Far Far Away III Patchwork Quilt

I've had this little beauty done for a couple of weeks now and got to enjoy it on my bed a few nights before it got too warm.

I had planned on doing just a simple patchwork with 5" squares but after I started cutting I realized I needed some bigger squares to show off the large scale story prints.
I love the full scenes with the 7 dwarfs cutting down the tree and snow white sleeping.

There are a few pints from the Far Far Away II collection in there too.

I'm not super happy with the backing on this. I used a couple of large pieces from FFA3 and then a mishmash of fabrics from my stash. There is something about it that isn't jiving with me. Oh well, it's just the back.

I love the drape of the cotton/linen canvas fabrics and I had thought it would make a heavier quilt but really, it's as light as my 100% cotton quilts. It's nice!


I thought I'd share my "recipe" for this quilt since I think it makes a nice layout for large scale fabrics and adds interest to a plain patchwork quilt.

The finished quilt measures 45" by 63", a perfect throw size.
Cut from fabrics:
(116) 5"x5" squares
(3) 5"x9.5" horizontal rectangles
(3) 9.5"x5" vertical rectangles
(3) 9.5"x9.5" squares

Lay out your squares and rectangles as shown. The quilt will be 10 squares across and 14 squares down.

I've indicated the placement of the large squares with the dots and the rectangles with the lines. The picture above shows the "blocks" I pieced together before finally sewing them into the finished quilt top. (Click the picture to view it larger in Flickr)

That's it really. Enjoy!

do.Good Stitches

I recently joined up with a do. Good Stitches bee group. For those not familiar, it's a charity bee where each group makes a quilt each month for various charities. March is our group's first month and we were asked to make pinwheel blocks with blue, green and gray.
These are my 2 blocks for this month.


I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Next month it's my turn to design and plan and put together the quilt. I have too many ideas in my head that it's making it hard to nail down a plan. Luckily I still have a few weeks to nail the details down.

going for it

So I've been reading up on all the Ravelry project notes for Paulie and I've decided I'm going to do it! I ordered my yarn (Knit Picks Palette) last night, so I'm committed now, LOL!

In the meantime, I've been swatching with some extra Palette that I already had to get an idea of what needle size I need to use. 

I've been doing a few Farmer's Wife blocks here and there. I LOVE how this one came out!

#18 Century of Progress.

This one I'm not so sure of. My fabric choices were poor I think.

#63 Ozark Maple Leaf

P.S. The quilt raffle was an amazing success!!! We are only lacking about $600 for our trip now! THANK you all so much for your support!

Henslowe

This week I have a new scarf to keep my neck warm! I finished up Henslowe, got it blocked and had the perfect chilly day to wear it today.
This was an absolutely lovely thing to knit! Not too complicated at all but just the right level of complexity to make it interesting. It came out a bit smaller than I had envisioned but it really is the perfect size for a scarf which is what I will use it for.

It definitely looks more complicated that it is (a lot of bang for your buck) which is just how I like it. Details on Ravelry.


Now, the question is, what do I knit next? Thanks to JuicyKnits I am absolutely enthralled with Paulie at the moment. But realistically, do I have the attention span and the dedication to make a cardigan in fingerling weight yarn (which I've never done before)? Yikes, I can just see myself getting bogged down in the sleeves.  Seems a bit risky. Nothing else is catching my eye though and I would more likely wear something knit in a finer gauge, maybe that would keep me going.

P.S. Thanks to those who have so generously bought raffle tickets! The drawing is tomorrow evening so there is still time for anyone else who wants in!

Raffle for mission trip to Zambia

Hi friends! Gosh, I have been in an absolute fog for the past few weeks. My hubby had shoulder surgery and then we've all been sick. I just have to shake this sinus infection and then I'll be back to "normal" hahah. The weather here is absolutely gorgeous right now and I hate being sick when it is so beautiful outside!

Anyway, here I am again, raising money for a mission trip that my husband and I are going on to Zambia, Africa this June. We went last year and it was just incredible! Zambia has one of the highest per capita orphan rates in Africa due to the ravages of extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS. The need there is so great but I believe we can make a difference!

We'll be going with Family Legacy again as camp counselors for a group of 12 orphans each. It is so cool to spend the week getting to know each of them, sharing Christ with them and just hugging and playing games with them. They have never experienced anything like it (things that our kids experience all the time) and it is the highlight of their year. I could really go on and on about it all but if you are interested to learn more I encourage you to check out the website (they do sooooo much it's amazing!).



The cost to get to Zambia is pretty high, $3,950 per person (absolutely and totally worth it though!). We have been incredibly blessed and are only lacking $1,600 of the final amount which is due now in order to avoid rising airline fuel costs! Our trip is in early June, only 3 short months away.

I am raffling off my Innocent Crush Color Brick Quilt that I made last year. This baby is hand quilted in perle cotton! I won't lie and say it won't be hard to let this quilt go but I so believe in the cause it is benefiting and I know it will go to a good home. :) I want to give all of you, my blogland friends, an opportunity to support me (please do not feel obligated in any way!). Just knowing you guys are praying or thinking of me really means a great deal to me, THANK YOU!



Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win while helping a good cause! Tickets are $10 each and the drawing will be on March 10th! Click HERE to give (this is our fundraising page and the money goes directly to Family Legacy for our trip - tax deductible as well!). Just email me [quiltsbyemily(at)yahoo(dot)com] the confirmation you receive to let me know how many tickets you purchase.

Thank you for letting me put this out there! I can't tell you how excited we are to have the opportunity to go back!