(Ack! Don't you hate it when you write a whole post, press the SAVE button, and it erases your whole post?! )
Anyway...
I found this happy little face smiling up at me this morning as Zach and I headed out for our walk first thing this morning. Don't you love little signs from the universe like that?
I've been playing with making different kinds of quilt blocks this week. I found Bonnie Hunter's site, called Quiltville. Bonnie's got a great site full of quilting how to's, free patterns and more. You really get a sense of both her love of quilting, her love of sharing it with others, and the real sense of community among quilter's, just like there is among knitters.
These two blocks-in-progress are pieced together from what Bonnie calls "crumbs", leftover fabric scraps. (Now I know what to do with the little scraps I've been making. Before this I was regretfully throwing them away, thinking "Oh, I'll never use these." I like the idea of recycling them like this much better!) It's quick, simple, and fun! Three words I like!
You piece scraps together until you get a big enough block, then you can cut it into a square (the easiest way is with a rotary cutter and plastic square ruler, say 4, 5, or 6"...but it really could be even bigger if you want). These two blocks are waiting to be cut. Piece enough of these Crumb Blocks together and you've got yourself a quilt. If you want to learn more, follow this link, or when you're on the Quiltville site, scroll down on the left side until you see the Free Patterns section. Look for "Crumbs, Crumbs, Crumbs".
Another block I tried is from the Quilter's Cache site. I did this with directions for How to Speed Piece a Nine Patch. You start with two squares of fabric, and within several minutes end up with two blocks like this...
I love this butterfly print, and I love the two fabrics together.
Seeing as how a trip to the LQS (local quilt store) could be rather dangerous (in much the same way that a trip to the LYS could be dangerous...to the pocketbook!) I came up with the idea the other day to put a request on the local Freecycle site. My "WANTED: Quilting fabrics, fabric scraps and a quilting hoop" brought several offers. Today I'm hoping to take a ride to pick up some fabric and a hoop. Yay! That and get new tires put on the car. Bet the kids are going to love this...BORING! :)
Have a great day!
