Drunkard’s Path in Rouenneries

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Quiltobsession

A couple of charm packs of Rouenneries and I was off to the races, printing each charm with both shapes for one unit of a Drunkard’s Path block using the Inklingo collection for a 12″ Drunkard’s Path block. Here are all my pieces, ready to stitch.

With the perfect matching points and stitching lines, it’s so easy to stitch these curves! Before I start stitching, I clip into the seam allowance on the concave curve to just a few threads above the stitching line.

I pin my first matching point:

I start with my quilter’s knot a little bit in from the end of the seam and then backstitch to the matching mark right at the seam beginning. That way I don’t have a knot in my way later when joining the unit to another.

I start stitching. When stitching curves, I take the smallest stitches I can:

I load the needle with as many stitches as possible and pull it through, then take a little backstitch:

And continue on to the end of the seam, where I again make my knot a little bit away from the end of the seam.

This isn’t pressed yet:

And this is after finger-pressing:

Each unit finishes at 3″. On top of this unit are the scissors I use to clip the seam allowance and, for that matter, cutting out the shapes. These are the sharpest scissors I’ve ever found. They’re Omnigrid scissors.

The units I’ve stitched so far. I haven’t decided on a layout yet. Once they’re all stitched, I’ll decide.

Smudge really isn’t very interested in all this stitching. He’d rather snooze.

While Lester is still spending some time on the windowsill, although it’s getting a bit chillier every day.

Prepping Pink Ice Blocks

Posted on December 16, 2009 by Quiltobsession

All the pieces for the final 9 blocks were printed on the weekend and are ready to stitch. My goal now is to get those remaining 9 blocks done by the end of January 2010. Here they all are, separated in the glassine envelopes.

An alert Lester:

And a close-up of one of his paws. I just cannot resist them!

And a very alert Smudge:

Another 10 Blocks

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… are ready to put together. I stitched the tumbler/triangle units together so now it’s a matter of joining them with the squares into the final 10 blocks.

Then I’ll add them to these 6 blocks and the little teddy bear quilt top will be done.

A very contemplative Lester:

And a classic Smudge pose. He likes to wedge himself between one of us and the arm of the couch and stretch out like this.

Pink Ice Block #21

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… is finished. Nine to go!! This is the palest of the pinks I’ve used for the blocks. The colour doesn’t quite show up accurately in this picture. It’s more pink than the peach that it appears in this.

The back:Our weather has been really topsy-turvy. Extremely cold and then mild enough to rain. I can’t believe how close we are to Christmas!! It finally got me motivated to get baking supplies to ensure that I have on hand what I’ll need.

Smudge curled up with a teddy:

And Lester snoozing in his kitty bed.

Pink Ice Block #20

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… is done. There are four more blocks for which I have the pink diamonds ready so now it is just a matter of printing enough diamonds on 6 other pink fabrics and a few more of the triangles and squares on white and I’ll have everything to finish the remaining 10 blocks.

The back:

It was rather cold and very windy here on Thursday, so the kitties were curled up in cozy warm spots. This picture of Smudge is one of my favourites — but I think I say that about almost all of them.

And I love this shot of Lester. He’s so alert in this!

Pink Ice Block #19

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Quiltobsession

… is finished. Block 20 has been started. I’ve decided to make 30 blocks in total, so will pick out more 10 more pinks to use. My goal of finishing it this year looks pretty unobtainable but it will be finished this winter!

The back:

Wednesday was interesting. Snow overnight, then rain and more rain through the day and then the temperatures dropped. We didn’t go out, but I have a feeling the roads must have been terrible.

Lester looking up:

Smudge looking too adorable for words!

More Orange Peel

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Quiltobsession

Two more blocks done. This one was very quick to put together with lots of continuous stitching to join the peels around the centre and then the white background pieces around the peels.

The back:

This one was fun to stitch — as the peel was joined to each background piece, the block started to come together. Again, a quick one to stitch.

The back:

Smudge waiting patiently once again for his nightly yogourt treat.

Lester watching something from the comfort of his kitty bed.

Eiffel Tower — Orange Peel Variation

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Quiltobsession

Yet another variation that can be made from the shapes in the new Orange Peel collection is this one, which has been called Eiffel Tower. This was really quick to put together. I can see this done in a variety of fabrics and colours.

Once I get the 6 blocks I’m making with these fabrics done, I think I’m going to try a couple of the blocks using different fabrics and a background fabric for the peel to make the various other shapes really stand out. Curved piecing is so much fun that I want to drop everything else and just do more and more of these blocks.

The back:
On Monday afternoon we went to one of the flu shot clinics in Toronto and got the H1N1 vaccinations after checking with Mr. Q.O.’s doctor who said to get them, even though what we had a few weeks ago was thought to be H1N1. We’ve read some articles lately about people getting it twice. That is not something I’d want to go through twice. I got the seasonal flu shot at the same time, but in the other arm. Mr. Q.O. had had the seasonal flu shot back in October. I was impressed with how well the flu clinic was operating — extremely efficient and amazingly quick with great staff. The longest part of the whole process was the 15 minute wait afterwards to ensure that there were no allergic reactions. By midnight Monday night both arms were rather sore, but I figure that’s a small price to pay for the protection the vaccines offer.

Smudge snoozing in a kitty bed:

And Lester with one of their favourite toys.

Orange Blossom

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Quiltobsession

These wonderfully gentle curves and the variations one can make with the shapes have me hooked!! This one has been named Orange Blossom. The effect is fabulous and looks much more complicated than it really is. There are four more different blocks I’m going to make using the various shapes and these fabrics.

The back:

Our kitty-sitting of Winnie is over for now. We’re going to miss her but have asked for and been granted visitation rights. 🙂

Lester curled up with an assortment of buddies . This one almost could go in the “find the kitty’s head” category.

Smudge on the windowsill. We’re supposed to be getting snow this week. I’m hoping it misses us, but I suppose the kitties might like to watch a few snowflakes fly by the windows.

Alabama Beauty

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Quiltobsession

As soon as I saw the shapes for this in the new Orange Peel Inklingo collection, I knew I had to use the fabric I’ve been looking at for so long and wondering what I’d make with it. I’m going to make, I think, 8 of these blocks for a table runner. It was amazingly quick and effortless to put together.

The back:

Today is our last day taking care of Winnie as our friends return from their vacation late this evening. We’re asking for visitation rights! I’m going to miss spending time with her.