Thursday, February 27, 2020

Finished Book Blocks

The Summer Book Club QAL may have finished a while back, but I just finished my last two book block minis. Better late than never - and I'm really happy with them. I think that they will look good in my colleagues' cubicles😊

Mon jardin mini

Patricia requested a garden scene on her book cover, something like the Garden and Pond mini that I finished last fall. There wasn't much room for a full garden but I wanted to put at least a couple of different plants.
Mon jardin 
This week, while reading a quilting post, I got sucked into the rabbit hole that is the Internet and ended up at Dover Publications, the company that publishes, among other things, books of images that can be used in art pieces without copyright infringements.

I bought the ebook version of "400 floral motifs for designers, needleworkers, and craftspeople", from their Dover Pictorial Archive Series. This book has some really lovely and uncomplicated images of flowers that are perfect for free motion quilting (FMQ). I used some of their images for the daisies and the forget-me-not on the book cover.
Daisies and Forget-Me-Not
FMQ feathers in the border

I had almost completed Paula's book block (you can read more about it in the post listed in Related links below) but had no idea what to do with the border. I wanted to FMQ something but didn't want it to distract from the book. Finally I settled on FMQ feathers using Kimono Silk thread from Superior Threads. This matching, very fine thread was perfect for the border.

FMQ feathers in the border
Here it is! All finished 😊
Fantastical Book 
What I learned
  • It was so much fun FMQ the borders and the flowers in the garden. The hardest part was deciding what design to use.
  • As usual, quilting with the silk thread was so lovely.
  • I'm so happy that I made the time to work on these. I can't wait to give them to my colleagues.
  • This was supposed to be my February One Monthly Goal (OMG) but I forgot to link up! So, unofficially they are my February OMG😊
  • Although they are not part of my PHD list, these are two UFOs from last year, so I believe that I finally have two finishes. YEAH!
What's on this week
  • My next deadline, March 30, is for submissions to FibreFling, the annual show and sale for Out of the Box (OOTB) Fibre Artists group. We are able to exhibit 4 pieces, that were not shown at other OOTB shows. I have a few pieces that I've done since the last show, but I would like to finish my first Exit Strategy piece. I haven't worked on it since my January 5 post - so it's time! My goal is to work on it this weekend and write a post with an update as my March OMG. 
Related links
Linking parties
I'm going to be linking this post to the PHD March linkup, UFO Busting as well as Free Motion Mavericks - it's Muv's turn to host this week. Check it out! Needle & Thread Thursday, Put your foot down, Midweek Makers, Colour and Inspiration Tuesday, Off the Wall FridayFriday Foto Fun, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?, Beauty Pageant, TGIFF, 15 Minutes to Stitch in 2020, Monday Making, Design Wall Monday, Peacock Party,

Project details




Mon jardin
7" x 8"
Techniques: FMQ, foundation paper piecing
Material: cotton, silk thread









Fantastical Book
7 ¼" x 8 ¼"
Techniques: FMQ, foundation paper piecing
Material: cotton, silk thread

12 comments:

  1. This is a stunning block. Whenever I visit you, I think I must learn to fmq :)

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    1. Hi Janine, with your drawing skills I have no doubt that you would be really good at it. Thanks for visiting :-)

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  2. Good Morning Andree! What a fabulous block. Wow, I never thought about paper piecing a book but it certainly does achieve the perfect effect. It really does look like a 3D book. Really nice job - I love the fabrics you chose, and the FMQ is just fab as well. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF. ~smile~ Roseanne

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    1. Thanks Roseanne, you leave the absolute best comments :-) I'm really tempted to make an actual quilt from this block. I saw them on Instagram and they look awesome....maybe some day.

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  3. The books look fantastic! You show such talent in your coloration & free motion quilting. Have a great month!

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    1. Thanks Susie. It's my favourite part of quilting, so that's usually what I spend the most time on. Have a great month too!

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  4. Hi Andrée, I have really enjoyed your books series. The Dover Publications rabbit hole sounds like a detour well worth it. Off to have a little look myself in a moment. Thanks for sharing at the Chameleon's Colour & Inspiration Tuesday.

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    1. Hi Dione, good luck with the rabbit hole. I think that it was well worth it. Funny how I can't draw but that I can sort of copy images!

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  5. Hello Andrée,
    I'm really enjoying your book theme. The fantastical book is such fun. Project of the week!

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  6. I love the books! Beautiful!

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Hi! I would love to hear from you and I will try to answer you. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a message. :-)