Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Look what postie brought.............

Through an on-line quilting group here in the UK, four of us have embarked on a block swap project.

I was inspired by Norma and her Elements swap and suggested something similar but using the four seasons as our theme

As you would expect our first blocks have to be made on the theme of Spring

This is the block I received in the post yesterday. I love the crocus fabric. I am expecting two other blocks from the other two people in the group eventually before the end of the month.

These will be coupled with the crocus block and my daffodil block you see here to make the first quarter of a Four Seasons quilt. If you look closely at the bottom green piece you will see that I have had to put a seam along its length. I only had a fat quarter of this spring green shade and had to cobble together the last of the four blocks which was the one I kept. I reckoned that once I'd pieced and quilted the whole thing you'd never notice that little seam. Now I just have to think what to do for my summer block - I'm kind of tempted to make exactly the same block for each season using different fabrics but I'm not sure - we'll see.

Finally it was our monthly quilters group meeting on Monday night where we listened to a talk from a male quilter entitled 'A man in a woman's world'. His name is Roy Dickinson and he has been awarded 2nd, 3rd and finally 1st over three years in the Hoffmann Challenge which is run here in the UK. I forgot my camera so sadly didn't get any photo's of the handful of his own quilts he brought with him but this is the prize I won in the raffle - a pattern for an applique 'Steam Train' - very fitting as Nigel's first love is just that. Not sure when I'll get round to making it for him - but I think it would look lovely on the wall of his model train area - when he gets it sorted out in the garage! Who can tell what will come first - the quilt or the train area :o)

10 comments:

Melanie said...

What fun!!!I love the thought of springtime. The train does not look like an easy task...

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

That train wallhanging would be fantastic in such a hobby area! The spring blooming blocks make me think of birds singing and the sweet smell of green grass.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh what a fun idea! And those blocks are so springy! I love it!

Lily Mulholland said...

Great idea Anne - I just don't know where you get the energy! Excellent idea for the train applique for Nigel's hobby room (when it gets sorted!)

YankeeQuilter said...

With all the snow today your springy blocks look wonderful!

Sio

Clare said...

The Daffodil material is beautiful and very apt as the daff's here are just about to flower!

Lois R. said...

Love the spring fabrics! And don't worry about the seam in the green. You're not the first woman to have refused to alter her plans when she is faced with a shortage of fabric! On the off chance that it does actually show in the final quilt, it will bring a look of authenticity to the quilt!

ForestJane said...

Ohh, love the colors so far in the Spring blocks, I'm VERY ready for Spring to get here. :)

I think the train looks pretty complicated too... paper pieced or appliqued?

meggie said...

I love those Spring blocks, it will be a very nice quilt if they all come up to that high standard start!

Also love the seam- agree with Lois. I loved how the pioneer women 'made do' & often had to use a slightly different piece to complete a block or quilt.

Also love the idea of the train for your husband!

Shelina said...

Those are nice blocks - I think I have a spring block made in exactly that same pattern.
The train wallhanging would look terrific. Maybe your working on it would motivate him to clean up the area.