All You Need is Love

When I put together the list of 12 UFOs for the 2017 Spring Water Designs Get It Done UFO Challenge I added a heart quilt as number 6. Ever since I quilted the Quilts for Pulse last year I knew I wanted to make one for myself. I had been adding scraps of about the right size to a box on my cutting table since then. When I sat still long enough to go through the giant box of set aside fabric I realized I may have to limit the number of heart blocks.

This block is 10.5" by 10.5". You can find the free pattern and tutorial on Cluck Cluck Sew. There you will find directions for sizes from 4" square to 10" square. I should try out some of the small hearts. They are created using the stitch and flip method. I find that method very accurate, but also slow. I like to piece blocks quickly so I looked at the finished block and did some calculations on how to make the block using the Easy Angle 6.5" ruler.

I cut my neutral background fabrics and my hearts and worked on them between piecing charity quilts. When I ran out of neutral background fabric pieces I still had hearts so I cut some more background fabric. If you don't have a huge collection of fabric, you could grab this great rainbow of fat quarters from Connecting Threads and a suitable background fabric to make a rainbow of hearts.

I'm still planning my layout for the quilt. I've got a couple leftover blocks that will be going into the back of the quilt.

Do you have a fun block deign you'd like to share? I would love to hear about it.

Want to read about my adventure with Quilts for Pulse? Here is a list of the posts about that project.
Love is the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild Jun 17, 2016
Love Is Update July 4, 2016
Love Is Update July 11, 2016
Another Love Is Update July 22, 2016
Love Is Shipping Quilts for Pulse August 2016

The project touched me in a ways I didn't know it would and I am so glad the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild joined me in creating love out of fabric.

Charity Quilting Into Spring

Last time I went to Annapolis Quilts for Kids I picked up a few finished tops.

These little quilts quilted up quickly. Now they are trimmed and ready for binding.

I laid out a couple quilt tops using some of the string blocks I've made over the last few months. The bag of strings doesn't seem to get any emptier no matter how many blocks I pull out. I set up my side table with two charity quilts and my stack of heart block pieces. I'll tell you more about the heart blocks in another post. This little bit of planning can get you sewing in a hurry. I try to work on small pieces of a project during the week and then tackle things like quilting on the weekends.

I pieced this fun string block quilt top. Making these tops from the leftovers of other projects is so satisfying.

I quilted this one I made last month. Now I just need to piece the binding and attach it. I trim the quilted piece using a Creative Grids 6.5" by 24.5" ruler. For tips on making string blocks I recommend you check out Bonnie Hunter's directions for string piecing.

I also picked this quilt top up at Quilts for Kids. I've trimmed it and let the maker know it is ready to be picked up for binding.

You can find a simple pattern for this simple block layout with two borders on Quilt For Kids website. I recommend all beginning quilters join a local group like Quilts for Kids or Project Linus. They will help you learn how to piece quilt tops, provide support, and you can use their fabric to perfect your 1/4-inch seam.

To square up the string blocks I use the Tucker Trimmer I, it's perfect for squaring up small and large blocks. I'm thinking about trying the 6.5" Square from Creative Grids. Do you have a favorite ruler or tool for squaring up quilt blocks?

2017 Charity Quilt Count: 20

Knitting Update

The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is coming up next weekend and I've been trying to complete some of my knitting projects so I don't feel so bad about all the yarn I'm likely to buy.

This is my version of Rigoles knit in worsted weight yarn. You can find it on Ravelry. This type of project, like many shawls, grows with each additional wedge. I use Knit Picks Options Interchangeable needles so I can change out my cable when the work starts to build up. I continue to add cables of different length cables to make the basic set even more versatile.

It is a variation on the Wingspan pattern that incorporates Swing Knitting. If you aren't ready for Swing Knitting but want to try short row shawl knitting I highly recommend the Wingspan. German short rows are a great technique and you can make a wonderful shawl using an ombre yarn like Chroma by Knit Picks.

Speaking of ombre yarn. . . I picked up this yarn last year at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Fiber Optic Yarns Foot Notes Paint Box and a coordinating hank of Foot Notes Sock.

I caked up the little hanks from the paint box in color order, and printed out Starburst by Stephen West. I have no idea how this is going to work out, but I look forward to the finish.

I continue to make slow progress on the Hale Bopp Mystery Knit Along by Ambah O'Brien that started months ago.

I'm making my wishlist for the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, not that I see myself sticking to any sort of preset conditions once I walk through the gate and see all the pretty yarns.

Critters!

First, the critters you can cuddle. I made up these fun stuffies using the great designs from Urban Threads. If you want to give a fun little gift and try out in-the-hoop designs this is a great way to get started. They have an easy to follow tutorial and the designs are very reasonably priced. I want several of each in a rainbow of colors.

I often take a 2-mile walk at the end of my work day. The path is well-paved, somewhat shaded, and I can almost always find a critter or three along the way. My last walk was quite filled with creatures. The day was warm, and I wasn't in a hurry. I saw this button buck, who wasn't that interested in me taking his photo.

Frogs seem rather camera shy. This one was practicing not being seen and refused to jump when I squatted down to take the picture. Three or more friends splashed around, though.

This little turtle was just chilling in the ditch. It did duck its head under water when I got close to take the picture.

A park near my house, has plaques that tell you about the local wildlife that can be found in the park, like painted turtles, salamanders, and now even Pokemon. I really like the Bulbasaur.