Two More CCCQ Complete . . . well maybe

I was visiting my pregnant daughter in New Brunswick last week and completed this block.  Besides snuggling and enjoying my grandson who turned one 2 weeks ago, I also did some work on one of the others. One of those red paper cut designs.

CCCQ # 30

 I sat at a Guernsey cattle auction in Big Prairie Ohio for over 6 hours yesterday and got most of this block stitched up. Today I finished up the last flower and put it up on the design wall to photograph and then I saw that it was not balanced. So I pulled up the pattern and found that I had forgotten to print off all 4 quadrants and so missed the bottom of the stem and a leaf to the left of the bottom. Sigh. But as far as I am concerned, this block is now complete.

CCCQ # 18

This leaves exactly 5 more blocks. Two red paper cuts are partly stitched and 3 with green leaves that I have to cut new background squares. Then I have about 3 blocks that need some work to complete them. Can you tell I am getting antsy to finish the thing? All other projects are on hold until it is finished. That and all 6 of my siblings will be here this week for family time. My sister from England arrived late last night one hour before my husband and I got home from Ohio. Another sister arrives from Qatar on Tuesday and the third one lives 10 minutes away. All 3 of them are now quilting and we are going on an over night sisters shopping trip to Buffalo New York later this week. . . the same day that a brother is flying in from Saskatchewan for a Blue Jays game and more family time.
And did I mention that I am going to a couple of lecture demos with Judi Madsen this week? And why would I sign up for anything this busy week when I am finally home? Well, because it is Judi Madsen from green fairy quilts  and I got the last available spot for the Wed classes at a quilt shop 45 minutes away from here. That's why.

Summertime Blessings,
Chris

CCCQ Update

 I have not been very busy with these CCCQ blocks lately and yet I am determined to complete them this summer. Maybe even this month. Maybe. I will have lots of time to work on these 3 blocks over the next 2 weeks while I am away visiting our daughter and the miracle grandson who turns 1 year old today. I will also be attending the American Guernsey Association annual convention in Walnut Creek Ohio with my Sweet Farmer. Four days away together. It should be a nice drive in our new 2013 Avenger with working a/c and a great sound system with lots of bass.

CCCQ # 30

 The one above is almost done.  The babysitting we have been doing lately is here at the farm and I do not get much of anything done with all or some of the girls here. At least not in the quilt room.
I started that ragged edge on the one below and have a few points where there should be curves. Will I redo that? Maybe.  I will wait until I get all the way around the outside then decide.

CCCQ #33

 The next one does not have much done in it yet. These are the last of the red paper-cut patterns. I still have 4 blocks with green leaves and other interesting elements.

CCCQ # 32

Happy First Birthday Blessings for my Grandson
Gramma Chris

Ready . . . Set . . . Sew

The final CCCQ block pattern was posted today. I started it less than 2 years ago as a block of the month. It is here that I really came to know how to do needle turn hand applique and love it. I am determined to complete this quilt this summer so all other projects are in hold. I still have 3 other blocks that I have not yet started but soon.

This block appears to be the most challenging of the entire 33 blocks offered. I looked at it for . . . oh . .  . at least a whole minute before deciding that I was not going to trace it onto freezer paper, cut out all those little squiggly edges, circles and jelly beans and then trace it onto the fabric before starting the stitching.

CCCQ Block # the last one

I love how our husbands come alongside our quilting addiction passions and offer helpful suggestions. Like the  man sized trouble light. One of my Q@F friends has been coming in lately to work on an applique project and the light under the glass table was not bright enough, so her husband sent his light and it works wonderfully. Too bad she has to take it home one day. I had to elevate it in order to see the pattern lines clearly.

I set the pattern on the light table and then put the red fabric on top. However, I could not see the lines to trace. So, I flipped the pattern onto the back of the red fabric and then taped them together so I could move it without slipping.

I put it back on the light table and now could see the pattern lines.

So I traced them directly onto the right side of the fabric using a light blue .07 Frixion pen. That's the colour that shows up best on these reproduction reds. I use a white chalk pencil in the greens.

Now I can begin packing my bag to visit my daughter and grandson next week. He turns 1 year old on Sunday. He did not just start walking 2 weeks ago. He started running. He has already discovered soccer. One of Daddy's favourite sports.
And, today I submitted the "Denine"  manuscript to the publishers.
Excited Blessings,
Chris