Eat Your Greens - Mug Rug

Green vegetables - Brussel Sprout Mug Rug

It hasn't all been Dear Jane blocks here this Easter.  I have been working on some other projects which you will hear about in due course.  One little project was this 'Brussels Sprout Mug Rug'. A finish deserves a link with Crazy Mom Quilts.


Brussel Sprout patchwork fabric

I guess sprouts are popular with some people and not so much with others.  I tolerate one or two with my Christmas dinner, but I tend to draw the line there.  However, my husband loves them and tries to sneak them into as many dishes as possible.  I saw this Brussels Sprout fabric in a shop a while ago and had to purchase a fat quarter.  I always love to look at the 'fruit and veg' section in a quilt shop.

Green vegetables - Brussel Sprout Mug Rug

So for Easter he was gifted this little mug rug for his cup of coffee.  It was a quick make.  I didn't want to cut up the sprouts too much, so I went for a simple design, which is large enough for a cup and a biscuit.  I think he was quite pleased with it.
So which side of the fence do you sit regarding sprouts?

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook

Here  are at the end of March and looking back on the Dear Jane progress I have managed to complete 18 blocks this month, which must be a record for me so far. Border triangle block, LR12 Button Hook looks quite straightforward, but what look like squares were slightly diamond shaped so a bit of caution was required and then you get to the applique...


Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block LR12 Button Hook



There is a very small diamond shape at the top of the triangle which could easily be conveniently overlooked, but I know that even if there are no Quilt Police, there are definitely Dear Jane Police out there.  I approached it by cutting out some iron-on Vilene the same shape, pressing it, tacking it and appliqueing it down.  I knew trying to remove paper from this itty bitty bit was going to be fruitless, so the Vilene stays in.  In reality it is so small it only requires about six stitches, so once started it is quickly done.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

I always feel a quiet sense of relief each time I complete a triangle border block from the Dear Jane quilt.  Before I started the journey I promised myself that I would complete ALL the triangle borders and that I would give the quilt the traditional scallop edge finish, so another triangle done keeps me on track.  This is border triangle block RR2 Cherokee Lee.  In my edition of the Dear Jane book there are no names given to the triangle blocks, I seem to be picking them up from the Electric Quilt Dear Jane software that I am using.



Dear Jane Quilt - Border Triangle Block RR2 Cherokee Lee

Here you can see all the Cherokee Lee pieces laid out ready to be basted.  Some of the shapes are 'unique' and with diamonds scattered amongst it, I made sure that everything was in its exact position.  Before I cut out the pieces I take a photo on my iPAD to see the exact position of each piece which I refer to plenty of times!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 24 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 25 - Border Triangles LR2, RR2, LR12, RR12

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 24 - A12, C13, D11, E6

I think Draw 24 is a particularly pretty set of Dear Jane blocks.  I always prefer blocks set on point as it always manages to make them look more elaborate and more interesting. 

I usually post these regular sets of four blocks up on my Pinterest page, where you can increasingly get a good visual idea of where this quilt is heading.

Draw 25 is another round of border triangles.  For some reason the triangles feel difficult but when you actually do them, most of them are simpler than the Dear Jane blocks themselves.

Draw 25
LR2 - Barb's Diamond
RR2 - Cherokee Lee
LR12 - Button Hook
RR12 - Linda's Church in the Valley

This draw is Red

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E6 Michelle's Medley

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E6 Michelle's Medley

I have had a very busy stitching weekend and have managed to do a few Dear Jane blocks amongst it all.  Here is Dear Jane block E6 Michelle's Medley.  Some fussy cutting, some applique and I have another completed block.


Easter Bunnies

I hope you have had a pleasant weekend - Easter certainly has its plus points!


Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 28 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C13 Lakota Sioux




Happy Easter - Hot Cross Buns

Happy Easter!  It is a beautiful day here today and I was up early stitching Dear Jane blocks to make the most of the extra hours, before we lose one on Sunday.  I am definitely an early person and was surprised how much I got done in the early hours.  I have been out for a walk and enjoyed a Hot Cross Bun already, as the weather doesn't look so promising tomorrow.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C13 Lakota Sioux

I don't know how big your screen is, but the little cornerstones on Dear Jane block C13 Lakota Sioux were small.

I am enjoying the Dear Jane journey, partly because of the names.  The terminology makes it very 'American', and it serves to revive my knowledge of American history.  I know a little bit about Sioux Indians from studying Custer's Last Stand in school, so this block prompted me to go and refresh my memory.

Enjoy the Easter holidays!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 25 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A12 Framed Fancy

Dear Jane Quilt - Block A12 Framed Fancy

Here's a pretty block.  It has 37 pieces which is quite a lot for Dear Jane.  It is one of the few blocks which have Flying Geese in them, whereas I seem to remember the Nearly Insane quilt had quite a few.  I had a go a fussy cutting, but it is not shown off to its best on this block.

I am currently working on my Dear Jane blocks at my workstation in front of the TV.  On the side of the armchair is a growing pile of trimmings which accumulate during the process.  Suzi the cat has managed to jump up many times without it toppling over onto the carpet.  It shouldn't be long now.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 37 pieces

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D11 Snow Crystal

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D11 Snow Crystal

This is block D11 Snow Crystal.  I think the red looks lovely and I am pretty pleased with the appliqued diamonds, as it is ages since a Dear Jane block has demanded that I do some applique on it.

This is the bag I carry my Dear Jane blocks around in.  No I didn't make it.  No it isn't pretty.  BUT it is waterproof and has a zip to shut it firmly. All I know is, pretty stuff comes out of it.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing and Applique
Pieces: 17 pieces
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 24 - A12, C13, D11, E6

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 23 - D1, I3, J2, L4

As I said before, this Draw has been quite RED heavy, but they will be evenly distributed throughout the quilt, so I don't believe they will look out of place.



Doll Quilt Swap 2015 - Mini Irish Chain quilt

Whilst Dear Jane is moving steadily along I  have signed up to Lori's Doll Quilt Swap over at Humble Quilts.  This is the little Irish Chain quilt I made for Wendy last year and I am at the stage of designing my quilt for my swap partner for 2016.  Thanks to Marcia and Wendy my Civil War era fabric stash is looking more healthy this year.

Anyway, moving onto Draw 24

A12 - Framed Fancy
C13 - Lakota Star
D11 - Snow Crystal
E6 - Michelle's Medley

These Dear Jane blocks will also be in Red.

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light

I love it when these Dear Jane blocks quietly come together whilst you are stitching, but doing something else at the same time.  I think it is called multi-tasking.  The Formula 1 motor racing season has started and often involves sitting down to watch for a couple of hours during a weekend.  This is ideal stitching time and a good reason to follow the sport.

This is Block D1 Alison's Guiding Light and is the last of the current red fabric draw.  It was stitched whilst watching the Australian GP and the next blocks was started too.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 23 pieces