This year one of my new challenges to myself is to learn more about foundation paper piecing and, I am participating in the Hasenbach Challenge. I have to confess that the blocks for this challenge are rather complicated for a beginner and, I nearly gave up before I had even started. However, with some kind advice from Katrin (who has been instrumental in running the Challenge for some years) I persevered and I have managed to complete one of the simpler blocks.
This block should make up part of the sashing of the main project which is run as a block of the month by Claudia. However, as I don't think I am quite up to all the tiny little pieces that are required for the main blocks, I will probably end up making a quilt using a combination of the houses and the stars which are also a part of the sashing and which are simpler to piece.
Other plans for 2016 will include working on the cross stitch kit which I was given as a gift. I haven't done any cross stitch for years, so this will be a nice change of style for me. The design is 'Love Tree' by Kim Anderson for Bothy Threads. It will be fun to share my progress with you here.
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| Birthday Swap Blocks Made |
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| Birthday Swap Blocks Received |
There are also several projects which have blocks sitting waiting to be pieced together. The first of these are the Birthday Swap Blocks which I received from friends from a FB group I belong to. I have plans to make them into a lap quilt. I am just waiting for one or two more late blocks to arrive.
I also have quite a number of Farm Girl Vintage blocks which I need to piece together into a quilt or two!
TAST will be continuing and recommences on the 12th of January. I thought that it would fun to start a new sampler for the 2016 stitches so, I shall be making the sampler I used for the previous stitches into a little project. I thought it would make a nice cover for a needle book..... what do you think?
My son has also asked me to make a table runner for the small flat he shares with his girlfriend so, that is also on the list as well as a number of other quilts which I cut out ready to piece last year but didn't get started on! Of course there are bound to be one or two 'extra' projects that insist that I make them! So, lots to be getting on with!
I leave you with a couple of collage photographs of my favourite finishes from 2015.
Thank you for visiting and I am looking forward to sharing your creative plans for 2016 too!
I love Foundation Piecing Christine (it appeals to my mathematical mind!) - with your skills I am sure that you will be able to tackle the more complex blocks. As ever I am in awe of the projects you have lined up for yourself!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda! I seem to have a bit of a mental block working back to front but I am hoping that with practice that will improve! Christine x
DeleteYou have big plans for the new year! I am happy that you didn´t give up on papier piecing, the first block you made is very nice and I like your idea of combining houses with stars!
ReplyDeleteKATRIN W.
Thank you Katrin! I was determined to get this block finished and in the end it went together quite well. I just need to get used to working back to front.... I am sure I will get used to it! Thank you for your help! Christine x
DeleteChristine, you had so many gorgeous finishes last year! It was fun to follow your adventures along the way and I cannot wait to follow you through 2016. It sounds like you have a wonderful selection of projects to work on. I do love embroidered trees, so I LOVE your cross-stitch project. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee! I am looking forward to some new challenges and lots of fun! I love the tree design too and I am looking forward to working on it! Christine x
DeleteLiebe Christine,
ReplyDeletegroße Pläne für das neue Jahr! Schön, dass Du bei der Hasenbach Challenge dabei sein wirst. Ich überlege noch, hatte ja ein Jahr pausiert, aber die neuen Häuser von Claudia Hasenbach werden bestimmt sehr schön!
Dein Crazy quilt gefällt mir sehr gut. Das habe ich noch nie probiert.
Liebe Grüße
Valomea
Thank you Valomea! I will have to take the Hasenbach blocks very slowly... they are too complicated for me for the moment but, the houses and stars should look nice! Christine x
DeleteYour paper piecing looks beautiful. How smart to keep the project at a level you will enjoy! I am looking forward to seeing the progress on all your plans. I think your sampler would make a great needle book cover!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a request from your son! I think my favorites among your favorites is the snow happy hearts quilt and the little Friends wall hanging.
Thank you Linda! I really love how the Snow Happy Hearts turned out! It is fun to start some new challenges now too! Christine x
DeleteI enjoy paper piecing so I think you will find it to be fun. It's more-or-less exactly what you do for crazy quilting. It looks like you have lots of exciting things planned for 2016!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary Anne! Actually.... I am note very good at the piecing part of the crazy blocks.... I don't seem to be able to get my brain round having to think about things back to front. I am sure sooner or later it will sink in! Christine x
DeleteHi Christine,I enjoyed reading your post today and reading about your challenges,foundation piecing is one challenge that I need to tackle too,love all the blocks you have received ,good luck with all your finishes for this year xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Shez! Hope you have had a lovely Christmas and New Year! Christine x
DeleteHello Christine and Happy New Year to you too! You were definitely more productive than I could of hoped to be last year and I loved all the projects that you did....the crazy patch was quite inspirational! I love the look of the Love Tree so look forward to following your progress on that one!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cath! It has been a long time since I did any cross stitch, so I am looking forward to it! Christine x
Delete2016 sounds pretty ambitious! I love seeing your beautiful work, so will continue to follow along.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Sunny! I am looking forward to a very creative 2016! Hope I can keep up! Christine x
DeleteWow, you have a whole lot of projects planned for 2016. I hope you have fun with the cross-stitch and all those great quilt projects.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathie! I am looking forward to a very creative 2016! Can't wait!! Christine x
DeleteLiebe Christine,
ReplyDeletedu hast dir ganz schön viel für 2016 vorgenommen, ganz besonders freut es mich das du beim Hasenbach Challenge dabei bist. Dein TAST Sampler bietet sich sehr dazu an, zu einem Nadelbuch verarbeitet zu werden! Viel Freude beim Nähen,
Liebe Grüße
Steffi
Thank you Steffi! 2015 was a fun year for creativity and I am looking forward to another creative year in 2016! I am delighted to be part of the Hasenbach Challenge and I think it will be a lot of fun! Christine x
DeleteDon't let small pieces in paper piecing put you off. It's not the same as traditional piecing and doesn't make much difference if the piece is large or small. I'd advise you to try a couple more easy blocks, then a coue of intermediate, then jump right into the hasenbach. There are loads of free pp patterns on craftsy.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to watching your progress in 2016. I haven't made any craft goals for the year, i'm just going to make what i feel like
Thank you Wendy! That is good advice and I will certainly be taking it one step at a time. Looking forward to seeing what you make this year too! Christine x
DeleteOh, and i got the same cross stitch kit for xmas last year! Haven't started it yet though
ReplyDelete..
It is a lovely pattern! It will be fun to stitch! Christine x
DeleteChristine, it has been lovely to look back on your year's work and see some of the amazing things you have created. Good luck with the challenges you have set yourself this year. As for the tiny pieces in the paper/foundation piecing projects, practice and patience.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! It should be a fun year and I am looking forward to learning lots about the paper piecing. I have already learned that you need to be patient.... my first attempts at the house got screwed up and thrown in the dustbin!! Hope you have a lovely 2016! Christine x
DeleteYou are certainly a focused stitcher. I hope to cultivate focus this year!! I have the urge to try cross stitch again. Like you, it's been years since I stitched a cross work pattern.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Thank you Carol! I am really looking forward to making a start on the cross stitch. It will be fun to see it gradually growing! Christine x
DeleteLovely post , I so enjoy seeing what you are stitching and 2016 sounds like a fun year with lots of great plans . 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila! It is nice to have some projects to look forward to... let's see how many I accomplish! Christine x
DeleteYou have so many beautiful finishes for 2015 and it looks like 2016 will be another great year for you! Your crazy quilt is one of the prettiest I have ever seen. I never get tired of seeing it and I think you should show a picture of it everyday--lol!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen! I am looking forward to working on all the new projects! 2016 should be a lot of fun! Christine x
DeleteLooks like you have your 2016 list already to go. I expect no less than beautiful work from you as usual. Looking forward to seeing your progress - now I really must get going to xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn! I am looking forward to getting started and to seeing what everyone else stitches up in 2016! Christine x
DeleteFinally home after the beach - with no internet - which actually was lovely. Catching up on your posts and looking forward to seeing all your creations for 2016
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you had a fabulous time and wish you a happy 2016! Christine x
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