Tuesday, May 29, 2012

WIP Wednesday

Seems like I have gotten a lot of sewing done in the last couple of days, but only a little to show you.

I have two new projects, neither of which I should probably be working on. But are you ever working on something and then you get this brilliant idea and you have to drop everything and spend some time working on your new flash of inspiration? That's what happened to me this week.

The first one involves these:
And these, which arrived today. Perfect timing! Thank you Fat Quarter Shop for your super speedy service!

It isn't a secret or anything. I just want to make a little more headway before I show what I'm working on.

Elizabeth Hartman's new book arrived in the mail the other day. When I saw this:
 
 It reminded me of these:
 
Several years ago I was in a block exchange where everyone did paper-pieced birds or birdhouses.  They have been sitting on a shelf because I just couldn't figure out what kind of setting would do them justice. When I saw Elizabeth's "Neighborhood," it was a eureka moment. Okay, so her little focus birds are only 3" and mine are 8".  I just enlarged the pattern, kind of eyeballing each piece until it seemed like the right size.

Her finished block is 11x15 inches.

Mine is about 19x28 inches. But I'm only putting six blocks on the front.

This is the back of Elizabeth's quilt.
I plan to stack the birdhouses side by side, and put the owl on top of that cute red birdhouse that has a branch on top of it. And that's it for this week.

I'm linking up here.


46 comments:

05 08
Jessica PierreAuguste said... #

I LOVE your bird house blocks! The bird that you put in to the gray house looks like a barn swallow. I have a family of those outside my house and I love checking on their little family. I can't wait to see how this project works out. Good luck!

Debbie said... #

How do you like Elizabeth's book compared to the first? Just curious...I really like the first one. And I love where you're headed with the birds - this is going to be very cool!

Rose Smith Quilts said... #

I love the bird quilt block. What a stunning quilt that is going to make!

Rose Smith Quilts said... #

I love the bird quilt block. What a stunning quilt that is going to make!

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Oh what a brilliant idea - they are going to look amazing!

verykerryberry said... #

What a great plan, I think that is going to look very arty and sophisticated!

peawink said... #

What a fantastic way to use your bird blocks! I can't wait to see the end result.

Susan said... #

Those blocks are fabulous! So glad to see them being joined up- it will be a beauty!

Kelly said... #

Love the bird blocks, but all those pretty Kona charms together has me intrigued :)

Kristy QP said... #

Oh what a great idea for a quilt! Those paper pieced birds are going to look so great in the birdhouses!

Cille said... #

The birdhouses rock.... very, very good idea :)

Mary said... #

Great Spring/Summer projects! I can't wait to see what you do with all of this....it will be fantastic I am sure!

tartankiwi said... #

Oh wow! What a great use for all those beautifully paper pieced birds. The quilt is going to be a stunner!

Katy Cameron said... #

Excellent plan with the bird/birdhouse blocks!

Patti said... #

The bird houses are fabulous and the quilt will be gorgeous.

Teresa in Music City said... #

What a cute idea! Your birds are just gorgeous!!!!

Carla said... #

Everyone is mentioning the birds...me included...you know how I love them so. I'm anxious to see where you are headed with the Kona charms as well. You are hard to keep up with my friend!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said... #

What a good idea - it's going to be lovely!

Deborah said... #

Can hardly wait to see the bird blocks come together!

Bree said... #

Wow, I really love the birdhouse block... that would be seven kinds of perfect for my grandma! I might have to make a few pillows similar!

The Thompsons said... #

I love Kona solids! I'll be interested to see what you're working on. Meanwhile, those bird blocks are so fun!

Collette said... #

oh I love where you are going with the bird blocks. This sounds awesome! love those paper pieced blocks adorable in their own right x

randi--i have to say said... #

How fun to find already-pieced blocks to make up a quilt! I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out! :)

Gnomemade said... #

Those birdhouse blocks are wonderful! It's a great use for those bird blocks - which are beautiful on their own too!

Jessica Kelly said... #

Love your Neighborhood quilt! Great idea with your bird blocks!!

Doris said... #

I love your paper pieced blocks---right up my alley!

Heather D. said... #

SO cute Cindy! I want that Elizabeth Hartman book, it looks amazing. :)

Emily said... #

That setting is perfect for your birds! This will be a great quilt :)

OPQuilt said... #

Brilliant!

Ah, but then we already knew that.

Bravo for repurposing some of those blocks that linger in our back closets and putting them to good use.

I laughed when I read the bit about working on Project A and dropping everything for Project B. So happening over here!

E.

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said... #

You've found a home for those birds!! This is going to be great, I love the idea! Dogs in dog houses next? :-)

CraftyGardenMom - Tanesha said... #

I really like your bird blocks. I just got a copy of Elizabeth's new book too, it's great!

Elizabeth Dackson said... #

That is some serious quilty serendipity, with Elizabeth's book quilt! I loved that quilt at market, and I think your interpretation is going to be really cool, too. Can't wait to see what you work up with those solids, too!

Alex said... #

OMG i LOVE that idea. First of all, the original blocks are AMAZING but secondly an ADORABLE idea. Good luck! It may take awhile, but it will be beautiful i'm sure. Your kona charms remind me of a quilt that is a current WIP of mine - based on the idea of paint chips (sets of three graduated colors). Good luck, i'm excited to see what you create!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said... #

Oh wow! I love all of those blocks!!

Bethany (Make Me A Quilt) said... #

Oh my goodness. I have a feeling this quilt is going to be epic. ;)
Those birds are ridiculously impressive! Bird houses, so cute!

Newbie Jen said... #

What a great idea! Eureka indeed!

Unknown said... #

Love the birdhouses! Way to sew up some old blocks! :)

Melinda said... #

Oh, I can't wait to see it all together! That is going to be so gorgeous!

Terriaw said... #

I love it when you dream up a new project that forces you to put everything else down! When inspiration strikes, you have to go with it before you lose it. I love reading about the revival of your blocks, and how you're using them now. Looks like a fun project.

Katie B said... #

Oh, yeah! This will be perfect!

Anonymous said... #

What a fabulous way to use those blocks! It's going to be a great quilt.

KellyS said... #

Wow those are amazing blocks! This will be an awesome quilt! I am following to see where it goes from here! Love Elizabeth's quilt too, that one is one my "one day" list!

Melissa said... #

Brilliant idea to use the birds like that. It's going to be a great quilt!

Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

I can't wait to see more, what a great idea!

Mama Pea said... #

OMG. You are so brilliant with the birds in the houses. I'm going to LOVE it! Seriously, you have so much creativity!

Elaine said... #

Eek! I am swooning over your birdhouse project! Can you share the source for the original paper pieced bird blocks?