Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Block of the Month

I have designed a block of the month quilt for my local quilt guild. I thought I would share it here too. Here's what we are doing...each block will only be two colors. There will be a total of 10 blocks. Above is the suggested finished quilt, it is approximately 60" x 73", but you can put the blocks together any way you want. If you want to use only two fabrics in your quilt you will need approximately 4 yards of each fabric for the suggested finished quilt.

In our guild we raffle the blocks...if you make one you get a chance to win all of them. Each month I choose a color combination...it will be different for each month...that's why the instructions will be different colors each month. Feel free to do this with a group of friends.

If you would like to use my instructions for your quilt guild email me (wwvests@adelphia.net). I have a different instruction sheet that you would probably like to have and I can send it to you.
I would love to know who is using my instructions so if you are doing this as a group project let me know by email or a comment here. If you have any questions...let me know. Happy quilting!











Block of the Month
February 2007
Monkey Wrench
Block should measure 12 ½”.
Please make sure you are using an accurate ¼” seam allowance.




Colors for this month’s block exchange are red and white.
Fabric Requirements:
From white fabric cut:
Two 5” squares
Four 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles
One 4 ½” square

From red fabric cut:
Two 5” squares
Four 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles

Directions:
Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the 5” white squares.

Place a 5” white square right sides together with a 5” red square. Sew ¼” seam on each side of the drawn diagonal line. Cut on the drawn line line and press the seam toward the red fabric. Trim to 4½”. Make 2 (which will result in four half-square triangles).



Sew each of the white 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles to the red 2 ½” x 4 ½’ rectangles. Make four.

Construct block in rows following the diagram:





Friday, February 23, 2007

Results



Here is the wobbly circles tote in its felted state. I just love the way this came out. The shape is great. I am going to line it with a fun fabric and add some pockets. I think I will also add some kind of a strap because I don't like bags that I can't put over my shoulder. I already have an idea for another one...
Here is the Noni Bag...it is a darling little bag. It still needs some work. I just pinned the flower and leaves on to see how they would look. I need to add some beads and the handles and more flowers...stay tuned!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Time for Felting...


Here is a photo of the Intarsia Bag I finished knitting months ago. I think it's about time to felt it, don't you? It's on its way to the washer with the Noni Bag. Stay tuned...

Saturday, February 17, 2007



Two more items added to my etsy shop...some ribbon adorned key tags...love that pink and green!

Friday, February 16, 2007

Snow, Sunshine and Some Knitting


The sun is shining today. If I wait ten minutes I'm sure it will be snowing again! Here is a photo of my Noni bag...a hint of Spring in all of this cold and snow. All of the elements are knit, now it's time for felting...stay tuned.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Stuck on Stripes


Here is the status of my sweater. This is a self-striping yarn. Look at the difference between the front and the back. I know you won't see them at the same time and the seam will be under my arm, but I'm not happy with it. I've decided my options are:

1. Leave it as is.

2. Put the project away and never look at it again

or

3. Keep working on the fronts and redo the back to match the fronts by using two balls at the same time.

Can you guess which one I am going to do?

In the meantime I have knit a Noni bag. It is the Night Garden Felted Evening Bag. I have it almost done. I will have photos tomorrow, stay tuned...

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentine's Day

It is another winter day here...cold and snowy outside...warm and toasty inside. My son has a snow day and we are going to bake some cookies...heart shaped of course!

Last weekend I went away with my quilting friends to Turtle Rock Retreat. It's a little house just off the shore of Lake Erie set up perfectly for quilters. We had a wonderful time...lots of laughing, stories, girl talk and a few glasses of wine. Look at what we accomplished...




Tuesday, February 06, 2007

I'm Learning

I continue to learn about HTML...today I was able to put a link to my etsy shop in the sidebar. There's not much in the shop...yet...I'm snowed in here so there will be more added today. I just spoke to my sister-in-law. She's bored and going stir crazy...I love being stuck at home with nowhere to go and I'm never bored...just crazy!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Winter Wonderland

We are in the middle of a classic lake effect snow storm. It has been snowing here since yesterday. I haven't been outside yet (I'm not that crazy!) but there has to be almost 3 feet of snow out there. I took some photos from the house...I'm not sure they will give you the enormity of it all...





A good day to sit by the fire and knit!

I Did It...

I did it...I opened an Etsy shop here. I have two things in there...this pillow


and this bracelet

I have lots more in mind...stay tuned