Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 5 visits Mürren and Piz Gloria, Switzerland

Nearly Insane Quilt, Block 5 visits Mürren, Switzerland

This photo of Block 5 of the Nearly Insane Quilt is taken in the alpine village of Mürren, Switzerland.  The only way to reach the village is to take the mountain narrow gauge railway up from the village of Lauterbrunnen.  This means that there are no cars in the village, which makes it a great place to have a drink, admire the view (and take photos of quilt blocks ...) in peace and quiet.

View of the cable car from Piz Gloria, Shilthorn, Switzerland

The block had actually just been on a visit in the cable car up to Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn (2970m).  Piz Gloria is the location chosen in one of the 007 James Bond movies, ‘On Her Majesties Secret Service’ (1969). It is amazing that anyone would think to build something in such a remote area, where there is nothing about besides mountains. Today you can enjoy a meal in its revolving restaurant, and even in May there was some fresh snow if you have the courage to ski down.  I meant to take the picture of the block up at the peak, but forgot as I was preoccupied by keeping warm, and not slipping over on the ice .

Nearly Insane Quilt , Block 5

Back to the block. I have used lots of dotty fabrics in this Nearly Insane block which seems appropriate with the all the snow we were surrounded by in Switzerland.  Again, quite a simple one with just 37 pieces.

I have updated the image on the sidebar, so you can see that there are very few blocks left to do.

Suzi  the cat reducing my WPM!

It seems to be taking me longer to write these blog posts than I had hoped.  Even now I have finally had the chance to sit down and update you on another Nearly Insane block, Suzi the cat is doing all she can to stop me!

Joining up with Feline Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and as usual Crazy Mom Quilts!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  37
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 3/4"  (19mm) x 1/2" (18mm) x 1/2" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2"  (38mm) x  1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Polka Party Petite (Buttercream), Lakehouse Dayz Collection by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (LH05037)
Counting Sheep - Cherry, Calista from Blank Quilting
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Days Gone By Exclusively Quilters
Red with White Dots, Makower
Calico

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 82 visits the Matterhorn, Switzerland

Nearly Insane Quilt Block 82 - View of the Matterhorn from Zermatt

From my last post you will know that my Nearly Insane quilt has been on tour in Europe.  The first stint of our vacation involved a ferry crossing from the UK to St Malo, and then travelling leisurely across France for a couple of days until we reached Switzerland. Whilst it was a lot of travelling, for me it was a hand stitchers dream, meaning I was able to get a lot of my Nearly Insane quilt sewing done.  I wanted an easy start so Block 82 with just 29 pieces was the quick result I needed.  Here it is visiting Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the background (shrouded in clouds ... ). 


Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 82

Even though there are just 29 pieces I still managed to squeeze in 7 different fabrics. This is the first block I have used the 'Wishes' fabric by Sweetwater, which I brought a few weeks ago at Hanson fabrics.  I think the fussy cutting of the red 'doilies'  really makes the corners of the block more interesting.  I also fussy cut the centre square from the  Minick and Simpson ' Midwinter Reds' range.  Fussy cutting seems to be the way forward.

NUMBER OF PIECES:  29
DIFFICULTY: 1/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/16"  (27mm) x 3/4" (18mm) x 13/4" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2"  (38mm) x  1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Cherry Sketch Basic Collection by Timeless Treasures #C8224
Red Garden Pindot by Michael Miller Fabrics
Wishes Red on Vanilla Doilies SKU# 5531-14  by Sweetwater, Moda
Somerset Shirtings c 1890 by Julie Hendrickson and Nancy Gere, Windham Fabrics # 35205
Cream with Red Geometric, Midwinter Reds, Minick and Simpson, Moda
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Calico

Nearly Insane Quilt - On Tour

Nearly Insane Quilt on Tour, 2014

You may have found it a bit quiet around here lately.  This is because we have been on holiday in our campervan.  As you will guess, my Nearly Insane blocks came with me and got to travel to some of the highlights of Europe.  I hope to share my adventures with you in the forthcoming days.
 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 39

Block 39 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Here is another attractive block for the Nearly Insane quilt.  Stripes, scraps, and a bold pattern. A good mix. However, it didn't go as smoothly as I thought it would (especially for just 29 pieces and mainly square shapes!)  I had mixed some pieces up and I was trying to line up two pieces that clearly didn't belong together - something was wrong.  I put it away for a few days until I knew I had the time and patience to unravel what had happened. All sorted now.


Block 39 - Nearly Insane Quilt

Also at the weekend I had a 'shout out' over at the "in hand EPP link party",  where you can see lots of English paper piecing - lots of busy people using found moments to get a bit of stitching done, creating wonderful masterpieces.  I always carry my stitching with me, as you never know when you may have some time on your hands.  A traffic jam, getting stuck in a lift, waiting for a train - all of these are attractive scenarios when you have your stitching at hand. Today for the first time in AGES, I left the house without my little bag of sewing.  Once I realised, it made me feel quite anxious.  I know Sarah had a similar experience a few weeks ago.


Clover Clamshell Case

BTW - Did any of you see the 'Great British Sewing Bee - Christmas Special' last night?  Stuart made one of the clamshell accessories cases that I made a few months ago.  He was using it as a hanging Christmas decoration - a great idea!

NUMBER OF PIECES:  29
DIFFICULTY: 3/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Square, 11/16" (18mm) x 11/16" (18mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square,  5/8" (16mm) x 5/8" (16mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Scraps and Calico

Block 50 - Nearly Insane in Seine



Block 50 - Nearly Insane visits France

Nearly Insane has been on tour again, this time back to France for a short trip in the Normandy region, famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, Mont St Michel, the River Seine, and, like most regions in France, patisserie! 

Block 50 - Nearly Insane Quilt

This block was done on the journey over, waiting for the ferry and during the crossing, plenty for time for it to come together easily. On my recent Nearly Insane Update, I mentioned the need for  getting up to date on the sashing and cornerstones.  This is what I did for the remainder of the trip.  This time I concentrated on the half cornerstones which are on the edge of the quilt, and with less pieces they also came together easily. 

As you know, most of my sewing is done whilst travelling, and I can recommend the French roads in Normandy for a pleasant, smooth road.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 33
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 1" (26mm) x 3/4" (19mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 4 1/2" (113mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
Polka Party III by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods #03035
Quilters Basics White/Red Small Flowers, Stof
Tried and True Raindrops Garnet(04273) by Nanacy Halvorsen, Benartex

Joining up with Connie at Freemotion By the River!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 68 visits the Elan Valley, Wales

Block 68 - Nearly Insane Quilt at the Elan Valley, Wales

As you know, my blocks tend to travel far and wide, and recently Block 68 has travelled to Mid-Wales to the Elan Valley, and here it is posing with one of the reservoirs in the background.  

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 68

When preparing this block in my Electric Quilt software, I wasn't really happy with Salinda's design, so it has gone through a few alterations.  The centre strip was originally small strips, it is now it is a set of five QST's.  Also the long strips have been divided into three. In fact, now that I have referred to the original diagram, I have changed it quite a bit ... my prerogative I guess.  Just in case the Nearly Insane police are out there, the original design had 32 pieces - I have increased it to 46.

Red and Cream fabric scraps

With all the 'design' changes, it allowed me to make this another scrappy block.  My red and cream / white scrap jar provided me with plenty of options, and I love the way that the scrappy blocks bring the different tones of red together.

You may also be interested to know that I have started on Block 18.

Joining up with Crazy Mom Quilts!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 46
DIFFICULTY:3 /10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1.25" (76mm) x 7/8" (23mm) x 7/8" (23mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle, 6" (152mm) x 3/8" (9mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Scraps

California, USA Road Trip #2 - Quilt Shop Hops

Before we headed off to the USA, I did a little research on Quilt Shops beforehand, which focussed on a few key resources

1. Quilt Shop Heaven - an internet Resource which lists Quilt Shops by State, as well as information on Shop Hops
2. Quilt Shops of the Central Coast , California (Shop Hop, May-June 2013), including quilt shops north of Los Angeles (Ventura, Carpinteria, Orcutt, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo)
3. Shop Hop By the Bay, California (Shop Hop 19th-23rd June 2013) includes quilt shops south of San Francisco (Pacific Grove, Cupertino, Morgan Hill, San Mateo, Scotts Valley), Yes, it's this weekend!
4. Central Kansas Quilt Shop Hop, Kansas (Shop Hop 4th-6th October 2013) includes Hutchinson, Wichita, Yoder, Severy

My timing was such that I didn't actually manage to do any of the official Shop Hops, but along with my loyal friend - the Tom Tom (GPS), the local quilt shop information was invaluable.  I think we visited about 20 shops in all, and I thought I would share with you some of my favourites.

I found that it is really hard to focus on what you want to buy unless you have a project in mind, in fact it can be overwhelming - let's face it, you would buy the whole shop if your could! At first, I did not have a plan, but then I bought a few Quilt Magazines and found inspiration from some of the quilts and colour schemes, which gave me some purposeful direction and excuse to buy more fabric!  I guess it is the same as any other Quilt Shop Hop.

Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company, Thousand Oaks, California

Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
As a taster, this was the first shop we visited as we drove out of Los Angeles. A really great, varied selection and really friendly assistants.  They had lots of cute kits, which is nice to see, especially if you just want a small project, as well as a great book selection.  At this stage I just added some Red and cream fabrics for my Nearly Insane Quilt, as they stocked the Somerset Shirtings range, from Wyndham Fabrics, which I had only seen on the Internet. This shop set the bar high, for the rest of the journey!

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 36

Here is another Nearly Insane Quilt block which I completed whilst on holiday in the USA. And yes, I did stand out in the 100F heat of Death Valley to take this picture for you ...


Nearly Insane Block 36 - Death Valley, California, USA

I am not sure whether this is the most attractive block, but I really enjoyed doing it.  It went together nicely, and I enjoyed the challenge of choosing the fabrics.  The central square has a diagonal direction, so it was a bit tricky to find fabric combinations that would work with this pattern, but I think I got there in the end. In contrast to Death Valley, I took the picture below when we returned to the UK - yes, summer has arrived and the garden was verdant and blooming.


Nearly Insane Quilt Block 36

This block has 78 pieces, and that seems to be about the right number for a block to turn out nicely, with large enough, even size pieces to keep it interesting.  There are some to come which will have at least twice as many.  To be honest, when there are less than say, twenty five pieces, I find them a bit boring


NUMBER OF PIECES: 78
DIFFICULTY: 4/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle 1 1 1/16" (46mm) x 3/4" (19mm)  x3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Triangle 2 1/8" (53mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm)  x 1 1/2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
"Christmas Past" (14547) by Polly Minick and Lauri Simpson for Moda
"Days Gone By" Exclusively Quilters
White on cream sprig print (unknown)
Red with white pindot (unknown)

Joining up with Design Wall Monday!

USA Road Trip / USA Quilt Shop Hop

May 2013 Progress - Nearly Insane Quilt

You may have been wondering why I have been so quiet lately. As if my quilt adventure to the Dear Jane 150th Exhibition in Nantes, France, wasn't enough, for the past few weeks I have been on another Quilt Adventure.  We have been away from the UK, on a Road Trip in the USA.  The majority of the trip was in a hired RV (campervan) touring the West Coast in California, travelling up Highway 1, across to the Gold Country, visiting the National Parks (Yosemite, Death Valley), with an excursion to Las Vegas and Kansas thrown in. Our van at home is half the size of this, but this was the smallest we could find to hire!

The Quilt Road Trip stopping at Roxanne's Quilt Shop, Carpinteria, California

It works out like this. We enjoy driving and touring around.  We get to see new places, and I get to do my hand stitching - but how to decide where to stop on the route? Quilt shops naturally.  So over the past few weeks, as we have been doing our sightseeing, I have been busily stitching my Nearly Insane Quilt blocks, as well as keeping up with the cornerstones and sashing, with plenty of breaks at quilt shops, building up my stash along the way.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of quilt shops in the UK, but let's put things in perspective.  The current exchange rate between US dollars and GB Pounds means that in the UK you would normally pay between £9.99 - £13.99 for a metre of fabric, which is equivalent to $15.29 - $21.41.  In the US you pay between $8.99 - $12.99 (+ Sales Tax) for a yard of fabric (which is about 9cm / 3.5 inches shorter than a metre), which works out about £6.33 - £9.16.  Throw in a 30% Memorial Day Sale, and it works out about £4.43 - £6.41 a yard. Happy Days!

You can see above the Nearly Insane blocks I managed to complete on my journey, and in the next few posts I will keep you up to date with that progress, and some of the great shops I visited along the way.

Joining Up with Freshly Pieced

 

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 40

Block 40, Nearly Insane Quilt

Presenting Block 40 of the Salinda Rupp / Liz Lois 'Nearly Insane' Quilt.  
This was a relatively straightforward one.  It has some of the largest pieces I have come across so far in this project,  so I took the opportunity to use a red and white Scandinavian fabric I have in my stash. 

Block 40, Nearly Insane Quilt

The pattern has diamonds with snowflakes in it, rather than exact squares, and I have been having trouble incorporating it into any of the other blocks, because the pattern is too big for the tiny pieces.  With a bit of fussy cutting, I think it has turned out nicely.  This is quite a simple block - does anyone have a name for it?

PS: I can't wait to get that green tacking thread out!

NUMBER OF PIECES: 21
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1 1/16" (28mm) x 3/4" (19mm) x 3/4" (19mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Rectangle 3" (76mm) x 1 1.2" (38mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
Calico
Red and White Scandinavian Snowflake Fabric 
Red Dot on Cream - unidentified

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 43

A few weeks ago, for a bit of fun, I offered up a few options for this block that I had designed using my Electric Quilt software. Options 1 and 6 were popular, but in the end I opted for Option 4 (which was similar to Option 6), mainly because I was considering what blocks it would be placed next to.  Esther suggested I did all 6 .... thanks Esther...


Block 43, Nearly Insane Quilt

This block is currently winning 'The Most Travelled Block' prize.  It has travelled all the way and back to the 'Dear Jane' Exhibition in France with me, whilst I stitched at my work station in the camper van. 


Sewing Nearly Insane blocks in the camper van

I did a bit more during the ferry crossing,


Sewing Nearly Insane blocks on the Ferry

and I have been finishing it off on my train journey back and forth to work this week. 


Sewing Nearly Insane blocks on the train

It is a wonder that all the pieces made it into the block with the amount of times they went in and out of my bag.

Of the blocks I have done so far, I think this block has had the most pieces in it, standing at 100, exactly.  At first it was not too bad, as the majority of the pieces were the same shape and size, but making sure they were sewn together in the right order and direction has resulted in a few bits having to be unpicked.  
Then when it was together, it had a bit of a 'wave' to it, a wave that even a 'good press' would not eliminate.  Not good.  After several hours thinking 'it will be OK', I realised it would not be OK, and unpicked the corner squares and side triangles.  I also removed all the English paper piecing templates from the centre, to give myself a bit of ease, to get it back into shape.  It has taken the longest to make, partly because you have to check SO many times that everything is correct, and partly from having to unpick it. With all this extra work, there was a moment when I thought that making this quilt was not fun, but in that situation you just have to NOT put it away and deal with it, which is what I did.  Now it is done and I can move onto the next block. 

Actually, as a block I think it is quite pretty.

NUMBER OF PIECES: 100
DIFFICULTY: 9/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 11/16" (17mm) x 1/2" (13mm) x 1/2" (13mm)
LARGEST PIECE: Square 1" (25mm) x 1" (25mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS: 
French General Favourites - Pearl  for Moda #13526 14
"Polka Party III" by Holly Holderman, Lakehouse Drygoods (#03035)
Designer Beads (Red) Freespirit for Westminster Fibers
Quilters Basics, Stof
White Flower on red (unidentified)
Red Dot on Cream - unidentified

Linking Up with Design Wall Monday!

"Dear Jane" 150th Quilt Exhibition, Nantes, France

A few weeks ago I was hopping from blog to blog, when somebody mentioned their excitement about entering their 'Dear Jane' quilt into a special exhibition of 'Dear Jane' quilts in Nantes, France.  A little further investigation, and I discovered that the "Pour l'Amour du Fil" (For the Love of Thread) show was being organised by the magazine Quiltmania.
Regular readers will know that I am currently working on my 'Nearly Insane' Quilt, which is of a similar genre to 'Dear Jane', so I was intrigued, especially at the thought of seeing over 100 'Dear Jane' quilts together.


'Dear Jane' 150th Quilt Exhibition, Nantes, France 2013 

I regularly go to the quilt shows in the UK, but this was my first 'European' show, which involved a ferry crossing from England to France and a little trip in our camper van. The exhibit of the 'Dear Jane' quilts was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  As you walked into the room, you could not help but gasp in amazement!  Over 100 quilts, all the same, all different.

There was a Hand- Dyed 'Dear Jane' Quilt

Dear Jane Quilt (Hand-Dyed Fabrics)
Paula Klein, Luxembourg



There was an Indonesian fabric 'Dear Jane' Quilt

Dear Jane Quilt (Indonesian Fabrics)
Annie Tromp-Doornink, Netherlands

There was a Low Volume 'Dear Jane' Quilt

Dear Jane Quilt (Low Volume)
Ineke Marijissen Van der Molen, Netherlands

There was a Liberty Fabric 'Dear Jane' Quilt

Dear Jane Quilt (Liberty Fabric)

There was a Red and White Dear Jane Quilt

Dear Jane Quilt (Red and White)
Nathalie Pierre, France



There were the traditional Civil War Fabric 'Dear Jane' Quilts

Dear Jane Quilt (Civil War Reproduction Fabrics)

Michel Galan France

There were modern, bright with black background 'Dear Jane' Quilts

Dear Jane Quilt (Modern Brights)
Chantal Guyon, France



There were modern, bright Batik 'Dear Jane' Quilts

Dear Jane Quilt (Batik)
Diane Rhode and Judy Doenias, USA



And some really lovely, unique colour combinations



Dear Jane Quilt (Greys, Reds)
Rineke Imenshot, Netherlands

Originally, Brenda Papadakis was due to attend to give a talk and run some 'Dear Jane' workshops, but due to a broken arm, was not able to travel to France from the USA.  However, there were many of her ambassadors at the show, and it was fabulous.  The impact of the display was so brilliant, thanks to the organisers and contributors for putting on such a brilliant exhibit. Never to be forgotten.

They were all lovely. Do you have a favourite?

Sharing the inspiration of this lovely event with Freemotion By the River and Quilt Story

See more of my Quilting Adventure here

Nearly Insane Quilt - Block 33 and Spring Quilt Festival, Duxford

I had an urge to go to a Quilt Show at the weekend, as I will not be making my usual pilgrimage to Quilts UK in Malvern in May.  A quick search on the internet revealed that it was the 2013 Spring Quilt Festival in Duxford near Cambridge at the weekend.  Luckily it was based at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, so I was able to pursuade our weekend visitors to come along too, so they could look at aeroplanes whilst the rest of us looked at quilts.  A double bonus.  I got six hours in the car stitching, and I also got to replenish my red and cream stash for my Nearly Insane Quilt.
The show was a moderate size with exhibits from a few renowned quilters in the UK including some lovely whole cloth quilts by Sandie Lush, and some lovely colourful quilt by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths, including this 'Shades of the Sargasso Sea', based on the Storm at Sea quilt block pattern.


Gwenfai Rees Griffiths 'Shades of the Sargasso Sea'

One of the cutest quilts there was this 'Forget-Me-Not' by Judith Scott.

'Forget-Me-Not' Quilt by Judith Scott

In terms of vendors, there was a good selection, including Creative Grids which allowed me to purchase the large 15.5" square Ruler I have been 'needing' for a while - well since I realised I needed such a large ruler to square up blocks as large as those in the Easy Street Quilt.  Luckily, I checked their website before the show, and there was a discount coupon to download for use at the show - it would have been churlish not to use it. 

Creative Grids - Non slip 15½ Inch x 15½ Inch Square

I also got to spend my £10 voucher I had won from The Quilt Room in their Name a Quilt competition  - they also had a discount voucher on their website.  Red and cream fabrics were purchased and it fulfilled the spontaneous 'quilting fix' I felt I needed.
As for stitching, I managed to complete Block 33 of the Nearly Insane Quilt, and some other bits and pieces, during the journey, which means that all the blocks from the second draw are now complete.  

Block 33 Nearly Insane Quilt

This was another simple block, perhaps not my favourite pattern, but I do like the colours I have chosen.  When making the blocks you need to remember that they will be placed on point, and this influences how you use directional prints and other fabric choices.
Joining WIP Wednesday

NUMBER OF PIECES: 28
DIFFICULTY: 2/10
SMALLEST PIECE: Triangle, 1.5" (42mm) x 1.5" (42mm) x 2 5/16" (59m)
LARGEST PIECE: Square, 1 1/2" (37.5mm) x 1 1/2" (37.5mm)
TECHNIQUE: English Paper Piecing (EPP)
FABRICS:
Rural Jardin by French General (Leaf Trail Rouge) for ModaFa La La by French General (Floral L'Arbre De Noel Red 13587-11) for Moda
Tiny Flower Print (Unidentified)
 

Fat Quarter Bundle - A Rite of Passage

Cherry Blossom at the Keukenhof Gardens

A few years ago, I visited the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands to see the seasonal beauty of their lovely tulip fields. There were thousands and thousands of beautiful tulips on display, and I took loads of photographs of them. I really recommend a trip in March or April if you have the chance. However, of all the pictures that I took on that holiday, it was this picture of the spring blossom which was my favourite.

Sakura Park, Sentimental Studios, Moda Fabric
Fat Quarter Bundle

A late Christmas present (to myself) arrived this week.  This beautiful, Fat Quarter Bundle, Sakura Park by Sentimental Studios for Moda. The range features cherry blossom flowers and petals, and as you can see, the colours of the fabric are almost exactly the same as the picture I took. As a rule, I don't really go for pastel colours, but I was drawn in by the pretty blossom prints on the fabrics, reminiscent of the cherry blossom, when it comes out in the Spring.
I have had charm packs in the past. I have had a Jelly Roll, but a Fat Quarter Bundle, really feels like a 'rite of passage' in my quilting life. I have had it for several days now, and I still have not untied the knot and dismantle this perfect little package.