June Blocks, Etc.

With summer comes bugs, so June's blocks have insects. First is the traditional pieced block featuring Ladybugs. For the spots, I used buttons, you may applique them is you prefer. I also added a ladybug button to the center which is optional. 

 The foundation pieced block features a Butterfly.

 Click here for instructions for both blocks.

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I promised a picture of my blog hop quilt after it was hung, so here it is in my guest room. As you can see, I have more wall space to fill, so we will be visiting this room again.

 

I have also been working on my Grandson's Christmas stocking and I'm finally getting close to finishing it!!!

 Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy the blocks!

Blogger's Quilt Festival Spring 2012

For my entry in Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival, I thought I'd share my Oregon Trail Quilt. For those not familiar with the Oregon Trail, this was the route used by settlers, farmers, miners, and business men migrating to the Pacific Northwest from the Eastern United States of America from 1841 to 1869. The journey averaged from four to six months long and was filled with hazards and danger. 

I started this quilt in 2009 and finished in 2010 so my regular readers may have seen this. It started out as a Block of the Month offered by a local quilt shop. We were supplied with a kit for four 6 inch blocks each month. I used made the four blocks and then decided to incorporate them in to a larger block. I decided that each month there would be a pieced Dresden Plate surrounded by an Eight Point Star as the center and the original blocks would always be in the outer corners. From there the design process became really fun. Some of the blocks were added as part of the story told by the original kit blocks and some were just to complement the block. 

Here's some close-ups of my completed blocks. First are the September through December blocks. The block in the upper left is called Kansas Dugout, a type of dwelling used on the plains. I wanted my block to reflect the feelings shared at the beginning of the trail so I added blocks to try and evoke the feeling of a star burst of new hope. The upper right block reflects the blooming spring prairie. The lower left block is called Wagon tracks and the lower right block whirlwind to recall the weather hazards faced by the travelers.

Next are the January through April blocks. They are called Prairie Flower (upper left), Bear Track (upper right), Traveler's Star (lower left), and Indian Mats (lower right).

 Finally, are the May through August blocks. They are called Rocky Mountain Puzzle (upper left), Broken Wheel (upper right), Prairie Queen (lower left), commemorating the many women making the trek, and Log Cabin (lower right). I placed my log cabins in the Oregon Pines. 

 I hope you enjoy my quilt and it's story. Thank you for visiting! you may see other quilts and stories here.

My Design Floor and a Finish

Here's what I'm working on now. It's time to finally finish this quilt! I spent most of the evening last night ironing on the appliques. Today the hand-guided machine applique begins. I hope to finish that by tomorrow and sew it together then. I going to put squares of the print in the corners. If you would like to read more about this quilt go here.

Finally I have finished a quilt. It's been a long time coming and I have many excuses, but we won't get into those! I designed this quilt for Sewhooked's Garden Party Blog Hop last month. If you are interested in the block and project patterns go here for my original post (the giveaway mentioned is over).

I added an extra border because I felt it needed more yellow to compliment my guest room. I will post pictures when I finally get it hung. I'm really proud of my quilting on this one so I took a close-up. I still don't free motion quilt. I drew the quilt designs on with a Friction pen then quilted it using my walking foot. Then ironed the marks away. It's not perfect but I think it looks pretty good.