Red & Aqua String Block Quilt - It's Done!

It's finished! Just over a year after I started it. After making quilts for more than 2 years this is the very first one that I have made for myself and I can tell you that I'm pretty chuffed with it.

I joined my first quilt block bee in February 2012. I was first up in February and this is the block that I chose. The string block. Tutorial at Film In The Fridge. I chose red and aqua for my colour scheme. 

I received so many lovely blocks from my fellow bees but I also had to make a lot myself as it was only a small 8" block. Initially I intended it to be a 60" x 60" lap quilt but I just couldn't bring myself to make any more blocks so it ended up 45" x 60". Which is still a good size for me.

The back was pieced using Nesting Chairs in Celebration by Laurie Wisbrun, Lotus by Amy Butler and some gorgeous red Timeless Treasures fabric I had in my stash. I went with a grey binding as it was a bit softer than black and it blended beautifully with the greys in the Nesting Chairs and Lotus fabrics.

The quilting was done by the owner of my local quilt shop, Finch's Nest. I have so many WIP's at the moment that I just wanted to get it out the way and I knew that my straight line quilting just wasn't going to do this one any justice. I made the right decision.

Master 3 and I went to the HMAS Sydney II memorial in town and took these photos. It was a typical windy Geraldton day.

The best thing about this quilt is that it's full of all the wonderful blocks from my friends in QCA Bee 2. It makes it really special having blocks in it that people have made just for you. For that reason I'm so glad that this is the first quilt that I have completed for myself. I will treasure it.

Linking up with Sew, Love, Live for TGIFF (for the first time in ages!)

A Little Bit Of Progress

Just a few things in the last week.

My red and aqua string block quilt has been quilted. I picked it up from my local quilt shop a few days ago. I'm very happy with it. Now to hand sew the binding and it's done. Only a year after it was started. Stay tuned for more on this quilt.

Two more Field Study stars (which are actually sideways in this photo).

I finally found the perfect pattern for Master 2's pirate quilt. Spinning Stars by Anna Maria Horner. You can find the free pattern here. One block down, 8 to go. 

Speaking of Master 2, it's his 3rd birthday tomorrow. Time sure does fly.

QCA Bee - January Blocks

I should point out that our QCA Bee Group 2 started our year in February 2012 so is ending next month, January 2013. 

The last block is Jessica's, the Japanese x and + block. Tutorial here at Badskirt.

I loved this block. It's perfect for scraps and, as you know, I love scraps!

Our Bee starts again for 2013 in January and I'm up first. Looking forward to receiving some wonderful blocks. I haven't made mine up yet but stay tuned.

QCA Bee - December Blocks

Bronwyn from Stop That Owl came up with this tutorial for these gorgeous Winter Rainbow blocks. 

So simple and a great way to use scraps. You all know how much I love using scraps!

Next month is the final block for 2012. This is because we started in February this year. Last night I got the sewing machine out for the first time in about a month (I've been sick) and made up my first block for Jessica. Stay tuned.

QCA Bee - November Blocks

Janine wanted these large polaroid blocks. I love polaroid blocks. You can find the tutorial for these blocks at Charm About You.

I used Wrenly fabric and Father & Son owl fabric that I got from China.

Red & Aqua String Block Top

Last night I finally put together all the blocks for my Quilt Club Australia Block Bee 2 quilt. My red and aqua string blocks.

The top measures 45" x 60". I had originally planned for it to be 60" x 60" but I just couldn't bare to make any more blocks. I was over it. It's still going to be a nice lap quilt and it's more about showcasing the blocks that my friends in the Bee have made than making a specific size quilt. 

I have chosen Perfectly Perched Nesting Chairs In Celebration for the back, which I need to order, but I can't decide on a binding. Later in the week I will take it into my local quilt shop and audition a few fabrics.  

What do you think would be good for the binding?

QCA Bee - October Blocks

Quick, simple and so effective are the October blocks for Kelly.

11" blocks made with black, bright purple and lime green. You can find Kelly's tutorial here.

I sent the link to my mum and we are both already thinking of all the possibilities for this block. 

Kelly's quilt will look amazing.

QCA Bee - September Blocks

This month's block is the Converging Corners block by Film In The Fridge.

Laura requested bright fun prints, and her favourite colours are purple, orange, green and pink.  

I had some scraps of Michael Miller's Beatrice Bloom and Carnival Bloom which I thought would be perfect for centre blocks.

This block was nice and easy. I'm looking forward to seeing all the blocks together.

QCA Bee - August Block

I finally finished the August block. Better late than never. Unfortuantely I had a lot going on in my life last month, and it was a block that required a lot of concentration, so I was delayed in completing it. 

The feathered star. Here is the tutorial.

McKenna is an American living in Australia so she wanted patriotic red, white and blue. This being so, I chose a red fabric with tiny little stars on it.

When McKenna posted that this is what she wanted, I was terrified. I was dreading August. But, to my surprise, once I got going it wasn't as hard as I had thought it was. Thanks for the challenge McKenna!

QCA Bee - July Blocks

This month Anorina from Samelia's Mum asked for any modern star block, 12.5" inches, in black, white, grey and orange. 

I chose a Sawtooth Star. The tutorial I used is here.

Block # 1

Block # 2

July Blocks Together

For the first block I fussy cut a flower from some Amy Butler fabric. This one is Apricot Wallflower from her Lotus range. For the second block I fussy cut my centre block from some Wrenly fabric.

I haven't been doing much sewing lately as I have been renovating my bedroom and it's been a bit chaotic around here, but I have had a few orders for wipes containers. This print has been popular and I have done quite a few in this fabric.

I have another one of these to finish today so I better get to it.

QCA Bee - June Block # 2

It was raining on Monday and Master 2 and I were stuck inside so I decided to make Tracey another block. I enjoyed making the first one and I had some other nice blue/turquoise fabric that I wanted to use. 

I made this one with some scraps of Riley Blake fabric from their Enchanted Garden range. 

I used dark grey for the background this time as Tracey wanted a mix of light grey and dark grey blocks. So I did one of each.

Both of my June blocks together

QCA Bee - June Block

Last night I finished my block for June. Tracey at The Peony Teacup wanted a Lone Starburst paper pieced block in blue/aqua/turquoise on a grey background. You can find her tutorial here.

Once I finished the first two pieces I got on a roll and found it quite enjoyable. These blocks are definately very striking. I can't wait to see her finished quilt.

QCA Bee - May Block

Last night I finished this block for Phillipa using mock needle-turn applique. It definately put me out of my comfort zone.

I am determined to get my string block quilt finished so today I made two more blocks.

QCA Bee - April Block # 2

I had some left over squares so I made Sue a second block. I just had to use a different green and dark blue in this one but it turned out great and I like that the two blocks are similar yet different.

April Rainbow Starflower Block # 2

Rainbow Starflower blocks together

My sister text me this morning to tell me I had a parcel in our post box and it feels like fabric. She is dropping it over later. Can't wait!

Red & Aqua String Blocks Continued

Today I am continuing with my red and aqua string blocks. I have decided to make them into a lap size quilt.

QCA Bee - April Block Completed

Today I finished my block for April, the rainbow colour starflower block. I am so, so happy with how it turned out. It's just gorgeous and I'm really happy with the colours I chose for it. 

Half square triangles all trimmed down and ready to sew together

Completed block

I can't wait to see Sue's quilt when it's completed, it's going to be amazing.

See my previous post for links to tutorials for this block.

QCA Bee - April Block

So April's block has been announced in the Quilt Club Australia Bee Group 2 and it's gorgeous! Sue has requested a Starflower block, tutorial at Samelia's Mum here, but in rainbow colours, like Ellison Lane Quilt's one here.

I went through my scraps and came up with these beauties, well, except for the orange, that one my Mum very kindly cut from her scraps and dropped off to me tonight (thanks Mum!). 

They work so well together don't you think?

I made a start tonight and was very surprised at how quick and easy it started to come together. Tonight was my first attempt at half square triangles and I must say I love them!

Looking forward to finishing this off and making another. I'm thinking it might make a nice cushion....

More Blocks and Someone Else's Giveaway

After receiving some more red and aqua string blocks in the mail yesterday I was feeling inspired to make some more of my own.

Some of the lovely ladies in my block bee have generously sent me red and aqua fabric scraps with their blocks and last night I enjoyed mixing in some of their prints with my own. 

Speaking of fabrics, Samelia's Mum is giving away some gorgeous pre-release Vintage Modern fabric by Bonnie & Camille for Moda. If you would like to enter her giveaway head over here. You can also purchase this, and other fabrics, at her shop Fabric Buzz.