Hopfaldera

Something new on my wall

This is what the wall above my sewing table looks like at the moment. 

There is something new there. A potholder/mug rug/miniquilt made from the tiny triangles that I cut away when I made the lantern blocks from the previous post.

I guess you could also throw these bits away, but I usually put scraps like that in a little bag and keep them because they are so cute. This time, after finishing the blocks, I took the triangles out of the bag and sewed them together into half square triangle units, and sewed those together to form flying geese. I love flying geese (I mean in quilting, but real geese are nice too), especially lined up and pointing in the same direction. So that's what I did. It's all tiny tiny, I love how it is a bit awkward and mismatched, but still unified. I bound it quickly with some fabric tape and also added a loop for hanging as a potholder. The ribbon for the loop says Home Sweet Home. 

You'd think I was selling the thing, but no, I'm keeping it for myself!

 

Lanterns

I made some fun blocks for the 4x5 bee. This is the bee where you are in a hive with 5 others that you make a quilt block for. The block design is your own choice and the colors of the fabric are the receiver's choice. I made a Japanese Lantern block for everyone (and for myself).

the block in my own colors

I found the block pattern here on Quilter's Cache.

It was so sunny today that I couldn't take the photos in my usual spot at the top of our staircase on the topfloor of our house. It was too light there. So I moved a couple of meters and took the photos there. Isn't spring funny, one day you're in your wintercoat and the next day you don't even need a coat outside. Or one day you can take only gloomy photos and the next they're almost too light. I love spring though. Yes, spring is here!!

 

Collaboration

Today the Modern Quilt Guild are featuring one of my quilts on their blog. They have a week dedicated to collaboration and this quilt of mine is the one I made with blocks from the first round of Bee Europa. That was my first ever bee.

All I know about quilting I have learned through the internet, and I have been able to practice my skills because of all the various bees I have joined. My house would be jammed with quilt blocks if I would have had to keep everything that I ever made. I think it is just wonderful that I can make something and maybe try a new technique or use an unfamiliar color scheme, and then send it to someone that can use it to finish their project and enjoy what I made. 

Bee Europa is starting a third round soon. If you are from Europe and not a real beginner in quilting, and you want to join us, you could contact Amelie to see if there is still a spot available.

Another bee I am involved in at the moment is Cocorico. Last year while I was on vacation in Sweden, I got an email inviting me to join this very fun and creative group. Of course I jumped in right away! Every month one of us thinks of an inspiring theme, and we each make an original block. All the blocks have been so creative, skilled, and wonderful! This is where you can check out our Flickr group.

February was my month in Cocorico. The theme I picked was Pippi Longstocking. You see, the day after I got the email about Cocorico we went to Astrid Lindgren World, and saw Pippi "for real"! Also Pippi has been my hero from when I was a child. I have made a gallery of the blocks my bee friends have made for me. Please, please go take a look at this. The blocks are beyond belief awesome! Every time I see one appear in the Flickr group I am overwhelmed with happiness that I am getting this block!

Here are the blocks I have made for Cocorico so far.

 

More curves

Curves Class from Rachel has come to an end. It was fun! I learned very much. I feel I can tackle curves now, so that's great (I used to completely avoid curved sewing lines in patchwork). I even feel I can design my own projects with curvy lines now, so stay tuned for those.

First I still have a lot of homework projects to show. 

My D.P. potholder

Some more drunkard's path units sewn together

One Orange Peel unit made into a mugrug

My Mod Bud notebook cover

Rachel said that she might teach the class again, so, if you are interested, you can sign up to be notified when she does. Here.

Right now I am still working on a bathmat from the class and I also want to make a full quilt to finish the class, so I'll show them later.

A sneak peek at my Slices Mat