Artisania

Well, I’m officially blind.

But oh it was worth it!!

This is the block I just finished up for quiltinkimmie for her block in the Sew Connected 2 Swap. She sent the most delicious batiks and it took all of my will to actually cut into them for this block. I actually had a completely different (albeit rather risque) idea in my noggin for the fabrics, but since these blocks are destined to be her bed quilt, her hubby nixed the idea.

Hehe, this is what I was going to do. Ah well, maybe I’ll still use it later on if I find someone willing to recieve one!

Oh yes, a quarter for size reference of the absolutely miniscule piecing of this 7.75″ X 8″ block from Silver Linings Originals.

Tia – Campfollower Bag Lady – has generously organized a wonderful effort to donate handmade quilts to the survivors of the bush fire raging through southern Australia.  It’s called The Bushfire Quilt Project and it’s hosted at flicker here.  

They’re asking for 12.5″ wonky stars on a light background, to be mailed to Tia in Australia by the end of March. You can find all the information, including really clear photo tutorials at the flickr group FAQ’s thread in the discussions area.

I really wanted to donate a whole quilt top, but my time is so limited as I have so many pressing projects going on! I decided to forgo the stars in lieu of a group of gorgeous rugged men! *giggle*

Can’t you just see some good natured woman (or guy) giggling as they snuggle up at night with their “Men”? I’ve found that during times of crisis, a good laugh goes a long way to lighten everyones hearts, if only for a moment.

Here’s my little label I wrote on the front bottom corner of the top:

It measures 52″ x 72″, just shy of a twin duvet size, due to a teeny cutting error – oops.  I bordered the panel out in some nice grey blue, made enough black binding and packaged it all up with some thread to be sent off to Australia tomorrow.

My thoughts go out to all the survivors of this terrible terrible fire, and I hope my quilt top will help someone get through their day a little easier.

Ahhh, spring is just around the snowdrift, I know it!!

This is Katy’s second block for the Sew Connected 2 Swap. She sent so much of her lovely Liberty fabrics I just couldn’t resist playing with them some more.

This quaint little daffy pattern came from the Piece by Number site. Since I needed it to be taller than but not completely overpowering the snail, I enlarged the teeny tiny pattern by 50% and elongated the stalks by a few inches.

I love the snail pattern!

Oh man isn’t she just darling? This beauty came from Sew Hooked in the free pattern miscellaneous listing.  Scroll down to the plants and animals section.

Katy, I’m so so pleased that you like it, and it’ll be on it’s way to you overseas soon!

Oh. My. Word.

Look at this fabric!

This stuff is so breathtaking that I’m posting the humongous picture even if it doesn’t fit on my blog! I don’t care, it’s just so darn gorgeous!

And I had no idea this line even existed until Katy  mentioned it in the Sew Connected 2 swap. (John’s  enormously excellent idea btw! It’s so popular that I believe a Sew Connected 4 is in the works!)

That was the extra fabric she sent to me as a little gift, along with her fabrics and a beautiful, lined linen drawstring bag for her turn in the block swap.

Wanna see what I made with it?

Introducing Pick – a – Peck – of – Pinwheels:

This baby measures in at 12.5″ x 12.5″ , contains a whopping 136 pieces, and features 3 kinds of lovely heavyweight linen, and of course the beautiful Liberty fabrics. It’s an original pattern which I think I might add to my free pattern listing shortly.

Sigh, it was just heavenly making this block. There is definitely something to be said about a good quality linen. The hand is substantial, yet drapes so elegantly. And the texture! Oh I’m a sucker for texture!

Can’t forget the requisite shot of the backside!

Yes is paper pieced. I tried valiantly to piece it traditionally, I did honestly! But fer pete’s sake how the heck do you people do it and have all your seams behave? Admittedly, after failing miserably to produce four points that came even remotely in the same time zone with each other, I resorted to my beloved paper piecing method. My trusty road map that only requires one to sew on the line.