Free Motion Placemat Samplers

I've enjoyed Leah Day's Free Motion designs, and recently took her Craftsy class - Free Motion Fillers Volume I.  The class suggests that you make a quilt with different fillers in 50 blocks.  Since I prefer to work on smaller sized projects, I decided to make a set of placemats instead.  

My "plan" is to make 12 placemats, with 4 designs apiece, and then a table runner using the last of the 50 designs.  No promises here, just a plan.  

Anyway, here is the first of the place mats.  I tried Sharp Stippling, Zippling, Alien Fingers, and Circuit Board. 

Upper left - Alien Fingers, upper right - Zippling, lower left - Sharp Stippling (fail), lower right - Circuit Board

The hardest by far for me was the sharp stippling. In fact, I basically failed at it.  I am so used to regular stippling that my hands would just not stop making rounded shapes. Since my family is not going to know what the block should have looked like, I am going to leave it as is.  No one but me, (and now you) is going to know that I did it wrong.

My next class might have to be Leah's newest - Volume II of Free Motion Fillers . 

Happy Quilting ♥

Thankful Sunday

My nineteen year old granddaughter began an internship at Thatcher Park this week.  She is studying Environmental Science at college, so this job at the park is right up her alley.

I had the pleasure of driving her to work on her first day.  It was a gorgeous morning.  The air was crisp and clean, there was a gentle breeze, and the sun was shining.

I hope that she has a wonderful summer.

 Meanwhile, my youngest grand went to a friend's birthday party where they had a petting zoo, and got to ride the pony 4 times!

Here she is all dressed up in her Buzz Light Year costume

What are you thankful for today?

My First Race

Twenty members of our church participated in the 2013 CDPHP Workforce Challenge held May 16th. Some on our team ran, my daughter and I walked at a fast pace most of the race, and jogged a little.

 We finished the 3.5 mile course at 14:47, not too shabby for a first race.

These are the front runners.  My daughter and I started near the back of the crowd

Over 9000 people participated in the event.  The idea behind the race is for work places and other groups to join as a team.

I love the way all the colored T-shirts look going up the hill - almost like a quilt!

Here is our group.

That's me, fifth from the left

My daughter about to cross the finish line

We had fun, and got a free T-shirt to boot!

W.I.P.

A peek at two of the projects I've been working on this week.

This will either be a sweater for my youngest grand, or, if it is too small, a dish cloth for my kitchen.  It is my first sweater attempt.  I am planning on measuring it on her this week, and then making a decision.  She likes the color orange better anyway, so no big deal if this one doesn't work.

I am really enjoying working with this cotton yarn from Sugar 'n Cream during these warmer months.  It is inexpensive and soft with a nice body to it.

The second project is a braided baby quilt using the accuquilt chisel die and cute Woodlands fabric from Hoffman. I am putting a one inch strip of kona between each braid to give the eye a place to rest.

I like the way it looks like a broken rail fence, or chevron pattern.

Two other baby quilts are pieced and waiting to be sandwiched for quilting.  

What are you working on this week?  I would love to see.

I've linked up with Freshly Pieced, Sew Much Ado, and Fabric Tuesday

Treasury Tuesday

Treasuries from my trove, some recent, some old, all new to this blog.  Click on any item to go to the shop where it is available.

The first treasury features bird fabrics from many different shops on Etsy.  Susie Mazur of Strix Nebulosa Crochet put this fabric lovers collection together.  Susie sells crocheted and macrame items such as the owl pictured.

 

 

 

'Bird Fabrics' by susiemazur

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

The eclectic mix which follows was curated by  Rosita Irengård from Artill.  Rosita offers glasswork necklaces and decorations as well as paintings.

 

'Searching for summer' by rositai

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Cynmb always makes beautiful treasuries.  Her Blue and Green collection below reminds me of spring rain.  Cynmb has been an active member of Etsy since 2006.   She does not have a shop, but contributes to the Etsy community in many other ways.  You can see some of her other treasuries here.

'blue and green' by cynmb

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

The next treasury is by Christy of Poppy and Pearl.  She makes hair accessories and knitted items that are quite lovely.  

 

 

 

 

'Dreams of you...' by poppyandpurl

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

I want to say a big thank you ladies for including my shop in your wonderful treasuries.