Hazel The Hedgehog Quilt Along

I love Elizabeth Hartmann's animal quilts,  on Oh Fransson! and already have the cat one partly sewn and a sample block of the Fox sitting on my wall. When Gnome Angel announced a Quilt Along of the Hazel the Hedgehog pattern I immediately wanted to join in. I admit I procrastinated and didn't actually get started until last week, but have it all completed today.

The original idea was to make a cushion (pillow to the US) in the medium sized Hazel. Once the block was made she sat up on my wall for a day or so. I just wanted to keep going but wanted it to be baby quilt sized. The idea of the little Hazels surrounding the larger one came to mind in an effort to get the size I wanted.  My friends and I have been doing a little solids challenge so solids are  very much on my mind. They seemed the obvious choice.

I was curious what baby hedgehogs were called, and it seems  (according to the Oxford Dictionary) until the 1990s they were simply called baby hedgehogs, kits, pups or piglets. Since around 1995 the term Hoglets has been used amongst those interested in hedgehogs.

I have therefore named this quilt Hazel and the Hoglets.
Size 48 inches by 48.

I am linking to Gnome Angels Link Party

Quiet Play Zoo Animal BOM

I had been procrastinating about joining in with Quiet Play's BOM, but when I saw the penguin I was hooked. I have now caught up and finished the flamingo too. The eye area is a little challenging at first, but the patterns all go easily after that. This is going to make such a cute baby quilt come September when all 9 are completed.  The background is a bit brighter - it is Kona Duck Egg Blue.

 

And here are the 2 blocks together

 

 

Let me apologize here for the lack of features on the blog- I am still playing around and learning where the features are.   I need to find "Contact Me"   ( lynnmcindoe@gmail.com)  and how to put my profile in. 

I am linking back to Quiet Play with this block.

Irish Chain Twist Quilt Along

I have done 2 Quilt Alongs with Melissa Corry from Happy Quilting
Melissa is the most encouraging positive host. She comments on every single flickr photo and on every photo linked on her blog.
 I have been waiting patiently for another Quilt Along.  Last week was the start of her Irish Chain Quilt Along. She has a book coming out soon called Irish Chain Quilts, which can be pre-ordered here
I was a little slow choosing my fabrics, but in the end based my selection on one of the  Intrepid Thread kits. Happily, I used fabric from my stash.

Part one and two have been completed. These are Improvisational Piecing blocks.

Part 3 is due on Friday (Thursday US time)

Grand Illusions Linky

Today is the linky at Quiltville for Grand Illusions.
This was my first top finish for 2015, and is still waiting in the FMQ line.
I used mostly Bonnie's colours, as I was intrigued by the combination, but swapped the black for navy. I found it hard to find much black in batiks at the time.