Challenge and now I've got the fabrics (they are all 1/8 yard cuts; I gave the other half to my mom.)  I've never designed a block before and both of these will require some techniques I haven't tried yet.  Trial by fire?

Another block pattern came out today for the Beginner's Quilt-Along.  I made it and then I took better photos of the first two blocks as well:

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

For Block 3 I used two Andover fabric prints (Pear Tree pinwheels by Thomas Knauer and Primativa by Jane Dixon) with another little piece of Heather Ross' horses from Spoonflower in the middle.  I really like how this one turned out.  Maybe it's the better balance of colors?

No sewing, just glue.

Oh and I did finish a couple of things.  First, I made a bridle for Ned Nederlander, my Breyer horse.  She was sort of a mascot on the Montana trip last week and tonight is the rodeo, so I looked up a goofy Youtube video by a young girl and knocked this little number out.   Too bad she said it's English...but Ned won't mind.

Goodies on the Way!

Last but not least, I finally sent off the Sew,Mama,Sew! Giveaway Day prize last week.  I included some bonus pieces of fabric and a little fortune cookie, sewn by me.  I really hope CraftyTokyoMama enjoys it. ( The little cowgirls print is Michael Miller.)

Hiatus Schmi-atis

Beginner's Quilt-Along Blocks 1 & 2

Hello again.  It's crazy that right after I received all this good advice for a new blogger, much of it regarding blogging regularly, I experienced my first blogging drought.  I could give some excuses but my time in the Army taught me not to do that so I will just say: it won't happen again.  The last few weeks haven't been project free but they've been finished-project free for sure.  I've started around a half dozen new endeavors including a little quilt for my aunt to upholster a foot stool with, my first Quilt-Along, my first block exchange, buying fabric for my QuiltCon blocks (which will be my first block design ever) and last but not least: I'm working on my first tutorial.  More to come on that in about a week.

Above are Blocks 1 and 2 for the Beginner's Quilt-Along.  I used some Heather Ross fabric, some leftovers from JoAnns and the red is from Walmart.  Every Thursday there will be a new block pattern revealed; the next one comes out tomorrow. I love staring at the Flickr pool for this group.  It is so inspiring to see the creative choices of other quilters.  Everyone says that quilting is addictive; I'm beginning to understand the meaning of that!

On the left  are my cookie exchange blocks for the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild.  I made eight of each (using the strip-piecing tutorial from the Monkey do blog) set in order to turn in twelve but I got some duplicates back. These might look familiar to some I've made before...I had to make more since the exchange required white background and my Fairy tale Friends granny squares used Kona Bone.  The next step will be to piece together the remaining granny squares and practice sash and border before quilting.  I understand the principle but it's still exciting to look forward to the finished product.


It's late here so I'll tell you about the rest of my start-up projects tomorrow but I'll leave you with a couple of pictures from my trip this past weekend to Yellowstone Park.  We actually were visiting family in western Montana (the beautiful Bitterroot Valley) but how many people have the chance to simply swing by the first US National Park on their way home?  We just had to do it.  Although we had only 6.5 hours, we managed to see quite a few sights and animals.  

Bull Moose.

Bison.

Elk

                         

I can't believe those are really my photographs!  I've been to Yellowstone many times in my life but this was the first time since I've been an adult.  It is an amazing place filled with wonder, weirdness, and fun.  I hope I get to go again and I hope you make it there too.