Saturday, April 29, 2017

Simply Sign Me Blocks

During the week I received my Signature blocks back from the Simply Sign Me Block swap. It was a shame that not everyone turned their blocks in but I am sure that happen in all swaps people sign up with good intentions and for one reason or another it doesn't happen. For this reason we all received a few double ups so all the blocks went out.
This was my block for the swap if you haven't seen it.


These are the block I received not including the double ups. They are from a wide variety of places. I can't wait to sew them into my project.

It will be a wall hanging I can hang in my sewing room. Now to choose some fabrics to sash it  and for the borders maybe.  I will see what happens. What colour would you use to sash it with?

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Friday, April 28, 2017

The Ark's Pin Cushion Club



I mention last week I had some more clubs coming up to tempt you if the Gypsy Wife Block of the Month didn't interest you.
Here is the first one that is now ready to go. It is The Ark,s Pin Cushion Club which will run over 12 months starting on the 25th May and will be dispatch at that time of the month each month.
 So what do you receive and how much each month? I hear you ask.
The details are as followed each month you receive a pattern and a kit to make the pin cushion featured in the pattern. The cost is $20 plus postage each month. There is a variety of shapes and sizes featured plus there is a few different techniques involved in this series of pin cushions.

A sample of some of the pin cushions included in this club. Thank you to Pennylane Patchwork for the sample picture. Note fabric in our kits will be different from this picture.


Here is the first pin cushion that will be starting the club off.

To join us visit my website to sign today, so you don't miss out on this great collection of pin cushions. This club is perfect for a lover of pin cushions or for making different pin cushions for all your sewing friends come Christmas. Hint!! Start early.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Scrappy Flower Garden Blocks


The scrap boxes are still full and I need to do something with them. Up pops a request to make a scrappy block for a Row Along in one of the Facebook groups I am a member of. The blocks have to be 6" or 12" in size.

 So out came the batik scrap boxes. As I played with my flower idea I decided I could do both sizes as I could see a scrappy flower garden quilt in these blocks. Then I could keep making more blocks and make the quilt so time in the near future, once I finish my row along quilt with the group. Of course I am getting ahead of myself. Focus on the current project at hand.

Back to the blocks for the Using those Scraps Up Row by  Row Along.                                                   My 6" features a single flower and my 12" block features two flowers in it.

Cynthia’s Scrappy Flower Garden Block (6”version)


You need the following to make a block from your scrap box. 6” block
6 x 2” assorted blue squares (Sky) or neutrals                                            2 x 2" green squares (grass)                                                                2 x 2 ½” assorted green squares (for HST)                                              4 x 2 ½” assorted flower colour fabrics (for flowers HST)                              4 x 1” blue squares/neutrals                                                           2 x 2 x 1 ¾” blue rectangles (Flower Stem)                                              1 x 2 x 1” green rectangle (Flower Stem)
To make your block
1.     Start with your flower 2 ½” squares draw a line diagonally on the back of two of your squares. Pair with a contrast square and sew a ¼” either side of the drawn line. Cut along your drawn line and press your seams to the darker fabric. Trim your HST to 2” squares.
2.     Draw a line diagonally on the back of your 1” blue squares. Pair one blue square with each of your flower HST as per picture.

3.     Sew just on the outside edge of your drawn line.
4.     Trim the corner off a ¼” from your seam line as pictured. Press your block. Repeat with all four flower HST.


5.     Repeat step 1 with your 2 green 2 ½” squares and make 2 HST.
6.     Layout your block as per picture. (Sorry I got carried away and went straight into sewing the block. Hopefully you can see the parts)

7.     Sew your squares into rows. Pressing rows 1 and 3 to the right and row 2 and 4 to the left.
8.     Lastly sew the rows together and press.

This completes your 6” block. Make as many as you need for your row.


Now the 12"  Scrappy Flower Block
Scrappy Flower Garden Block (12”version) By Cynthia Woodham

You need the following to make a block from your scrap box. 12” block
16 x 2 ½ ” assorted blue squares (Sky) or neutrals                                        2 x 2 ½ ” assorted green squares (grass)                                        4 x 3”   assorted green squares (for HST)                                              8 x 3” assorted flower colour fabrics (for HST)   4 for each for flower                8 x 1 ½” blue squares/neutrals                                                          6 x 2  ½” x 2” blue rectangles (either side of the Flower Stems)                        3 x 2 1/2” x 1 ½’” green rectangles (Flower Stem)
To make your block
1.     Start with your flower 3” squares draw a line diagonally on the back of four of your squares. Pair with a contrast square and sew a ¼” either side of the drawn line. Cut along your drawn line and press your seams to the darker fabric. Trim your HST to 2 ½” squares.
2.     Draw a line diagonally on the back of your 1 1/2” blue squares. Pair one blue square with each of your flower HST as per picture in Step 2 in the 6" version
3.     Sew just on the outside edge of your drawn line.
4.     Trim the corner off a ¼” from your seam line as pictured. Press your block. Repeat with all four flower HST.  Make 2 flowers with your 8 x 3” squares.
5.     Repeat step 1 with your 4 green 3” squares and make 4 HST.
6.     Layout your block as per picture.

7.     Sew your squares into rows. Pressing rows 1, 3 and 5 to the right and row 2, 4 and 6 to the left.
8.     Lastly sew the rows together and press.
This completes your 12” block. Make as many as you need for your row.


 This would make a great flower garden row quilt, which I think I will be making to use up more of my scraps if there is anything left in my scrap box after all these rows.

These blocks was designed by Cynthia Woodham for the Using those Scraps- An Aussie Row by Row (2017). This block pattern is for personal use only, not to be copied in any form without the permission from the designer. Copyright © Cynthia’s Ark 2017
             Until Next Time              
                                Keep Stitching                                     
Cynthia

Monday, April 24, 2017

Gypsy Wife Block of the Month Update

I have been busy sewing our shop sample of Jen Kingwell Gypsy Wife quilt for our next block of the month. I love bright colours and this will be a bright colourful quilt. It is machine piecing project with a range of blocks some more challenging than others, but that is a good thing. Challenging ourselves that is. Expanding our knowledge.

This is where I am up to currently.

 I am hoping I can cut some more blocks ready for sewing.
There is still time to sign up for this block of the month on my website. It will be starting in the first week of June. Plus if you sign up early you will receive a spool of Aurifil cotton with your first month.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Friday, April 21, 2017

Under the Pressure Foot #29

A little bit of pressure can be helpful to get a job done in time. A deadline for projects and jobs can be very helpful for me. Sometimes I have it in my head I have plenty of time the deadline is two months away and so on. Then 2 weeks before the deadline I hit panic mode because I am not close enough to finishing.
I have a couple of projects with deadlines. Not that it seems to be helping me at the moment.
The first one is my version of the Gypsy Wife BOM. I set myself a deadline of May Project Uninterrupted session. I don't think I will make it.  You can still sign up for my Gypsy Wife Block of the Block on my website.  Just remember if you are overseas the postage will be more depending where you are in the world.  So far one block has been made.

The second one is my Scrappy Flower block for a Row Along in a group I am part of on Facebook. I will be sharing my blocks here on my blog next week so you will be able to get my pattern, you just won't be able to collect the other blocks. My block will make a lovely scrappy row and help you use up some of your scraps. I can see me making a quilt using my blocks so if you see me making more of these blocks in the near future you know what I am up to. This is the test block I have made a little adjustment to the pattern thanks to my block tester Lynne.

Also I had someone ask me had I received my signature blocks yet?  Not yet but they are on their way they have a long trip to get to me. So you will have to wait a little longer for that post.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia


Sunday, April 16, 2017

April's One Monthly Goal Finish

After March's failure to finish, April has seen that project completed with time to spare.

I can't believe I did it this month as it has been just as busy as March and it is not looking like it will ease up soon.

One Handmade- Lucky quilt finished.

This will give me time to consider next month goal's and organise myself for May.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

New workshops have been added

I have been busy adding new workshops to our calendar. You can check it anytime here on the blog under the Event/Workshop tab. I will do a post like this when I add new events and workshops to that page. So if you haven't looked in awhile you will still be alerted that something new has been added. There is still a couple of place open in our Sands of Time Hourglass workshop on the 13th May. The class sample has just come back from being quilted by Valerie of the House of Valerie. The plans is to bind it and take to the Laura Folk Fair but time is short one week left. Lots of other preparation still to be done.

There is 3 new workshops added to the calendar this week.

On the 29th of June I will be running the How to make Wool Felt Workshop. There is a choice of two projects to make, a scarf and a pin cushion. Both are easy project.


On the 8th of July we have the Piping and Zipper Cushion Workshop. This is a technique workshop for you to learn how to make piping and insert a zip while you make your cushion or two.


On the 12th August there is the Stars! The English Paper Pieced Way Workshop. Learn how to English Paper Piece a star and turn it into a simple cushion or wall hanging.

You can find all the details for these up coming workshops on our Event and Workshop page. If you have a workshop suggestions let me know what you would like to learn, that way we can tailor the workshops around what you would like to learn.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Flower Power

I have been working on a scrappy block for a row along in a facebook group I am in. Time is running out so I needed to get on it.  There is two sizes a 6" block and a 12" block and you know me I just can't help myself and decided to do both. Though they are almost the same block but the 12" has a little more in it, rather than just making the 6" block bigger.
This is what they look like.




I will share the tutorial for these blocks here on the blog so if you want to make a dent in your scraps you are welcome to use it. I think it would make a great quilt using just these blocks. Maybe I will do just that and make some more room in my batik scrap box, which I am sure I will quickly fill up.

I am linking up with She can quilt  Scraptastic Tuesday post so pop over and have a look at what everyone has been working on.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Time is Precious. I need some Sewing Time.

Time! I need more of it. There isn't enough time in my day to fit any sewing in. I was hoping April was going to see an improvement in sewing time but so far this month 1 dresden plate block has been made while I was demonstrating at the Laura Folk Fair.

I haven't sewn it on to the background fabric yet.

In fairness to me I did finish the binding on my Sands of Time quilt too. There is a couple spots left in this workshop on the 13th May if you are interested.

Now I need to pencil in some serious sewing time or else I will be in a deep hole I can't climb out off. There is a couple of deadlines I need to meet. I need to sew up the sample for our next Block of the Month The Gypsy Wife and I need to finish my row for a Facebook group scrap row along I joined in on. Test blocks have been made, but the pattern needs to be written and I need to make a row of blocks too.

 A little sneak peek. Don't tell anyone.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia




Monday, April 3, 2017

Laura Folk Fair 2017

We spent the weekend in Laura for their annual Folk Fair. This is one of regular event and we will continue that way. We were trying to work out how many years we have done this event and at this time the total evades us. We are thinking 15 years, so quite a long time.
We had a great weekend. The weather was  clear and warm with a breeze, so it was a little cool in the shade but in the sun it was toasty.
Some of the stall snapshots taken over the 2 days. You can alway find some great fair specials on our stall. Only available during the event we are attending.





We had the Sands of Time Workshop sample hang up, even  if the binding wasn't quite finished. It attracted a lot of attention including a few people  wanting to buy it. Valerie from the House of Valerie did a great job quilting it for me. I just love her work so if you need a quilt quilted I highly recommend her work. Just visit the shop to see her work hanging around the walls.



I even had a little time to do some English paper piecing demonstrations used the 4" pointed dresden template and papers and some fabric from Faye Burgos Collectors' Gallery ranges for Marcus Fabrics. I must admit she is one of my favourite fabric designers.

Here is the fabric I used.

This is what I ended up with. One dresden plate completed.  I think there may be another 2 blocks to be made and a beautiful table runner at the end of it.

If you ever get the chance to visit Laura the first weekend of April is the perfect time to visit when the Laura
Folk Fair is on.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

One Monthly Goal April

Now this project was last month Goal that I didn't reach. Considering that I selected a project that was nearly finished and I still didn't get it completed show how busy March was for me.

So once again here is the quilt for the Handmade-Lucky Sew Along all nicely quilted with the binding on.


All I have to do is the final hand stitching of the binding and it will be completed.

Let's hope I can do it and move on down my unfinished project list.

Check out what others have selected for their monthly goal. I am sure there will be some great projects there.

Until Next Time 
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

2017 Finish Along Q2

Well what can I say!  The First quarter was a total wipe out. Nothing got finished. So the list is not in a good way, especially with me thinking about starting new project.

So we will start with this one. It is the one I thought would have been easily finished but no it is still here. It is closer to been finished than a the start of the year. So fingers crossed it gets completed this time. I did sew the binding on. It just needs the hand stitching to be completed.


2. My Sands of Time Hourglass quilt. This one I picked up from being quilted last week so it is ready for the binding to be made.

3. Turning these 3 blocks into table runner I think.

That is all I am willing to add to my list this quarter.
Check out what others have chosen to work on this quarter. I bet there will be plenty of interesting projects to see over on She can Quilt

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia