In The Studio 03

The bits and pieces I’ve been making, creating, reading, and doing – stitchy or otherwise.

Well, to add to the fun and games that is being a Melburnian this year, we’ve now added a decent earthquake to the mix. Just this morning, we had a 5.8mag (10km deep) earthquake about 200km to the east. I’ve certainly experienced worse while living in Japan, but this was still a decent shake. And my kids don’t really remember having them so they were a bit freaked out. We’re all ok, though!

We’ve also still got at least another month or so of lockdown until we hit 70% of the state having had both doses of the vaccine (we only have two-dose options here in Australia), so here’s hoping next month’s In The Studio has a better update on that front, ha! Thank goodness for quilty distractions…

CREATING

I’ve been alternating between working on my Plenty of Thyme quilt (I’m up to the final 10 blocks to applique!) and sewing up samples for my next pattern. I’m pretty much 99% certain I’ll add an extra round of squares to my Plenty of Thyme quilt to make it just the bit bigger. Not appliqued blocks, just more scrappy low volume squares.

I did also have fun making this Reel showing how I prep my blocks for hand appliqueing them! If the video isn’t showing below, click here to watch it.

 

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A post shared by Alyce ✨ Quilt Teacher + Author (@blossomheartquilts)

WRITING

I’ve been working on my next pattern coming out next Thursday – Candy Crew! It’s the next bundle of cute, yummy foundation paper pieced quilt blocks

And oh yes, this has been a fun one to photograph, just having to go out and buy all these tasty props 😉 These foundation paper pieced quilt blocks come together super quickly, and the pattern will also include directions for using the blocks in a structured tote bag… yep, the perfect bag for trick or treat!

If you’re new to foundation paper piecing and want to learn, then be sure to check out my online, on-demand class teaching you how to foundation paper piece step by step!

LOVING

I love that there’s already some Scrap Buster Blocks popping up around the place! Michele was straight onto it, making her Scrappy Irish Chain block from her red scraps too.

You can find the Scrap Buster Blocks series here.

READING

Not gonna lie, most of my reading this month has been the news, keeping up to date with the changing restrictions, etc. However, I did smash through A Room Made Of Leaves by Kate Grenville in a couple of days. It was an enjoyable, light read, although as someone who loves historical fiction, felt it was a little too light. But still, worth a read if you feel like something interesting but not too heavy.

INSPIRING

I’ve already lined up my next English paper piecing/applique project… pattern testing for Hayley from Spring Daisy Stitchery! This is a bit different for me, but I’m excited to keep this part of my quilting strictly “for fun”, as opposed to the stuff that I sew “for work”. She hasn’t shared any sneak peeks of this particular pattern, but I love her other work that she shares on Instagram, so you can be sure it’s a good one!

WATCHING + LISTENING

While I’ve been doing my handsewing (and jigsaw puzzles in an attempt to stop doomscrolling), I’ve totally binged all four seasons of Continuum (on Prime) – a time-travel/dystopian/current-day cop show where the main character is accidentally transported back in time from 2067 to 2012 with a bunch of criminals about to be executed. Sounds a little odd, but it was the perfect background for sewing in that you can easily follow along with the story without having to watch the screen. I’ve also binged a few true crime series – The Staircase on Netflix is fascinating.

I’ve now started The Halcyon (also on Prime) and am really enjoying it so far (think Downton Abbey but in a London hotel in WW2), but it’s the kind of show with meaningful looks, so it’s not particularly the best for sewing. So I’m open for suggestions on new sewing viewing!