Wednesday 11 July 2012

Red, White and Blue blog hop

Oooh its my turn!  I have been following this blog hop since 1st July and have so enjoyed looking at all the talented entries so far.  I made my first block as soon as I signed up, the first thing springing into my head for red, white and blue was obviously the Union Flag:


Now I already had a pattern to make a Union Flag cushion so I thought it would be easy to scale it down to fit on a 12.5" block - well how wrong was I!  I have to confess that this was a right fiddle as it needed to be completely redesigned, although I feel it was worth it in the end!  I used just plain red, white and blue fabrics and finished off the quilt appliquing letters and numbers that have been cut out using a sizzix die.

By now on was on a roll and thought what else is typically English?  Well, tea of course:


Here I drew a cup template then replicated it three times in each of the colours (the red and blue are appliqued on and the white is just stitched).  I found the fancy font on the internet, printed it out and traced it onto the block and then stitched it using my machine (first time I have tried this!), by now my mojo was really on fire so I did a third:


I spotted the picture of a shield in a magazine so redrew it and appliqued it onto the block.  The England letters are from a word font and appliqued on.

I left it then at three blocks and went on my happy holidays feeling very pleased that I had accomplished my blocks before hand.  However last week when I started looking at all the blogs I noticed a lot of people have done pieced blocks from quilt block patterns which reminded me that I had one of those books somewhere..... (squirreled away and I have to confess it has never been used and I have had it longer than I have had my first child who is now 11.5!).  So I found it, dusted it down, had a look through and decided to have a go with some British fabrics I have lying around waiting for inspiration.


I chose to do the London Stairs block even though my fabrics were a bit busy.  Less than half an hour later the above block was completed!  I was amazed at how quick and simple this was to put together (it took me longer than half an hour to just design each of the above blocks let alone cut out the materials and sew them up!), so now I am on a roll:

This one is Patience Corner:

which took me 23 mins to make - including the cutting out! - so no patience required!

This one is Bird of Paradise:

a little bit wonky - couldn't seem to get perfect points on this one!

This one is called box:

This one is called Bright Hopes:

and this one is called Tea Leaf:

told you I was inspired didnt I!

And here they are all pieced together in either a wide table runner or lap quilt (not decided which yet!):

I used a black border to make all the blocks "pop" and then bound the quilt using a fabulous stripe that matches all the material.  Also I put another fabulous fabric on the back:


as I am not sure what else to make with it!  Hope you like my dining room table cover of London there too!  This whole quilt took me a bit of Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday (it's was non stop rain here in England at the weekend so I took advantage and got the sewing machine out!).

Thank you all so much for looking and please leave me a comment so I know you have passed by.  I would just like to say a great big thank you to Mdm Samm and Jane for hosting and organising this swap - I have had such fun and can't wait to take part in another one.

If you would like to join in the rest of today's blog hop here are the other blogs:
July 11th
Nancy R
Sunshine Girl  (you are here)

if you would like to view all of the blogs in the hop (over 100!) then go here.

Thanks for looking - Up to my eyes in blocks from Solihull

73 comments:

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Happy Hop Day, Oh I so enjoyed your post. I just love your flag block. What a beautiful flag you have. I have to say that I also enjoyed your accent (yes) accent. "a right fiddle" how I could listen to you talk all day. Ok enough rambling. I love your tea block. and your appliqué work is beautiful. You have so many wonderful fabrics, I am so glad you got to use them. I just love all your blocks. Thank you so much for your inspiration and for playing.

Bernice Hopper said...

Wow, you have been busy and n ot a distress ink in sight.

Linda said...

Your work is just wonderful! Awesome job!

JudyCinNC said...

Ahh, England - all so very wonderful - the Union Flag would be the one my English husband would want. I think what makes your blocks stand out is your great fabric - looks so English and of course the props say a lot. Judy C in NC

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love seeing an English version of R/W/B inspiration in this blog hop. Great fabrics and so many fun blocks. Thank you for sharing with all of us today.

tubakk said...

So many bright blocks. And your table runner with all the blocks joined, fantastic! I love that you use black to make the other colours pop. Greetings from Norway.

evelyn said...

OMG I love your fabrics. The quilt looks amazing. The black really does make the colours pop. So glad you shared with us today.

Sparky said...

You must have heard my squeal....love your blocks iand the one for tea....welll perfect...sew,glad you played along

OneOldGoat said...

So pretty! I love the fabric you used in the blocks -

Beth

krislovesfabric said...

Love your blocks, such a wide variety of choices you've made! I believe my fave is the first one :) New follower, nice to hop with you!

Truffle queen said...

WOW - you really outdid yourself! Love the "London" fabric! I've visited England and stayed in London for a week - it was wonderful! Thanks for sharing! Elaine in Illinois, USA

Betsy said...

I love your creativity and talent.

Unknown said...

Your blocks are just great and boy have you been busy...My favorite would be your tea block......thanks for joining in.

Unknown said...

Your blocks are just great and boy have you been busy...My favorite would be your tea block......thanks for joining in.

carla said...

Great blocks!!! I love the made in england block!!!! Thanks

Carol Swift said...

I'm so glad you joined in the hop because I love those blocks (must be the teenie tiny bit of English in me.)

StitchinByTheLake said...

Love the flag block, but the "Let's Have Tea" really is over the top! It's going to be one I'll come back and try to replicate. :) blessings, marlene

Jessisca Lenderman said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Love your RWB fabrics and all them blocks. So fun and cheerful ... you are an inspiration : )

Jessisca Lenderman said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Love your RWB fabrics and all them blocks. So fun and cheerful ... you are an inspiration : )

beaquilter said...

great blocks! and fun fabrics, totally jealous!

Needled Mom said...

What wonderful British RW&B!!!! It's very appropriate with the Olympics coming so soon too.

KatieQ said...

I love you English view of the red, white, and blue. Thanks for sharing all of your lovely blocks. As a tea addict, I have to confess, I like that one the best.

~Laurie~ said...

You are one talented cookie!! Nice work :)

Ariane said...

Wow!! So much inspiration. I love all your blocks!!

Unknown said...

I love your British blocks! The tea time is my favorite, but they are all lovely. Thanks so much for sharing.

Chris said...

Wow.....what fantastic blocks of Red/White/Blue. Our neighbors just spent their 50th anniversary in your country. I will have to make a block for them. Thanks.

Sheila said...

Wonderful blocks , you were on fire with all your great British fabrics , just love them all , thanks so much for sharing !!

Kathy H said...

Cute blocks. I know what you mean about resizing blocks. Sometimes they go so nicely but most of the time, not!

Sallie said...

Love your fabric! Thanks for participating in rhe RWB hop!

VickiT said...

Beautiful blocks and runner. That fabric is great. Awesome job.
Thank you for showing us

Lori said...

Wow you really were on a roll. Love your (table runner)
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Kathie (Prairie Stitcher) said...

Thanks for letting us visit. We so enjoyed the Jubilee from afar....I covered my computer desktop with a Jubilee slide show and still have it up. What a beautiful celebration. Your blocks are lovely. I hope you have a great day. That crown fabric is absolutely precious. Stop by and visit and follow, when you can.

~Kris~ said...

Love the British fabrics. I have never seen them before. Also love the wire holder with the barn. Where did you find it?

Snoodles said...

Wonderful blocks - so glad you joined in the hop!!

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Love your British fabric, so much fun!

Maria Kievit said...

Love the British look to all your blocks! Nice to see something from another country!

Mrs.Pickles said...

WOW I love your blocks!!

Tricia said...

Thank You for showing all the wonderful asortment of English based R/W/B fabrics. I thought that it was quite interesting to look at something a bit different than what we use here in the States. When looking at the finished quilt I agree that that bit of black sashing really does allow the other colors to pop! I'm a new follower and throughly enjoyed reading your blog.
Sincerely,
Tricia

quiltmom anna said...

Such fun fabrics that you found to create your blocks. Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
I really like the various techniques you used in your blocks.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

Hettie said...

Gosh Nicola you are on a roll here. Great blocks and like the Union Jack and tea ones!
I also like the quilt hanger. I have a few similar to those too!

Anonymous said...

These are just fab! Love your fabrics!!! WOW!

Carrie P. said...

you certainly have been busy. love all your mini quilts. well done.
what fun fabric for you blocks.

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, fabulous creations.

Catherine said...

Your blocks are great! The teacups are my favorite though your pieced blocks are quite nice. Thank you for sharing.

Gmama Jane said...

You English gals are so cute!! I do love your "sayings" that are so British...a right fiddle...I had NO IDEA what that meant but figured it out vis context. I know this looks great on your table. Pride in Country is wonderful!
Blessings
Gmama Jane
Cheerio...the only British term I know

The Slow Quilter said...

I love it. The blocks are great, and teh British fabric I have never seen before.

ritainalaska said...

cutters make the project hop! like the blox you've worked up ... am thoroughly enjoying seeing everyone's projects.

Mrs A. said...

Wow! You certainly are on a roll. Never known anyone turn out quilts as fast as you can. Love the little hanging red white and blue stitcheries (have i just made a word up there?) especially the tea cups. Keep on having fun. Hugs Mrs A.

Unknown said...

I think your blocks are great and I especially love that you used the red, white and blue and stayed true to your country. The fabrics are fabulous!!!!

barbara woods said...

great to meet you

tink's mom said...

What a fun stop on the hop. Love your very British spin on the event.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wow have you been busy! Lots of great blocks, thanks for sharing!

Marcia W. said...

Thank you for the lovely rwb blocks. I enjoyed my visit to your blog today.

Beth said...

Wow - I love all your blocks! Great variety! Those London fabrics are awesome!

LJ said...

I found your blocks fun to see. Wish I could have read your blog but the background (wood paneling) was so prominent that I could not see the words.

Jodi - usairdoll said...

WoW! I think you went above and beyond the call of duty here! hehe. I love the fabric and your blocks are amazing. A few of them I had not seen before. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Cindy said...

Oooo...I love all three of your England blocks! So fun. The other blocks are great too. Isn't it fun that there is so much England inspired fabric out right now? :)

Julie said...

I really like your choice of block designs. I haven't seen some of those before.

Francine said...

OMG your blocks make me SO DARN HAPPY!! Let's have tea and bird of paradise especially! You rock!

Judy1522 said...

Your blocks and fabric are fabulous! I love all of them and my favorite is the tea block.

leanne said...

wow - fabulous blocks - love your tea block its so cute :)

Kate said...

Love your applique blocks, all three are so fun.

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Love your blocks, especially the tea block. Would love to visit England one day.
xx

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Loved all your pieces!! Your tea block is adorable!!

hueisei said...

I love all your blocks! I love the fabrics too. Very cute ^^

pinsandneedles said...

Your blocks are wonderful and a great use of your English fabrics! I especially like your Union flag block! Thanks for participating!

Katherine said...

Fantastic blocks! The union jack block is so striking as a mini. Love those British themed fabrics! Thanks for sharing.

Sharon Dawn said...

Wonderful blocks turned into quilts of all sizes. Love the Cups! Thanks for shairing!

Lee said...

fabulous blocks! great inspiration!

Karen O said...

Oh my gosh. I am an Anglophile and I love very one of these! I am going to have to start looking for some England theme fabric like yours and make something! Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

I could not stop reading your blot. Enjoyed your RWB and hope the rain is past. How great to see pictures of the torch carriers. Thanks a lot

Sandra J. Strickler said...

All I can say is wow.

Missus Wookie said...

oh gorgeous fabrics. Amazing that you got all the blocks done and those individual blocks look great too.