May | 2018 | Simple Bird Applique

I have been slowly working away on The Chickadee block and I am thrilled to say I am finished. I must confess, I am mighty pleased with the way it turned out. This block is the first of 13 blocks I am making that are inspired by Canadian birds and flowers. The blocks will be stitched together to create a quilt, although each of the single blocks will make lovely stand alone wallhangings. Your choice!

I taught this block at both Retreats I recently hosted at Fireside Retreat in Orillia. It is suitable for beginners as well as experienced stitchers. The Chickadee Pattern is now available on my website here. And because it’s been requested, you can also purchase the templates already traced onto freezer paper for you. This is definitely a time saver:)

While at the first retreat, I was introduced to Cindy Blackberg’s Template Stamps by Amy, one of the students. These stamps are fun to use and is another option for anyone wishing to do hand piecing. I used the Carpenter’s Star template set to make this lovely border for the Chickadee. I love the way this border frames the block. On to the next block!

Til next time…

Kerry

Very early tomorrow morning we are flying to Squamish, BC, for my niece’s wedding. This will be 1 of 4 (probably 5!) weddings this year for our family. 2018 seems to be the year to tie the knot. Block 5 of “Hugs and Kisses” is prepped and ready to be stitched while we are in the air. Prepared Edge Applique is the perfect portable project. All you need is your block, a needle and some thread, a thread cutter and away you go!

So this block began like the others, with the bias stems.

Next I added the center circle and flower. I am loving this pink and brown combo:)

The leaves came next….

My goodness those polka dots certainly liven things up!

…and then I added the little flowers at the end of the bias strips. Easy Peasy:)

These are all of my blocks, so far.

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If you are part of the group doing this quilt as a BOM, here is what your fabrics will look like. Very summery!

hugs

My second Applique Retreat, held at Fireside Retreat in Orillia was a success! Here are some photos….As you can see, we managed to get all of the Food Groups in.

The scenery is lovely.

Everyone in the class worked like demons to get as much prep done as possible.

I have booked Fireside Retreat for 2 more Applique Retreats, one later this year in the fall, and one next Spring in May. Details to follow later. Hope you can join us:)

In my spare time, I have been stitching away on my 2 granddaughter’s I Spy Quilts. I am making 2 quilts. The pattern is Smitten by Jen Kingwell. Loving every minute spent cutting and stitching these quilts. I am stitching the blocks by hand.

So, I have one quilt top completed and I am in the process of hand-quilting it. I am still working on blocks for the other quilt. So once I finished the first quilt top, I spent a few hours pressing all of the seam allowances flat. Thanks goodness I had lots of help:)

Next, I basted the quilt top, batting and backing together with a needle and thread. Thank goodness for Audible books.

This is the backing I purchased at Thimbles & Things in Orillia. I went looking for a fabric for the backing but I didn’t know what I was looking for. I’m sure you know what I mean. Then when I spotted this fabric, I knew I found what I was looking for. I’ll take 5 meters, please!

That fox cracks me up every time!

So…continuing my love affair with hand-piecing, I has finally started La Passacagalia. I am using Inklingo to print my shapes. I decided to do one rosette first before I committed to this quilt (or be committed lol). Believe it or not, it was much easier than I anticipated and yet very addictive. Here is my first trial rosette. As I mentioned, I am using Inklingo, so first, I printed and cut some of the shapes.