Two More Penny Sampler blocks

This week we've had more fun with machine applique and sketch stitching.

This is my mitten block:

I really like it!  There is only one in the quilt but I like it so much I may add another.

This is the Clover block:

I thought the aqua thread I am using for the sketch stitching was too hidden on the gray background so I used darker thread...but now I'm not so sure.  

I'm finding that photographing these soft colors with my little point and shoot just isn't showing the fabrics off very well.  Sigh.  

I am working on another block we were assigned this week.  Its more complicated but I hope to get it at least pieced tomorrow....then maybe get the applique done on Monday.

Design Wall Monday - Retro Rubies

I haven't done a Design Wall Monday post in ages!  Mostly because I have the same quilt on my main design wall that was there ages ago.  Yikes!   Too many distractions with other projects.  

I do have an alternate design wall and that's where I'm gonna show one of my distraction projects. 

 Back in May I got excited about the Retro Rubies quilt a-long which I wrote about here.

I cut everything out but never did finish the top while the quilt a-long was happening.  I decided it was time to get that project done so I worked all weekend!

All the blocks are done and most of the sashing is on too. I just have a bit more sashing - 5 to be exact - and then I'll be done.  Woo hoo!  I'm calling mine Retro Sapphires.  :)

For some reason I sewed way too many curved blocks and had extras.  I used them to make another flower (with no sashing) and a label for the back.

Linking to Design Wall Monday with Judy here.

Penny Sampler Heart block

This weeks Penny Sampler lesson was on machine applique.  Rachel did a lot of "sketch" stitching on her applique blocks. Since that's something I've never done, I decided to use that method for my blocks.  The applique pieces are turned under using starch and ironing over a template.  Then you just straight stitch around three times...in a "messy" or not perfect way.  That was actually hard for me!!!   I naturally found myself going over the first line exactly and had to work at missing it.   LOL!    

I am using a blue Aurifil thread that I got in one of my goody bags from Spring Market.   It goes wonderfully with the blues I chose for this quilt.

This is a 6.5 inch single heart block....just one in the quilt.   There is also a 12 inch block with four hearts in the quilt but I'm not a fan of heart blocks so I think I'm going to skip that one.  Will decided later what will go in that spot.  

Can't wait for our next blocks!

Penny Sampler

Happy summer!   I have been absent from blogging for a couple of months.  I haven't done much sewing...a few odds and ends but nothing I care to blog about.  And summer has been fantastic here in the Northwest.  Clear blue skies and more clear blue skies.  That calls for lots of outside relaxing.  

I'm excited about a new project I'm starting.  One of my favorite blogs to read is Stitched in Color by Rachel Hauser.  I have taken two of her online classes - Curves and Handstitched - and totally enjoyed them. She is a really good teacher.  Her current class is called Penny Sampler.  The main focus is a wonderful Scandinavian inspired sampler quilt that Rachel designed. She is going to cover machine applique, paper piecing and precision piecing during the months of this class.  While I already know those three skills I am still taking the class because I LOVE the quilt.  :)

That deer fabric in the lower right hand side (Timber and Leaf by Sarah Watts for Blend Fabrics) was my focus fabric for pulling prints and some solids for the sampler.  Some I'm not 100% sure of....may use a tiny amount or may leave out altogether.  I love this stage of starting a quilt.   Class starts tomorrow and I can't wait to get started!