Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Foundation Paper Piecing, Seals and the Beach

Sunday and Tuesday were all about foundation paper piecing for me as I completed the next group of vowels and my p's and q for the Repeat QAL.  It isn't too late to join in on the free quilt along and you can find it by clicking Repeat QAL



If you have never done foundation paper piecing, you should definitely give it a try.  It's easy, fun, and provides you with perfect piecing.  Who wouldn't love it?  Here are some great tutorials to help you learn how.  McCalls Quilting site has an excellent PDF tute here by Brenda Groelz.  Don't want a PDF file and would rather have a YouTube video then check this out by Connecting Threads.

You can use specialty paper such Carol Doaks foundation paper which can be purchased on Amazon, but I just use my printer paper.  A tool to help you out that I absolutely love is the Add-A-Quarter ruler that you can find here or at your local quilt shop.
 
Need some patterns?  Check out some of these beautiful patterns by clicking on the picture to take you to the site where they can be found.

Here is Pineapple Tidbits: Scrappy Foundation Pieced Bed Quilt Pattern
Designed and Machine Quilted by Melinda Honn. 

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/Pineapple_Tidbits_Scrappy_Foundation_Pieced_Bed_Quilt_Pattern
 
This one would be perfect for the 4th of July celebration coming up found on Lori Kennedy's site. 
 
http://theinboxjaunt.com/2014/06/30/fireworks-a-paper-piecing-project/
 
Check out this pattern that can be purchased at Violet Craft. 
Elephant Foundation Paper Pieced
There are patterns from simple to very complex.  Check out Pinterest or Craftsy patterns for lots of ideas and patterns.  Many are free and some aren't.  Craftsy also has some classes with patterns included if you enjoy taking them like I do.
 
Monday we spent some time on the beach was fun for us and Lola who got to run unleashed, but never wandered far from us. 


 
 
We also went into Florence Old Town for a nice late lunch/early dinner and I was able to get some more pictures of the sea lions that were painted and placed around town.  No sea lions were harmed in the creations as they are not live, but mere sculptures as you probably guessed.  There are twenty of them in all strategically placed around town.





  
Today we leave Florence and go south a little ways to our next camping experience.  We'll be at a National Forest Campground with no hook-ups for a week.  We do have a friends generator so we'll be able to get a hot shower.  I'm looking forward to visiting a quilt shop in Coos Bay and a couple nearby quilt shops.  

I'm linking up today with Let's Bee Social over at Sew Fresh Quilts that also has a great giveaway going on so click here to check out all the quilting going on and to enter the giveaway.

Until next time, happy stitching!
  
 

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful beach, so peaceful looking. Love the sea lions. I'm doing the repeat QAL but am behind a bit but getting there. I do miss the ocean!!

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    1. Hi Ioleen! I'm so glad to hear from someone else that is doing the Repeat QAL. No worries about being behind as it's for fun and not a race. The beach was fantastic.

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  2. You're doing a great job, minding your p's and q's! (And a's and u's and...)

    Your photos make me miss the west coast so much. We full timed in our RV for nine years before moving aboard the boat, and that stretch of northern CA/southern OR is just so, so lovely.

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    1. Thanks Louise for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I lived on a boat for a very short time and enjoyed it until my daughter, then 6, fell into the water getting on.

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  3. It's lovely following your travels and seeing a part of the world that I have never been to - those sea lions are gorgeous. Whilst I love the look paper piecing gives I have to say that I don't enjoy it that much .... but I think I will check out the links you gave just to see if I am missing something!

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    1. Maybe give paper piecing another try, but every quilting method is not for everyone as there are some I rather not do and if isn't fun, you definitely don't want to be doing it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. If you drive down to Bandon, be sure to stop at The Creamery for ice cream. Scoops are HUGE and very inexpensive. The quilt store is right next door.

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    1. Hi Karen, we are headed done to Bandon today to visit the quilt shop there, the lighthouse, and The Creamery. Glad you told me about it.

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  5. The beach looks fabulous! As do your paper pieced letters. I'm planning to learn paper piecing this year and already have a simple pattern pulled. But I've seen that elephant pattern before and I want it so bad! Lol. All the more reason to learn! 😊

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    1. I would love the elephant pattern, but know it would be a tough one to make, or at least I think so. I've set a goal to get it when I've gotten home and paid off the Bernina. Great incentive. :)

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  6. Those dolphins are so cute!

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    1. Thanks Lori, they were so fun to find and photograph. Several were very detailed in design. Happy stitching!

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  7. Hi Jennifer. Loved all the photos from this post. Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College did pianos one year, like the seals, only they used old playable pianos. Our daughter painted one of them. Looking for them is so much fun. We've done lighthouses in Portland, Maine; Bears in Bangor, ME; moose - somewhere; cows in Brattleboro, VT (I think) and they are so much fun to scout out. Sounds like the trip is going great. Glad to hear it.

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    1. When we spent our summers on New Hampshire we went to church and then breakfast in Hanover. My favorite spot was a bookstore there. Thanks for stopping by. What great adventures you've had.

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  8. I've tried foundation paper piecing, I think it's something I will have to come back to in a few years, hahaha! Beautiful beach and those seals are amazing!

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    1. Hi Jen and thanks for visiting my blog. I felt that way about foundation paper piecing a couple years ago and now I'm enjoying it. :)

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