Pretty in Pink

I am running  a little late today…sorry but it is still Monday in the US so I am still within the set parameters of Paper Piecing MONDAY!  So here goes…

Cactus Snowball blockI ummed and ahhed about making the center of the block black and white or pink.  A pink center give the blocks a cool star at its center but I liked how the black and white highlighted the pennant like section of the block.

blocks piecesThe free pattern for this 12 inch block can be found here….Pink ball 3.

I will have four blocks done next week which will allow me to start playing with the layout of the quilt top.  I promise to include some wip photos of all the blocks next week.

Tickled Pink….

This weeks Paper Piecing Monday block is the second in my snowball series….

Spikey SnowballI am loving the shape of these blocks and I must admit I may do more than I originally scheduled… this block is adapted from a pattern that came with my EQ program.  It has quite a few little bits, and takes 80 fabric scraps to make!

Snowball block partsSo if you would like to give it a try you can find the free PDF pattern here…Pink ball 2.

Tune in next Monday for another pink snowball block, and another bad pun!

How do you solve a problem like….

Scraps…bits of left over fabrics?  As you can tell from my blocks and quilts I fully embrace scraps and scrap quilting.  I revel in fat quarters and 1/8th yard cuts…but sometimes it all gets a little too much.

I hit critical point about two weeks ago when I could not find a fat quarter of fabric, that I knew I had.  My scrap bins were over flowing and my fabric had invaded every room in the house.  This was the trigger point to start trying to get things under control…and my first step was to grab all the little bits and pieces of solid fabrics I had to try and wrangle them into a manageable form.

solid fabric scrapsI ironed them and then set about cutting the pieces into squares….

my block sizesI settled on 3, 4 and 5 inch squares.  For each scrap piece I start cutting 5 inch squares (if the piece is big enough) and cut as many as I can from the scrap.  I then cut what is left into either 3 or 4 inch squares.    At the end of my first round of cutting I had this nice stash of 5 inch squares…

my 5 inch block collectionThe little strips and bits I have left over I would usually just throw but I have been bagging them up and keeping them for another project that I am working.

small scrapsI selected the size of my blocks after much consideration.  I chose 5 inch blocks because I use this size regularly, particularly when I am doing quick wonky star quilts.  The 4 inch blocks I find handy for making half square triangles and the 3 inch blocks are a size that is called for all the time when making Bee blocks.

After all my good cutting work I put some of the 3 inch squares to use to make my husband this….

creeper pillowYep I made him a Creeper pillow.    I used Slightly Off Quilter’s free quilt pattern for this pillow… LINK.  This is actually the first in a series of Minecraft** pillows I will be making for my darling husband…all using the 3 inch solid fabric squares.

pillow detail The pillow finishes at 20 inches square and I used a cheap and cheerful IKEA pillow form.  I did use a high loft batting (extra plush) to quilt the top, to make up for the less puff pillow form.

Now it is back to ironing and cutting and cleaning.  I need to get some sort of order restored to the house… if you need me I will be in the spare room tackling my other scraps…

** Minecraft is a computer game that involves exploring, mining,  gathering resources, crafting, and combat. There are no goals as such and players are free to explore the world and do what they want.

In the pink….

This week I am starting on a new paper piecing adventure.   It will not be a long one, but hopefully it will be fun.  The coming series of blocks is inspired by the impending arrival of a friends baby…

free paper piece patternYep they are having a girl…I wanted to do a quick, scrappy fun quilt for them using snowball blocks.    I have designed five 12 inch blocks for this quilt and for a change, I have an idea of what the final quilt will look like!

quilt block parts

This first block takes 48 pieces of fabric to make and as you can tell I full embraced the novelty print and pretty pink.  Just so that it did not get to sweet and girly I added some dinosaurs just for good measure!  You can find the free PDF pattern here….Pink ball one

I hope you will indulge me and my love of pink over the following few weeks as I work to get this quilt done!

The last green star for a while…

So I have decided this will be the last green star for a spell…but do not despair I will be back next week with a new colour scheme and paper piecing pattern… but till then I give you my Inner Star…

8 inch paper pieced starThis cute little number uses the same basic star shape as last week but with some tweaks to the pattern…and is a more manageable 32 pieces…

quilt partsYou can find the free PDF pattern here…Inner Star PP Pattern.

Enjoy.