Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Sneaky peeks of WIPs and some Christmas Tilda news

A tiny peek at my wall hanging project
Quite possibly, my favourite book block
 I am a big fan of Ayumi Takahashi of Pink Penguin fame. She creates sweet and useful projects, using fabrics that I appeal to my over-riding sense of fun and whimsy, combined with my deep and abiding adoration of linen and linen blends.
I pre-ordered her book, Patchwork Please, months before it came out in April.
As soon as I saw these paper pieced books, I knew I found my Miss B's graduation present. I am not making the full quilt, but a blanket band. I have been collecting book themed fat quarters for a while now, and I settled on a few that more or less represent her book interests -- which are wide and varied. She has been a voracious reader since early childhood, and so these book blocks were tailor-made for her.
I am a beginner paper-piecer, and it was a slow go for me, despite the book's clear instructions with many photos. Patience would be a valuable asset. However, I don't have it, and so I make mistakes. Also, a lot of mess!
None of that was Ayumi's fault.
No, I did not keep the mistakes to take photos of them.
I swore some, then threw the mess away.
That's just how I roll...
After TWO unfortunate trimming accidents, and countless unpicking of the A section, I finally turned out sufficient blocks to do the blanket band I have planned. Try to ignore all those hanging threads, I haven't tidied them yet.
In a few weeks' time, I will also be posting a tutorial on doing quilted blanket bands. They are a nice alternative to making a full sized quilt, and are usually quick to finish -- as long as you are not doing a thousand other things at once.
Remember doodling on your notebooks?

Kind of love this one too!

This is the very first book Miss B loved

Remember reading Dick and Jane?
I have also pre-ordered Tone Finanger's upcoming book, Tilda's Sweet Shop. It will be mine in about 150 days. Yeah, I have no patience when paper piecing, but I can wait 150 days for a book. I don't get it either.
There are not many places to get any idea at all of what's in the book, but I did find one image. The book is a small one, just 48 pages, but it uses my very favourite colour palette, off white, green-blue and pinks. The focus is on old fashioned cakes and sweets and old world Santas and angels. Just yummy on so many levels.
Yummy new Tilda book November 2013

4 comments:

  1. What perfect blocks for your daughter's quilt... not just because of her love of books but also because she just graduated with her teaching certificate. She's going to love it!

    And I love that Dick and Jane fabric.

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  2. The fabrics - they are so luscious! And Yoda, I think, I am! Love those crazy knitting ladies - that could be us if they were using a sewing machine (well, if one were using a sewing machine, and one were hand-stitching :D) :)

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  3. Hi Nancy! Gosh you've been busy. That book quilt will be so amazing for your daughter. What a great idea and so unique. I'm admiring your wall hanging, too. Are you using the pattern for the sailboat from Seaside ideas? I adore that applique Tone Finnanger designed for a blanket. She comes up with the best stuff. Speaking of which...I LOVE that photo you found for her winter book and will be sure to pre-order it as well. My only complaint sometimes is that her booklets are too short - I prefer the longer books.
    I'm sorry that your friend Rian's shop closed, I know you enjoyed working with her.
    Take care,
    Susan

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  4. I am intrigued by the blanket band, the blocks look fab. We didn't have Dick and Jane in Britain, we had Peter and Jane. I wonder if it's because Dick is a rude word here!
    Another Tilda book! I still don't have most of the ones she's printed so far, but I love them. I never make anything from them, but they're eye candy!

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