Sunday, April 29, 2012

Down to the wire - quilting homework.

Pot holder fronts - Bee a {modern} Swapper

Today I made two potholders, which I love. I want to keep these and hope I find time to make some for me too. The fabrics are by Malka Dubrawsky and Melody Miller. If I had thought of it sooner I would have used another Melody Miller print for the centre of the blue one.

Pot holder - Bee a {modern} Swapper

These are for my secret partner in a pot holder swap in the Bee a {modern} Swapper group. These are not the first set of pot holders I made for this swap - but the other ones were quite awful. In fact these are not the second idea I had either. I have decided that when I want to keep them, they are probably good enough to send along to my partner. Who knew pot holders would be so hard.

Pot holder - Bee a {modern} Swapper

I have to tell you that when I put that little bit of red sashing around that cup print, I suddenly knew what I was going to do with the rest of my bits of this fabric. A quilt or some pillows with brightly coloured sashed fussy cuts would look so cool. But I was not distracted - today is my very last day to finish these potholders, they have to be sent tomorrow. I pressed on and finished them.

Pot holder backs - Bee a {modern} Swapper

Here are the backs. There is a layer of insu-brite in them (don't use two, they get too puffy - I know this by way of recent experience, it added to the horribleness of the first set) and I thought that the linen blend in the Melody Miller fabrics would add extra heat protection. These pot holders finished at about 8.25" squares.

Star using HSTs for Shanna, Aqua and Orange Bee

I made that lovely star last night for the Aqua and Orange Bee. Shanna (from Fiber of all Sorts) asked for anything using half square triangles. I am sure this star with the diamond inside has a name but I don't know it, let me know if you do.

Shoo Flies using HSTs for Shanna, Aqua and Orange Bee

This is the other block I made for her. Both blocks finish at 12". It seems I love all Shoo Fly blocks, even the non-wonky kind.

Aqua and Orange Bee - Blocks for Shanna

These blocks look good together. Shanna picked just the best fabrics, there is something about their values and colour range that is just so nice. I think she will have a lovely quilt.

I am off now to finish the lanyard for my partner's name tag for the Fat Quarterly Retreat. The sewing is done on the name tag and the lanyard, but I have a plan that involves stamps and permanent ink - wish me luck.

For all of these projects tomorrow is the last mailing date so I also have to gather some extras for the swaps, prepare mailing envelopes and customs forms. Sometimes it seems like there is a lot of quilting homework.

I hope you have had a lovely weekend.

Best,

Leanne

16 comments:

Debbie said...

yikes! Good luck finishing up! That's kind of what I'm doing this afternoon - STARTING three projects due shortly - yikes! Did you see TallgrassPrairie's recent potholders? I think I'll copy....mom needs some for mother's day! ;-) I really like yours too!

Sarah said...

Lovely work Leanne :-)

Toni said...

Great blocks, Leanne! And I'm sure your partner will be thrilled with the potholders. Very fun! Nothing like a little sewing under pressure!

felicity said...

The potholders are indeed lovely - as are the bee blocks! Love what you've done with the fabrics.

Anonymous said...

It's funny how setting deadlines means more quilting gets done. I only had the chance to get my potholders made right near the deadline as well. But it let me spend a whole afternoon quilting for once!
Those bee blocks are also very pretty.

MariQuilts said...

Love those potholders....it's that fabric of Malka's, it gets me every time...I think I need some.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oooh lovely!
You'll be getting ready to send yourself over here soon too :)

Nicky said...

Love the orange fix! Thanks! And yes are you ready - are you labelled and packed! Make sure you bring some of your fab minis for show and tell!

Annabella said...

I do love the colours of that MD fabric and I`m wanting some now! Lovely stuff Leanne - I have to finish up my name tag too - just the binding and lanyard to do!

Erin @ Billy Button Design said...

I love the colours on those blocks Leanne. They really work and look fab. Ah do you want to send the pot holders over to my house..???

Canadian Abroad said...

I'd call that some incredibly successful sewing! I love the red sashing around that coffee cup too.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I ADORE those pot holders, such great fabrics! The blocks look amazing too. I really wish my style was half as neat as yours!
good luck with the stamping :)

Katy Cameron said...

Very good catch up on the sewing front there! I think I'd have to just sit and stroke those potholders though, I could never actually use them!

Judith, Belfast said...

Fabulous potholders and blocks! Great use of colour as always L! Jxo

Svetlana said...

Fantastic projects, Leanne. Those pot holders are just wonderful. Love all the fabrics you combined. I'm sure your partner will love them.

Dragonfly Fabric Canada said...

I love the potholders Leanne! Beautiful fabric combinations.