Cardinal Blocks - More Sampler Block Shuffle

Four blocks were added to my cardinal sampler project this weekend. This project has been on the shelf for a while so it was fun to revisit all the blocks and add some new ones to the mix. There are 30 blocks in the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle. With the weekend additions, 19 have been made.

This is block #26 and was designed by Amy Ellis. This is the first time I have used this black Joel Dewberry print. It may be the last time, too, as I only had a small scrap to work with. I was holding out for a block that would show off this print. I like the result.

This is block #18 and was designed by Lella Boutique. I like the diagonal line of cardinals on this one. As I get near the end, it will be more and more challenging to place the cardinals, mostly because the pieces start getting smaller.

This is block #29 and was designed by French General. I only had a charm square of the red with white polka dots. I'm glad I found a way to work it into this project.

This is block #27 and was designed by Sweetwater. I intentionally wanted to add a dark block into the mix.

Nineteen blocks stitched; eleven blocks to go. This is a fun project to fit in between other projects. I'm starting to feel the finishing itch on this one though, now that I am well past the half way point. We will see just how quickly this project reaches the finish line. There is no hard deadline but I'm thinking it would be nice to finish it up for the winter season.

Believe Circle March Bee Blocks

This month's quilt is being hosted by Robin from Ormond Beach Quilts. She wanted something really masculine and asked for these simple yet striking black and white blocks.

They come from a quilt posted on the Moda Bake Shop called the Gift Box Quilt. The Moda Bake Shop is a great resource for charity quilt ideas.

One thing I like about our quilt circle is that we tend to have good balance between simple and challenging blocks. This is a month where I appreciated the simple.

I like the way the addition of a wider strip in the middle of this quarter log cabin block makes it suddenly more modern. The color combination adds to the modern look as well.

I cannot wait to see how this quilt turns out.

Cardinal Blocks - Five More

And then there were fifteen cardinal blocks. I have a group of projects I'm circling through now, and it is fun to see each one making small strides of progress. This week, these cardinals needed some attention.

The patterns are from the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle. There are thirty patterns in all so that means I'm half way through. I seem to making these in batches of five. Some of the fabrics from my initial pull for this project are getting low so I will be going back through the stash again soon to see if I can find a few more good fabrics to join the project.

Here is the very first block in the series. It was designed by Pat Sloan. Originally, I was going through the patterns, picking and choosing the ones I wanted to make.

Then I decided I was spending to much time choosing so I put them all back in number order and swore I would just make them in order. This is block three in the series. It was designed by Sandy Gervais.

This is block eleven. It is designed by Brenda Riddle Designs. It has a bit of a psychedelic vibe to it. Did you notice the big jump from block three to block eleven? Well, maybe I am making them in a selective, sort of numerical order. There are a couple of applique ones that I wasn't quite ready to make so I skipped those and I suppose I was simply being picky about the ones I wanted to make.

This is block thirteen. It is designed by Bunny Hill Designs. All the blocks in the series are great.

And the last block for this time is block twenty-two. It is designed by Basicgrey.

Now that there are fifteen blocks made I am starting to contemplate a layout for them. I am happy with the way the colors are dispersed through the blocks. They aren't too heavy in any one color. And I still can't get enough of those cardinals.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and Whoop Whoop over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Cardinal Blocks Update

Five more cardinal blocks were added to the mix from the Moda Sampler Shuffle block series. At least now I know there are thirty blocks total which means I am a third of the way toward completing all of the blocks.

Rather than sew them in the order they were released, they are organized loosely by complexity and ease of cardinal placement. This is Block 10 by Deb Strain.

Here we have Block 15 by Janet Clare Designs.

Block 14 is by Fig Tree & Co.

Block 12 is by Zen Chic. The edges of this one are a little wonky. Actually, the edges are wonky on several of them. I am waiting until they are all made to decide how best to trim and square up the blocks.

This block starts getting into some serious piecing. When there are 45 pieces in a 6 1/2 inch block, you know it is time to kick the accuracy up a notch.

Ten cardinal blocks ready for some friends to join them. Can't wait to stitch some more up to share with you. I like how they look as a group. I'm hoping all it will take is a bit of sashing to turn them into a quilt. 

We will see as more blocks are added to the mix.

Linking up with Whoop Whoop with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Believe Circle Bee Blocks

Robin is our Believe Circle quilter this month. Robin blogs over at Ormond Beach Quilts. This month she was inspired by a tutorial for Urban Chickens blocks shared by Wombat Quilts.

Robin asked for black squares and bright colored triangles on a white background. It took me a few triangles to get into the improv style of making them. I like the wonkiness of them all in a row.

This month also highlighted the dwindling quantity of black with white fabrics in my stash. That area of my stash is quite messy so it might be time for some cleaning and organization to make sure there isn't fabric hiding in the deep recesses of my fabric cubbies.

These blocks were fun and easy to make. Can't wait to see how they look all together.

Linking up to Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Sampler Block Shuffle With Cardinals

Finally, I cut into my Charley Harper cardinal fabric. 

Why oh why did I only buy one yard? I love these little birds and want to keep them around for a long, long time. I'm glad I found a project that highlights these pretty birds while not eating up all of my yard in just a few cuts. 

The Moda Sampler Block Shuffle is a series of free blocks offered by shops that carry Moda products. The series has been going on for a couple of months now and runs through the end of January. Participating shops offer two or three new blocks each week. Each block is designed or sponsored by a different designer. There are two copies of the pattern on each printed page. The idea is to keep one for yourself and share the other with a friend. The blocks are only available for a limited time. I am getting mine from the Intown Quilters.

This is Block 2 by Me & My Sister Designs. Because the cardinals are fussy cut, I went through and sorted the blocks that have been published so far so that the easier ones to cut are first.

This is Block 4 by V and Co. I have collected 24 blocks so far and stitched up 5. It took a while for me to commit to using my cardinals for this project. 

This is Block 5 by Kathy Schmitz Studios.

Block 6 by American Jane. I altered this block slightly. The center is supposed to be a four-patch but I liked using a bigger piece of the cardinals for the center.

Block 8 by little miss shabby. Again, I turned the center from a four-patch to a single larger square.

I like they way they look together so far. This is a good project to fit in between others or when I want something that won't take a long time to do. I'm not sure what the final count of blocks will be for the Moda Sampler Block Shuffle series but I intend to make them all. There may be a few alterations along the way so they fit with my cardinal themed sampler. Hoping to share more progress with you in a few weeks. I'd love to see your blocks if you decide to play along.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and Work in Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. Also linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and Scraptastic Tuesday over at She Can Quilt.

House Quilt - A Finish for do. Good Stitches

In January, it was my turn to be responsible for the quilt for our do. Good Stitches Believe Circle. With permission, I copied a design by Debbie Grifka over at Esch House Quilts. I posted a tutorial for the house blocks here. All of our members sent in vertical strips for the quilt.

Each member could place the houses anywhere on the strip they wanted to. I like the neighborhoods that formed as a result.

Since the fabrics in this quilt are so busy, the quilting was kept really simple. Wavy vertical lines run across the entire quilt top.

The thread is a 30 weight Sulky Blendable in a variegated gray.  

The binding is black with bright colored dots. It is a basic Timeless Treasures print. The back is a Kona solid. It is an older piece so I don't know the official color name. This quilt finishes at 46 x 51 inches.

All of the quilts our group makes are sent out with a special label on the back.

 

Even though we are almost at the end of March, this was a good quilt to start my year. Thanks Believe Circle, for sharing your quilt making talents with me.

House Quilt Tutorial

It's my turn to be in charge of our quilt for the Believe Circle of do.Good Stitches. Most of the time, we each make two blocks, but this month I chose a design that will be done in vertical strips. The inspiration comes from this quilt by Debbie Grifka over at Esch House Quilts. She graciously gave permission for our circle to use her design for our quilt this month. Thank you, Debbie!

If each circle member makes one vertical strip, we'll have a nice size quilt. We will follow the same color scheme of black, white, and bright. The darker colors should be toward the top and the lighter colors at the bottom. Have fun choosing a bright colored door for your houses. Each strip should contain two or three houses.

The squares that are not house blocks should be cut at 5 1/2" square. Cut seven or eight of these depending on the number of house blocks contained in the strip. For the house blocks, cut:

Background - two 3" squares
House - one 3" x 5 1/2" rectangle, two 2" x 2 1/2" rectangles, and one 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle
Door - one 1 1/2" x 2" rectangle

First, draw a diagonal line on the back of the 3" background squares.

Place one of the squares on the large house rectangle. Stitch on the drawn line and cut away the excess triangle.

Press the sewn triangle up and away from the house rectangle.

Lay the second background square right side down and sew on the drawn line. Cut away the excess fabric.

Press the sewn triangle away from the house rectangle.

Sew the 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle to the bottom of the roof.

Sew a 2" x 2 1/2" house rectangle to either side of the 1 1/2" x 2" door.

Sew the door to the house and the house block is complete.

Make either two or three house blocks and arrange them in your vertical strip to your satisfaction. When the strip is complete, there should be ten squares total, which includes the house blocks.

If you'd like to be creative with your house blocks and construct them differently, feel free to do so. It will be fun to construct a neighborhood with your creations.