Round Trip Quilts, Stop #2

It’s been 6 weeks, so it’s time for our quilts to continue their journey!  I joined the Round Trip Quilt bee, which is made up of US and Canada bloggers that met through the New Blogger Group from Plum and June.  We are a pretty relaxed and free form bee group.  We don’t make (necessarily) an entire border all the way around each time, and we usually (but not always) sew an additional piece to one or more sides of the quilt.  I love our rules because as a group, there are some amazing quilts taking shape.

Round Trip Quilts - Christina

This round I have an autumn themed quilt from Christina at Wips and Tuts.  She used the center medallion from the Liberty medallion quilt that went around quilty blog-land awhile ago.  It’s from the book Liberty Love by Alexia Marcelle Abegg (affiliate link).  This is such a fantastic medallion center, and it’s being added to my never ending bucket list of quilts.

As soon as I saw her initial blog entry explaining the theme of her quilt, I got excited.  I love fall, and I was fortunate enough to get this quilt during fall.  It felt perfect.  Then I discovered I had more ideas than I could easily narrow down!  Seriously, my Round Trip Quilts pinterest board is over half autumn block ideas.

Kim at Ties that Bind Quilting added the first round to this quilt.  She added apples all around the center, which is so perfect for fall!  When I pulled the quilt out of the package, I had two immediate thoughts.  1 – this is awesome and 2 – this is huge for only being the second round!

Round Trip Quilts - Christina

As I said before, I was actually stymied by how many directions I could take this quilt!  I even had a misstep before deciding on the final choice.  My first attempt were some freeform pumpkins, that while I like them, I did not like them with this quilt.  It’s alright though – they will make some pretty sweet placements for next fall.

Round Trip Quilts - Christina
Quilting FAIL

I actually hate them less in this photo than I did initially.  Ironically, the linen I laid down so that I didn’t get the quilt dirty would have made a nice border and made them sort of work even though the style is still wrong for where the quilt is right now.

Round Trip Quilts - Christina

Next, I asked Christina on Instagram (with this selection of brown fabric) how she felt about squirrels because she had mentioned woodland creatures as a possible inspiration topic.  Squirrels (or bunnies as my daughter calls them), are a very popular topic in our house.  The squirrels in the backyard are entertainment during most meals, and there is a Curious George episode that features squirrels that she absolutely loves.  Thus, when I found the squirrel pattern from During Quiet Time, it seemed like a perfect option.  Plus, Christina had ok’d it as an option.

paper pieced squirrel

I reverse printed one squirrel so that the two squirrels could be facing each other.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the back before I peeled the papers off, because all those reverse printed letters and numbers looked pretty funny.  Although, because I was making two at the same time with such similar colors, having one set reversed was a lifesaver so I didn’t connect the wrong parts!

I did have a moment of doubt as to the scale of these two guys.  These blocks are 12″ square.  They are pretty large squirrels.  I considered reducing the size, but due to the paper piecing pattern, if I had done that there would have been some spots that I never would have gotten the paper out of.  Then, I felt better when I considered that the squirrels are actually is really good proportion to the size of the apples.  Christina, I hope you feel the same way!

Fall Quilt

Next I just had to add some sashing at each side and in the middle so that the squirrels lined up properly with the rest of the quilt, and I was ready to pass this quilt on!  This quilt moves on to Liz at Green Cheese Quilting next and I can’t wait to see what she does with it.

The next quilt I received is the center from Chelsea at Patch the Giraffe.  She picked a really soothing palette that I am looking forward to working with.

I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

– Heather

 

Linking up to some of the following: Anything Goes MondayFabric Tuesday @ Quilt StorySew Cute Tuesday @ Blossom Heart QuiltsWiP Wednesday @ Freshly PiecedLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric

Spring 2014 4×5 Modern Bee

I chose to make the Double Pinwheel Block from McCalls.

I think it’s a fun block, that isn’t seen very much around the inter webs right now.  It’s one of those classic blocks that can be modernized with fabric choices.  The only downside of the block is using the construction directions from McCalls there are a gazillion bias edges.  All you can do is starch like crazy and hope for the best.

Spring 2014 Hive #3 4x5 Modern Bee

Sarah requested aqua, lime, cobalt, and grey on a text or low volume background.

Double Pinwheel Block

 

Christina requested sea foam green, pale turquoise, pale gold, champagne, pearl white, and kona white background.

Double Pinwheel Block

 

Cinda requested aqua/turquoise, orange, yellow, and grey with a white or low volume background.

Double Pinwheel Block

Dawn requested red, turquoise, aqua and pink with a white background.

Double Pinwheel Block

Brandy requested purple and aqua with grey or low volume background.

Double Pinwheel Block

I continued with my real world red and white theme.

Double Pinwheel

– Heather

Linking to: Anything Goes MondayWiP Wednesday @ Freshly PiecedLet’s Bee Social Wednesday @ SewFreshQuiltsNeedle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt InfatuationWhoop Whoop Fridays @ Confessions of a Quilt AddictFabric Frenzy Friday @ Ft. Worth Fabric, and Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.