Country Cottages.....

again!  Back when this BOM first started, I was feeling pretty ambitious.  I thought I would reduce the size of each block to 6", so that my finished quilt would not be so large.  Well....by March, reality set in, and I decided to go ahead with the designed dimensions.  I had done January's and February's block as six inches.  I kept up with all the other blocks at the regular size....which meant I had two blocks to redo.  Finally, here are the January and February blocks in the 12 1/2" by 12 1/2" size.
January:

A few details for this block:

I wasn't too happy with the snowman's hat and redid it a little, as well as the face and a portion of the scarf.  No giant snowflakes in the sky, either.  I did those in the six inch size and did not think they added that much to the block.

Here's February:

This one has become one of my favorites.  A few of the details for this one:

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone for stopping by to visit.  I especially enjoy reading the various comments left by those taking a few minutes out of their day to do so. :))

 

Country Cottages

Here it is!  Block 8 of the free BOM Country Cottages offered by Shabby Fabrics.  Only a few more days until Block 9. :)

I did my sunflowers with three different golds of wool felt.  I attached the background to the fabric and kept the other petals loose, adding a running stitch through the top of each petal.

More Christmas

Here is the redwork angel for the latest block for The Wish Quilt by Bronwyn Hayes of The Red Brolly.

Next,  the entire block with the angel, almost done.  The two small hearts need to be appliqued to be complete.

 

*** I am using DMC 3777 for the embroidery.***

Any Super Mario fans?

If you are a big person or little person and love Super Mario, here's the place to go for a look at a Super Mario character quilt:  Mario

My oldest son, Sam, has always been an avid fan from the time he was small.  Upon seeing the blocks, I decided to make one of them for his upcoming birthday.  I intend to make it into a large pillow for him to use in his new apartment...yes...he is a big guy now.:))  Check it out:

I deviated from the original plan of making lots and lots of tiny squares.  I made mine in strips, but used strips of colors instead of the individual blocks, where possible.

I showed it to Mike, my younger son, who thought it was great...but then added, "you know, Mario did have a brother....hint, hint...." ;)  Looks like I may be making Luigi next!

The Christmas Quilt...a little more!

Have a look at my progress, so far.  Lots of stitchery blocks in this design...so it does take a bit to complete things.

A close-up of the small angel.

The stitching girl on the "Home is Where the Heart is" block.

 A little closer view of the bear block joined with the angel and stitching girl.

The credit for these beautiful blocks goes to Bronwyn Hayes of The Red Brolly.  Go take a look!  The next block is ready. :)

Head down...

I know.  I have been terrible about trying to get my patterns ready for Annabelle...(hanging head down).  I have had a problem with Adobe resizing my pattern pieces (making them ever so slightly smaller).  I haven't been able to resolve this issue.  Of course, I am not proficient in this sort of thing.  Perhaps there is someone who can offer me a bit of advice on this?  I am open to any suggestions.

However, I have managed to put several more of my Annabelle blocks together.  This top is not finished yet.  I have to decide what I want to do for an outer border...it definitely needs something.

This version is a different colorway than the first one.  More blues, greens and red.  See what you think....

A closer view of the 'sunshine row.'

The middle row and bottom:

As you can see, I have added a blue border around all three rows.  Now to decide what to do next...plain border, what color border...applique border?

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Christmas Teddy

Here it is, the next part for The Wish Quilt...a cute teddy bear having her tea, next to the basket of sewing goodies.

Three little hearts.....

The entire block. :) 

I am enjoying the variety in these blocks...the redwork stitcheries, the applique and the patchwork-all together in one block!

An oldie...

Remember the bird with the Japanese fabrics?  Well....here's the very large center block for the My
Tweets project that was offered last year from Erin Russek.  I had decided not to do the entire quilt, only the large center block.  If you checked the link, you saw how Erin used a lot of very bright colors for her version.  After looking through the photos of all the WIP's, I decided that one of the ones I liked best was done with Japanese fabrics. 

My version of the center block is done mainly with browns, black, greys and dark greens with a few accents of the medium rose and gold.  I think I am going to finish this into a wallhanging by adding a border with a variety of the Japanese fabrics.

Here's (almost) the entire center block:

Sweetheart Houses

When you first look at the overall picture of this quilt, you think, 'pink.'  However, there really is not that much pink in the first block...more reds.

And, an 'oops'....my ric rac was attached in a straight line...but when I pressed the block from the back...they all got a bit wonky.  I had taken the picture before I realized, but I did smooth them out.

Just in case you are interested, Sweetheart Houses is an original BOM quilt from Shabby
Fabrics.

Stay tuned for more of The Wish Quilt.