Stash report - week 40

Used this week: 0.25 yards
Used year to date: 186.50 yards
Added this week: 0.00 yards
Added year to date: 104.00 yards

Net used for 2014: 82.50 yards

NOT a good fabric week ... nothing used at all except the Austen Album block I made last Sunday.
However, all the finishing handwork was completed on the tile quilt, so that project is officially done.

 

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Trick or Treat!

 

So how cute is this??!

 

I finished up the tile quilt top, and I'm going to layer and pin it this evening.  I'll be quilting the black "grout" lines around each patch, and around the borders.  Then I'll add buttons to further attach the layers and add even more novelty interest.

 

I'm definitely liking this one!

 

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Tile quilt update

I just finished up block #6 last night, and I'm really pleased with the way this is progressing.  I've ordered some novelty buttons that I might use as embellishment once everything is finished and quilted. 

 

 

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Tile Quilt progress

 

Another block done for my Halloween tile quilt

 

 

Once all nine blocks are appliqued and joined together, I might jazz things up with some embroidery and embellishment.

 

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Let's Book It - progress report

I'm pleased to report some progress on my Let's Book It project this month!  The month got off to a good start as I set up a first block and  tried the Tile Quilts technique.  I'm not using a design from the book, just following the instructions and technique hints and doing some free-form shapes.

 

Turns out to be a very easy process indeed, and I finished up two blocks already.  It's a nice relaxing hand-stitching activity to take out on the porch on a summer evening! 

 

I'm going to move ahead with prepping several more blocks, and I fully expect to have this project done by October!

 

For more Let's Book It inspirations click HERE

 

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Slow Stitching Sunday

Well this was nice!  Now that my life has slowed down a bit, I was able to spend the afternoon slow-stitching on my Halloween tile block.  I'm enjoying this very easy applique project, and should have no problem doing all nine blocks.   Lovely breezy shady time spent in the gazebo on a warm summer day! 

 

 

 See other Slow Stitching Sunday inspirations here

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Let's Book It AND NewFO 2014 June!

OK, let's try this again.

 

I'm ready to make another attempt at the Let's Book It challenge that Sharon is offering each month.  Back in April, I'd pulled out some Halloween novelty fabrics and planned to explore the tile quilt technique, but just then the second wave of medical problems popped up here and I never got back to the project.

 

Time to take another run at it ...

 

I spent some time yesterday setting up a first block, and I enjoyed the process.  Next comes some good needleturn applique practice -- of course these are very easy shapes so it should stitch up quickly.  If all goes according to plan, I'll make nine blocks total because that's how many different motifs there are on one of my focus fabrics. 

 

Fun to dabble with something new!  And accordingly, I can also count this as my

NewFO 2014 project for June :)

 

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Let's Book It

Introducing a new-to-me challenge:  Let's Book It!

Sharon over at Vrooman's Quilts is offering a monthly challenge which encourages us to undertake new projects using our own extensive libraries of quilt books and patterns.  We are supposed to shop our stashes and bookshelves, and then start a project that we've been intending to get to forever.

I've decided to attempt a Halloween-themed Tile Quilt, based on a book I own: Tile Quilt Revival by Carol Gilham Jones and Bobbi Finley.  This book was published in 2010,and I've been meaning to try the technique  ever since.  I'm finally going to give it a go!  I'll try a block or two to begin with, and if I like the technique I'll go on to the entire quilt.

Tile quilts use a particular design process, and are especially suited to needle-turn hand applique.  I'm trying to improve my applique skills this year, so this will be an appropriate choice for summer handwork on the porch.  I've pulled some retro-style Halloween fabrics to start with, but will be adding more as things get underway.

Still in the getting-ready phase this week, but I'm looking forward to trying something new!

 

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