Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Plus Playtime QAL: Row 3 Construction

Well I am finding lots to smile about this past week, amid the tears that come upon me when not always expected. I am so very grateful to those of you who have written to me to tell me how much you like my quilt! I am so touched by the time dear friends have taken to write to me personally, sharing their thoughts, and told me sweet things about my blog...your words have meant so much to me, have raised my spirits, and I thank you so very very much. Yoga teaches ahimsa: do no harm. I also like to add: do good works. And so please know that I will be paying these small yet priceless kindnesses forward.

Something struck me this past week: I did last year's Freefall quilt in honour of my dad, a 'famous Canadian' (you'll have to go back to the posts to find out that inside joke's meaning). When I tentatively offered my first QAL last spring, it was a leap of faith, hope that a few would join in. I owe a lot to Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl who jumped in, bringing in more participants through her blog. My dad was a proud Canadian, and I felt his hand in doing that quilt along. Little did I know that this year's QAL would run into grieving the untimely and sudden passing of my mum, proud Englishwoman. She loved a good trompe l'ceil, where the eye is fooled, and she loved layered quilts. I think she'd like this second version a lot; she loved my kaleidoscope quilts, and this is Paula Nadelstern's fabric.

Row 3!
I smiled at how many of you said, 'Nope, couldn't stop!' and sewed row 3 without waiting for this week! Here's mine:

This week's pressing tip:

Be sure to press all the vertical seams to the right so that this last row's seams will nest with row 2's seams when you sew the three rows together.  When joining the rows, either press the two horizontal long seams both down, or press the seams open. I pressed mine down.

Block 7
Use your background pieces for this block.

Block 8
This one uses up the last of your shadow plus pieces.

Block 9
And this one uses up the last of your background pieces.

Place all nine blocks on your design wall, stand back, and admire! Be sure all things are correctly oriented too.


Hmm, I see my first H2H quilt peeking in from the left side of the photo!

Sew the blocks together into rows and the three rows into your quilt top. It should measure about 54.5" square.

Here is mine, in the bright sunshine:

I wish it wasn't so hard to capture the marbling of the black fabric, so divine! You get the idea if you look at the navy.

Next week on Tuesday, that's June 12, I'll have a linky party to show off your flimsy, and enter to win another $25 gift certificate from Tayva at Stitch Stash Diva. You can link up an Instagram post, a blog post, or a Flickr post. If you have none of the above, then email me a photo and I'll link you up through my Instagram!  ephdra (at) gmail (dot) com is my email.

On the email note, I must apologize for missing several comments, and for responding to several without realizing this whole blogger debacle made all of us no-reply bloggers, which meant my early-on nicely crafted answers went into the ether. I think I've got it figured out, as most of us have, just in time for them to have a fix out this week apparently.

There were 12 entries in the giveaway for the first 3-4 blocks draw, which is awesome. And the winner of the $25 gift certificate is.....

#10 which is Kathleen of KathleenMcMusing!  I love that a kindred muser won the first draw!

Thank you all for participating, and be sure to check back next Tuesday to link up your flimsy for the second giveaway!

July 6 is the Final Parade!

You have one month from today to get your quilt quilted up and ready for the final parade. Of course, if life gets in your way, or you happen to chase one of those all-too-plentiful squirrels along the way, and you don't quite get it quilted, a finished flimsy will do! The parade and final prizes draw (lots of great ones check them all out here) will happen on July 5....which I've just realized is TBT, so let's make it July 6! Perfect timing for the Friday linky parties.

Linking up
Cooking Up Quilts (did you SEE Beth's most recent quilt?!! Love!)
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13 comments:

  1. This is my comment so I will get notifications now of your comments and I can respond! If you're new to my blog, please leave your email in the comment box like this: ephdra (at) gmail (dot) com

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  2. It looks great! I'll be linking up because I'm actually on time for this QAL.

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  3. This was such a fun quilt to make. I've thoroughly enjoyed this QAL, Sandra! I'm noodling ideas for another PP, however, there are squirrels to be chased too. I haven't caught one as of late, so might be a good time to snag one, huh? Thanks for hosting this QAL!

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  4. Thanks forb saying such nice things about us---the commenters(?). Anyway, this is an easy fun quilt to follow and I appreciate that! So many things seem to happen in the summer even to us who have no children left in our homes. So simple is good. Thanks.
    quiltyladyrr (at) gmail (dot) com

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  5. Those fabrics are just to die for! I love them in the sun! I am going to do my best to get this quilted before the party. Although my daughter is demanding her unicorn get some attention...kids.

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  6. My fabric arrived yesterday so not sure if I will be linking up. From the comments it sounds like an easy to sew up quilt so maybe, will see. May be able to squeeze it in.

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  7. Thank you for such a colorful quilt along. I love the pattern and like some, once started I couldn't stop. Mine went to the quilter last week. Now I have to wait on pins and needles for it's return. But I do Have a photo to share next week. Keep you in my thoughts.

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  8. This is such a great quilt and a great pattern. I am so thankful that this QAL is going so well for you amidst the soup of emotions you must still be experiencing. I think of you often, as I'm sure many others do too. How wonderful that Kathleen got your prize :) xx

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  9. Well, you know I couldn't resist any part of this pattern! That's why I zoomed ahead to a finished flimsy so quickly. I have FORCED myself to set it aside for quilting later so that I could work on my charity projects. I know you support THAT work with your whole heart, and I appreciate that about you so, so much :)

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  10. Hi Sandra,
    Yay! One more day to get this all quilted and bound. HAHA! I have my quilt top all together so it should be very easy, in theory anyway, to have it quilted in a month. Besides, I'm starting another one soon - just have to pick up some fabric. Love this QAL and pattern so much! Happy Wednesday. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  11. You ARE the bright sunshine that lights up this quilt. Lots of love, hugs and best wishes. The countdown has begun :-)

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  12. So pleased at my win! I am thoroughly enjoying this pattern and it has inspired a little tutorial which you will see later. Remember, self-care is what you need, so do take care and let others take care of you, too.

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  13. I have so enjoyed watching this come together. I hope I find your next QAL early enough to join in! I'm especially glad that you're feeling a little encouraged. ((HUGS))

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