Sunday Stitches

It's the perfect day to sit a bit and poke away at some hand-stitching.

 Yesterday I prepped the next block for Simple Folk and it's one that is working up quickly....maybe because I'm a bit under the weather and I was able to do a bit extra sewing. 

Here is the block I've almost finished from the other day...

All that's missing is some small circles that need to be done just above the flower but I haven't decided on colour yet, or if they will actually fit! I think my flower is a bit closer to the top of the block than it should be.

Here is the next block....what will be a "heart in hand"...although I think it's actually a glove....

.....and there will be a cuff....

....which will have more diamond shapes and then trimmed down to size.

I was a bit frustrated doing my stitching this morning....not my best work and I'm putting it down to not feeling well. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, it's my best work at this time and that's ok.

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In my last post, which you can see HERE, I talked about joining in on a new sew-along hosted by Border Creek Station, called Let's Be Friends. You can read about the sew-along HERE.

I had a plan all figured out, but now seeing the block, and the fact that it will be the same block repeated throughout, my original plan doesn't work for me anymore.

I will think on it today and give it a go tomorrow. At the moment I'm leaning toward a totally scrappy look, including the background.

I keep thinking of how much I like the look of my Year In My Life quilt and am drawing from it for inspiration....

Today I am linking up with Kathy Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching. We are in the middle of a heat-wave....a perfect time to stitch a bit and read what others are working on.

Happy Canada Day!!

Let's Be Friends - a new sew-along!

There is a new sew-along starting July 1st from Border Creek Station called Let's Be Friends. There will be two blocks issued per week....you can read more about it HERE. 

My LQS will be offering a weekly support group, or Show and Tea as she puts it. Sounds like fun....I'm in!

There are kits available for this sew-along, but I'm going to shop the stash. I have just the right amount of background fabric that was rejected from a previous project, which you can see HERE.

For my other fabrics, I will use 30's reproduction prints. I think it will work....I'll find out after the first two blocks this week!

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I've been trying to play catch-up this week when I've had a spare moment or two.

I'm a bit behind on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I think I have three sets of bird blocks to do.....and I had a couple of months worth of Squared Away to piece. 

I'm almost ready for the July colour when it's revealed, I just need one more pink block. Here is what I've accomplished this week....

I am doing three blocks per colour and the blocks finish at 7".

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I was happy (and surprised) to come across these little blocks...

I had looked all over the place for them in April when I intended on making a small mat out of them to donate to the draw at our Quilt Show in May. Of  course, they were tucked away in the proverbial "safe place"!

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I couldn't resist starting a new block for my Simple Folk quilt...one of Sarah Fielke's current BOM's.

I've had a couple of other applique pieces on the go, but I also think I was stalling on this one because a few of these blocks will include a bit of "pieced applique" bits, which I found a bit intimidating.

It turns out that the process was easy-peasy and I like it!.....

Here are all my blocks, so far, on the design wall....

I'm quite pleased with it. There are two things I had wondered about changing, but decided to let be.

Then, when my husband came in to look at the blocks up on the wall, he pointed out one of my doubtful bits on his own! I think that decides the issue for me....I'll have to correct it. Most of the fabrics really pop, but in the top block the purple "teardrop" shapes really blend in a little too much. I think I'll be much happier in the end if I fix them.

I tend to not overthink my quilts too much, just go with the flow. But, when the need arises, I have no problem going back to tweak things just a little.

I'm also not fussy on my fabric choice for the swans. I'll let that one go a little longer and see how I feel later.

In my neighbourhood we are bracing for an extreme heat wave over the next several days. At some point I need to cut the grass out front, but other than that I think I'll be spending a bit of time in the sewing room....sounds like a plan!

I am linking up with Confessions of A Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?. Have a visit and see what others are working on today :)

Have a lovely day and stay cool!