A Collection of Mishmash Fabrics

In January, I joined my friends Cécile et Béa, in a log cabin quilt-a-long. The participants could chose any type of log cabin and every colours were accepted. One has to make 8 blocks in a month with the big reveal in March. Well, wouldn't you know that I didn't make the 8 little blocks in January.

I had to finish them this morning, February 1st. Not much was left to be done but it's still a "no cigar" finish. Being stuck in appointments that took longer than expected (and burned up most of my energy) on Monday and Tuesday, the little logs were left on the cutting table, waiting for me to show up and sew.

This being said, it is no excuse for my lack of preparation through out the month. I want to sincerely apologize to my friends from "outre-mer" for letting them wait so long for my post. I am sorry. That was very inconsiderate of me.


A hodge podge, a jumble, or a variety of fabrics have to come together to make my log cabins blocks. From polka-dots to plaids, from repro to modern and even some kids fabrics, all were called in to participate in the building of these cabins.

I want fabrics that talk to me, fabrics that came from friends, or that I won, or bought with a gift certificate. In other words, meaningful fabrics were used here.

Some came all the way from France, some came 90 minutes away from here.

Some show what I love; sunflowers, orange geo, birds, Scandinavian chickens. These little fabrics represent so many friends. In the left block, the hovering bird is a French General piece won in a "leftover scraps giveaway" that Randy so generous gave.

When I got the parcel in the mail, I was excited and so curious, I just had to open the package right away. Randy does know how to seal a package so no pieces get lost. I was only able to have a peek at the loot.

Here they all are after I got my hands on a pair of scissors. I was surprised at how much there was. Thank you so much Randy. I am more than please with the BIG leftover pieces. (No, these are not just little pieces, believe me.) Very generous. Thank you. :^D

Okay back to the log cabin.

For my design, some blocks need to be completely white ... uhmm ... neutral? Again, dots, birds, dogs, metallic, repro, whatever my fancy is, in it goes.

If you haven't spotted the fabrics you gave me, do not despair as I have 8 more blocks to construct for next month.

Don't forget to click the links because so many participants have wonderful blocks and some interesting layouts. Here are the links again :

Cécile at Patchwork Inspirations for the traditional log cabins
and
Béa at Une aiguille dans une botte de foin for the modern log cabins
Go check it out.


I'll also share with Sarah for "Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?" because I am glad they are done. :^D


Until next time ... I'll be logging.


;^)

Hidden Gems; Season's Finale

The last episode of the Hidden Gems Saga.


I was pretty discourage when I pulled the quilt out of the washing machine and came face to face with this blotch. 

I panicked as I had already promised this quilt to someone. There is no way I am giving a quilt that looks like this. I mean, the quilt doesn't have to be perfect for me to give it to someone, but this was way below the acceptable mark. The color catcher had obviously did its job.

So I dried it a bit the dryer. Not a very good idea by the comment of some readers but I was afraid that leaving it wet would enable the bleeding to get further into the quilt. I had to stop it long enough to get some answers from my ever so resourceful readers. I snapped a few pictures, did a quick post and waited for some suggestions. 

I was not disappointed. So many of you wrote back with suggestions or links or even to sympathize with my disheartenment. I so appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you. Some wrote to wash it again with some color catchers pinned to the quilt. Sounds like great advise so I gave it a try.

And tried again. And again. After the fourth wash with very little difference, I decided it was a waste of energy and saw that it was spreading further in the quilt, regardless of the color catcher pinned to it. 

Some commentators linked Vicki Welsh to their comments. (If the name doesn't ring a bell to you, I'll just say that she is the Queen of hand dyed fabric.) She wrote a post that thoroughly explains the results of her experiments with plenty of pictures. Awesome reading! You can find the post here.
 

She declares Dawn Pure (yep, the blue dish soap) as the best detergent to wash a quilt after testing it against 3 other detergents including Synthrapol. Needless to say, this little girl jumped in her car to get some Dawn! 

Vicki also says that color catcher aren't necessary ( WHHHAAAT??) but to let the quilt soak in hot water with a good measure of Dawn. Let it soak from 12 to 24 hours.   Well, it doesn't cost much to try this one, right? So I did. 

Yes, it's the same block. It's like it never happened. I am so, SO happy! It is now ready to leave my household to go live at its own household.  Thank you so much, Vicki!

It was promised to a 17 months old little guy. I am sure he will appreciate the flannel backing as children usually love soft things. 

It must be one of the cleanest quilt in the world after a 16 hours soak and five spins in the washer.   :^D

Pictured on the snow. It makes the quilt appear wavy.

Goodbye Hidden Gems.  I know you will hug the little one with all the love, comfort and warmth I have quilted into you. You will enjoy the squeals of joy, the laughter, the tears, the feverish forehead and the incessant babbling of pretend plays. You were loved and you will be loved even more.


Now, on to RSC2017, or are you fed up of this post? (Sorry.) Let's go through it quickly.

My purple January looks like this. 

 A sideways Buckwheat block from the 365 Challenge inventory of blocks.

 Little 3.5 inches 9-Patch and a rail block ...

... to join the 9-Patch together.

Also made 4 hourglass block. These are 6.5 inches at the moment. Regardless of what your monitor is telling you, they are purple, lol. 



Joining Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Angie at A Quilting Reader's Garden 
Angela at So Scrappy on Saturday
Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework on Sunday


Until next time .... I'll be soaking some fabrics.

;^)

And then, the computer abandoned me ....

First, I want to say thank you so much to every one who took the time to write me a suggestion, an idea, gave me a link or a technique to help me with the bleeding quilt. I so appreciate your input.

I am trying some suggestions and reading the articles that were referred to me. And then, the computer abandoned me ... Just like that! As I was reading an article, it just decided to shut down!!! (@#$?%*&@)

I don't want anyone to think I am ignoring them by not replying because it is really not the case. I am so grateful for each and every one of you.  So I borrowed my son's computer (for a few minutes) in order to thank all of you and, yes, I will keep you posted on the "Saga of the Gems", as soon as I get my computer back from the Techie Doctor.

Until next time ...

Buckwheat

 ...I'll sew on.  

;^)

Yay! Friday Finish

It's always fun to finish a quilt, right?

Like I promise on Monday, here is my finished Hidden Gems aka RSC2015.

In order to take some pictures outside before it got too dark, I pulled it out of the dryer when it was half dried, so not quite all crinkled up yet.

The other reason why I pulled it out of the dryer is this nasty surprise.

What can I do now? Please help!!

I used one sheet of colour catcher in the wash. Obviously one was not enough. If I wash it again with more sheets, will it help? or am I wasting my time, colour sheets and water? It was a donation quilt but now, I just can't give a quilt like that.  To me, this is a very sad ending. All the while I was working on this, I kept thinking about a little girl, or boy enjoying this colourful little gem and now ... bummer!!

It looks real good ... from far.  (Photographed through the screened porch on second floor.)


Joining Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Myra at Busy Hands Quilts
Angela at SoScrappy on Saturday

Until next time ... I'll keep watch for the running red.

;^)

I need to Catch a Fever

My friends, Cécile (Patchwork Inspiration) and Béa (Une aiguille dans une botte de foin) are the hostesses for Log Cabin Quilt Along. We have to make 8 blocks per month. Only 8 blocks!! That's not hard, right? Riiiight!  Well, these are my blocks so far.

:^{   They all need a couple more rounds of 1.25" strips. So I need to catch a Log Cabin Fever and get  moving on this, lol. 

My leader/ender is sewing along too.  

Another thing that I will do this week involves this poor container. 

It is full to the brim and just can not accept another block.  So, it is time to empty it out onto this; 

The next border of the 365 Challenge is in that little container. Time to spread the joy all around it. This will be fun! :^D

What are you working on? Let us know by share it at Beth's place so we can all see and encourage you. Her address is right here at Love Laugh Quilt.
I will also be at Em's Scrapbag for Moving it Forward Monday.

Until next time ...  I'm planning something quilty. 

;^)