Block6:NebulaBOM... June

I've grown in confidence in selecting fabrics, cutting, piecing, and just going for it. 

I am so grateful to Jaybird quilts for all her time, effort, & team support created through the online FB group shares. 

In many ways, I was forced to relearn how to sew a few years back. I truly believe these challenges have finally helped me regain a great deal of the confidence I had lost.

That shared...  I LOVE THIS BLOCK!!!

If my WIP basket were ever to grow empty- I would plant an entire quilt of these blocks that look like wildflowers to me! 

After piecing the first block, I learned the harder manipulation, where my errors were, and what to tweak. After this I worked on the next three at the same time.

2 blocks are my fabric choice, and as in previous challenge months... other 2 are from the kit.

A few days later:

As posted on Instagram for monthly challenge:

intherobynsnest

Block6:NebulaBOM... June... I LOVE this block. As I’ve done monthly in the BOM challenge— I created 2 practice and 2 using my preordered kit as I continued on my Nebula Journey. If my WIPs box is ever on empty- I’d create a whole quilt from this block by Jaybird Quilts! I love how the center of each block creates a different flower as colors vary! #nebulaquilt #jaybirdquilts

 

Nebula Block 5

I just completed 4 variations of Block 5 for my Nebula Block of the Month sew along. 

I cut 2 practice blocks... supplementing with Homemade fabrics.

And then began block 5's kit:

Alas... I got a bit too confident sewing strip sets and completely flipped things up :(

I did not see it- until it was on my quilt wall...

so, seam ripper made its reluctant return :(

Thank goodness for that hangpin technique, my roller, and determination...

And finally:

Nebula Bocks: 5

English Paper Piecing 1 2 3 4 5

I think I may be addicted! Alas, this is probably not the best hobby in the world for someone with arthritis and bifocals... 

BUT- I DON'T CARE!

I cannot remember the last time a new project seduced me like this one. 

I am determined to keep up with my blocks of the month... But- just 2 more weeks to go on my free motion quilting challenge and then I can give this nearly all my attention 😁

🎼So, let's start at the very beginning...

A very good place to start 🎼

(Oh wait, that's the Sound of Music- but- quite a bit of this reminds me of playing with my kids and those old A & C projects in our Barney Bag.)

I spent far too much time on line mesmerized and just trying to make that first decision. Eventually, I spotted a pieced center another quilter used on a block and I was inspired to grab my Tula Pink fabrics and my TP Nebula pattern pieces and acrylic pieces and finally give it a go.

English Paper Piecing meant the purchase of more "toys" than I have treated myself to in a very long time! So excited. I needed to update my cutting wheel since after 5+ years its nicks were a problem. I needed glue sticks, needles, threads, something to help thread those damn needles, a scissor I could travel with... the shopping list grew longer the more I explored chat boards! 

Finally, after completing multiple online Utube shares with Tula and others I began.

New blade in my TP rotary cutter- with my acrylic pieces centered over design... I took a deep breath- hoped my geometric math was right and went for it.

And: Not perfect- But I was thrilled!

The prep work- (once you finally choose the fabrics) is SEW much fun. I love picking the spots to cut... and then gluesticking to the card stock. I feel like I am back in diorama construction!

My handstitching is s-l-o-w... but steady. I feel like it will only improve. (Hopefully with both matching points & not showing. Speedier may be too much to wish for?)

I find it so exciting to watch the designs form in a way it just wasn't visible before I actually sewed it in to place!

Since I was about to fly off for family visits... I prepared as many blocks as I could in advance so I would have plenty of EPP to keep me busy on the planes and at the house.

I placed each set in its own ziplock bag and created mini kits easy to pull out and sew on the go.

Here is me sewing on the plane!

By the time I flew 🏡 home, I had created many stars and a few full blocks.

And then- I proudly layed out my work for a pic and spotted my error 😬

ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

2 of those buggers are facing in!

Thankfully, Row 5 had not been sewn in place yet!

Me and my seam ripper bonded and I spent the weekend in reboot mode... Eventually- I was back 

Tula says to remove the cardstock once fabric is sewn in place on all sides.

I'm half way through sewing ring 5 in place. 

My stitchwork is defiantly improving... 

it is very tricky getting just the right amount of glue stick... thread in the corner... and piecing the edges.

But I am getting better!

&

I AM LOVING E.P.P.

AND

check it out.

In Florida-

I got an early score on a shop owners newest Tula release 

Curiouser and Curiouser!

Flora & Foliage Week 3 & 4: Free-Motion Quilting Challenge

I traveled to LA last weekend & Florida this week... so my sewing time has mainly been spent on EPP.

But I have managed to keep up somehow with my Flora & Foliage free-motion quilting challenge.

Weeks 3 & 4 were: 

Getting "Curvy" & jumping "peddles"... 

Her videos always share the technique "how to and that offers only a jumping off point for wherever my quilters fancy guides me.

Week 3: the Flower Meander

Her video tape reminds to:

• Keep the Petals the Same Size

• Fill in the Gaps

• Use the Petals to Move Around

Week 4 was all about the PEBBLES!

Her video shared the following Tips

 for Machine Quilting Pebbles

• Aim for Smooth, not Perfect

• Find the Right Speed

• Travel, Travel, Travel

Somehow-I am keeping up.

&

EPP is def becoming an obsession!!!

FMQ challenge: Leaves & Ferns: week 2

Just back from a travels and playing quilt catch up. After time spent watching videos, doodling, and quilting on scraps... I was ready for leaves & ferns on my FMQ panel.

Paisley Meander Leafy Meander Thready Leaves    Just Exploring... "pebbles & leaves"" Thread Painting... Leafy Meander Plume Feather

#TulaPinkNova... CENTER... let's start at the very beginning

Thanks to the #TulaPinkNova online support group- I've jumped off in to the deep end of the English paper piecing pool!!!

After weeks spent on line- admiring all the EPP these artists obsessed with "all thingsTula" 

has created- I joined in. 

After all this time spent in covid isolation, I figure it is perfect for taking with me wherever I go!

Alas, that meant DECISIONS!!!

Hours and hours lost gazing at Pinterest, FB, videos...

After deciding daily which ideas and color selections move me the most- 

I'd change my mind the next day... 

Then, I FINALLY made the decision to 

MAKE A DECISION AND STICK WITH IT!

No more spending hours in awe of "others" on FB & Pinterest... 

avoiding that first fabric pick, first cut, first stitch, first needle prick!

My inner center block is finally complete. Enough pieces cut to be my companion for a while for out and about. And best of all: NO MORE DECISIONS- at least until I get past the next few rows!!!

SEW excited to finally take the leap in to EPP!

First up, make sure my arthritis actually would allow me to do this before I invested the money in supplies

It is very slow handwork... 

but- I even impressed myself! 

And I found it very satisfying.

Ohhhh, and glue sticking the fabric

to the precut card stock hexi- 

I felt like I was back in school art class!

Sew much fun!!!

t

A pillow perhaps?

Time will tell-

Tula Nova awaits!

Why is it so dramatic 

to make that first slice in to Tula fabric?

Once I finally did... 

I created my pieces like a happy Girl Scout 

and I was ready to do my best!!!

Tula's magnets hold the 2 pieces to be joined 

in place perfect- once you pry them apart!

Once my center was finished-

 I was back to the indecision of the next 2 rows...

Every piece of Tula I owned was unfolded

 and admired... 

and then refolded and put back in the bin...

but eventually I decided and cut and pasted...

I finally finished my center...

& I love it... (I think... )

If not, It can become a corner later!

Stitchwork has room for improvement- but I am happy with the learning curve.

Best of all, 

My next 2 rows are ready to be packed up

 to accompany me on travels...