Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Slow goings

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With the hubby being out-of-town most of the week, working full-time and looking after my sprout (son), I did not have time to do much this week. I definitely did not get in my 30 minutes a day.

I added 1 more block to my X and + quilt blocks to make 10 (only 38 to go – obviously not reaching my “A lovely year of finishes” goal for this month)…but at least there was progress!!
X&+Block_10

I made two iPhone/iPad stands.
Text_iPhoneStand

I also am excited for two reasons…my mum is arriving from NZ today!!! and I am starting to pull fabrics for the classes at Sew Down Nashville. Here are my fabric selections for Carolyn Friedlander’s class using her Aerials quilt design.

1PA-CarolynFriedlander-1110_MED
(image taken from Pink Chalk Fabrics who sell the pattern)

First off it is all Lotta Jansdotter prints that I have been saving for the right project. This is it!! I am planning on mostly blacks, whites and greys; with a section of the yellows and oranges.

SewDown_CarolynFriedlanderClass

I am hoping to get a whole lot done this weekend to catch-up and finish of my quarterly project goals.

P.S. Book Review Tuesdays will be back 2nd Tuesday in April.

Sunday Stash #10 – 2014: Activities & Winner

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Ever had those days where you just can’t do anything. That has been my last 3 days, I totally blame it on the detox diet I am doing for the next 10 days. For an attempt to get out of that funk…why not post about fabric and upcoming activities + the winner of my giveaway.

Did you all see Craftsy Mystery Quilt Workshop?? It is with Tula Pink using Fox Fields. I definitely signed up as I am hoping the quilt is something like her butterfly quilt. The fabric arrived for the workshop this week:
TulaPinkFox_MysteryQuilt TulaPink_FoxMysteryQuilt

I love those rabbit fabrics!! The colors are going to  make a fantastic quilt….I don’t think I would have bought yardage of this line, so I am happy for a project for them.

The other project/competition I am so excited for is Umbrella Prints annual competition. The trimmings packet arrived yesterday.
UmbrellaPrints_Competition

Now, all I need is an idea and a project to use these lovelies.UmbrellaPrints_CompetitionFabric

I am linking up with Kristel @ Work in Progress girl, who is hosting Sunday Stash this week.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments on my 500 followers post. And without further adieu, the winner of the 500 follower give-away package is:
Screen Shot 2014-03-23 at 5.10.59 PM
which is Jannette @ Quilting with Jannette. Congratulations, I will email you tonight to get your postage address and colors for your triple zipper pouch.

Book Review Tuesdays: Winner = 500 Quilt Blocks

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Most of you guessed the mystery book. 500 quilt blocks.

Review

9781416209119_p0_v1_s260x420Title:  “500 quilt blocks”
Author:  Lynne Goldsworthy & Kerry Green
Publisher:  Sellers Publishing, Inc.
ISBN:  978-1-41620-911-9

This book is a great reference book for various quilting blocks. The book has a great introduction section which covers cutting techniques, hand stitches, sewing machine needle sizes, block construction and different techniques, and how to finish your quilt. The book is small in size, perfect for carrying and taking with you if traveling.

Each chapter of the book, covers various blocks based on a specific theme. The chapters are broken up starting with easy blocks and growing in complexity as it goes. For most blocks, there are up to 3-4 variations of the blocks. I really like the variations of each of the blocks and allow you to see how to make tweaks and changes to blocks you may have made or plan to make. A lot of effort was put into the book, as many of the blocks have not only have diagrams but also, photographs of made blocks.

Some of the things I do not like about this book:

  • The book includes templates but the book is so small that you would need to enlarge 200-400%.
  • There are projects scattered throughout each chapter. Unfortunately, I did not like any of the projects.
  • The instructions for making up the blocks are scant, which makes it difficult to make up. You have to kind of guess which pieces are what when sewing them together. Lining up the squares definitely assume you have extensive knowledge.

I will use this book for looking up blocks, maybe to come up with possibly bee blocks, or a sample quilt but it is also likely to stay on my shelf as well. For these reasons, I am only giving this book 2/5 buttons.

images-9  images-8 

Project

I decided to choose the “Broken Wheel” block and it’s variations. Ultimately, I plan to make these into a 20″ pillow….though, I am running a little behind. I did complete the main block, and plan on using 3 of the other 4 additional variations.

BrokenWheel_Block1_500quiltblocks

Fabric: Kona Torch, Kona Pond, Kona Wasabi, Kona Nautical and Kona White.

Winner

First off, thank you so much for all your wonderful guesses and playing along!!! And now onto the winner from last weeks comments….

Screen Shot 2014-03-18 at 11.06.27 PM

and #28 is Daisy over @ ants to sugar!!! Daisy, I will drop a copy off to you when I see you next. Congratulations!!

A disclaimer, all reviews and opinions of the books reviewed will be mine, unless otherwise stated. Please note, I may not respond to all comments due to volume and bandwidth.

I am linking up with Lee over @ Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday (for the pillow project).