Cart Before The Horse?

This is the first of twelve blocks-of-the-month that we will be doing at my LQS. Having just set all of those hexies together from the last BOM session it's all about moving forward. This time we're exploring blocks using Deb Tucker's Tucker Trimmer. If you've been a long-time reader you know that yours truly is a huge fan of everything Deb Tucker does and all of the Studio 180 tools. (The Tucker Trimmer is the original tool.)  I chose the turquoise print, on the outside of this block, as my control fabric. Each block will contain that print with low-volume backgrounds that will change, block to block. I am staying with a monochromatic color scheme and already went ahead and designed my setting in EQ8.  The Split-Rects borders on each block will alternate light/dark to add some interest and some movement. Is this a case of putting the cart before the horse? Maybe; after all, I have no idea what the blocks will be. But, I grabbed the reins anyway. We'll see where this goes, right now I am happy with the idea. (The pieced blocks inside the setting borders measure 12" square.)

Life is Good!

"It's The Journey"

"It's The Journey" ~ 49" X 61"

After months of deliberation "It's The Journey" has become a full-fledged flimsy; and a life lesson! What started out as the ultimate LQS border challenge has resulted in a well defined wall hanging that has named itself... and taught me a lot along the way. Let me recap the process that brought this quilt top into existence. Back in January I posted here about the project and showed my progress to date. At that time I decided to name this one "The Long and Winding Road"; I was naive enough back then to think I knew, sort of, where this might be headed and that I might have a bit of control!  By the end of January, with the selection of the third border (squares) and color (brown) I was flummoxed and desperate for help; I posted that plea here. By now I was referring to this project as "Destination: Unknown" which it remained until only recently.  By early May I was propelling this along by changing things up, cutting corners, and adding appliqué. Eventually, the outer black seemed necessary to rein it all in and keep the center contained. The final design elements selected, at the end of May, were appliqué and the color(s) red, yellow and/or blue. I machine appliquéd the words, they became the best definition for what this entire challenge represented. Suddenly it all became crystal clear to this quiltmaker: it never had been about the destination at all, but rather, the journey.  Given the chance I'd set out all over again on another one; I'm grateful for the challenge.

Life is Good!

Think Positive!

I've seen blocks that look like this around the blogs and on Pinterest boards lately, I find it very appealing.  I went ahead and designed a version of my own in EQ7, one that looks more like a plus sign and am calling mine "Think Positive!" It's an easy block, here are the rotary cutting directions for a 5" (finished) block and a diagram for a finshed quilt layout, (below) set block to block, that could be either a lap robe/throw or a baby quilt. The size could always be increased by adding sashing strips between the blocks, if desired of making the block larger. I calculated the finished dimensions for mine based on a 2.5" border on all sides.

I gathered up a stack of charm squares and some 2.5" strips in happy colors.
I will combine them with some soft, low volume background prints;
I was eager to stitch up a test block... cute!

Think Positive! ~ 45" X 55"

It's almost summer... and the livin' is easy; right? Why not take it easy and stitch up a cute little quilt for yourself or for future gift giving? You'll have this one done in no time... think positive!

Life is Good!   

Borders Galore!

Last Thursday our "Head For The Border" challenge group met to reveal their latest border additions. This last round saw the use of "square in a square" as the design element and the color purple. The results of each and every quilt are equally amazing and inspiring! For our next round we are each challenged  to add a "border made of pieced blocks" and the color orange, based on a random selection. 

Back to the drawing board! I came home from the meeting and immediately set to work in EQ7. The above plan will be my guide. I have decided to remove the last four corners blocks and replace them with four 'clover' blocks, as shown, for continuity of the center. My next border will be the black background blocks. We will have one more round after this one. "Destination: Unknown" is, at long last, offering me a hint of direction. I can't remember enjoying any journey more than I have this one; every step has been fun and exciting, watching this quilt develop has been a pure joy!

Life is Good!

Destination: Unknown

"Destination: Unknown" ~  31" X 31" (so far).

You all have been with me for the ride on this "Border Run" challenge from the beginning. It all started along the "Winding Way" with the central four blocks. Following assignment #1,  I added RECTANGLES in BLACK. Easy enough, and so the black and white continuing design element began. Assignment #2 was FLYING GEESE and GREEN; not too difficult. And then, it got harder; at our last group meeting SQUARES were drawn from the sack and the color BROWN! Brown? Really??  I recognized fairly quickly that, at this step, the challenge had been thrown down. I'm ready for our next group meeting at my LQS on Thursday, I've completed my homework. What's next? Nobody knows, it's up to a random draw from two brown paper sacks. This journey continues, my seat belt is fastened; it's full speed ahead!

Life is Good!

I Need Your Help!

This is a follow up to my last post, the one where I admitted to being directionally challenged. Yesterday was the third meeting of our "Head For The Border" group where we enjoyed an inspirational show and tell as well as learned our next "assignment" based on the random choice of a design element and a color. The element selected from the envelope was squares. Easy enough, right? The color chosen: brown. Hmmm. Well, I decided that if I needed to add one more color I would add four; so, along with brown I am incorporating orange, blue and purple into this next round. Now, for a design plan. Squares, as is, were too boring. Squares set on point, however, intrigue me and continue the movement outward. I have placed three design possibilities up for consideration and for voting.

 Let me know what you think: #1, #2, or #3.

#1 & #3 are almost identical, except for the corner blocks. (Pretend there's purple thrown in there too).

#2 is comprised of teeny, tiny squares, that border measures 1", finished.

Thanks, in advance, for your help... and your vote!
Life is Good!