Places We Go- My Block #1

Here we are at block number one for the Places We Go BOM. This is a free program hosted by Pat Sloan for Aurifil. You can pop over to my first post on block 1 to find the link to Pat's blog where the details for block 1 will be found.
Each month there will be two post from me on this BOM. The first one will have a little progress details and the link to that month's block and my second post will be my version on that month's block done.
English paper piecing was featured in the first block, a technique I do enjoy.

My finished block all done. I look forward to seeing February's block.
I have linked my post with Pat Sloan's post do pop over and check out everyone's blocks.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Places We Go- Aurifil's Designer of the Month 2018

Pat Sloan and Aurifil have released the details for 2018 Designer of the Month and the theme. I have participated in this sew along before but in 2018 I will be sew along and my shop Cynthia's Ark will be putting some fabric bundles and Aurifil thread deals together. The Theme is Places We Go and the fabrics are black and whites with one colour. I find this an exciting project and i can't wait to see what colour everyone will use with their black and whites. You will be able to come into the shop and select a black and white bundle and then select your colour to add to the bundle to complete your bundle for project.

You will be able to order the bundle online with a colour already added to the bundle. There will be a number of colour options for you to choose from.

Here is the Link to meet the design team  and more details for 2018. I will be share the post when it is released each month and sharing my blocks as I make them.

To top this off we will have some Friday evening sewing sessions especially to work on this project, starting in one of my Summer School sessions once the first block is released. So let me know if you are interested.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

It has been a tough week.

After a tough week where we had to say goodbye to a family member that left us too soon. It was time for some sewing.

Digging into​ the batik scraps box for a couple test blocks.

Also l managed two blocks from Pat Sloan Solstice Challenge. Block 2 and 3. Yes I am way behind, struggling for any sewing time this year.

I hope I can make some sewing progress next weekend since I am off with the girls on retreat.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Solstice Challenge Post #1

I came across Pat Sloan post about her Solstice Challenge started now and running between the shortest and longest day of the year. 25 blocks in total.  Of course it is the other way around for us in the Southern hemisphere but  it is still the same length of time. I have lots of batik fabric scraps all different sizes and colours and I think it would be fun to participate and use some of them up. I will control the colours I use. I do want them to look like they belong together. There is still time to join us if you are interested.

.Block 1 was released and here is my block 1 completed.

I look forward to next week's block.

I have link this post up with Pat Sloan's so you can pop over and check out the other ones made.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Vacation Time Block of the Month #7

July is nearly over and I have only just finished July block for Vacation Time. How quickly is the year going? The last 3 months have flown by in a blink of an eye for me. There has been some highs and lows but that is life.   My July block The Hotdog Stand.

Here are all my blocks so far. This quilt has a lot of colour zing in it. I seem to be red a lot more this year.

Until Next Time

Keeping Stitching

Cynthia

Vacation Time Block of the Month #6

We are up to our 6th block and I found myself a few hours for sewing this weekend. I'm happy to find this time halfway through the month to do some sewing. So what did I start with. Vacation Time was my starting point as it is only 1 block and an easy finish. So here is June's block completed.

During the week Pat Sloan announced her 2015 Summer Lovin Table Runner Challenge using a block from her book or from Vacation Time. So I am thinking I might have a go using January's block from Vacation Time in different fabrics as I am using my beautiful batik for my Vacation Time quilt. Here is the link to the post if you are interested. http://blog.patsloan.com/2015/06/pat-sloan-summer-lovin-table-runner-challenge.html

This is what January's block looks like.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia

Vacation Time Block of the Month #5

This month block from Pat Sloan Vacation Time Quilt is Beach Bag. I am enjoying using these bright batiks in this project.

It is like a colour fest when I cut the fabrics and sew them together. It has a wow effect on me. I just love these reds, greens and blues together. My fabrics for this project just to tease you. Most of these are still available in my webshop if any of them take your fancy.

 When I was laying out the block pieces to sew them together I noticed a different block in the block so I had to lay it out and take a picture of it so I can play with it at a later date.

So here is May's block completed how it is really meant to be.

The layout for this quilt is very interesting I can't wait to see the final quilt.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Vacation Time - Block of the Month #4

I haven't had a lot of sewing time this month just little bits and mostly it has been hand sewing as time at the machine has had to be put on the back burner when I am busy with events and April is one of the busiest months for me.

 I did finally get April's block cut ready to be sewn together but it took me a few days before I could get to the machine to sew it.

Block 4.

 There is so much I have to complete in the next couple of weeks I feel I may struggle

with this deadline. I will just have to push on and see where I end up I am thinking a couple of my other block of the months and quilt alongs may have to waiting to next month and catch up next month.
The first four blocks completed.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Vacation time- Block of the Month #3

Sewing time has been very lean over the last couple of weeks. So I was very happy to sit at the machine and do a little bit. It may not have made a dent in my list of sewing jobs I need to get done but you have to start somewhere. So I decided to tackle this month block for our Vacation Time quilt.

For March we have the Surf's Up block to make.

More flying geese blocks to make and I am getting a lot of practise this year at making them. So I had this one made up in no time and that is one job I can cross off my list.

Here it is.

The one thing I noticed cutting the fabric up for this block was the green fabric in the corners has made it into 3 projects so far this year. Is this fabric going to be my go to fabric for 2015 like the beige floral neutral fabric featured in 2014. We will just see how many times it turns up. I will keep a tally.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Vacation time- Block of the Month #2

We are up to our second block in our Pat Sloan's Vacation Time Block of the Month and this block reminds me of a love heart. It is actually called Toes in the Sand. These batik fabrics I am using are just so vibrant especially when you put them together. This will be a bright quilt when it is finished. I just love using batik fabrics.

So here is my second block completed.

 Until Next Time

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia

Vacation Time- Block of the Month #1

It is time to start a new project with Pat Sloan and this years mystery quilt is Vacation Time. I have picked out the fabrics and I am going with batik fabrics this year. Here is my selection. I am missing 1 fabric at the moment and that is the border fabric so I will keep my eyes open for something suitable. My 2 creams at top of the picture are a little hard to see but there is 2 there.

The first block is Down by the Boardwalk. It looks like I am going to learn a new flying geese technique this year. Pat has included instructions on a flying geese method I haven't tried yet so I will give it a go. I like to try these different methods offered as you never know when you will find a better method of doing something. I liked the flying geese method so I will use it again.

Here is my 1st block completed.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Globetrotting The finishing of a Project

I have been working on getting my Globetrotting quilt finished before Pat Sloan's Vacation Time starts next month. I have picked out my Vacation Time fabrics minus the navy border fabric which I will have to keep my eyes peeled for it. 

I have been working on Globetrotting when I can over the last week. I pieced my backing fabric and remembered to include a label. I tend to forget it, so this one is part of the backing.

This is just an idea for the label. When I write it I am sure it will not be this nice.

 The next time I pressed everything and pinned it ready for quilting. 

Then Sunday afternoon I was able to quilt it. I just got it done in time to prepare dinner, I wasn't stopping until I finished quilting it.

Monday morning was binding time. It will require some television time to turn the binding over and hand stitch it in place but I do enjoy that part. I know lots of people don't but for me I know my quilt is nearly finished and after this last job it will be done, ready for it to be enjoyed.

Here it is all completed. My last completed project for 2014.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Aurifil December Block of the Month

I finally got my last block from the Aurifil Block of the Month completed.

 I have been dragging my feet on this one as I am not sure what to do about the layout for these blocks. I have seen a couple of post on what others have done with their blocks but what to do with mine. My blocks are scrappy and I am struggling with what to use to make this a quilt looks like it was meant to be. I think this is why I struggle with scrappy quilts, if you are using a colour theme or fabric from a range it is easier.  What do you think?

I will use sashing between the blocks but what colour? I know I want to use a single colour for the sashing to tie the blocks together in a neutral colour or do I go dark for a different look? I ask this question because my photo was taken on my dark floor.

 Then I am thinking of a scrappy border made from scraps (fabrics in the blocks, plus some extra) from the stash.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Aurifil's November Block of the Month

This month block Tossed Salad has got me thinking. It is a modern block made with traditional parts. I have been looking at a lot of modern quilts lately and I have a few ideas I would like to try. So over the Christmas- New year break I will have to allocation some time to work on these ideas. Who knows what might become of an idea. I know this year I have had a number of success stories and a few flops. So I will have a play and see what I end up with. Maybe I will create a stunning piece of art. Lol We all need to have a dream. Even if it off on the land of fairy tales.

Anyway back to this months block here it is.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Globetrotting Block of the Month Borders Part 2

Part 1 of this project blog post I shared all of my blocks joined together ready for the borders to be added. A trip to A Quilter's Odyssey resulted in the two extra pieces of fabric I needed. Thank goodness they had some, as I had my heart set on the 3 fabrics I had selected for the border. So off to the cutting table and adding the first border and the piecing the second border. I must have been getting tired as I got to the end of piecing the side border I was 3 rectangles short on each side so I cut them and put them by the sewing machine for the next day. The next day I wanted to finish the borders, so I checked the placement to make sure I knew where I was going to sew them on and processed to joining them together.

What is wrong with this strip? A directional print and I tried to save fabric by not cut a whole strip for 2 pieces and I cut them from an offcut. The print should of been going the other way. Luckily I noticed before sewing them together or I would have been unpicking and starting over.  After re-cut and sewn together my Globetrotting quilt top is complete.

I think over the Christmas break I will have to have a mega quilting section and quilt some of the tops that I have made this year that haven't been finished this year.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Globetrotting Block of the Month #10 - Part 1

This month Pat Sloan has given us the corner blocks and borders instructions to finish our quilt tops off. Let’s just say I haven't quite got the top finished yet but I thought I will still posted what I have done. The corner blocks are done and I have joined the blocks together with their sashing strips. I did move some of the blocks around as the 2 lighter blocks were too close together. So I have the 2 borders left to do. I think it will have to wait until the weekend as the outer border is pieced and I will need some time to work it out. The border uses 2 fabrics which I have but when I look at them together I think they look too similar and the 2 tone border may not be noticeable. That is my biggest fear. I have seen some completed tops that have more than 2 colours in their outer border. So I might look at using some of the fabrics left over from the blocks to add to the border to give it the contract it needs.

 Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Globetrotting Block of the Month # 9

Following my completion of my Wishes block I jumped in to my Globetrotting block for September - Barcelona. This is looking good and I am wondering what we are doing next month as there is only 9 blocks listed so I can't wait to see what is going to happen next.

 Today I brought my backing fabric for this quilt at A Quilter's Odyssey, Kate has some beautiful fabrics in store and there is always something new to discover. I found this one in the 50% off section and I could resist it for my backing for my Globetrotting quilt. It is only fair as Kate helped me pick out all the fabrics for the top so this whole project was purchased in her shop.

Until next time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Globetrotting Block of the Month #8

Well August is just about over and once again I am cutting it fine finishing my block Paris for our Globetrotting quilt. I have to admit I am working on a special project behind the scene which I plan to share later this month but that’s no excuse for keeping up with my blocks of the month project. So here is my block it is looking a bit green though there is no green involved in the block, so I think the chair under the block is influence the picture. 

The next block has been released it is Barcelona so I am glad I got Paris completed.

Until next time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia