Wednesday 25 July 2012

Ai oo ai oo ai oo

That my friends, is the sound of a siren, according to a 2 year old. Go on, make the sound. It does sound like a siren surprisingly. My youngest calls fire trucks Ai Oos. It took me awhile to figure out exactly why. Of course – it makes perfect sense if you’re 2.

So that siren noise? We hear that sound a LOT in my household. No, my children are not juvenile delinquents requiring police escorts. Yet. But they are obsessed with fire trucks. Well Mr 4 is and Miss 2 is by default as it seems whatever the older sibling does, the younger sibling follows. 

So since I started playing around with paper piecing patterns, a fire truck was one of the first things I wanted to do. But the wheels got me. How to paper piece round wheels? Or do you paper piece the rest and applique round wheels on? That sounds like extra work. So I compromised in my design. Not quite round, not quite square wheels. If you squint, it works well ;)

Voila! A paper pieced ai oo!
Fire truck

I’m pleased with how this one turned out. I’m less than pleased though that this is the last photo proving it exists. Both the children were quite taken with the block and it has now disappeared, never to be seen again. Thank goodness I took a photo of it –before- I let them see it. If only it came with sound effects, I might have a chance at finding it. This pattern’s currently with Alyce for testing, then I’ll add it to my little collection of transport themed patterns.

Today got off to a great start! We had a little sewing/Lego playdate today with Marieka. So lovely! We sewed, the kids played Lego. I think everyone had fun! I took a little paper pieced project with me (what else would I take?!). Another little paper pieced umbrella. You can find the pattern for the umbrella listed on Craftsy and has three variations of brolly for the price of one! So you can make one with points or without – your choice!

I chose to go without. It was much quicker than the version with points, and still cute I think. I also halved the pattern size – this is a 4” block, rather than the standard 8” block in the pattern.  I used up some scraps I had left from my Half Moon Modern charm pack from my Red Herring quilt. Boy did I get my money’s worth out of that charm pack!

Little umbrella

Loving it! So cute and colourful! This little block is destined to be my project for the Practically Paper Piecing Blog Hop. I’m first cab off the rank – so come back here on the 1st August to see what this turns into!

Umbrella HMM

The Peacocks in the Garden is starting to become the unmentionable WiP as it still hasn’t been touched. The screwy quilting has stolen some of my love for it. I will get to it soon though as having a big WiP hanging over my head is driving me a little crazy! Guess I’d better stop with all the fun paper piecing and finish the big quilt – because then I can reward myself with more paper piecing right? Yeah! There’s some motivation right there!

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17 comments:

  1. love the fire engine and the umbrella, the brolly being super appropriate if you live in Ireland right now!

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  2. I am love those blocks! I just may have to get the patterns!!

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  3. Love the fire engine - I think the wheels are perfect! And I can't wait to see your paper-piecing project on the 1st August. Gosh I'm going to have to rattle my dags!

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  4. You are the queen of Paper piecing - love the fire engine and the Umbrella!

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  5. So nice to share a morning of sewing with you! May it be the first of many :). I love this little umbrella - so bright and uplifting for rainy weather.

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  6. Love your fire engine, hopefully it turns up again soon! The further you are away from it the rounder the wheels look!

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  7. Great fire engine! Love it.

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  8. The little umbrella block is adorable! I love it!

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  9. That is such a sweet story:) Cute fire engine and umbrella:):):)

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  10. I am not surprised that they ran off with it! As always I laughed aloud at your post in several places.

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  11. Gosh I can't believe they stole the block before it was properly turned into anything. How that made me chuckle!
    Loving the umbrella, the fabrics match up with this new weather =D

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  12. what an adorable fire engine. I think my son would steal it, too! Hopefully it turns up!

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  13. Now I get it with all the paper piecing minis - it is procrastination! Putting off the day when you tackle that wonky quilting.

    That is fine by us though as we all benefit from your new patterns in the meantime :)

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  14. What stunning paper piecing! That 4" umbrella is calling my name...

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  15. I bought your umbrella pattern and can't wait to make it. I might try it tomorrow. I also love the firetruck! I have grown boys so I can't make this for them; But, I am going to be a great auntie soon to a baby boy so I will just have to purchase this too when you make it available! It's great to get together with friends and sew. It's great for the soul ;) Your soul must be very happy right now!

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  16. cute blocks! Have to tell you funny, My Honeyman (who is a fire man) can tell you if it is a fire truck or an ambulance by the sound of the siren! And in our area he can tell you if the truck is from our town or the one next to us! I guess one has a 'tin' sound and one is electronic or something! I listen and just hear sirens! LOL It is amazing that they are so different he can tell you which is which! wierd! YES!!!

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