No April Fools' pranks at my house this weekend, just a nice visit with my mother and a bit of sewing. Not too long ago, I received a gorgeous bundle of Oakshott shot cotton fabrics. I had no idea what I was going to use them for at first, but I knew I was looking forward to trying them out.
I stared at them for a while, and this weekend, I felt compelled to whack into them and start using them. My friend Amy asked me to join in a small New York Beauty swap between friends, and I just had a feeling that these shot cottons would be gorgeous as part of a New York Beauty mini or pillow.
As I paper pieced my little heart out with these beauties, I marveled at just how gorgeous they were. Practically iridescent, these fabrics changed colors every time I moved the fabric, almost shimmering in the light. Not only that, they're super soft.
It's been a while since I've done intense paper piecing, but I've had fun so far, working on these little quarter blocks. I'm not quite sure how many more blocks I'm going to do just yet, but I'm playing around with the layout, trying to decide what I like best.
The other highlight of my weekend was seeing my dear husband tackling the crazy invasion of pollen and leaves in our front yard. I've never seen so much pollen in our yard in all the years we've lived here; it feels as if our huge oak tree has an endless supply this year! I sure hope we've seen the worst of it by now.
The mailman also made my day this weekend - I got some gorgeous bee blocks in the mail from my friends in the {Sew} Beautiful bee. For my turn last month, I asked them to make up one of three blocks I designed, strictly using squares of different sizes, to create a quilt I'm calling Squaretastic for now. I will be sharing tutorials with you guys for the three Squaretastic blocks at some point, as soon as I find some time to make some blocks of my own.
All in all, definitely a good weekend. What did you do this weekend? Did you do some sewing? Happy Monday!
Your blocks are looking great! Can;t wait to see what you eventually make with them! =D
ReplyDeletewow - lots going on at your house! ;-) Fun getting your self-designed blocks back in the swap!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, NYB with Oakshotts - great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat blocks! Seriously pretty fabrics!
ReplyDeleteGah! Those Oakshotts look glorious. Perfect match for the NY Beauty!
ReplyDeleteAnd you must have the same kind of tree that we have. Ugh, it's so gross!
I actually said OOOOOOO out loud when I saw your NYB blocks. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow, those Oakshotts are GORGEOUS in your NYB blocks!!! Love love love.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I had planned for my Oakshotts but haven't gotten brave enough to cut into them yet. Your work is beautiful. Oh, and hubby really knows how to fill a hefty bag!
ReplyDeleteI love the name Squaretastic. :D
ReplyDeleteAdd my echo to the ooh's and ahh's on the Oakshott's in the NY Beauties. Gorgeous. Love the Squaretastic too! And thanks for the shout out as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think the NY Beauty was a perfect choice for those Oakshotts. Beautiful!
ReplyDeletemmmm Oakshott! It looks fab and the squares are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHeh, GMTA, that's what I'm using for my NYBs (well, just as soon as I actually start o.O)
ReplyDeleteUntil now, I've been able to resist the Oakshott shot cottons, but your stunning NYB blocks may have pushed me over the edge. Wow!
ReplyDeleteGood grief! That sheet dress is hilarious! Thanks for pointing me in that direction.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how gorgeous that stack of FQs is! It would have been hard for me to cut them up but you sure transformed them into beautiful blocks!!
Those fabrics are gorgeous! The NYB blocks are so pretty...they just sparkle!
ReplyDeleteWow! You had a great weekend all the way around.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, those Oakshott NYBs are just stunning and so sophisticated and modern. They also have a retro quality to them.
ReplyDeleteBTW, thank you so so much for a great swap (FTLOS2). I received the most amazing mini made from Oakshott greens and blues - it is quite beautiful!
WOW! You have been BUSY!!!! The trees here are making us all SNEEZE!
ReplyDeleteI love the NYB block :o)
The fabrics are beautiful! I am not sure I would be able to cut into them, I might just stare at them and pet them and stuff :) Your blocks are all fantastic! Good luck picking just one to use.
ReplyDeleteYour New York Beauty blocks are so pretty. I've been wanting to try, but paper piecing isn't my cup of tea - yet. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThe blocks for New York Beauty look amazing.
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