A Kitten Quilt

I received Elizabeth Hartman's quilt pattern "The Kittens" for Christmas. Since made her Fancy Fox quilt before the holidays and really wanted to try the kitten pattern. When I looked at the pattern I saw that there were a lot of small pieces. The eye's and noses are 1 1/2 x1 1/2 inch pieces. That scared me as I had tried some of Tula Pinks City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks and I did not do well with all the small pieces. I also have a hard time cutting out small pieces and made some mistakes when I was cutting. 

In several of the blocks you need 3 1/2 x 3 inch piece as well as 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch piece...so I had to be very diligent about marking and separating the pieces for the blocks. I cut out one block at a time then sewed it together, then another block and sewed it together...you get the picture. It was very time consuming but it kept me from making too many mistakes (of course there were a couple mistakes, but that is to be expected for the first time). I would also lay out the blocks so I knew what piece when where...this helped keep every thing organized.

I also marked my sewing line on the fabric when I first started making the blocks, it really helped me get a straight line when sewing the angels. After you make a few of these you don't need to mark the fabric but when you first start out it really helps. 

You can see that the marked line will disappear when you stitch the pieces together so no need to worry about the lines showing, they are all in the seam.  

This is a really cute quilt block and it's worth taking the extra time to cut the small squares and make the blocks. The final size of the block is 8 1/2 x 10 1/2. Mine are a little off but I can manage that when I add the sashing between the blocks. I may even get ambitious and make the glasses to go on one of the kittens. 

Cute Bear & Fox Tea Towels

I have a slight obsession with tea towels. I love getting tea towels from places I visit. Most recently I have been picking up tea towels at garage and estate sales that have a calendar. I love finding a ones from the late 60's and early 70's. I remember my aunt having the most current year on a towel in her kitchen whenever I would visit La Grande. That brings me to Spoonflower. Last week they ran a 2 for 1 special on fat quarters, such as their tea towels. I figured that this was the perfect time to try out the fabric. So I ordered 6 fat quarters that had tea towel designs. The price of the linen/cotton fabric is $27 a yard, the cost of a fat quarter was $14. I was able to get each of the pieces for $7. Now they have a special that you can win 10 tea towels. If you have even been curious about their fabric now is a good time to enter this contest.  If you win you will get 10 tea towels with the 2015 calendar. Just in time for Christmas!!!