The cheddar Xs contain the names of the makers of the four blocks surrounding the X. I used up some of my extra swapped blocks to make this, and I wanted to remember who made the blocks I used.
My trial run cheddar and indigo piece is my April Mini-of-the-month with Wendy at The Constant Quilter blog. I hand quilted it and found enough long, skinny strips of the vintage indigo pieces from Sandy (my material creations blog) to make the binding. I really love how this turned out.
Now I need to get going on the actual mini I have in mind for the Indigo Challenge, which is to be completed by the end of next month. I really appreciate Sandy sharing her vintage indigo scraps and inviting a few of us to join her in a challenge to use them in making a mini. As I said, this was my trial run to get a feel for working with the fabrics. My actual challenge piece is sketched and waiting for some action.
You can see the quilting a little better in the photo of the back. Nothing fancy--just stitch-in-the-ditch, and triangles inside the large Indigo triangles.
This finished at 9 1/4" x 10 3/4".
The backing fabric is a pretty large-scale print that was sent to me by a generous blogger. I thought it finished off the piece nicely.
I now have 6 "rogue" blocks in my quilt. There will probably be one more. I have made 23 rows, and that is where the pattern ends, but I plan to put 4 more rows in mine and one of them will include the 7th "rogue" block.
Four of the blocks are completely different from the uneven 9-patch, but two of them are just different centers on the regular block. Can you find all six?
Okay--that concludes the quilty content. Stop here if that is all you want. Otherwise, here we go!
Did you know that April 21st is National Tea Day in The United Kingdom? Well, the little tea shop next door to the quilt shop over the mountain held a "British Invasion" tea tasting on April 19th in honor of that day. There were British flags hanging all around, Victorian furniture out front, Beetles music playing, and you could put on a fancy hat and have your photo taken with the queen. And you could taste any and all flavors of tea they had in the shop. On top of that, the tea was "buy 3 get one free".
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Right: My friend Chris, trying another flavor
We certainly made the most of this event. Chris likes all kinds of tea, and she tried 15 varieties on her own. I only do herbal teas and she also tasted a few of the 10 herbal blends I sampled. She could probably take home a prize for the most teas tasted at a tasting, right Chris? We each have a generous stash of teas at home and admitted we didn't "need" more. But that didn't stop us from taking advantage of the sale. It was a fun evening. They hold these tastings the third Friday of every month, and the quilt shop next door keeps its doors open until 8 on those nights, too. Win/win!
Just wanted to share a few photos of the signs of spring around the farm. You can click on them for a better view.
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Before posting this I looked back at my last post. I ended that one by saying it had been two weeks since I had posted and I hoped it wouldn't be that long before my next post. Well, it wasn't--it was longer. Three weeks!! Where does the time go?
I'm making no promises about my next post.
Until next time (whenever it may be),
Janet O.
such beautiful blocks and the circa 1880 top is amazing! and who knew you and liz were tea buddies? (deep curtsey here)....beautiful quilting as always janet...
ReplyDeleteTea with the Queen, how smashing! And those little blocks really do blend in with the uneven 9 patches. So let me see if I got them all - Pineapple, Ohio Star, the one you just did (is it an anvil variation?), Cake Stand, and the tiny centers are a Pinwheel and Broken Dishes. It was fun finding them!
ReplyDeleteso many fun things to enjoy this post. Time flies doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI loved the tea tasting photos especially you and Lizzy! what fun. I like tea also, but I'm not an aficionado. I really like Assam but it's hard to find at regular stores. The hat is great.
Your blue and gold quilt is charming. I like the simplicity of the shapes and how interact.
The Circa quilt is so cute. I love studying all the little bits of fabrics. The contrast on the borders is wonderful.
Thank you so much for the spring animal photos!! especially those baby lambs. I want to pet them so much.
I'm off to study your nine patch quilt.
It is amazing!!!
the indigo is so pretty. I love the color combo you used for the practice piece. I know you love those tiny blocks and the rogue blocks are killer on the eyes to spot. Be sure to include a "map" on the back when it all gets finished! The quilt is just a beauty. You look great in a hat....quite charming, I say.
ReplyDeleteit was fun finding all the special little blocks. I especially like the basket and the pineapple. This makes the quilt so special - as if it wasn't already - but even more amazing!!
ReplyDeleteWhere does the time go?? You have been busy for three weeks! I love the little quilts....cheddar and indigo are so pretty together! Did Pam actually send you blocks already made for that darling quilt? Your 1880 quilt is going to be incredible. I adore your picture with the queen...what fun!! Lots of spring pretties around the farm, too! Looks like you are having fun!
ReplyDeleteThose blocks-- TWO INCHES?!!?; and of course, you've added rogue blocks; Circa 1880 is stunning! I absolutely LOVE this quilt!! I believe that Indigo and Cheddar is a lovely color combination, as you so beautifully demonstrated with your min-of-the-month; well done! Yes, spring is bursting forth everywhere, thanks for sharing your world with us! How fancy-- tea with the Queen! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the blue backing fabric--it is beautiful and I am a sucker for blue. Looks like you and the Queen had a great tea tasting.
ReplyDeleteI noticed your absence. Missed you. Glad you got to 'see' the Queen with your friend Chris. Love seeing the quilting from the back. Cute mini!
ReplyDeleteYour mini quilts are delightful as usual. I especially like the indigo and cheddar mini.
ReplyDeleteI am not a tea or coffee drinker but did attend a tea one time. The nibbling food was delicious and I sipped some raspberry tea which was sort of okay for my taste. A fun time.
Nice mini quilts! but I think your 1880's quilt with rogue blocks is spectacular! And what fun you got to meet the Queen! I've long since stopped worrying about the frequency of my posts. Just do it when the spirit moves you, I say!
ReplyDeleteNice! The cheddar X's and cornerstones really give that first little quilt the Wow factor. And your amazing tiny piecing! The indigo/cheddar mini makes me swoon .. I'm still wrestling with mine. I have a similar picture of me with Prez. Obama from a few years back, LOL! (ps I'm drinking a "cuppa" tea as we speak) :-)
ReplyDeleteTea with the Queen, how very lovely! But even lovelier is your indigo and cheddar mini! I love the assortment of fabrics in that, and the back too. I did scroll down each row and found six rogue blocks in your Circa 1880. An amazing quilt, and a real labor of love. Have you tried Bigelow's Salted Caramel black tea? My new favorite!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Janet - the time flies by between blog posts for me too! I always love looking at your minis. Gosh even your hand quilting is so beautiful. I love the photo of you with Her Majesty & love your purple hat!! Some pretty signs of spring in your area - my favourite season of them all. Have a lovely weekend Janet.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Your Circa 1880 quilt is just amazing! I love the idea of putting some rogue blocks in there, too, although they are a little hard to find!
ReplyDeleteHow was your tea with the Queen? ;-)
Love your mini, too!
I think you and the queen look great together! Your cheddar and blue mini is perfection--love it! I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of your indigo scraps--I know it will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTea time with the Queen. What a way to spend a fun afternoon. Love your indigo and cheddar quilt. It's one of my favorite combos. The 1880's quilt is amazing especially adding in "rogue" blocks. Perfect
ReplyDeleteI love a lot tea !!
ReplyDeleteEspecially the black tea and recently, I discovered the Irish tea by a friend and ...yum yum !!
Your little quilt top is awesome ! Love a lot the cheddar, the Circa 1880 quilt is...spectacular ! And your picture with the Queen is fun !! :)))
I love your minis sewing Janet - it's such a while since I've done any serious mini sewing and when I see your posts, I always get the urge! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you do with the cheddar and indigo. I'm not a tea drinker but a time with the Queen sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI love indigo and cheddar! Your little quilt is so special!
ReplyDeleteTea with the Queen?!? Looks like fun!!
The April Mini is so pretty. The colors and fabrics have a way of accenting each other. So nice. Circa 1880 quilt is absolutely amazing. I love that you're putting your own touch on it with your "Rogue" blocks. Love the indigo and cheddar - look forward to the next one too.
ReplyDeleteAs always your mini's amaze me! I say aren't you and the Queen best of chums! Kiwi Quilting hugs.............xoxox
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Two minis in one month and the C1880 too! You are on a roll! I adore both small quilts. That cheddar and indigo sends me right over the moon! I will link you up today. I hope spring has finally come your way. It is taking its sweet time here!
ReplyDeleteI definitely found 5! I love your little rogue blocks.
ReplyDeleteYour April mini is fantastic. Love the indigo and cheddar combination! Your 1880 quilt is amazing and what a great idea to add some rogue blocks. I can't imagine sewing a 2" block! Tea with the queen would be right up my alley. How convenient to have a tea tasting next to a quilt shop!
ReplyDeleteLove the 1880 April quilt and putting the names on the blocks is so fun!! You and the Queen look like you have been "Buds" for years!! Very regal!! Wish I could there to see your new lambs!! Miss you!!
ReplyDeletePosts like this get me so excited to sew. I'd love an indigo and cheddar mini. Keep the eye candy coming!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful combination of interesting things going on in your life! I love your mini's and other quilting projects, you are a busy bee. And the tea party (with THE QUEEN yet !) and the animals ...just so enjoyable. You inspire me.
ReplyDelete