Tuesday 10 January 2012

What's goin on...

So much for a slow, quiet start to the year.  Have you seen everything that's going on in Quiltybloggyland?
First up, as it is especially for beginners, there's a wonderful thing going on over at Fairyface Designs...


FairyFace Designs


There is so much happening in Sarah's {SEW} Get Started that I wont try and fit it all in here, go and have a look!  Anything you could want to know about starting sewing, all in one place.


Then there is this....
Mouthy Stitches
CLICK HERE TO GO TO GROUP
Which is the first of possibly many swaps from my mouthy mates, Susan, Hadley and Cindy.  It's starting off with a nice and easy (hahaha) zippy pouch, and should be great fun.




And then there's the Quilt-A-Longs...  so many tempting quilts to join in making....
Like this one.....


Stained QAL
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/stainedqal/" title="Stained QAL"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6675119035_da87d0abfc_m.jpg" alt="Stained QAL" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Yes, in case you'd forgotten, there is also MY QAL!   (Please don't forget!)  Cos I haven't... I've been quietly messing about finalising the design on EQ7, and planning out how to do the posts.  Quite a lot more to take into account than I'd realised to be honest!  If anyone has any pointers of how they'd like to see things feel free to let me know now whilst I'm still planning!
So far, my rough schedule is as follows.  I was asked to keep it slow, and I think this ought to do it!

  • Friday 20th January  Quilt details, Fabric Requirements
  • Friday 3rd February  Block one (3 to make)
  • Friday 10th February Block Two (4 to make)
  • Friday 17th February Block Three (5 to make)
  • Friday 24th February Block Four (5 to make)
  • Friday  2nd March Quilt Top Assembly

I am also thinking of seeing if I can do a google doc that you can print out, with the patterns for all blocks in case you want to go faster!
Now, I'm not going to provide full instructions beyond that, but I will provide a selection of my favourite tutorials and guides to every step that takes a pieced top to a finished quilt.   I've set up a flickr group too so anyone taking part can post pics, and anyone stuck can ask questions.  Call me lazy if you want... but I prefer to think of it as sensible.  I'm still learning myself, this QAL is to show you how I made the Stained Pink Quilt, so I'm talking you through turning the design picture to a quilt top.  The rest of it.. well... if you've read this blog before you'll know I've never gotten it right first time myself yet!  I'll be following the same tutorials as you to get it finished after that!


Meantime, all this excitement online and I've got nowt much to report to be honest.  I was working on a little stack and slash project, but that's now gone into a bag to be looked out later this year when I need something else for Rhonda's Finish Along!  Well...  it was going okay, but I completely lost steam on it.  Too many other things coming up.  Like all of the above, plus round two of  For the Love of Solids (I know, I was so sure I wasn't going to do it, but then Susan...well, lets just say she can be persuasive).  
And, most exciting of all... mum's coming up to visit for a few weeks!  I'm going to supply the fabric, she's hopefully bringing enough sewing mojo for both of us...  carnt wait!  

32 comments:

  1. I seem to have acquired a new button - thank you!
    How funny, I think 'stained' has triggered my mummy-mode on flickr as it suggests yours may not be a safe group!!

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  2. I will most definitely be trying to follow along with you although I may be slightly behind. Please forgive me now just in case ;)

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  3. That's why you've been so quiet. Just busy getting on with things. Bring it on!

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  4. I know!!! I have a list longer than my arm of things to do already and then more wonderful things just keep jumping onto the end of it, this year is turning out to be manic and im supposed to be saying No to things but I just dont want to!

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    1. Here it is ... ten years later, Charlotte and reading your comment is like reading my mind! I really want to do this one now but I am finishing 2 of my dozens of WIPs and then going to make a blue and yellow one for Ukrainian refugees! It never ends.LOL

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  5. I think I'm going to give it a go...bring it on! I'm very excited :)

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  6. Gah typical - right when I'm away... I might have to be a sideline cheerleader this time and maybe have a crack as a late entry once it's all over...

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  7. Oh crap I had forgotten, but it's okay, it's in February, that's marginally quieter than January o.O

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  8. I think I'm going to have to sit on the sidelines with the Stained QAL, darn it.

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  9. I am going to acquire that button too. I will put the schedule in my Google quilting calendar, which I now need, have committed to a thing or two. I look forward to getting started.

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  10. Wow-- lots and lots of exciting things happening!! And I just learned that you are hosting a quilt along-- you are ambitious!! I'll have to check out Fairy Face Designs beginner sewing tutes. Not yet ready for the Mouthy Stitchers one as I've only done one zipper and need more practice (and this paper piecing class is keeping me really busy) I guess I really am behind on my blog reading!!

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  11. Button gotten! I think it all sounds great but I have to be honest and say that for me that is a great # of blocks to do in one week. No biggie because I am usually behind anyway. LOL

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  12. Woohoo! Love your button. I might struggle a bit with the schedule, especially the 5 blocks in one week, but I will do my best! Jxo

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  13. I am totally excited about your QAL! It's going to be great. I'm ready to shop as soon as you tell us what we need :)

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  14. God I think I should talk to Frank! I just cant say no! Im too much already but my cunning plan is hopefully I will like my partners choices ftlos swap and I'll have loads left over as we'll be using multiple colours so hoping I can use it up here!

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  15. I agree, it's gone beserk with new challenges in blog land since the new year - and just when I returned to work (damn!). But I am joining in with anything I think is within my limited skills (your quilt is definately beyond me at the moment - but I will watch your posts with interest) x

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  16. Good luck with your QAL - I would love to take part but may have to see what the fabric requirements are as I`m on an enforced fabric diet (no money). I shall certainly be watching if not participating!

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  17. Yippee!!! I'm totally in :) Damn it that takes the number of quilts on my to-do list to 10!!!

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  18. There does seem to be a lot going on, but rest assured, I am planning to follow your quilt along! My definition of slow may be slower than yours though...

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  19. Gosh, sounds like a busy January! To be fair, mine is turning out to be busier than expected. I'm so impressed that you're hosting a quilt-along...that's pure dedication! Good luck! I'll be following its progress for future reference!

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  20. Thanks for the link to fairy face designs - so much inspiration !

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  21. Can't wait to get started! Not convinced I will keep up but I will finish it!!

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  22. Ooh, yay, you've answered my "what am I going to do with my "ittle Apples fabric" question! Can't wait to join this one with you :-)

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  23. Woo-hoo! You know I'm playing along, right? There's TONS all happening just now, I've been very good and only joined one swap and your Staind (much better spelling! *g*) QAL. Ccz it's too tempting to join everything and then I panic!!

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  24. Yeah!! Thank you for the slow start, I might have caught up by then! My safe filters went off too - Flickr asked me if I was sure I wanted to continue and offered me a 'show me the kittens' option!

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  25. Looks brilliant...! Wish I could join in but I am trying so hard to be realistic! Zippy pouches yes, big quilts, no! Hope you all have a brilliant time with it.

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  26. Wow you are busy! Hoping to join in still! Slow start is good!

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  27. Wow you have been a busy bunny. I'm not joining in the zipper thing in the end as I don't do zips. I hope you have a lovely time with your Mam. Sorry I was a bit thick the other day on Flickr. The pain killers were really messing with my head. lol not much new there then !! pop along and show me what you're up to if you have time. Px

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