This is the first block, there are lots of tiny little bits in there and all have a letter to keep them in order. The Fat Quarter Shop sell a pack of dinky little letters and numbers just for this job, hmmm not very thrifty. A sheet of paper ( a circular printed on 1 side only) a pencil and scissors and some clips.
Job done for just a few minutes, money saved for more fabric Woo Hoo.
I found handling the 1 1/2" squares a bit challenging and slowed down to walking speed. The block needs to be squared up but I will do that when all are done.
I did plan to make this with an altogether different collection but decided that light and bright was the way to go. I plan to make another of these blocks in slightly bolder colours and turn it into a cushion for a birthday gift later in the year. In fact now that I think about it there may well be several made.
I had a parcel from Hobbycraft yesterday, full of half price fat quarters, yum.
Lots of dottiness in there.
More dots and dinky little flowers.
The birds, the birds.
I liked this collection so much that I have 2.
Greedy girl, that's me.
The sharp eyed amongst you will have spotted that some of those appear in the cake block, I could not resist cutting into them, could you?
As a respite and reward for all that fiddly diddly piecing I have started a scrappy trip project. These blocks were all over the show a couple of years ago and I could not be bothered to jump on the band wagon.
Today though the appeal was strong enough to send me trawling through the stash in a "scissor happy" mood.
This is the first block finished,( I have just spotted that I put the wrong photo in, the block really is finished) I have 5 more ready to go, 2 of each colour way. The strawberry print will run through the middle of each block to give a bit of cohesion, because I like it and I have plenty. Dawn will recognise some of the prints, I am so pleased that she managed to part with them. The red and white print is called Flurry and comes from Dashwood, I have it in a few colours and love it. I am off soon to try and locate some more, the colours are vibrant and there are some softer ones for balance. They make wonderful binding and have looked good in every project that I have used them in. BTW this is not a promotion, just me waffling on about what makes me happy.
On that note I am off to search the net.
TTFN Pam
I have sewing envy!
ReplyDeleteNo matter how much I sew I still get sewing envy when I read my blog list.
DeleteYou have been busy. Love the blocks you've done and look at all that lovely fabric. I was tempted by an email from Hobbycraft but gave myself a good talking to and will try using up a lot of the fabric I already have before buying more...unless I see an unbeatable deal or find some in a charity shop. I mostly just make bags for charity anyway, so unless I get a request for something specific from one of the kids I don't need to buy any more. Could that be famous last words...LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is the first fabric that I have had from Hobbycraft and only because it was half price. I still get the best thrill from finding a bargain in the charity shops.
DeleteI have been sweating over a hot sewing machine too, this time I did get the pinwheel to match exactly in the centre woo hoo..........have sorted out 9 blocks for machine piecing and 2 to be hand pieced, so need to sort out the instructions for the first one and then I can get on to make the sample and cut the bits for demo. Will give the girls a choice of which blocks they make, but they have to do one of the hand pieced ones, either the dresden plate or the tumbling blocks. Heaven knows what I am going to do with all the blocks when the course is finished. I have not plans to start another one, although I might do a workshop.
ReplyDeleteI may have to have a visit to the spring quilt show at Malvern, I am going to need more fabric, have had quite a clear out.
I love that cake block, and the fabric you bought.
Keep sewing.......
Perhaps a quilt, or how about an orphan block swap, I have been in a few of those. I dare not go near a quilt show, I have bought a load of fabric recently, there is an order on its way, but equally I have worked through bins of scraps. I still have to look for a quilting group in the area, one day.
DeleteI love the none fattening cake, Pam. It's the best sort to have around me.
ReplyDeletePam, please can I ask you advice? Why is it, that whenever I make a fish pie or anything with white sauce in it , freeze it and then reheat it, does the sauce split? Any ideas or suggestions please.? Thank you
Do you use cornflour as a thickening agent, that is known for splitting, if I am going to freeze a sauce I use plain flour to make a roux and cook it out for around 5 minutes, then when all the liquid is added simmer for at least 3 minutes. Hope that is some help.
DeleteThanks for the tip Pam, will try it the next time I make fish pie.
DeleteThe cake block is brilliant, who is running the snapshot quilt block, I do recogonise the fabric :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is being run by The Fat Quarter Shop, each month a new block is released on the 15th.
DeleteThanks, :-)
DeleteLove it
ReplyDeleteThank you John, I do sew to please myself but it is good to know that others like my work.
DeleteYour new fabrics are beautiful! Fresh and vibrant! AND a bargain! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI have almost spent up to my limit for this quarter but could not resist, I do have a book budget that is cash rich so to speak, thanks to the village library. I hardly ever buy fabric at full price.
DeleteLovely, Pam. Ah, that cake block - a friend of mine began making that quilt er ....... several years ago now - still unfinished, I believe! Lx
ReplyDeleteI have the second block now, a sewing machine with even more teensy little pieces. I am determined to see it through though, it is in a good cause and it is good to stretch yourself. There are some much simpler blocks out there but I will stick with these ones.
DeleteI love any idea that saves more money for fabric, fabulous cake block, it'll make a brilliant birthday cushion..........did I mention that my birthday's in September, lol.
ReplyDelete