Grandma's Kitchen #10 and 11 and finished Design Boards!

This was last weeks block in the Pat Sloan free weekly pattern, Grandma's Kitchen.  This is #10 and there were a lot of different layouts you could do.  It is called Recipe Box so I made it a box.  Genius, huh?  :) 

This is #11 and this one is called Peppermint Swirls.  I used some pastels to go with the watermelon red so it would matchy match the rest of the blocks. Reminds me more of Starburst than peppermint candies but it works.  Oh, and I was able to finally use some of my vintage buttons in a project.  I might take the buttons off if it makes sandwiching the quilt easier.  We'll see when we get there.

I bought this Olfa circle cutter years ago when I used to do swaps.  I used it for a bulls eye swap.  I can't believe how many times I have used it since then.  For crafts, costumes and blocks like this.  Gotta love those gadgets!! 

I started Design Boards a few weeks ago but had to put it aside for a while.  Got distracted with trailer cushions, laundry room curtains, etc.  :)  Anyway, got them finished tonight.  Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet came up with the idea.  For a quilter, they are very handy.  You lay your fabric pieces on them in the right order and carry them to the machine.  Lori says in her video if you don't have to sew them together right then, it's even great to set by your machine because you can sew the blocks, ready to go, when you have some time.  Genius!  

Here are a few links to some pics of Lori's adorable design boards.  Who could resist using those adorable fabrics if you were the designer and had bolts of them??

Lori Holt (Bee in My Bonnet) Design Boards

Here is an old tutorial here from her blog.  The second page no longer has photos.  Not sure what the problem is but I found a youtube video tutorial.  I've been using the one that I finished for my Pat Sloan blocks each week.  I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of them.

Block #7 and Designer Boards

This is block #7 of the Pat Sloan Grandma's Kitchen Sew Along.  It's called Oh My Stars.  I can't wait to finish all the blocks.  I've had some of these fabrics for so long and I'm glad to be using them.  If only it put a bigger dent in the pile(s). :D

A long, long, LONG time ago, I saved a tutorial for making Designer Boards. They make it easier to lay out your block pieces and carry them to the sewing machine.  I usually use my 12 1/2" ruler but Pat Sloan has been using them with her blocks and it made me want to finally make them.  The tutorial is by Lori Holt, Bee in My Bonnet and you can find it here.  Although, page two of the tutorial doesn't show the pictures so if you can figure it out, you're good to go.  

I'm going to make small ones for 6" blocks and smaller and 12 1/2" ones for bigger blocks.  Used a scrap piece of batting.  Glued with the glue gun like the directions "and" I already had a couple of pieces of foam board leftover from the grandkid's birthday parties.

It took a little more binding than I thought for the bigger ones.  About 1 1/2 strips of fabric so I think I'll just make a big long piece like making binding and go from there.

My overlap at the end needs a little work.  Hopefully, the next ones will be better.  At least they'll do the job they're intended for.  :)