Thursday, August 15, 2013

A bit of this and a bit of that

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Besides figuring out how to make flying geese, I have been playing with these St. Louis 16 Patch blocks, they finish at 14" and are fast and fun to make - the tutorial is here at Sew with Sass

I wanted it to be calm so used the Kona snow in each block instead of two prints like most folks are making and now it is too boring. So I am adding orange. The fabrics are Lucy's Crab Shack from Sweetwater, which I had left behind last summer. I can't really do scrappy while on holidays as the scrap mountain is at home - maybe I can add something to it with the quilting too. 

I always enjoy the Random Thursday posts so I thought I would do one and share a couple of other things.

My friend Anne at play crafts has added features to her palette builder tool. It will now give you Kona cotton colours that match or are close to your palette. So if you put fabric pictures in, you can pick solids that work with its colours. Anne cautions that this is not always going to be perfect, but still, can you see the possibilities - instead of trying to match from the tiny sample card in the terrible light of winter?


The Action kivu fundraiser has begun, you can read about it and participate over at Alissa's blog here. This group helps women and children who are victim of the conflict in Eastern Congo. If you have not chosen all your charities for the year, consider this one, and Alissa has some wonderful prizes that quilters love as an incentive.

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I played with the HST Bloc Loc ruler last night. It is as fantastic as I though. I have always trimmed each hst as I made them, this ruler speeds up the process and makes it so accurate, even when your light is not great. I am totally sold on it and am now planning on making something with hsts. And I have been making more flying geese too (my flying geese experiments are here), the hsts are from the leftovers from the geese. 


I am going to link to Really Random Thursday and go out to play in my garden. 

Best,

Leanne

18 comments:

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

I really love your Louis 16 blocks Leanne. I have been working with Lucy Crab Shack lately too..love them!!! and the color in those flying geese are gorgeous

Ramona said...

I bought Lucy's Crab Shack too but then was not really sure what to do with it - especially those clothes line prints, but I see they work just fine in your 16 patch. I just thought they were beachy and fun.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Not boring at all, they look pretty and I appreciate that calmer look! Your HSTs look like fun too. Clever Anne, that is a brilliant addition!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I'm going to check out that palette builder.

Susan said...

I was just looking at Playcrafts yesterday. This is a great new feature, I agree. And loving those HSTs.

Cindy said...

The Kona matching tool is going to be incredible! How super is that!?!?

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Love that palette builder tool. And I really like your blocks, I don't think they're boring at all!

Katy Cameron said...

The Sweetwater is perfect for a summer quilt :o)

elle said...

I am still mulling over the flying geese from yesterday and that great ruler. Now those cute hst's. Oye, I'm not supposed to be even thinking about more supplies! ;)

Anonymous said...

Love your St Louis blocks! I am impressed with your flying geese and HST. Thanks for the inspiration Leanne. Marie (mlismor@optusnet.com.au)

Rachaeldaisy said...

I love your 16 patch blocks. I've got a blocloc HST ruler too. I've only had a quick play with it but it's brilliant!! That palette builder that matches kona colour sounds brilliant!!

Anne said...

I really need to get one of those bloc loc rulers! Trimming HSTs is definitely not my favorite part of the job. :)
Those flying geese are lovely, and thank you so much for featuring the palette builder! <3

Kirsten said...

I really like your 16 patch blocks - I was wondering how they would be with a light solid for the second fabric too.

Live a Colorful Life said...

It's nice to read your thoughts on the bloc loc. I almost bought them at Road to California in January. They were running a show special--that would have been a good time to purchase.

Jessica Hadden said...

Love it ALL!

Debbie said...

Nice bits of random...have a good day!

Bluebell Ridge Handworks said...

Love the updates to the palette builder! Thanks for sharing :o) Your HSTs look so nice!

Heidi Staples said...

What a great mix of ideas on today's post, Leanne! Still love those flying geese!