A pinning we will go...

The the back is pieced, the top is layered and the pins are in. I'm actually looking forward to quilting this baby. (Quilting is usually my least favorite part of the process...)

Zigging right along

The Purdue quilt is coming along quite nicely. I've been itching to do a zig zag quilt for some time, using Amanda Jean's technique. No triangles - music to my ears!

I've since added the borders and started piecing the backing. I hope to get the backing put together this week and then move on to layering and quilting. I'm undecided on the quilting pattern but that's often the case. I don't usually decide how to quilt something until its layered.

I completed some other projects this weekend however they weren't quilt related. I made some corn hole bags for the brother-in-law who sells corn hole sets. I also started Seeger's Halloween costume. For someone who is NOT a sewer and doesn't know the first thing about making an article of clothing - seriously, I can barely hem a pair of pants - it's going pretty well. Not perfect, definitely home-made, but at least you can tell what he's supposed to be.

Purdue Style

I'm putting this away...

For this...

Not normally the colors I'd choose for a project. This is being made for a silent auction for cancer research.

Starting them early...

We had several families over to our house the other night and as everyone was chatting and snacking and the kids were off playing, one of the dad's let me know that his daughter had counted all the quilts hanging in my house and she really, really wanted me to make one for her. Of course I was flattered and even more excited about the idea of introducing Julia to the world of quilting.
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Julia is 8. At 8, I could have cared less about something as domestic as quilt making. So I promised Julia I would make her a quilt, but only if she helped me. She was super excited, especially when I told her to start looking through my fabric to pick out her favorites. I was excited too. Until I saw what she picked.
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I'm not sure what to do with this. I'm liking the aqua and lime green but the orange concerns me. (Although I've always thought about an orange and lime green quilt.) And the paw print dog fabric? Not happening.... I'm thinking a coin quilt of some sort but I'm probably going to have to nix some of her fabric choices and add others.
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Did I mention Julia has a younger sister? Anna is 7 and her father let me know that if I make a quilt for Julia, I have to make one for Anna. Here is Anna's fabric.
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Anna gave me a lot more to work with. The pinks and purples will probably dominate this quilt. Can I go all Project Runway on them and only use the fabric I think is best as a designer?

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And of course, Seeger wants to do everything he sees girls do. So now he wants to make a quilt. His fabric choices were crazy. I haven't taken a picture yet and I hesitate to make him anything because his grandma is making him a quilt for Christmas. We'll see how this plays out.

In the meantime, I'd like to start cutting Julia and Anna's fabric choices. If you have any suggestions for what to do with these piles of fabric, please let me know!

Nature's Best quilt contest

I just entered a quilting contest. I submitted my dancing stars quilt - one of my favorites. I love the colors and was so pleased with how it turned it. I'd seen the pattern somewhere but modified it a bit.

I spent more time quilting this top than I've every spent on a quilt. It's very heavily quilting between all the stars, making the big ones pop out.

I love the result but I hated how long it took. It was worth it though. I also love the pieced binding. I put all my scraps together to create it. I think it turned out very well. If you agree, feel free click on the widget above and vote for me. I'm in the small quilts category.

And while you're at it, vote for my pal Christy in the large quilts category. She submitted her fabulous Seven Sisters quilt. She hand pieced and quilted the entire thing. Very impressive!

Making progress

Things are moving along with my Austin inspired quilt. Although I've made blocks to cover about half the anticipated size of the quilt top, I'm only a quarter of the way done in assembling the blocks. See all those three little baggies of fabric? Those all need put together.

After spending most of last year being uninspired with my quilting, I'm definitely making it up for this year. I have so many quilts in the queue - there is no way I'll do them all. And prioritizing everything is becoming a challenge. Maybe I should quit my job and become a full time quilter. Do people ever do that?

Black and White block exchange

After last year's stashbusting contest, the quilting group I participate in decided to organize a black and white block exchange. We were each ask to make two set of 10 blocks. We had from the start of the year until Labor Day to complete the blocks. (We're busy women - don't judge!) Last weekend, we got together to exchange them. Here are a few of my favorites.

It was fun to see what others came up with. Now we have the task of putting our 20 blocks together. I haven't decided how I'm going to do this although I do know I want to use some color.

Surprisingly, there is no deadline for this. Hopefully, I'll have my top put together before the end of the year. (It's all about baby steps, people!!)