Returning to blog land... #100Blocks continue

It's been 5 months since I was here...

Although I wasn't blogging, I was on instagram regularly though and I was busy!  I did all my 100 blocks, couple of swaps and some Christmas handmade gifts!  Come follow me @raincitysews for more frequent updates! Blog will be more of a summary of what I did for my creative journey.

Here are some collages of my 100blocks. Will post the rest in the next post too.


#11-19

#20-28

#29-37

#100Days100Blocks Sew-Along (No. 1-10)

(photo used with permission from @gnomeangel)

Hi there,

This is what I'm doing for 100 days. This is a Instagram sew-along hosted by Angie @gnomeangel. We are sewing through Tula Pink's book "100 Modern Quilt Blocks."  One block a day for 100 days, and we will sew through the book!  I've flipped through this book so many times, but never plunge in. I've also seen and drooled over a beautifully finished Tula Pink 100 Blocks quilt by a friend at my church quilt group. So this seem like a good reason to get into it, sewing with a group of people always helps boosting me with motivation. And I can use my precious Tula Pink fabrics in it! Of course, great prizes through the sew-along is another BIG incentive.  hehehe...

(This sew-along's starting date was Aug. 17, 2016)

So here are my first 10 blocks.

No. 1

No. 2

No.3

No. 4

No. 5

No. 6

No. 7

No. 8

No. 9

No. 10

The Splendid Sampler #22 & 23

Worked on 2 Splendid blocks these past 2 weeks.  Slowly making progress.

#22 Goose on the Loose

#23 Hand in Hand

Playful Super Totes + Hexie Pillow

Hi there,

I've been busy sewing. I caught the #100Days100blocks train and am busy sewing blocks which I will show on the next post.

I also tried to make some more items for my shop - 2 Super Totes done!  This pattern by Anna of Noodlehead is very versatile, I've made a few of super totes already!  I used the Playful linen cotton from Cotton and Steel for the exterior and paired it with the grey gingham. I used flex-foam for the interfacing which makes the structure strong (the bag can stand on its on, if it's balanced...) and it cushions the items you put inside. I printed the pattern at 90% and did a zippered inside pocket.

At 90%, there is still plenty of room for stuff!

Next, I tried my hand at a hexie pillow. I've made these hexies long time ago but never put them together in a project. I'm glad that they are finally being used. I used a technique that skips sewing the hexies down first.  But making the hexies line up for quilting is really tricky, as you can spy some uneven line and unmatched points.  I think next time I will mark the background fabric first, then place my hexies.

At least it's all ready for the guest room! And my daughter said "It's pretty!" 

Puts a smile on my face~

Eunice

DIY Lanyards

I made a batch of lanyards this week. With September approaching, I'm getting ready for my Bible Study Fellowship group. I'm facilitating a group of 12 ladies this year for the first time. As group leaders, we make name tags for our ladies. I felt that lanyards will work much better than safety pins, so I got to work, and these came out quickly!

I turned to the trusty google search and soon found several tutorials. In the end, I use the Bias Tape method. I used my bias tape maker, some key rings and some J hooks, and of course fabrics.
I cut my fabrics in to 2" strips from my yardage, make them into bias tape and sew them along the long side. (Go to the trusty google for bias tape making tutorials.  wink wink.)

Then I folded the tape in half and cut them into 19" while folded (so 38" total).

 Next I put the raw edges into the key ring, then positioned the ends as below. One longer than the other.

Then I fold the longer end over the shorter end. Then fold both ends over the key ring.

Then just sew them together!  I did two lines of stitches to secure it.  Put on the hook and TA-DA!

Playground and Mini Kite

Introducing "Playground" by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallary Fabrics
and "Mini Kite" by me.

"Playground" collection is in the shop and it's gorgeous! I discovered Amy's blog when I started quilting 3 years ago. Her soft, sweet and sophisticated style just captivated me.  I was so excited when she started to design fabrics, and I just know I want her collection in my shop.

My favorite is the cute tire swing patterns, and both blue and pink colorways are YUM!

I did not know how to put so many colors together harmoniously, especially that honey brown. But all the dark blues and mint blues and plum and pink and honey brown..., it's wonderful!  All the flowers and the geometric patterns are GREAT blenders as well. And can I tell you about the low volume prints?  Amy did it again! I loved the parchment and the stamped print from her limited collection "Paperie" before, but the low volume prints from this "Playground" collection adds so much softness and sprinkle of colors to the mix.  Oh, and that strip "Chopstick" print is PERFECT for binding!

And that "I spy friendship" print is what inspired my "Mini Kite" quilt.  I googled "Kite quilt" online and did not find a pattern that I wanted, so I sat down and drew a simple kite pattern on my graph paper. I did not want to deal with quilt math, so I just went with paper piecing technique.

Voila!

Back of the quilt 

Here is the Mini Kite Pattern for you to download. (Please excuse the very not sophisticated pencil and ruler hand drawing) For paper piecing technique, please check online tutorials. Personally, I learned it from Amy Gibson's Block of the month 2012 Crafty class, which is free now.

Quick note about the "Mini Kite" quilt.
Fabrics that I used: A fat quarter bundle of Playground, and a fat quarter of "Parchment" for background

I paired the prints together for the kites and I set aside the 2 prints for outer border and binding.
I cut a 5" strip from all the kite fabrics and background fabric. I used 2" strips for the sashing and 2.5" for the outer borders. I used all the left over 5" strips to piece the quilt back.

The kite blocks are 6". The mini quilt end up being about 24" by 24".

I would love to see your Mini Kite quilt if you make one! Post it on instagrm use #minikitequilt
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!

~ Eunice

The Splendid Sampler Blocks (#7-21)

Hello friends,

I've been catching up on my Splendid Sampler blocks. This is a year long sew-along hosted by Jane Davidson and Pat Sloan, the 6 inch blocks are designed by many many talented designers and bloggers. Go check it out! http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/ 

Are you ready for some eye candy? Hope you like them!  Some blocks I like a lot, and some not as much. But I'm glad to be using and trying many different techniques. Okay, here you go...

Block #7 Snug as a Bug 

Here I cut out precious liberty scraps for the quilt. My hand embroidery needs work, but I'm okay with this one.

Block #8 Friends around the Square

Love that cotton and steel gray and purple combo.

Block #9 Local Quilt Shop

Gray and purple again with a pot of mint.

Block #10 Iowa

How about Gray and purple AND pink? I think I'm loving it too!

Block #11 Crocheted Thought

I used variegated floss here. The ombre color change is a nice effect on the outer lines, not sure if I love the effect for the center flower.  

Block #12 Checkerboard

Block #13 Scrap Star

Block #14 Flying High

Block #15 Family Affair

This is a paper pieced block. I have no problem with the templates but my issue is when I put the templates (the 4 squares) together.  Maybe there's a trick I don't know about? Maybe I need more precision and pins?

Block#16 Pieces of Friendship

That yellow gold adds another pop! Definitely one of my favorite block!

Block #17 Family Stars

Block #18 Lina's Gift

Going for low volume here, maybe too quiet?

Block #19 Measure Twice, Cut Once

Block #20 Nature's Walk

Here I used Minki Kim's Sew Illustrated technique and draw with threads instead of hand embroidery.  Minki is so talented with her thread drawing, check out her blog! I think I like it.  Using even smaller stitch length (1.4) is very helpful with the curves.

Block #21 Sweet Candy

Thanks for reading. What is your favorite so far?

:)
Eunice