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.

January finishes

I lost momentum in the latter half of 2014, so I am trying hard to get some finishes this year.
The first is CAROLINA BLUES. 

Our little Facebook quilt group made a quilt for one of our members, who is awaiting transplant surgery. We chose Bonnie Hunter's Carolina Chain block, but made the blocks 12 inches instead of the smaller size, and made it in blue and white with some applique blocks of hearts included.
I enjoyed making the block so much that I just kept going , making blue and white blocks.
With Christmas approaching I decided to make it as a Christmas Thankyou for one of my son's caregivers.
We gave Frank his quilt on Wednesday and he was overcome, and thrilled with it. That makes it all worthwhile

On our group quilt we did a signature block and I used this across the centre of the back to separate the two fabrics.

 

The second quilt is ARCHERS PIRATE QUILT

Archer is our 2 year old grandson, and had been in a big bed for a few months. I had decided on the layout and cut out the blocks, but it stayed in a bag not sewn.  I made my priority list on 1st January, and this was number 2.

The fabric is Treasure Map by Riley Blake. There was no specific pattern for this one. Archer wasn't impressed with this  when I gave it to him. but hopefully he will change his mind.

The back is the panel from the range, so the quilt is really reversible.

 

Now on to number 3 on my quilting list......

 

Welcome to my blog.
Beausoleil is my kennel name for breeding and showing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Quilting is my current obsession.
This blog is to record and share my  current quilting, my  finishes and other quilting items of interest.
Some doggy stuff may sneak in too.
I love in New Zealand in the Manawatu countryside.