2014 Challenges: One Block Project

Maybe you've noticed a new grab button in our sidebar: the One Block Project. This project has been inspired by the Global Scrap Bee. I was very lucky to have the opportunity of joining the Global Scrap Bee in September. Each month we've been making blocks for our Queen Bee and this has always made me want to make a block for myself too, to keep. 

Leigh Anne from Ella's Cottage asked us to make some Log Cabin blocks, using this very clear tutorial by Red Pepper Quilts. Half the block is a chosen colour and the other half is made using low volume fabrics. I think Leigh Anne is going to make a fantastic quilt with these blocks.

What about the One Block Project? My 2014 Challenge is to make something special every month using one block. It isn't possible to make a quilt every time we see a block we like, even though we'd love too. Time and the possibility of buying new fabric usually stops us. Seeing as 2014 is the year for using our stash and putting our scraps to good use (see the Fabriholics Anonymous over at Rebecca's blog Making Rebecca Lynne), the One Block Project is a great way to making pretty things using the fabric we've already got.

Some examples of One Block Projects from last year:

THE FOUR (DAISY) PINWHEEL BLOCK - LOLLIPOP DECORATION

THE PATCHWORK WHEEL BLOCK - MAXI TRIVET

If you're curious, join me in the following months to see what I make for the One Block Project!

I'm linking to:

Fresh Sewing Day: goodbye November!

On the first day of December I was back to work for the Global Scrap Bee. This month I'm Queen Bee (exciting!) and I really really would like to make a Polaroid quilt. I fell in love with the Polaroid block from the first time I saw it on Debbie's blog: A Quilter's Table.

Il primo giorno di Dicembre sono tornata a lavoro per il Global Scrap Bee. Questo mese sono l'Ape Regina (che bello!) e voglio veramente veramente cucirmi un quilt "Polaroid". Mi sono innamorata dei blocchi Polaroid a prima vista vedendoli per la prima volta sul blog di Debbie: A Quilter's Table.

There's a great Polaroid block Flickr group here.

C'è un fantastico gruppo Flickr qui.

I can't wait to see what all the Bees come up with!

Non vedo l'ora di vedere cosa si inventeranno le mie Api!

Linking up to Fresh Sewing Day at Lily's Quilts. 

Aggiungo il mio link a Fresh Sewing Day a Lily's Quilts.

Here is what I've been up to in November:

Ecco cosa ho combinato a Novembre:

1. Fabric Christmas cards; 2. Shantung Shanghai Quilt; 3. Leaf mobile;

4. and 6. Mango Block and detail; 5. Baby Apple Hat;

7. Japanese Fabric Zipper Pouch; 8. Christmas Wrapping up; 9. Column Quilt

Debbie's @ A Quilter's Table Mango Block for the Global Scrap Bee

For the Global Scrap Bee last month's Queen Erica from Happy Fabric asked for blocks with red and green on backgrounds of white/cream in a block design of our choice. Erica wants to make a Christmas sampler quilt with her bee blocks. I decided to try using Debbie's (A Quilter's Table) Mango Block, that had caught my eye. I liked it how the circle reminded me, in Christmas colours, of a wreath and how the pinwheel would make that wreath stand out.

The instructions for making the block and the templates were super clear. I don't have much experience sewing curves but it went off quite easily with the help of a few pins. My version of the block isn't perfect but I like the fabric I used for the circle as it has a pretty pattern that looks just like a wreath.

Debbie's version using Nordika is fantastic, the quilting is stunning!

Photo from A Quilter's Table

Photo from A Quilter's Table

Maxi Trivet with Patchwork Wheel Block

After making the patchwork wheel block for Adrienne @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts during September's Global Scrap Bee , I decided to try the same block in black and grey, just for fun. I was curious to see what it would look like, after seeing different versions of the patchwork wheel block.

The patchwork wheel block has become a Maxi Trivet, to help with big saucepans that always seem to be falling off normal sized trivets!

The quilting lines are to make the wheel stand out as much as possible. I really like the difference the quilting has made even though I'm still wondering if I should quilt right to the edge and not leave the smooth black border.

And this is the back. I did actually have enough black (in case you were wondering!) but couldn't resist "patching it".

The same block made my Global Scrap Bee block:

And I particularly liked Dolores' version with the white background, I came across at her blog True Blue Canadian. It's brilliant and you can decide whether you're looking at wheels or crosses! Love the fabrics she's chosen too.

Linking up at TGIFF this week at Quilt Matters (don't forget there are lots of giveaways here!), Crazy Mom Quilts and Can I Get a WHOOP WHOOP!

Global Scrap Bee and a thank you for Patchwork, Please with centimeters!

Just in the nick of time, I managed to finish my block for the Global Scrap Bee. Adrienne at Chezzetcook Quilts' turn this month. She picked a Patchwork Wheel block (the tutorial is here at Don't call me Betsy), and some beautiful beach colours. I know it was supposed to be a scrap bee but I was missing some of the colours so I HAD to do a little fabric shopping!

At first I wasn't at all convinced it was going to turn out all right and it's harder making something for somebody else, isn't it? My biggest problem was definitely using inches! I realised I didn't have a ruler with inches on it. Luckily my mat has inches on one side so I managed to get the size right in the end! 

Thank you Adrienne for introducing me to the Patchwork wheel! I'm now making one for myself in black and shades of grey. Will be showing it soon... I'm hooked!

Speaking of inches and centimeters, I would really like to thank Ayumi Takahashi who used both in her book "Patchwork, please!". You have no idea how much difference this makes for somebody who's working in centimeters not to have to convert the measurements every single step of a project. I think that if you want to sell a book (or pattern) all over the world, you should consider this.

Sunday Stash: TEXT Me a Charm Swap and Global Scrap Bee (excuses!)

After a long time, I have bought some new fabrics. My official excuse is I needed some particular fabric for two projects I am following. But any excuse is good for buying fabric, isn't it?! So here's what I've bought:

These two fabrics are for the TEXT Me a Charm Swap organised by Leona at Leona's Quilting Adventure. This swap is dedicated to swapping charm squares of text fabric and low volume fabrics. It's my first swap and I'm really looking forward to receiving my charms. I've been thinking about making a low volume quilt for a while now and my love for text fabric has grown with the Zakka Along 2.0:: Patchwork, Please. Zakka projects seem to want text fabrics!

These fabrics are part of the Global Scrap Bee. OK, you noticed, it's called scrap bee. So why am I buying new fabric? This month is Adrienne at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts' turn and she choose this fantastic set of colours for which I was missing the greys and the coral colour. So I really had to go and buy the fabrics I was missing (what a shame!).

While I was at it, of course, my eyes strayed on many pretty fabrics and a few other bits and pieces. In the end I also came home with this:

I know you understand me. I promise I will put them to good use!

I have a week spot for pink! Must be Ella's influence, her favourite colour in many shades.

Linking up with Stash Sunday hosted by Vera at Negligent Style, where I know there are many who understand me!