Sunday, September 11, 2011

Blocks, and more blocks

Blocks for Judith's Bee Blessed

I love wonky stars! I was reading Liberated Quiltmaking II, by Gwen Marston this summer, and I have wanted to make more of these ever since.

Blocks for Judith's Bee Blessed

These four are going off to Ireland tomorrow for Judith and Sarah's Bee Blessed. I love the idea of making a small contribution to some tiny humans so far across the world. These blue ones use some of the leftover scraps from my Kaleidoscope quilt (which I hope to get back to very soon).

Double Star - Block 9 Skill Builder Sampler QAL

This is Double Star, which is block 9 from the We can do it! Skill Builder Sampler QAL. In these colours is seems very intense.

Breaking Out - block 8 Skill Builder Sampler QAL

This one is called Breaking Out, which is Block 8. This pattern has a lot of potential. I am pleased to be learning to make flying geese which remain triangles and actually fit together. Like most things, I have improved with practice.

Virginia Star - Block 7 Skill Builder Sampler QAL

This is a Virginia Star, which is block 7. I really love this traditional star and could not resist the fussy cutting and reversing the usual colour arrangement - such a simple star can look very dramatic.

Greek Cross Blocks - Across the Sea QAL

And, after stalling out on Sarah and Jennifer's Across the Sea QAL, I was inspired by Fiona at Poppy Makes. She was using a dark grey/black background with bright prints and her blocks are wonderful. So I pulled out my Kona Charcoal and am having a lot of fun now catching up to the QAL.

This block finishes with the same shape of colour and neutrals as the Modern Cross Log Cabin Block but is far quicker. I love that you can make the same thing different ways! Here is the Modern Log Cabin Block, using the same fabrics as one of the Greek Cross blocks, for comparison:

Modern Crosses Quilt Block

In other news, I have been very lucky lately. I don't enter all the contests on blogs, I try to leave prizes that are not really "me" for others. Still, I have won three times in the last while - which for me is amazingly lucky.

I won a wonderful Rowan Magazine from Alison at Little Island Quilting. Many of you may not know  that knitting is my very first fibre art love, one day I will start showing off a bit here. I have some new yarn and am inspired by the lovely things in this book, which has already crossed the globe and arrived here.

I won a wonderful package of Momo Freebird fabrics from Judith at Rags to Bags who was introducing River Fabrics, a UK online shop. I am excited to see them in person and I am not sure yet what they will become.

And I won a bundle of Christmas fabrics - Reindeer Games - from Erin at Bittle Bear. I met Erin in my quilting bees and she had some give aways to kick off her blog and new quilting business. I was hoping to make some kind of holiday quilty thing this year and these will arrive just at the right moment for that.

Thank you again to all of you for the generous and lovely give aways!

It is September 11, a day forever imprinted in my memory. It is important to remember the evils of humans, but we do that, in part, to be reminded that we can make a positive difference for the future. I am focusing as much as I can on that last bit.

Best,

Leanne

10 comments:

Manda said...

You've been busy! Lovely blocks. I especially like the first two :)

Canadian Abroad said...

So many different blocks and all beautiful. You have lots of fabric that I now covet!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Amidst the awfulness of humanity you get to see the best of humanity too; courage, sacrifice, determination, forgiveness. It is good to remember.

Your blocks are really lovely. I especially like 8 & 7. Glad you said what your background fabric is in Across the Sea QAL - it looks almost brown in the pic! Really lovely. Jxo

Judith, Belfast said...

Btw - so glad you're a triple winner! I love it when good things happen to good people! Jxo

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Love all of your blocks! :)

Sarah said...

Some lovely blocks Leanne, and many congrats on the triple win!!

Debbie said...

Great blocks - what a nice variety. And congrats on all the wins - wow.
And of course, remembering with you . . .

Sarah said...

Love all of your blocks - the bright fabrics in your Across the Sea look stunning against that Kona charcoal. Thank you so much for the Bee Blocks -what fabulous contributions to our little quilts. Thanks a million!

Annabella said...

I have some wonky star blocks to make for Judith - yours are looking lovely as is your QAL and the new backing. I`m desperately trying to catch up too. Well done on all your wins!

Sheila said...

Great post Leanne - full of good sentiments. I have seena few of the Across the Sea quilts here and there and think the darker backgrounds really work.