Block for Kaaren

I had an excellent weekend!  I have so much to tell you, but I'll spread it out over the week.  Papa Pea and Sweet Pea went out of town.  So, I got a lot done...and I got to sleep in one day until 9:30 am!  Wow, did that feel good!  I got the house painted, did some sewing, did some shopping, met up with Caroll for breakfast, had a girls' night out with a friend...  The only thing I didn't have time for was to get a pedicure.  Dang.  I really need one.

Where to start?  Well, first I'll show you a block I finished for Allie of Allie Oops Sweet Happy Life blog.  Allie is collaborating with someone else to make a quilt for Kaaren (of The Painted Quilt), another blogger who I used to follow.  (I just can't follow everyone anymore.  I simply don't have time!)  Kaaren is having some significant health problems.  That's why Allie wants to send her a quilt.  Therefore, she asked for blocks to contribute to the quilt.  By the time I caught up with Allie's blog, the deadline had long since passed.  But I asked if she still needed blocks, and she said I could still contribute.  So, I did.

Kaaren's style is very primitive and last year, she gave away a design for a very cute stitchery/quilt design that involved Raggedy Ann and Andy.  (If you want to access it, you still can.  There is a button on the right-hand side of The Painted Quilt blog where you can still get the patterns.)  My mom made me Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls when I was little, and I still have them.  So, I sorta like Raggedy Ann and Andy.  I downloaded the designs but never have had time to stitch them up yet.

Well, Allie asked everyone to make a square-in-a-square block using white/tan fabric in the center, and red on the sides.  We were to write a scripture or message to Kaaren in the center of the block  If you want to see the instructions for constructing this blog, Allie posted them on her blog.  If you click the link, you can go to them.

I immediately had a vision of what I wanted to do!  Instead of writing a scripture on it, I wanted to put Raggedy Ann and Andy hugging on my block so she'd know I was sending her a hug.  I found a machine embroidery design of Raggedy Ann and Andy hugging each other on Etsy from EmbroideryGirl (36 different redwor designs for only $12, and she e-mailed them to me within a couple of hours from my purchase!).  I really like how it turned out!  Allie, if you're reading this, I hope you like it.  It's on its way to you!  (FYI:  The block is 6.5" square.)

As an aside, Pam from EmbroideryGirl was great to work with.  She got my designs right out to me, and the designs were good quality.  They stitched out very nice.  I'm really pleased with her designs.  They were absolutely perfect for this project, too!

From the scraps that got cut off at each corner, I made this little 5" square pinwheel block.  Love it, too!

I liked how this worked out so much, I am thinking about doing a quilt that has all 36 designs stitched out in the center of the blocks and then using the pinwheels for a border.  What do you think?  Wouldn't that be fun?  Maybe this is what I'll do for the Two's Company Quilt Bee project that I'm involved in....  Hmmm....gotta think about that.  But I think it would be kind of fun.  People could contribute all sorts of different reds so it could be really scrappy!  Could be a lot of fun!  What do you think?

Well, I have a LOT to share this week.  Hope you're up for it!

Until next time,

Mama Pea

Comments

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Cute block for Kaaren! Are you thinking of having everyone embroider a block Stephanie? I don't know what I'm going to do yet - gotta' get on it!

[Melissa]

I love Raggedy Ann & Andy. I think your choice was fitting. So nice!

[Caroll D]

I love Raggedy Ann & Andy. That is such a cute block for Kaaren. I see you did join the Twos Company Quilt Bee. That should be lots of fun. Sounds like you had a great weekend and got lots done. It was so nice seeing you and having time to chat for a change.

[sisLH]

Have you ever made a list of the things you're involved in? Are you sure you're not a twin?
Those blocks really turned out cute. I would like to see 'Raggedy' blocks done in other colors too as some of mine had vivid orange hair/burnt orange/deep red.

[Linda]

Very sweet.

[Lynn]

Love your Raggedy Ann and Andy block!

Jealous that you got a whole weekend to yourself. I could really use for the world to stop and let me get off for a week.

[Lynn]

I could also really use a grammar editor! I'm not sure what it means to "really use for" but what I mean is that I need at least a week break from the world. Not good timing considering the semester begins next week.

[Allie]

Stephanie, I LOVE it - it'll look awesome in the quilt! I'll let you know when it gets here!

[Maggie Szafranski]

Great block! The embroidery looks like handwork! And I think it would make a great quilt!