Austen Family Quilt - Block #8 Done

This weeks block is for Jane's cousin and sister in law. I love her history. Look at the Austen Family Quilt blog to see more

Here is my version of Block #8

The pink fabric looks more red in this photo

I wanted a bold block and think I was successful!

Austen Family Album Quilt - Block #7 Done

This week's block is the Philadelphia block for Philadelphia Austen Hancock - Jane's father's sister.  Philadelphia had quite a history of world travel.  Go to the blog for Austen Family Album to see her story.

Continuing the usage of my blue fabrics for this block.  I found the paisley fabric that I loved the colors, etc but it is a very loose weave fabric and was hard to work with.  But the block turned out the correct 12 1/2 size so all is well.

I continue to really enjoy this project. Even the weekly aspect of the project has not been too overwhelming and is a nice way to start my week.

Paper Piecing - First Project Done

I bought a pattern at a quilt shop in Amana, Iowa last year for a Welcome banner.  At the time I bought it I did not realize that it was a paper piecing project.

I have never done paper piecing but do have another kit that I inherited from my mother that I have looked at and thought about but never tried. 

This past Thursday night our quilt guild, NWQG, had a speaker who talked about Paper Piecing so when I had the day off on Friday to sew I decided to try the Welcome banner.

My first attempt at the house was successful but my choice of fabric for the sky was terrible!!  So I just made another copy of the pattern and started over again. 

Here is the finished product!!  I got it machine quilted and bound over the weekend and now just need to get something to hang it out on my front porch.

Another project done - on to the next one!!

Austen Family Album Quilt - Block #6 Empire Star for Napoleon Bonaparte - Done

This weeks' block is for Napoleon Bonaparte whose political life affected Jane Austen due to her brothers' serving in the military.

I have never seen or done this block before and struggled a little with cutting the parallelogram pieces.  

Still using blue fabrics out of my bin but did add some creme color fabric. 

Six down and thirty to go!

This has been fun and I look forward to next weeks block.

Austen Family Album Block #5 done

Block #5 for the Austen Family Album quilt is dedicated to James Austen - Jane's eldest brother.  The construction was pretty easy - only three different pieces.  

Continuing my quest to use my blue fabrics is fun and a bit of a challenge - but at this rate I am not making much of a dent.  

Not sure that I like the fabrics I picked but the triangle fabric coordinates with the center block a lot better in person - the picture changes the color of the center block.

Tell it to the Stars - Clue #5 Done

Just finished the Tell it to the Stars Blocks Clue #5 for May - here is a picture...

Some of the other participants have been posting all of their blocks so far so here is a picture of the first five months of blocks.

Spoolin Around Mat done

Just finished the binding on a small mat called Spoolin Around.  Think I bought the pattern at a quilt show last summer - so not too bad turnaround on getting the project done.

Was trying to decide where to use and came up with idea to put it under the TV that I have in my sewing room. 

Under project done!!

Getting it Done - April Status and May List

Getting it Done - April Status

Things I really want to get done:

Clue#4 Tell it to the Stars - done 4/4/14

Finish binding on Crisscross Applesauce - done 4/5/14

Finish Hearts Afire quilt top - top done, binding made and backing made - done 4/18/14

Start 21st Century Bulls Eye quilt - began picking out and cutting fabrics

Things I might get done:

Pillow with Kaye England fabrics - done 4/22/14

Butterfly Trail Easter runner - done 4/5/14 and used for Easter!

Chubby Charmer Tote bag - done 4/13/14

Make backing for Cabin in the Woods quilt -  not started

Make backing for Oh Christmas Tree quilt - not started

Spoolin Around mat - quilt done but binding pending

Getting it Done - May List

Things I really want to get done:

Clue#5 for Tell it to the Stars

Austen Family Album - make weekly blocks 

Quilt and bind Hearts Afire quilt

Sew down binding on Spoolin Around mat

21st Century Bulls Eye - complete fabric cuts and do first step for 20 squares of 48

Start Welcome Banner

Things I might get done:

Believe Tablerunner

Border and backing for Comfort and Joy quilt

Border and quilt Anita's Arrowhead quilt - maybe even complete binding

Make backing for Cabin in the Woods quilt top

Make backing for Oh Christmas Tree quilt top

I got a couple of smaller projects done this month so hope to continue that trend during May. 

Will schedule at least one day of long arm quilting this month as I have a big backlog of tops ready.