Dust off a Quilt Book Blog Hop

When Bea asked about Dust off a Quilt Book Blog Hop this year I couldn't say no. I loved this one last year and was really excited to participated again.  Thanks to Bea for doing this one again. Here is the schedule. We are up to day 3 on this blog hop.

MONDAY 3/1

Words and Stitches

 Samelia’s Mum

High Road Quilter

TUESDAY 3/2

  Karin’s Crazy World

Lemon Tree Snippets

 Anjaquilts

WEDNESDAY 3/3

Beaquilter

   Cynthia’s Creating Ark   (You are Here)

  A Quilting Readers Garden

THURSDAY 3/4

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Quilting Patchwork Applique

 The Darling Dogwood

 Creatin’ in the Sticks

FRIDAY 3/5

Beaquilter

Quilting at the farm

 Kathleen McMusing

Looking through my quilt books I found this one. It even had the receipt in it from when I purchased it, back in 2013 for $10 in the USA. So really it hasn't been in my collection all that long.

Though it was published in 1999.

Looking through the book I found a few  quilts I would like to make but I knew I had to keep it simply. The harder ones will have to wait.

I found this one, a simply four patch in reproduction fabrics with some wide sashing. My plan was to dig into my reproduction scraps for this one. 

 The instructions in this book are all old school instructions.  No rotary cutting instructions just templates making instructions and lots of square cutting. 

I got stuck in to making the four patch blocks and once I laid the blocks out into rows  so I could audition fabric for the sashing I decided to make the quilt longer than wider.

More four patch blocks to make before sashing the rows together.

Sashing and first border on. I did reduce the sashing width too.

By the time I got to the borders I was running out of time. So I got the last border the night before my day on the blog hop.

Quilting it will have to wait for another time but I am very happy with it.

I did try and be random when I pieced the four patch blocks. I hope you enjoyed stopping by and please check out what everyone else hs done for this blog hop.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Improv Piecing

I have a Improv piecing class in the store next Friday. A new technique for some to learn that have never tried it. I typed up the notes and the pattern for the project when I did the HST Block Party pattern about a month ago, but I hadn't stitched the sample.
I finally got behind the sewing machine and started stitching the Improv blocks.

Then a few more blocks before cutting them up for my star test block. This is what I ended up with.

An interesting first block. I think I need to refine my colour selection. A little less colour in the neutrals and a slightly dark mix of colours. Anything that has white in it or the pastel have to be pulled as one of my star points is a bit washed out. On to the next block and we will see what happens and where this adventure in Improv piecing goes.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

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

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

Scrappy Table Runners

I have been piecing these Idaho Square Dance blocks in my spare time just for the fun of it. I just wanted to piece something for no reason. The scrap bin is overflowing and I do have a scrap quilt drawn up in EQ7 to use some of it up but I can't decide if I want to use my batik scraps or the main stream fabrics. At one time I thought I could make two quilts and that would be interesting at the end to compare the two but do I have time to make two quilts. Who knows! It may happen. So in the meantime I sewed these blocks together and finished them off with some simply straight line quilting and this is what I ended up with.

Now do you see the difference in size. I only noticed it when I took the photo. There was an accident with the top one and I had to wash it after the cat bump me while have a cup of tea making me spill some on it while I was binding it. It shrunk a little. I may have to wash the other to match it up. Here is a snapshot of the culprit  misbehaving when I am trying to take a progress shot on another project. I don't know why cats love quilts but they do in my household anyway even when they are not finished.

That is Denim the Menace our blue oriental boy.

I am linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday and Let's Bee Social  so pop over and see what others are working on.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

The Scrap Bin is Overflowing

There has been lots of sewing happening here and the scrap bin is overflowing. This bin has the real small scraps, like row off cuts, trimming up pieces, and so on.

The larger scraps that are leftovers from projects that still have more than 12 inches in size go in another box. That box is nearly full too but that box is neatly folded compared to the one above.

Now the Stash Bash Sewing Party projects are coming to completion, it is time to work on the next workshop idea I have planned and this one is a scrappy workshop. Perfect to dig into the scrap bins everywhere and use some of your scraps up. No doubt to make room for new scraps to be add down the track.
I have a plan for the pattern so it is time for some EQ7 work and pencil in some time to sort through this bin and press everything in preparation.
How do you store your scraps? I'm sure there is a better way than throwing them into a bin like I do. Maybe I just need to take the time to fold and put them away in a different box rather in this bin.

 If you need me I will be at the ironing board pressing this lot into some kind of order.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Scrap Dance Tango #1

Now I have been a little slow starting this one. Scrap Dance Tango Quilt Along can be found on the      From My Carolina Home Blog and Carole is hosting us again after last year's Scrap Dance quilt Along. She is doing a great job looking after us even us that are a little slow off the mark.

This year I am doing things a little different as this is a scrappy project. I have selected one of the mixed off cut bundles I sell at Cynthia's Ark. They have at least a metre of fabric in variety of prints from a range. I want to see how big a project I can make from 1 bundle. I am starting at the smallest size Carole has given us, the table topper and I will see how far I get. Plus I have added a white for my light neutral.

So for the first step I needed to make a lot of half square triangle units with my neutral and my colours. That is a nice easy step 1. This is my first batch of half square triangle units, ready for trimming. More to do at a later time.

Step 2 uses some of the HST unit with a square to create these blocks and at this stage I need to make 10 of these units.

So I have made a start and it shouldn't take too long to make them up as I making them as I am chain piecing on special project. The first 2 blocks made, only 8 more to go. The plan is to be caught up by the time Step 3 is released next month. Fingers crossed, you know how easily I can be distracted.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching 

CYnthia

More blocks.

Yes I am working on more blocks. What is going on around here? I may just win the most blocks made if there was a competition. There must be a point where I will have to start sewing the blocks into rows and turn them into quilt tops. This leads to my next sticking point quilt tops waiting to be quilted. That pile is not getting smaller and if I keep making blocks it will eventually get larger in theory at least. I will have to do some quilting eventually.

This is what I have picked up to sew, my Scrap Dance Mystery quilt blocks. All the component are made and the blocks just needed to be laid out and sewn together. As I am busy sewing Stash Bash projects with their deadline looming I just need something small for chain piecing purposes.
Here are the first two blocks completed.
It is really scrappy for me, though a couple fabrics are a little too light but that is life. My third block is in the reject pile already waiting to be unpicked.

So on I go. This will bring another Project Uninterrupted project closer to being finished.

To see more scrappy goodness pop over to She Can Quilt  and have look at what others are working on.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

350 Block Report 2016 -January's Report

Here we are at the start of a new year and I am ready to take 2016 on. Each month I am doing a post on how many blocks I completed and tally them up over the course of the year as part of Prairie Moon Quilts 350 Block Project. It will be interesting to see how many I make this year compared to last year total of 678.

This month's total is 30.

Let's Start with the Allietare blocks of 25 and 16 triangle set in blocks.I did finish the last blocks only last night. I didn't have time to lay it out for another picture. I am hoping to get this top completed for quilting by the end of February.

Then I have been making up a bunch of these windmill blocks for a new  secret project. 12 made from this lot.. Plus I sewed up two rows.

Along with some English paper pieced dresden plate blocks for a new design. 3 Done.

Plus 3 Christmas Reproduction Sampler blocks.

So my total for January is  61 blocks. 

A brilliant start.

I wonder how many blocks I will make in February! We have an extra day up our sleeve if we need it.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #6

The big Reveal happened this week just as I caught up on the last clue. So I was a happy quilter knowing I had some of all the clues to make up the blocks. The last clue made up.

I have been seeing so many beautiful versions of this pattern and I have loved them all. I was very happy with this reveal and if I can get it all together nicely it could be my favourite Bonnie Hunter pattern for a while until the next one I make.
So I did lay out the two blocks so I could see what they would look like and hopefully I can find some time to sew them together before the link up but it wasn't possible with Project Uninterrupted starting and work on the Cynthia's Ark Christmas Reproduction Sampler. Time was disappearing fast over the last week. At least you can get some idea of what my blocks look like.

I was never going to get my top completed before today anyway as I think I will need to go shopping for the black outer border as I don't think the large piece of black in the project box is big enough. As I am typing this I justed looked up at the fabric shelf and spotted a bolt of black that has a little red and blue design over it. I can't believe I hadn't spotted it before, maybe it was destine for the outer border and not the blocks as it is a larger piece. So I will check it out later.
Here is the link so you can have a look at all the beautiful Allietare quilts in all the different colourways and I can't believe how many have completed their tops already. Hopefully I can finish mine sooner than later this time.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Allietare Mystery Quilt #3

We are already up to clue #3 in Bonnie Hunter's Allietare Mystery Quilt.  Unfortunately I am still a clue behind most people but I hope to do two clues over my Christmas break and catch up with the main group. Clue # 3 is four patch blocks so they should easily get completed but not before clue #4 is released I am thinking but I should get some cutting done so I am ready for sewing.
So here is what I did get done on Clue 2.

At the moment I'm not sure exactly how many I will need as I am doing a smaller version of the quilt. So I will make some of each clue and once we get the big reveal I will them top up my blocks to the numbers I need. A few more set by my machine ready to sew when I get 10 minutes.

Here is the link back to Bonnie's post so you can take a look at some more versions of this project.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

My 2015 To Do List Update

I think it is time to check in on my 2015 To Do List and see if I have made any progress or have I wander way off my path.

UFO's from 2014

1. My Pies & Tarts quilt. I am 3/4 through hand quilting this one.
 Completed

2.My Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt. I have finished the top in 2014 so it is ready for quilting. I just have to decide hand quilt it or machine quilt it.

It has returned from the long arm quilter ready for binding..
3. My Double Wedding Ring quilt which has become a bed runner. I have lots to go on this one.
My bed runner is now ready for pinning and quilting.
4. My Disappearing Hourglass quilt. I only have made 6 blocks so far.
Completed.

5. My Wishes quilt. Ready for quilting.
Completed

6. My Pink Dahlia quilt. I need to find the templates so I can continue.
Templates found so I will be able to do some more of this one soon.
7. My Inklingo Castle Wall quilt. I am working on the 2nd pieced border.

Completed.

8. My Inklingo star quilt. All printed and 2 blocks completed out of 12.

Completed

9. Grand Illusion Mystery quilt. I am currently working on the blocks.
Blocks all joined together, ready to do the borders when I have time.
10. My Lozenge scrap quilt. 
Completed

11. My Aurifil Block of the Month quilt.  I am ready to arrange and piece the top ready for quilting.
Still sitting waiting to be sewn together.

12. My Crossroad Quilt. I am still working on the blocks, 12 done and 13 to go if I settle on 25 blocks. I am undecided about a border I may just make some more block to make it bigger.
Completed now called Scrappy Roads.

New things to do for 2015.

Pat Sloan's Vacation Time Block of the month.
 I am working on August's blocks.
Quiltmaker's New Year Mystery Quilt
Blocks made ready to be sewn together.
So Scrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge 15
I am stuck on this one at June blocks.

Added to this list is
Scrappy Dance Quilt Along
The big reveal has been done I am ready to sew all the pieces together.
Quiltmaker Bitty Blocks
Starting to fall behind I think I am working on July's blocks
Just started Christa's Quilts Paper Piecing Quilt Along
We have sewn the first block. No progress on this one.
Addicted to Scrap Idaho Square Dance blocks have turned into box runners to hide my plastic crates at the fairs.
12 blocks completed and 5 joined together.

Still a lot here to work on. At least 7 of my long term projects are completed with at least 3 more at quilting stage. Plus there is a number of other projects that got started and completed.
 Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Scrap Dance Quilt Along #4

We have had another clue for July and I am looking forward to how all these clues fit together. There has been a couple of times I thought I had it worked out but have I. I will have to wait and see what it really is. I am enjoying the pace of this quilt along. No pressure I have time to work on each clue.
For July's clue I only had to make 10 blocks and they were really simply. Not even I could stuff them up for a change. Here they are.

There is the Scrap Dance Link in the right hand side toolbar if you are interested.My blocks so far at least I am up to date.

Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Scrap Dance Quilt Along #3

The 4th clue was released during the week, so out comes the Scrap Dance box with all my fabric and blocks pieced so far. This time I have 40 of these to make.

I had planned a big sewing marathon but I didn't quite work out that way. So much other stuff kept getting in the way. I had to do some block testing for a pattern the sizes needed double checking and a good thing I checked because 1 piece was  1/4 inch too small. While doing this I used the Scrap Dance blocks as leaders and enders so I could chain piece. The only problem I had was I was missing 1 half square triangle unit and as I made them in pairs- 2 squares together stitch either side of the diagonal line there should of been an even number but I was 1 short for my 40 blocks, so I made up 1 more pair. A good thing because I accidently cut the corner of one of the pair, so silly of me.  Note to oneself. Make sure you leave enough room on your mat to trim without cutting into something else.
By the end of the weekend I had all 40 done.

So I am ready for the next step. Wish I knew how  all this is going together.

By the way while laying out the rest of the blocks to take this photo look what I found. That's right the missing half square triangle unit.

Until Next Time

Keep stitching 

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #4

June has become finishing month for me. With my Pies & Tarts quilt finally finished. I handed my Wishes quilt to Valerie to quilt and I have decided to give my Farmers Wife quilt to Valerie when I pick my Wishes quilt up to baste on her long arm machine which means Yes I have made the decision to hand quilt it. I may curse myself in the future for making this decision but today I am happy that I finally made the decision. Now I can move on, I think these decisions have been slowing me down. Anyway this post is suppose to be what is under my pressure foot, let me show you.

This is my lozenge quilt I am quilting today with some black and white variegated thread. This is breeze to quilt especially since I am doing my favourite free motion straight line quilting. (With my usual wobbles along the way.) I started with stitching in the ditch. Then some diagonal straight lines one way and then I wanted to do the opposite diagonal line. As I got started on the last set of diagonal rows I wasn't sure if there was enough thread.

 Guess what I didn't make it. So what does a quilter do when you know there is no more thread and I couldn't get more easily. It is a scrappy project so I just found a spool of black cotton and continued until I finished it. I don't think it is too noticable. At least not from the front, on the back you can tell.

A close up of my quilting. It creates an interesting effect, fading in and out like it does. Looking at the on point squares created by the quilting you can see different blocks from the original lozenge blocks I made.

Now it is time to pull the binding box out and create a scrappy binding to finish it off. A totally scrappy quilt.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia