Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Gremlins Vanquished

My IT man (aka - my husband) coached me through gremlin killing last night, sending me links on how to do it, and talking me through the 'I do not know what the f**k I am doing' moments on the phone. And it worked. Damn, he's good. I feel much more secure with a working computer. Sad, but true. My opinion of people who write the programmes for viruses is less than congenial though.

I've been working on my bee blocks to hand deliver as many as possible in London. Here are four more blocks, two pairs, that I have completed.

For Terri, in Brit Bee, I have stars. She provided the fabric and just the instructions to make stars of any kind we liked. She trusted me with some of her HR stash so I hope I did her proud.


And for Katy, in Stitch Tease, I did two foundation paper piecing blocks. Yes, I did struggle at times. Despite Katy being the nicest person going and giving me the very easiest feathers that you could ever imagine doing. The seam ripper had a work out but I think I got there in the end. I really do think I am missing the essential bit of DNA for this sort of piecing. Curves? No problem. English paper piecing? Yay! Freezer paper piecing? Happy to. Hand stitching anything? Yes please. So why do I suck at this so much? Why?!


I do hope that Katy likes them as she has waited for them long enough, and she did make sure I got the easiest, peasiest block to do. With luck these will suit her quilt.

Susan
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28 comments:

  1. Brenda10 July 2013 at 18:23

    great blocks. I hate paper piecing too -- it's counterintuitive because I'm sewing on the back of the block through paper, instead of on the fabric. and if I make a mistake, it's often fatal because the paper rips when I'm unstitching. so I avoid it as much as possible and have fun with other methods.

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  2. Ali10 July 2013 at 18:48

    Glad you are all fixed. The blocks are lovely. The mermaids are so pretty swimming round and I love your paper pieced feather.

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  3. Archie The Wonder Dog10 July 2013 at 18:57

    Hurrah, you're back!!! Thank goodness Mr IT God could talk you through it all! I love the bee blocks, particularly the hexy mermaid star!

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  4. CitricSugar10 July 2013 at 19:19

    Yay for techie partners! Just remember that most people feel that they don't know what the f*** they're doing most of the time but rarely ever say it out loud. I spend a lot of moments wondering if today's the day someone catches me... :-)

    I LOVE those fussy-cut stars - beautiful. And as for foundation paper-piecing. There are tricks to it. The angles on things that look simple (like feathers) can really throw you when you have to think of things upside-down, backwards and with a seam allowance on all sides. You are not alone, but it does get easier with practice! haha.

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  5. Catherine10 July 2013 at 19:55

    Love those bee blocks

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  6. Kelly10 July 2013 at 20:01

    Thank god for tech geek hubby's who know WTF they are doing with puters ;-).

    Loving those blocks - especially the stars.

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  7. sew.darn.quilt10 July 2013 at 20:25

    ...and you're back! Cute blocks, love the mermaids.

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  8. Sarah10 July 2013 at 20:39

    I regularly shout WTF at my computer - glad I'm not alone!! Love the blocks x

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  9. mammafairy10 July 2013 at 20:54

    So glad the gremlins have been banished. Nice to see your pictures back!

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  10. Reene@Nellie's Niceties10 July 2013 at 20:55

    Hooray for techy hubby! Your blocks look great :)
    I really love reading your blog even more now that I've met you as I can imagine your tone of voice when you were working out the tech problems on the phone :)

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  11. heart of charnwood10 July 2013 at 21:18

    Great blocks, and you clearly know what you're doing with paper piecing as these are fab, now stop being a drama queen, and get yourself psyched for my paper pieced uber-complicated block for November, hahahahahahahahaha!

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  12. Susan10 July 2013 at 21:47

    Computer technology and foundation paper piecing fall into the same 'brain' basket! They were invented by the same nerd ! Your blocks are lovely, despite the angst!

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  13. Judith, Belfast10 July 2013 at 22:28

    Double yum! Loving those mermaids! So pleased you are virus free again! Jxo

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  14. Sarah @ FairyFace Designs10 July 2013 at 22:43

    Just love that mermaid star!! Beautiful blocks

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  15. Claire10 July 2013 at 22:45

    OMG! I love them all especially that feather, incredible stuff!

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  16. Sarah Lou10 July 2013 at 22:55

    Love the purple blocks, and the paper pieced blocks look great to me!

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  17. Shay10 July 2013 at 23:10

    Glad the gremlins were subdued!

    I think all your blocks look wonderful and you simply do not suck !

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  18. Julie11 July 2013 at 00:38

    Love those feathers - they look like ones I need to try.

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  19. Leanne11 July 2013 at 04:19

    Glad to hear your guy got your computer fixed! The blocks are beautiful.

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  20. Sew Create It - Jane11 July 2013 at 09:30

    Glad you got your computer working again!

    I didn't get a chance to comment on your birthday post...so happy belated birthday! I can't believe how much your daughter looks like you! WOW!!

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  21. pennydog11 July 2013 at 09:40

    Oh I love the mermaid fussy cutting so much!

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  22. Isisjem11 July 2013 at 11:12

    Yay your back! Loving the blocks I'm sure the recipients will like them too. I'm trying not to get too excited about meeting you in just over a weeks time :-)

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  23. DeborahGun11 July 2013 at 12:59

    I'm glad i'm not the only one who just can't get the whole foundational paper piecing! Sorry i missed wishing you a happy birthday - just catching up on blog reading! Glad to hear you've come out the other side without any major hiccups:)

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  24. Donna quilts11 July 2013 at 14:03

    Love the colors in your paper pieced blocks - and the way you fussy cut the stars blocks. They look good and I'm sure the recipients will be thrilled with them.

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  25. Annabella13 July 2013 at 14:18

    How did you get the easiest peasiest feather?? Mine has a gagillion pieces compared to yours??! Gorgeous blocks and gald the gremlins have done one :)

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  26. Katy Cameron14 July 2013 at 13:08

    Yay for the resurrection, and the blocks all look great, thank you :o)

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  27. Kelsey15 July 2013 at 14:40

    Wow those Heather Ross stars are stunning! I think I would have an impossible time letting them go!

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  28. Mish Mash Mama1 August 2013 at 00:05

    Just caught up with those spectacular stars. They're way better in my clean hands than those photos. They're stunning. Especially, 'specially the mermaids. Love them to bits. Thanks so much. :)x

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