New Block: Gramma Anna's Basket (Solstice Black 5/25)

I departed heavily from the original block that was set in the Solstice Challenge but it's still a new block for me! In Pat Sloan's version there is a appliqué basket in the center of this block, but I would prefer this quilt not to include appliqué. 

Although I did not make the appliqué, I did choose a eye catching fabric for the center of this block. And it does have a basket on it! Since I've fallen a bit behind on these solstice blocks and other BOMs I'm working on, I'll be Slow Sunday Stitching today. 

Linking up with Finished or Not It's Friday, Monday Making, Move it Forward Monday and more. 

New Block: Cobblestones (Solstice Block 4/25)

This is another new to me block featured in the Solstice Challenge. I made this block with 4 stones across and down (although the directions called for 3), as I had scraps that matched that size. When finishing this post, I did notice a stone out of place. Do you see it?

To fix, or not to fix? Luckily, I have a few more weeks to decide. Here is a shot with the first four blocks together:

Bc of my peculiar no measure methods, my blocks can vary in size. When creating my BOMs I don't worry much about this. It always works out in the end!

Linking up with Slow Sunday Stitching, Monday Making, Needle and Thread and more!

MadCatQuiltsBOM 2017 + New Block: Pineapple

Last year, I started a BOM of blocks I had never made before. I have decided to continue this tradition so here is the very first post for MCQBOM2017!!

In 2016, I didn't choose any blocks before the month I would create them, but in 2017 I have a much clearer idea of what I want to sew. For MCQBOM2017, I will still be sewing blocks I have never made before, but they will all be picture blocks; Blocks that clearly represent an image. 

I don't use picture blocks in my quilting very much, if ever, but I often like the look of these blocks in finished quilts. I have compiled a list of blocks I want to complete this year, with a vague idea of how the finished quilt will come together. I have more than 12 blocks that I might want to sew, so as usual, there is a lot of room to move around or change in this project. 

With the 2016 MCQBOM, I tried to get out of my comfort zone color and fabric wise. I'm doing that again this year with several projects. For MCQBOM2017, I have decided on an all grey and black fabric pull. I'm not sure why. But I think this might turnout very interesting!

And now, without further ado, the January block for MCQBOM2017 is the Pineapple Block!

I chose the Pineapple for the first block bc it is a symbol of welcome and prosperity and I thought that was a good way to start off the new year. I found a few tutorials for this block on pinterest, but didn't use one in particular. My husband is joining me this year, but he didn't want his block shown this time. 

We also did a warm up block back in December that came from Molli Sparkles' Honey Pot Bee, an improve tree. 

Feel free to follow along throughout the year, or sew along! Linking up with Slow Sunday Stitching, Making Monday, Move It Along Monday and more link ups!

New Block: Oh, oh!

Recently I've had occasion to make two blocks of the Letter O. I didn't follow any pattern for these blocks but they were pretty easy. And I think they came out ok. 

I'm hoping to finish both these O objects this month! (Edit, One down!). I will probably end up making quite a few letters this year. 

What letter blocks do you enjoy making?

I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, Needle and Thread Thursday (early? or late? you decide!), Monday Makers, and more!

New Block: Improve Tree + Honey Pot Bee 2017

For me, this year might be the year of the BOM. There are just so many great ones out there! A BOM that's really interesting is Molli Sparkles' Honey Pot Bee. This project is a cross between a BOM and a block bee. Molli says there will be 2 blocks each month, with maybe some surprises added in. 

This block was actually one of those surprises! Molli announced this block in Dec as sort of a warm up for 2017. 

I made mine hand sewn and scrappy, using vintage wool and some fabric from old jeans. 

Mine is pretty wonky, of course. My husband is a beginner machine sewist and his came out quite neat!

It turns out that the MadCatQuiltsBOM2017 (more on that soon) is all about picture blocks so I thought that this would also be a great as a warm up for that BOM as well!

My husband is joining the MCQBOM for 2017, so he created the improv tree block, too. 

My color palate for the MCQBOM2017 is all grey so I made this block in that color way. But that means I still haven't figured out a fabric pull for The Honey Pot Bee. I Hope I will have by the  time I get to the January block. 

Please continue to share the BOMs and FALs your working on this year! Who else is joining the Honey Pot Bee?

I've linked up this block on instagram at #honeypotbee and am sharing it with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching as well as other linky parties this week!

New Block: Plus Squared - Last MCQBOM of 2016!!

I found this block while browsing The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts. She credits it as coming from Quilty Love. I thought this would be a neat block to finish my MadCatQuiltsBOM for 2016. It showcases a lot of the fabrics I've used throughout. 

This block came together quickly and easily and I would definitely make it again. I like how it turned out!! I forgot to get a group pic of this block with it's 11 cousins before I started sashing the others. I was just so excited to get moving!! I will be posting a MCQBOM2016 post wrapping up the blocks, and showing what I'm doing next, soon. And be on the look out for Mad Cat Quilts 2017 Block Of the Month! I'm working on the blocks and intro post for that as well. 

Which BOMs is everyone joining for 2017?

New Block: Inspiration from Instagram

I saw this block on Johanna Weider's instagram. I liked this block, which Johanna quadrupled on her post. She has a ton of great work. My block is not quite the same. 

This was a fun block to make, and makes a good addition to my MadCatQuiltsBOM. I'm excited that this is the 11th block! I'm running out of space to take the group picture, 

New Block: Economy Block Variation

Many of the goals I had for October were finished, but not all of them were recorded in a timely fashion. I got my MadCatBOM done early on in the month but never found the time to photograph and blog it. Well, here it is. 
For October's block, I modified a block I saw on Cluck Cluck Sew and now can't find. It seems like an economy block variation. I made it quite a bit large, so I plan on cutting off the corners in the finished quilt.  

I made it quite a bit large, so I plan on cutting off the corners in the finished quilt.  

Linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Railroad Spike

For my September MadCatQuiltsBOM I modified a block I saw on CrazyMomQuilts. She uses it as part of her crossed canoe quilt, but mine came out a little more like a railroad spike.  

In these blocks I'm trying to bring in the colors and fabrics that I have chosen for this project. In the last few block, I am seeing where I need balance and contrast. I will try to incorporate these ideas as I go into the final stretch of the MCQBOM. 

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Wrench Variation

I found this block on instagram (@kerenlewistextiles) and got a screen grab so I could try it out. When I was looking for my August MadcatquiltsBOM I happened back upon it. I'm not sure if this block has an actual name but it seems like a wrench block variation to me. 

This block was quick and easy to put together. A perfect block for one behind in their BOMs. 

New Block: Equilateral (Sorta) Triangles

Here is my MadCatQuiltsBOM from way back in July. I started it that month but Summer's been rough and I just got around to finishing it recently. I have seen a lot of great equilateral triangle quilts but never attempted this block before. 

This is another block that is made tougher by using my no-measure technique. The triangles were definitely not equal, but they came out pretty interesting. 

I'm linking up with Kathy and Slow Stitching Sunday as well as Moving it Forward Monday over at Em's Scrapbag. 

New Block: Failed Star

Here we are six months into my MadCatQuiltsBOM! How did we get here so fast!? I've had such a great time coming up with new blocks to make and pushing myself to try new things!
For June I'd chosen a star block using diamond shapes I'd glimpsed. It was an 8 point star, similar to a Sawtooth Star.    

My inspiration came from Pomegranate and Chintz, but I can remember what post...

Here's where my no measuring, no rulers method kinda falls down. I cut out eight diamonds in what I thought looked like a good approximation of what I needed and started sewing them together. And immediately hit some problems. No points, bunching, ugh. I decided to take two of the points out and try again.... But that made the sewing of the background awkward at best. I ended up making it way bigger to compensate. 

So, although this block got a little out of hand, I'm keeping it in the BOM. It was a great learning experience, for sure. I hope to try diamond shapes again... but not too soon.  

New Block: Diagonal

MadCatBOM May! I went back to Blossom Hearts Quilts HST Sampler for my May block. I like the geometric aspects of many of the blocks there. Diagonal shows this off well!

This block had a bunch of HSTs but it came together really quickly. I tried to add some different and bright colors into this one. But I wanted to make sure it still worked with the rest of the blocks. 

I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Maple Leaf + #quiltsforFortMac

Over the years, I've gone back and forth about making a maple leaf block. I guess I always knew I would make one eventually. This year, I figured I'd make one for my MadCatBOM, but I found an even better reason!

Although it's not my style, I'll iron this block before sending it. 

SLOstudio put the call out to make maple leaf blocks for quilts to send to families displaced by the wildfires surrounding Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada. The fires have been raging since May 1st and show no signs of stopping. Authorities are saying it could take months to get the fires out. Almost 90,000 people have been evacuated, leaving homes and belongings behind.

Making this block was fun and easy. I didn't use a pattern, but there's a really good one at Slostudio.com. Of course, with my no measuring, no ruler cutting methods, I didn't get the perfect 12.5" size SLOstudio was looking for. I put a little boarder on mine to get it the extra inches. Since SLOStudio said that the blocks could be traditional or improv, I think this addition will be fine.    

I'm linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday and planning on sending this block and a few more I will make to madaboutpatchwork, who has offered to collect the blocks. 

New Block: Tree Of Life Variation

A little while ago, I was inspired to make a baby quilt in white, silver, red and black. Not my usual palate, but I thought I'd give it a try. Then I set out to find a pattern that interested me. 

I've long thought that a Tree of Life Block would make a great focal point for a baby quilt. I've avoided this block because... so many HSTs! After looking around on Google images, I worked out a variation and got to work. It's a little wonky but that's kinda my style. At least Elvis likes it:

I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Drunkard's Path

I knew I would eventually try the drunkard's path block during the MadCatBOM. But what an intimidating block!! I bet a lot of quilters feel that way! Curves!! How nerve-wracking. But guess what? This block was awesome to make. 

I looked at a few tutorials for this block, but in the end I really didn't use one. I just winged it! I tried to bring in some brighter and new colors with this block. I'm hoping to add more and pull it all together at the end. 

As you know, I don't measure my fabric, I free hand measure and cut all my work. I found this worked well for the curves in this block, but the block itself came out quite a bit smaller than my other blocks for the BOM. So I might add a boarder later. 

You can find the rest of the MadCatBOM blocks here. I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching today. Are you?

New Block: Basket Weave

For March, I really couldn't decide what block to do for the MadCatBOM. I scoured my books, and decided that this variation of a basket weave would do nicely. 

This block came together very quickly. I've done a few blocks that were similar, but never quite this one. I could see using this block in some ways in the future. 

I've been trying to build a bit of a theme with the fabrics, but the bits I have of them is already dwindling. I'll try to incorporate some more of my stash in the blocks going forward. Here's what all my blocks look like together:

I'm not sure what I'll do with these blocks when I'm done with all twelve. But for now, I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Snowball

I feel I'm doing well enough with my goal of a block a month in 2016 to call it a BOM. How exciting! I know I'm only 2 months in but I feel confident! I used this tutorial to make my first Snowball Blocks.  

Actually, I made four of them! Since I don't measure, they all came out slightly different. I like the effect for this larger block, but I think I have the hang of making them a bit more uniform in the future.  These are made with fabric from my stash, so I'm counting this post as part of my Year Of The Stash. My fabric count hasn't changed much since my last post on it. 

Fabric Added in February So Far: 0
Fabric Added Year to Date: 5 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Month So Far: approximately 1/4 yard
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 3 1/4 yards

I've been tempted a few times to look and possibly buy on line, but I'm fighting those urges! Since I'm working hard to finish some well started quilts, I haven't had the chance to use too much stash up, but I hope this will change soon. 

Here are the two blocks from my personal BOM side by side. I'm trying to use a bit of a theme in the fabrics. We'll see how that works as the blocks add up. 

I'm also linking up with Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Candy, a Shoofly Variation

I might have made a shoofly block before, I cant recall. But when I saw Luna Lovequilts version of this Candy shoofly variation I decided I needed to try it.  

I checked out Blossom Heart Quilts for the Modern HST QAL that this block came from and it looks interesting. I don't think I'm going to join, but I will definitely keep my eye on the QAL for block inspiration!
I used all fabric from my stash for this block. This was all new geometric patterned fabric that I got for xmas. I'm counting this as a post for Year of the Stash.
Here's some stats for my buying and usage so far:
Fabric Added in January So Far: 5 1/2 yards (I bought 4 yards for a backing and borders of a quilt I'm working on, and then some bits and bobs I thought were nice!)
Fabric Added Year to Date: 5 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Month So Far: approximately 3 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 3 yards

I'm also linking this hand sewn block up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Sunday Stitching. 

New Block: Cat Head

I made one of these blocks earlier in the year, but can't seem to find it! So we will still call this cat head block a New Block.

I like how these come out hand stitched-- A little wonky! It doesn't help that I don't iron.... 
I see more of these in my future, for sure!

Linking Up with Kathy for Slow Stitching Sunday.