Cast In Stone

Red Telephone Box Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I hope you are having a wonderful Spring.  My husband and I managed to sneak in a break together before he starts his new job today.

I have been going through some of the photos from last year’s England travel. Considering I made it to England twice within the last six months and am already planning my third visit to Scotland probably indicates how much I love the British Isles.  I try to not mention the turmoil of the world here because this is my happy place, but I could not stay away from that this time after reading the news yesterday.  My heart goes out to my British friends.

 

It is a beautiful country full of old history and lovely people.  A visit to Oxford was a must because of its beautiful architecture.  I fell in love with the vine- and plant-decked Oxford windows.  I had the idea of this Red Telephone Box quilt pattern for a long while now.  Browsing the photos rekindled the urge of designing this block.  So I added a Victorian street lamp along with a lit-up window – an Oxford window, if you will.

 

A few photos I took of the Oxford windows –

 

Christ Church College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

 Christ Church College

 

 

Christ Church College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

  Christ Church College

 

 

Exeter College, Oxford, England | Whims And Fancies

 

 Exeter College

 

 

Magdalen College, Oxford England | Whims And Fancies

 

Magdalen College

 

All these stone structures inspired me to work on this watercolour sketch of a crumbling stone castle in Scotland.  I was practising painting the texture of crumbling stones as well as loose-hand painting.

 

 

Crumbling Stone Castle Watercolour Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Van Gogh Watercolour Paint

 

I enjoy playing with different brands of watercolour paints.  Van Gogh watercolour is a student-grade paint made by a Dutch company called Royal Talens.  It is not very expensive, so I was really surprised by the quality of the paint.  They come alive even with the smallest touch of water and the colours are intense.  The paints blend with each other wonderfully, enabling me to create new colours very easily.  They are also quite permanent.  Unlike most watercolour paints, I couldn’t easily lift off the colours once they were applied.  Something to keep in mind before I put paint to paper next time.  I found the included brush to be a bit too stiff and harsh on the paper.  I wouldn’t recommend using it at all.  However, I highly recommend the paintbox.  The colours are also available individually, in tubes.

 

 

Red Telephone Box Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

  Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I was working on this block around the same time I was dabbling with the Van Gogh paint.  Since I love stone buildings so much, I used Stonehenge fabrics for the background.  I lit the lamp and the window for a warmer feel.

I pieced the red grid on my red telephone booth.  However, for easier piecing, I also included pattern sections without the grid.  The grid can be added afterwards via a thick-width machine stitch.  The finished block is 12″.  The Red Telephone Box quilt pattern is available in my shop, if you wish to make one.

It was nice to take break from the Harry Potter quilt blocks and work on something different.  I need a new day/travel bag, this block will be prefect for that.

Stay well,
-Soma

Luckily this was also my one monthly goal, which I am happy to say I have accomplished.  I am linking up with –

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal Finish March Linkup 

 

I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My Lens, Our World TuesdayWednesday Around The World, and Friday Photo Journal along with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

 

 

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Starlight Starbright

Sunburst Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Sunburst Star Pattern

 

Stars make everything bright and beautiful.  That’s probably why we keep using stars in our quilts.  Sunburst Star was a specially-requested pattern.  Since the day I made it and sent it off, I wanted to make this block for myself.  I had a pretty clear idea about the colours, and I was very happy to find all the right fabrics in my stash.  Although I am not very fond of batik prints, I bought the outer fabric because it makes me think of nebulas and stars.

I made the pattern for a 14″ piece to make it easier to sew.  As I was drafting the pattern, quite by serendipity, the little tips got added to the inner star.  The person I made it for was happy with the changes, but they can be completely ignored for simpler piecing.

 

 

This block was my One Monthly Goal link-up for July.  During this busy summer I am glad to have finished it early.  Now I can link up at the end of the month!

 

 

Sunburst Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Sunburst Star Pattern

 

Of course, I had to play with the colours a little.  I changed the inner and outer stars to have one or two colour combinations.  Add the tips to them and you get even more variety!  The Sunburst Star quilt pattern is available in my shop.  I currently have only one handmade bag that fits my iPad, so I will be making another bag with this star block.

 

 

Starlight Diverging Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Starlight Diverging Pattern

 

The second star is courtesy of Sara Lynn.  She made this block using my Starlight Diverging pattern.  The fabrics she used are satin, taffeta, brocade and raw silk.

 

 

Starlight Diverging Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Sarah Lynn is an exquisite quilter, I just had to include this close-up photo of the quilting.  You can see the finished project here at her website, Sarah Lynn Quilting.  Make sure to browse a little to admire her lovely applique and quilting work.

 

 

Lego Harry Potter Quilt Along | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I also have a giveaway winner from the Harry Potter QAL introductory post.  Lori Smanski is the winner of this little bundle.  Congratulations!!!  I will email you shortly.

I decided not to pursue any outside sponsors for this event and fully sponsor it myself.  I will do a couple more giveaways along the way, so there will be other chances to win.  Make sure to follow and play along.

 

 

 

 

I will see you on July 18th for the 12 Days Of Christmas in July Blog Hop!  Check out Sarah’s page for the list of participants.  The blog hop started today.  There are lots of wonderful ideas there that you will not want to miss.

Have a crafty week,
-Soma

 

 

 

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