Scrappy Happy Heart (TSS 029)

LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

I found a little time for myself and finally had a chance to work on my scrappy heart! Oh, what fun! I'm finding this quilt is morphing more and more into a "blue and green" quilt (with splashes of red and purple to keep things interesting)! Wow, they are really printing some beautiful greens lately - not easy to find so I'm snatching them up when I see them.  This quilt is really teaching me to move past the glitzy fabrics on the shop shelves and flush out my basics for blending.

As I've now completed twenty (of the 32 blocks - I know! I know! But I'm still working on them as steadily as I can),  I decided to share a quick collage of my blocks to date.

 

These are all 6" blocks (finished) using applique, embroidery, piecing, paper-piecing, and embellishing.

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

That's a lot of pieces!

I've decided to keep a counter at the bottom of these posts to track them. 

The totals are based on the original patterns and not on deviations.

Scrappy Happy Heart = 20

Total to Date: 430 pieces*

*The count only includes the blocks I've completed to date

Happy, Happy (TSS 004)

It's Sunday morning, and I completed another block in The Splendid Sampler quilt-along before the next one comes out. I said I would only make the ones that intrigued me so now I'm.. well... four for four.

But isn't this a happy block? It's aptly named Happy, Happy and created by Jen Kingwell. Her pattern called for straight appliqued circles, but I loved the idea of doing Yo-Yos and other techniques. When first I saw the block I envisioned ruched flowers, ribbon embroidery, poppies. I'm inspired by the others in the quilt-along fussy-cutting and embroidering. How hard can this be? 

Oh, how naive.

My first Yo-Yo in about 18 years and it came out a planned 5/8"! Holy smokes that's small! 

It took a few minutes to remember the formula, but I have it now.

Admittedly, I didn't like my first Yo-Yo flower. My second wasn't fabulous either. What is it? What am I forgetting? What's nagging at me? I felt like Winnie the Pooh

Think. Think. Think.

Ah, my running stitch was too small. As I result my first Yo-Yos were all "gathers" and little "flower". The smaller the stitch, the more fabric bunched in the seam and the taller the effect. With my red Yo-Yo, I made my stitch a little longer, and it turned out smoother and tighter.

By the time I was satisfied with my Yo-Yos, I had enough for a bouquet and decided to stick closer to the character of the original pattern. 

I almost fussy-cut my bouquet - lovely fabric.

Although not my favorite block, I've decided I might embellish it more but not make a new one. This Splendid Sampler is a journey, and I think it will be fascinating see how much I grow in the next year. Although normally very Type A about my quilting, I decided being overly critical of each block will take the joy out of this learning experience. And, besides, mixed in with 99 other blocks, who will notice a few imperfections?

Can you believe these are 6" blocks!?!

For a free copy of Happy, Happy, visit the The Splendid Sampler webpage.

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What have I learned?

• Batiks are fabulous to use for Yo-Yo's not only for their unique designs but they don't shred as much as regular cotton fabric.
• When using cotton fabrics, use a good-quality fabric with a tight weave.
• Don't forget that the smaller the Yo-Yo the likelier the fabric pattern will get lost.
• The longer the running stitch the flatter the Yo-Yo.
• Use the formula!
• Yo-Yos are addictive!

Sometimes It's the Little Things...

... Sometimes it's the little things that get you through your day, week, life... Things have been a little tough here in Michigan. A dear family member (my best friend) is recovering from surgery. All employment is uncertain. Had to take my car for new wiper arms, new starter, new tires.

A good friend said, "January is the 'Monday' of the year." If that's so, we're still stuck around "Tuesday"!

There are two awesome pieces of advice my family has taught me over the years (I cherish them even if I forget to practice them):

1. Do not stress over something that "might happen" because, if the worse actually happens, do you really want to "experience" it twice?

2. Even on toughest days, wake up each morning and think of one bright spot, no matter how insignificant, to get you through the day.

Here are some of my bright spots and life's little pleasures that have made me smile lately:

+ Watching my nephew chase ducks & geese on Belle Isle
+ Cherry Crush soda
+ Finishing my March blocks-of-the-month with 2 days to spare
+ Mulberry & Mandarin soy candles from Swan Creek Candle Co
+ Finding last year's Moda Fruitcake fabric on sale for 40% off
+ Making my Dad laugh until it hurts
+ Getting an advance copy of Frank Tallis's latest book only available in England.
+ Oscar & Ginger snuggling in my Friendship Star quilt
+ Hershey chocolate Kisses in Easter foil
+ My free Cardstar app for my iPhone

So... What makes you smile lately?

Happy Spring!
Elisa

Quilt and Bee Happy!

THE POSTMAN CAME! THE POSTMAN CAME!

Wading through the snow - my package came from 1StitchOff. Isn't it beautiful?



I'm wearing it while making warm chocolate chip cookies and finishing my Friendship Star tops!

Now THIS is a snow day!