My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Scrappy sprouts, houses plus an Otter.

This is another one of those times when I say - where have the days gone, it's feels like it's ages since I last posted?! It's been busy here at our place, you know how it is, trying to squeeze everything in to days that I am sure are getting shorter all the time (well actually that's probably true as autumn is here and we are rapidly approaching winter!).

I was going through my photos this morning and realised that I had a few things that I could share.

The RSC colour for May is Green so over the weekend I spent a bit of time playing and making some green scrappy sprout blocks. I recycled some that Sue of Mother Patchwork had sent me. I had to do some unpicking and rearranging as hers were all left facing leaves and I needed some for the other side of the stem too! After playing with Sue's scraps, I did actually manage to use some of my own. Here are the resulting blocks.
Sorry about the glare. The sun has distorted the colours a bit much.
These greens are all quite dark and olive-y so if I get a chance I'd quite like to add some lighter greens to the mix.
As you can see I got a little impatient and just had to join some colours together - time will tell whether this was wise or not and whether or not the stitch ripper will be called into action - I quite like the purple on top of the green for now anyway :-)
This is the year's efforts so far.
This week I am linking up to Scraphappy Saturday. To see what others are doing with their greens visit the blog *here*.
I realised that I haven't shared my Friday's village blocks for a while (I initially talked about them *here*). I've been able to join a few blocks together. I'm using small floral-type scraps for these and I know some work better than others but in the end I think it will be ok! We have some challenge bits of fabric which I have to use as well, some of these are a little brighter than others so I've decided to put a bit of everything in this quilt - once again a good chance to rummage and play with my scraps.
These rows are incomplete and don't go on top of each other!
The blocks are nice and big which makes a change from the small sewing I often seem to do!

From time to time I pattern test blocks for Juliet of Tartankiwi...she has such fun designs and I enjoy sewing them up. (The mouse and squirrel cushions I completed earlier this year were blocks I had tested for her).  Recently I had some more fun with pattern testing an Otter block .... I love how this little chap came out - it took me about a week to decide on my fabrics but I am pleased with the decision in the end!
Most of Juliet's patterns are foundation paper piecing; I find her's go together well. I don't think the Otter is released yet but if you like it, I'm sure you won't have too long to wait.

Last post I offered an impromptu giveaway of a book and a few goodies. The random draw has taken place..... the winner was Janet of Carabou Crossing Cronicles..... congratulations Janet, and thank you to everyone who wanted to take part.

I have a fun few days ahead of me, something to do with hopping on a plane and seeing some wee girls :-)
Happy stitches

34 comments:

  1. Your sprouts are looking great! I love the fabrics you chose for your otter - he is looking very magnificent. And many congratulations to Janet. xx

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  2. So many beautiful blocks, love all the coloured leaves and your otter is adorable!

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  3. The days do seem to be flying by. I love all your blocks and that ottee is tooo cute.

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  4. That little otter is just darling as are your fabric choices for him. The sprouts are also great. That will be a wonderful quilt. The little Friday quilt is going to be so cute too.

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  5. Your sprouts blocks are looking good.
    If you want some brighter greens I can send some when our swap takes place next month.
    The otter is darling. What a whimsical face!
    How exciting to be visiting the girls! Enjoy!!

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  6. Ohh--that Otter looks sooo cute--nice job in his fabric!!!
    Love the big block farm quilt you are working on--gonna be really a nice quilt when you get that one done and colorful--
    and your sprout quilt is coming along nicely--
    enjoy the moments,di

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  7. Great quilt blocks Raewyn. The otter is so cute.
    The days are definitely going faster I'm sure of that, not matter what the season!! Haha. :-)

    On another note, I got both my classes at Symposium!! Yay!

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  8. Very cute otter block! Enjoy your little trip over the ditch, bet you are excited!

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  9. The otter is really cute and love the blue colour you have done him in.
    Well done in using your scraps too. Have fun visiting hugs xxxx

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  10. Otters? Doesn't Raewyn know that we don't have otters here in New Zealand? But your paper pieced otter is lovely - great pattern testing job indeed!

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  11. You've been a busy lady Raewyn!
    I love what you're doing with the RSC, can't wait to see them all come together... & Friday's Village is coming along nicely, well done.
    I saved those patterns & really want to make those blocks... maybe next year, LOL

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  12. Your sprouts are looking great - a good project for RSC 2017 and I love the wee otter! Enjoy your visit to the grandies!!

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  13. have a great time with the grandbabies though they are not tinies any more. The sprout blocks are looking good and loving the houses quilt. Such a cute otter too

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  14. Yes I can relate to days seam shorted or go by faster ........By now you will be enjoying visiting the weeones and maybe seeing some blogging friends... have a wonderful time.

    I like the green Sprouts on the bottom of the coloured ones...I think all the different fabrics in your Friday houses look great and the Otter is gorgeous. Perfect fabrics and he has such a cute face...😁

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  15. The combination of the olive and mauve's for the sprouts is really nice. Your houses/village looks great. Juliet's patterns are awesome, cute Otter, I'm sure it will be popular.

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  16. The otter is such a friendly looking chap.

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  17. Hope your having a great time with the girls...... Love the sprouts...

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  18. Juliette has just got that otter's expression down perfectly! I have to say I love watching the otters at the zoo. Very nice RSC piecing... you never know... it might just work out perfectly how you have joined the blocks.

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  19. A Sprout quilt is on my wish list of quilts to make. Yours is looking great. Lots to show and tell and the otter is just gorgeous. Have fun with those wee girls who I suspect are not quite so wee now.xx

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  20. you know I adore your sprouts and the colours are coming together so nicely. The otter looks great too.... they are such sweet animals. I love your village of houses too....

    Enjoy your time in Qld... it would have been great to see you but time seems to be running away at the moment!
    Hugz

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  21. I love all your blocks and projects! The sprouts are one of my favorites - perfect for a rainbow of colors!

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  22. Oh, I love that sweet otter! (I've always been fond of real life otters, and that pattern really captures otterishness perfectly!) ('Tis so a word, spellchecker!)
    And I'm always happy to see those sprouts! Such a fun block!

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  23. Kind of hard to post when you keep so busy! Love all your projects, esp. the sprouts! They're on my someday list! XO

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  24. Oh my! What Quilty goodness in your post! I love the farm blocks, the otter is to die for (soooo adorable), and the sprouts blocks are so happy. Just amazing work!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

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  25. I have far more dark olive greens then brights, but so nice to see them at your house, rather then mine! The otter is adorable. I use to paper piece (Margaret Rolfe) but havent for a long time, this pattern is tempting!

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  26. The otter block is adorable, and the RSC and houses, too. I don't do paper piecing, but I'm always amazed at the things people do with it. There were some awesome butterflies in the Stash Bee this month.

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  27. Your sprouts have blended into a nice cottage garden with colors of all shades. The otter is the sweetest critter. I could just hug him. Have a fun week!.

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  28. Love the otter, he is so cute! Great RSC blocks. I have some sprout blocks done too, but kind of a UFO right now.

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  29. I've made sprouts off and on as an RSC project too for the last couple of years. Are you going to just have sprouts in your quilt or top it off with flowers? I'm undecided.

    Wish I liked paper piecing. That Otter is so cute.

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  30. Great job on the scrappy sprouts!
    Must get going on more blocks for mine!

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  31. The otter is pretty cute. The Scrappy Sprouts are growing well Great blocks.

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  32. How did I miss this post? I must have been sewing.. you've been busy! Love all the blocks and the otter is very cute :) xx

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