Past Reflections - Block 12

The final block of the Past Reflections group is now available.  If you go to the RHS of this page you will see the photo.  You just need to click onto the photo and it takes you to the link.  The photo is slightly different to the block pattern.  Very good reason for this. 

I started making these blocks from the Circuit Rider  book, and then decided I wanted some different ones, so found others that would fit in.  This block above, is one from the book.  I can not copy the drawing from the book, but I can make my own.  In reality, it is a very traditional block, and the blocks from that original quilt have been reproduced many times, but I made my own drawing for you.  Hope you like it.

Once you have completed all the blocks, you can trim them down to 12 1/2"and put sashing or blocks or what ever you want to make them into a usable size.  Or, like me, keep looking for more patterns that will fit into the quilt.

I am working on some ideas for next year, so will call off the free patterns for a short while.  Hopefully I will have some brain waves, and something will come to mind.

I now have two blocks made for my red and white sampler.  I really love doing these cut out block.  The fabric is Moda Bella solid.  I started using this as I had it in the cupboard for another project that never happened (does anyone else do that?!).  The fabric is surprising good for applique, as it turns under so well, and hardly frays. In the past I have used it as a background for the Past Reflections blocks, but never as a design fabric.  The colour range is excellent as well.

First of the Hollyhocks

Sweet peas on the print gate

Spring has sprung in my part of the world.  The garden is looking really pretty.  However, they have predicted quite high temperatures for next week, which may in fact burn off a lot of the spring flowers.  We never seem to be able to get it right.  With school holidays on now, we do want some warm weather for outings.  Next week we are going to the zoo!

Back from our travels

We have come home from our wonderful tour of Vietnam and Cambodia.  We had nearly 3 weeks away.  It was exhausting and enlightening.  The weather was hard going, with very high temperatures, and high humidity.

During the time away we celebrated my DH John's 70's birthday, and our wedding anniversary.  This photo was taken in Phnom Penh, in Cambodia. We visited the silver palace in the middle of the city.  This palace was a beautiful place, in the middle of a country once ruined by death and destruction.  the people are wonderfully resilient.  I am still worn out after a week at home, and hope it will pass soon.

We hit the ground running.  As soon as we got home we found that there had been a power cut and our refrigerator was now really stinky with mouldy food (the small amount in there) and the freezer had gone rotten.  No knowing how long it had been out......maybe a week......certainly long enough to make a real mess.  We are making a claim on our insurance.  I have cleaned it 3 times and can not get the smell out! 

Some of the beautiful images from Angkor Wat.  We climbed to the top.  I am still amazed at how I did it. 

Very unattractive "after"photo!

So now, I am back in the real world, and trying to get things back to normal.  I was away for the Royal Adelaide Show and had my daughter drop off my quilt for entry.  I found that I had won a second place.

I was not able to take a photo, but there is one here at Hettie's Patch

The best news this week is that my baskets and roses quilt is on the front cover of Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine.  That was a nice surprise!  I knew it was coming up, but could not remember how soon.

I am trying to "take it easy" and just get some hand sewing done, working on the red and white cut outs

these blocks are smaller than the one I did previously.  These are about 13" square, and slightly less complex.  I am thinking of offering these as workshops, learning how to do reverse applique.  I am making  4 different designs using the "paper cut" technique.

This large one (I have made 2) are 24" square, and will be part of a large 9 block quilt.  Love this Moda Bella range for applique!  It just turns under so well, and does not fray.  They are great for travelling, as you only have to take the one piece with you, and one thread and needle.  Takes up little space.

There is one more block to go in Past Reflections, and hopefully I will get that done some time this week.  Keep an eye out.