One Block Wonders BOM Link Up for June

Topographical Quilt in Cotton Supreme Solids

another layout option for this months block, sewn with Basically Patrick from RJR Fabrics

I can't believe another month has come to an end and I am scrabbling to get the link up ready....totally lot track of the time. I'm posting this one a day early because of Canada Day (149th birthday) and the 4th of July celebrations that are both just days away! The link up will run from June 30-July 7th at 11:55pm EST. So you still get a week to finish your block or blocks......

You'll want to make sure you do too...
 we have great sponsors and fantastic items to be won!!





First a  lovely FQ Bundle from 

~

$25.00 Gift Certificate from

and if you are doing the Row by Row this summer...

stop by Sew Sisters store front in Toronto Ontario! Their row is fantastic 

as is their license plate and they made up buttons too

~

$25.00 Gift Certificate from

and you might want to spend that  gift certificate on one of Jennie's new items...

aren't these zippers fantastic!!!

and if you can't wait to see if you were lucky enough to win the gift certificate, 

don't forget to use "upstairshobbyroom" 

to save 15% on your order!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Manchester Metallics Summer Bag Challenge

I was so excited to hear about the summer challenge that Robert Kaufman Fabrics was having, from Sew Mama Sew, featuring Robert Kaufman's new line Manchester Metallics. While I am not usually a metallics, glittery or shimmery type of girl, I do love a good challenge. So you can imagine how thrilled  I was to be chosen to participate!! I had such a fun time choosing which fabrics I wanted to work with. After much back and forth debating...with myself,  I finally chose the Manchester Metallics in Evening Shade and Eggshell along with a Kona Solid in Watermelon...because what is more summer than watermelon🍉😉

When my lovely bundle of fabrics arrived and were unwrapped, I was so surprised at how soft and drapey (is that even a word?) the metallics were. Truly lovely and not at all what I had expected, in the best possible way. So now my only other concern was, unravelling. Again, I was going on my old knowledge of what metallics were...while there is some for sure, I was surprised that it wasn't much different than regular quilt fabric and once I added the Pellon Shape Flex to my pieces, it wasn't an issue at all. This really is lovely fabric, I wish I had the talent to sew cloths....with the shimmer and all the texture, light weight, it would make for some pretty outfits too.....and everyone I've shown my project to, just gushes about it!!

I want to take a moment right here to say, yes I was given the fabric by Robert Kaufman for this event, but the only stipulations I had to follow were....1.) I had to only use the fabrics I was given or any Robert Kaufman solid fabrics I had in my stash(a cubby full of choices)  and 2.) I had to sew a summer bag. I was never told what to say, my blog...my words....always!  😀

So what did I choose to sew......a Poolside Tote of course.  A pattern by Anna Graham of Noodlehead.....I think this is number 6 for me....love this bag.

I added a few extra pockets, because you can never have to many....

.....instead of one outside zippered pocket, I made 2 pockets one on each side of the bag....

and added two inside hidden zipper pockets...because.....you can't have too many pockets., remember!..lol

 and come on, how fun is this...the lime green zippers hint of the colour to come...Lime Green Kona Solid

If that isn't enough to inspire your desire for this fabric, maybe this will help.....

I can't seem to help myself....when faced with a challenge I need to think outside of the box....I wanted to share something different.....so I printed my Poolside Tote pattern again, but this time at 50%....and this is what happened......

I had to figure out a few of the pieces that are cut and not actual  pattern pieces, but that wasn't too difficult....and the results were so worth the effort......

So now it's a set. A little bag for lotions and such....or a mother/daughter tote set....or just the cutest little purse....or you use your imagination. Whatever the answer, its adorable, sitting at 7" high by 11" wide.

That's it for me, but....

Don't forget to check out the other participant in the Manchester Metallics Challenge, and don't forget to take a moment and leave a comment on what you think! Share some encouragement, and show your enthusiasm for this new line!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

Looking for more inspiration...

Check out the other bloggers participating in the Manchester Metallics Challenge....

Sandy Whitelaw of UpStairs Hobby Room (you are here)

Monday
Anne Zeitler of AnneZPlace
Natalie Strand of Vegetablog

Tuesday
Kathy Green of Designs by KTGreen
Sanchia Gair of Red Brolly

Thursday
Sara Johansen of The Sara Project
Jenny of My Handmade Home

Friday
Devida Bushrod of The Driftwood Thimble
Michelle Morris of That Black Chic
Carrie Federer of carrie bee

Saturday
Sarah Sharp of No Hats in the House
Michelle Webster of michellepatterns

Monday 4th
Marni Weaver of Haberdashery Fun

Mo Befell

And don't forget to check in with 

Kristin from 

next week for all the highlights....

What's On My Cutting Table....

Have you ever had one of those projects...a project, that while you are excited about it, love the fabric, love the pattern....everything just keeps presenting challenges?

That pretty much describes where I am at right now, 😜!

From unexpected fabric substitutions, to not being able to follow my own instructions.... 

to unfortunate cutting errors, due entirely to not following my own instructions....

To say this project is getting started on the wrong foot seems like a big understatement for sure....

But with all that being said...I have hope. Hope that this lovely Jardin Gris fabric 

from RJR Fabrics is going to wow, despite my fumbles...

and that even with some beginning struggles..the end project is going to be amazing....

I'll keep you posted, but for now, here are some pics of What I've Been Up To:

Project 1

Cutting and Prep...

to lots of chain piecing....

and gorgeous HST...

to a question....or maybe a tip for some.....When you are creating HST, how do you go about it?
Do you just let fate take its course or do you fussy cut or a combination of both? For the most part, I am more of a let fate take it's course with a little bit of help....here's what I mean....

I cut my squares 1/2" larger then the trimmed HSTs will be ( ex. cut 3.5" sq. and trim to 3"sq )  I just cut strips and sub cut into the size, but when I am sewing the two pieces together I will check both rotations of the block to see what gives me the best outcome....

 Don't forget that you still need to trim and the seam will take 1/4" too, so mainly I look to see what I have in the more central area of the triangles....and then I sew my two stitch lines!!

Project 2

 Of course if you have been following me, you will know that I am very rarely ever doing just one project....and you will remember this awesome fabric from the last give away I hosted...

Garden Gate from P&B Textiles

 Well I had some extra bits left over and you know how much I love this line....so none can be left unused....

 I stumbled across this lovely idea over on Fanny Lu Designs and just knew it was what I needed to do with the extra bits! This is going to be amazing! 

I mean what can be better then combining two creative loves into one project....When crocheting meets fabric....yes please!!

Check this out....and check out the tutorial Tiffany has made...including YouTube videos, for us very visual learners!!

 Isn't this lovely!! 

I can't wait to see my blocks come together!! 

 The yarn I chose and I hope it will work....though I may have to change it, because I just realized this yarn is thicker then what is called for in the instructions....so it maybe too thick to sew with??
Updates to follow on this one for sure!!

 Project 3

For night time, lol....I just can't watch tv without something in my hands, and right now I am loving crocheting! Especially since finding the join as you go technique.

I am working on another blanket, this time a lap size I think, with a hexie pattern! 108 Hexies started now to add the rest of the rounds in scrappy fashion! Or as scrappy as 4 colours will get you, and joining with white! More updates to come!!

That's it for me for now!! 

See you back here in a few days for June's One Block Wonders Link UP

Big Sale and Blog Hop Coming.....Mark your Calendar

To help celebrate Canada’s birthday,

Fabric Please!

is having a HUGE storewide blowout sale!

Save 30% off EVERYTHING

Because this sale is so HUGE…  

Rita is running it

in conjunction with the Canadian Sewing Blog Hop

organized by Reece Montgomery of Happy Okapi blog

Reece writes:

I’m so excited to share I’ve organized a Canadian blog hop to coincide with Canada Day. We have over 10 bloggers, all writing about different Canadian sewing resources, including interviews with Canadian pattern and fabric designers, Craftsy instructors and of course sewing up lots of Canadian-written patterns of garments, bags, and even a quilt! The tour will go from June 24-July 3. We have some fabulous prizes to offer our readers as well. 

Check out Happy Okapi's blog for all the blog hop details

The sale (and blog hop) will run

June 24 – July 3

And hop over to Fabric Please and take advantage of the big sale
Use coupon code CANADA to receive the discount at Fabric Please!

If you are wondering what on earth I’ll have left after the sale, wonder no more!

I’m making room for these sweet new lines coming into the store during the warm months of summer…

Lullaby by Kate & Birdie Paper Co. (a Canadian design company)

   

These are just a few of the gorgeous prints in this line.  Fabric Please! will have the entire line for you to choose from!  Look for custom bundles coming too!

Whispers Double Gauze by Moda will have you whipping up soft, flowing items to keep cool this summer.

   

To help get ready for Halloween, Cheeky Wee Pumpkins will be arriving later this summer…

    and we have a sweet new Christmas line Love Joy Peace coming soon…

   

So, no need to worry that our shelves will be bare.  I’m always on the lookout for fun, modern prints for  you to add to your collections.  More fabric will be arriving all summer long so stay tuned!

Remember, use coupon code CANADA to save 30% off 

from June 24- July 3 (midnight EST)

June One Block Wonders Check in and Update.......

Well we are passed the half way mark in June and I thought I would check in and see how everyone is making out with their June "Topographical Quilt" blocks? I know from checking in with our FaceBook group that a few blocks are being made.....

I would love to hear how it's going and your thoughts on this months block!

I worked hard to get my quilt done so that I could share it with you all today...finishing up the hand stitching on the binding just the other day, and I couldn't be happier with the final quilt!!

Which, if you read the previous BOM post....you already know I wasn't totally thrilled with my pattern at first....until I found the right fabric combination and block layout....

Thanks to 

one of our sponsors this month,

and their wonderful line of Cotton Supreme Solids

this amazing quilt happened....

Here are the yummy colours I used...

Clover, Shamrock, Aloe Verde, Sprout, Emerald City, Kelly Green, Putting Green, Tiffany Box, Neon, 

Turks&Caicos, Notting Hill, Blue Skies, Cove, Bora Bora, Proud as a Peacock, Riviera...

I am missing a few names, but this should be enough to get your search started...

And a little bit of info on the binding too....

I am really loving the wider binding....so I cut mine at 4.25" and stitch at 5/8". It gives a thicker binding, which I love the look of,  and it gives me extra room when quilting to have the pantos stopped within a 1/2" or so space. (1/4" on quilt sandwich and 1/4" batting and backing) I talked about this in my last post too with some pictures here.

The digital pantograph pattern is called Malachite, and it was a perfect choice!!

I used Omni Thread in a Teal, which really pops on the navy backing!!💚💙💚

Now if greens and blues aren't your "cup of tea" as they say.....

How about this bright combo....

I used Millefiori in Blue, Purple and orange on the back; Bubbles in green, pink, yellow, orange, and red; Hexi in yellow on the back; Lily's Linen in orange on the back.

It's a mix of Basically Patrick prints from RJR Fabrics

It's made with the same block pattern, I just reverse the colour order for 2 of the blocks, and laid them out to form a circle/square or square/cirlce, ;)!!

I'm loving the pillow making these days ... and I found a tutorial on Sew Mama Sew 

for adding a hidden zipper

There is something so satisfying about starting and finishing a project in a day or two, 

it just feels so good.....

and a great excuse to dig into my zippers from

Another one of our fabulous sponsors this month!!!

Don't forget to use the code "upstairshobbyroom" to save 15%

and not to be out done our final sponsor this month

Check out their Monthly Specials 

Don't forget I post all the links and specials for my blog sponsors here on my 

Sales and Discounts page.

Well that's it for me....now it's your turn.....

If you haven't started your block(s) yet, hope this inspires you to get started. 

If you are new and didn't even know about the BOM. You can find this month's pattern here. 

We also have a FB group you can join if your want, here.

Each month we have a link up post at the end of the month. 

This months link up will be June 30- July 7

If you have sewn at least one block you can link up a picture for a chance to win one of the monthly sponsored gifts. This month we have 3 sponsors so there are 3 chances to win!!

And so you don't miss out on any of the fun things that happen here....

why not sign up for email or bloglovn notices for all my posts!

Don't forget too, if you are posting your pictures on social media use 

#oneblockwondersbmo or #oneblockwondersbmo2015

and this month #topographicalquilt

Happy Sewing everyone!!!