Evolution of the C Block

A kind quilter online asked other quilters in one of my chat rooms if I'd like to participate in making a quilt for a certain woman named Carolyn.  Of course I would, since the requirements were easy:  one 12.5 inch block in earth tones, preferably batiks.  I knew I wanted greens and golds to predominate.

The multi-color batik is from the stash I bought from the widower I've mentioned here a few times. (He sold all of his late wife's quilting stuff, and I bought a small portion of it, with the promise to bless others with it, as she would have done.)

In the back of my mind, I entertained the idea of doing applique' .  But I was afraid. Why? Because it's still new to me, and because Carolyn is an outstanding quilter herself.  I felt a bit like Julie cooking for Julia.

I think this block went through more "wardrobe changes" than an adolescent girl.  I can't believe how long it took to decide on the center part. The outside came together fairly easily.

Here were all the ones that didn't make the cut: 

Not enough difference in scale:

Purple print was too dark:

The colors of the Asian lion print were perfect, but his expression was freaking me out.  What was I thinking when I bought it? 

Nope. 

Is this Christmas in March?

The brown just looked like diarrhea to me.

Even with better lighting.

                                                       Can you see two birds or just three flowers?

I'm liking the flowers, though. 

Heck, no. 

So, back to the flowers. I decided to cut them out and applique them on. 

I fell in love with Heat 'n Bond Lite (purple packaging).  It made the fusing

very easy. Then, after practicing my machine applique on 

a piece of scrap, I got brave and did it "for real" on this block.

The final product? 

Here she is. 

I'm no longer afraid of applique'.  I'm still far from good at it, but it doesn't scare me anymore.

I hope Carolyn likes my block.

Pinterest Party

Welcome to my first Pinterest Party! If you would like to join, please leave a comment and we'll follow you to your blog. I apologize in advance for not knowing or figuring out how to do Mr. Linky.  (I just got hired for a job two days ago and I start tomorrow, so I've been busy preparing.)

Here's a smattering of things I've made from January through the present.

The inspiration quilt was a play mat from McCall's Quilting, a pattern called "Matchy Matchy."  I knew instantly that I wanted to make a variation on the idea. My version has only 36 squares, two of each print, 6 inches each (finished), and with fewer colors.  But it is meant for my niece's little brain to be stimulated by the patterns.  I can't wait to deliver it later this week.

I haven't named this quilt yet. Can you give some suggestions?

 This is the backing:

In January I  joined a small quilting board chat challenge with the theme "Black and White and Red All Over."  We could make anything we wanted, but it had to be in those colors and had to be for ourselves.

I wanted a large pincushion so that I didn't have to think so much about aiming my pins.  I also wanted something very solid. I stuffed this one with shreds and scraps of fabrics that I keep when cutting.

This is my "Ouch" pincushion, courtesy of Pinterest.   I combined these fabrics, added the letters (free-handed)...

and came up with this.  It's far from perfect, but it does the job and makes me smile.

Thanks, "Pin"terest!

In February, I sewed up 28 little fabric bags for my daughter (the teacher)'s first grade class. I put a Hershey's Kiss in each one and tied them with ribbon I had. I gave them to the 26 kids, the teacher, and her co-worker. They were a big hit.

And for a St. Patrick's Day bake sale at my son's school, I made rainbow cookies with M&M's by using this recipe from one of my Pinterest "pins."  The blogger gives the secret to making an ultra-soft, chewy cookie.  My son said they sold out. I asked, "Why, because they were colorful?" And he said, "No, because they were good! I told everyone how soft they were!" 

Your turn! Please leave a comment and your link (if you are playing along). I'll be sure to visit your blog. Thanks for stopping by.

Then Sings My Quilter's Soul

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I bought  a huge bin of fabric from a widower who had the painful task of selling the contents of his late wife's quilting studio.  She'd been sewing for 25 years and had accumulated quite the stash--and excellent taste in quality, I might add.

I assured the man I would use the fabric to make things of beauty and love that would bless people, particularly children. My plan is to make things for my baby niece, and also doll quilts (7 this year, for starters) for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

After paying my $75 for this motherlode of happiness, I came home and immediately sorted it  by color. The line of an old hymn sprang from my voice: "Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee..." I'm sure my grandmother, who used to make dolls and quilts, would sing that while she sewed.

I get such a craving for oranges every time I see this citrus fabric!

Blue with red hearts Fabric-- I made little treat bags for 26 first graders and their wonderful teacher and her co-worker and of course, for my Valentine birthday boy.

 My favorite in the entire lot was this purple and yellow floral one below.  I have already started a purple pinwheel doll quilt from this assortment.

My younger sister loves grey wolves; I think I'll make a pillow for her. Of course I'll turn it rightside up.

  I started another doll quilt from this pink stack, as well as a car seat quilt for my baby niece.

Duckies and butterflies, how cute!

This fabric excites me--so much movement!

Of course the sunflowers always make me think of my Kansas friends and family.

My mind is spinning with project ideas. If only life didn't get in the way of sewing all day!

But at least my soul is singing just thinking about it!

Let's Make a Friendship Quilt

Can you cut a straight line? Can you measure? Can you sew? Do you love children? Do you have a heart for missions? Would you like to try your hand at making a friendship quilt?

If you answered "yes' to any of the above questions, please read on.

I've been asking the Lord for an idea to bring all my talented and gospel-minded friends (including those I haven't met personally but just in blogworld) together to further His kingdom in a practical way. I think He has spoken.

Sacha is most likely going on a short-term missions trip next summer. Lord willing, Sarah and I are going with her! We are awaiting the green light from Paul. Either way, I'm going to make one or more quilts to take or send through GAiN.

What I'd like to propose is this: A Rainbow-Colored Tic-Tac-Toe Quilt.
It will double as a blanket and toy. I can make small bean bags to toss on to it.

I hope 8 people + me would like to join in. Each person who wants to be part of this friendship circle will be asked to make ONE square. (TTT board has 9 squares.) It'll be either an X or an O on the center of your square. We'll have 9 squares total.

Squares would be due in April. That leaves time for someone (me or someone more talented) to join the squares to sashing (the strips in between the squares), border and backing in plenty of time for our (Lord willing) June trip.

I'll get back with details (background color, X color, O color, dimensions, etc.) This will be a cot quilt, finished size about 44x72 per GAiN's guidelines.

The patchwork picture above was taken with my dime-store digital way back when. OH, my , how thankful I am that thing is history! Thankfully the patchwork became part of a quilt I sent to Warm the World who will take it to Romania.

Who's in? Oh, if you can't sew but want to cut, please speak up!