My first Hummingbird blocks

Such a busy day today!

I've joined in the 2014 Grow Your Blog Party  run by Vicki of 2 Bags Full and have started to read some new blogs as well as the ones I follow already. I'm going to try to visit 10 new blogs a day and hopefully, maybe, possibly, I'll have a few more followers. I love the 7 I have but would love to meet people all over the world.

The weather here today in Wales is pretty mixed; one minute sunshine but cold, the next blustery showers. Roll on Summer! I spent the morning in the conservatory cutting pieces for my Hummingbird Quilt. It's for Alexandra, my 4 year old granddaughter who is a lover of all things pink and rabbits. I hope this is moving a bit away from baby pink but still girly.

Secret Garden fabrics plus a couple of new solids

The first blocks came together quite easily once I had made sure that the seams met exactly. I love the way the points are (quite) sharp too. I have a Kaffe Fassett fabric that is really bright that might do for the backing but I'll wait until I have done most of the blocks before deciding this time. I have 9 metres of fabric that I chose for my first quilt and none of the 3 were right.

I think it will be really pretty and just right for Alexandra.



I'm rather in awe of all the stylish blogs I've visited today and would welcome any ideas to tidy up this blog and make it more attractive. There is such a lot to learn!



Have a fantastic weekend, no matter what the weather is like,

Catherine


UPDATE:  I've linked into Celtic Thistle Stitches with the "New to me in 2014 party". I think I'll be linking a lot. So much to learn, so little time. New to me on this post are the foundation paper pieced hummingbird blocks. My first try at FPP. Not too bad if I say so myself!

Foundation paper piecing

I've been impressed with some of the blogs using this technique and thought I'd try a new technique to me. I came across the Hummingbird block and quilt made by Rita at Red Pepper Quilts and it seemed it would kill two birds with one stone. A new technique for me and using up some scraps from my stash that were left over from making bunting for my granddaughters.    

The instructions were fairly easy to follow and I made a few practice blocks. It seems counter-intuitive to cut pieces larger than needed then trim afterwards but I have to agree the results are pretty good. Accuracy was all in our beginner's class…... 

…...After thinking things over last night I've decided to make a single bed quilt for my eldest granddaughter Alexandra. She's four now and my daughter has ordered her a French style daybed. It should have arrived before Christmas but will be here in February. She is having mostly white bedlinen so I think that a feminine quilt on top would look fab. I have ordered a Nel Whatmore Secret Garden Fat quarter pack in the linen colour way and some Spectrum Plain in latte to tone with it. I like the look of the Secret Garden; feminine but not too much of a baby pink. Pink has been Lexies favourite colour to date. Should that be discouraged? I'm not so sure.

So, waiting for the fabric to arrive…..

I'm sitting in bed enjoying my breakfast this morning. A treat from my dear husband. I can see frost on our neighbour's roof and I'm in no hurry to get up. The joys of retirement - not that I do it much!

Browsing through links on blogs I came across the following post and as I agree so much with Catherine who blogs at Knotted Cotton I am going to join up.
I think I am a bit of a Type A, obsessive personality and when I find a new interest it tends to take over my life; knitting, family history, sewing, quilting and now blogging. 



Crochet class tonight so I'd better have a practice doing a couple of squares and trying to remember all the stitches. Don't want to be the dunce of the class and hold them all up!

Catherine