The Allure Continues - Catcus Wreath

I got all of the individual sections sewn together, so I decided to put together one block to try out my Catcus Wreath quilt. I really like it. It is gratifying when all of the care and attention in putting the smaller pieces together ends up with the block being the right size. I can tell it is going to be a lot of fun. I think the hardest part will be deciding which greens to put together.


Linking up To The Needle and Thread Network.

Oh The Allure!

Oh, the allure of a new project! I think it is so enticing because you get to start fresh ; no mistakes have been made. Everything looks perfect and there is always the hope that nothing will go wrong. Normally, I start a new quilt every summer but I thought I would be able to resist this summer but I was incorrect.

I bought this fabric in June at a quilt show. I had originally intended the majority of it for a watermelon log cabin quilt but the pattern called for smaller sized strips, and I was not sure if I wanted to cut them all individually. I remembered a pattern I have had for quite a while that used the 2 1/2 strips. I have really enjoyed making the Cozy quilt patterns. I find them intricate but not too difficult to do.

 

I did have some greens in my stash but decided I wanted to add some more variety. I used a gift certificate from work to buy some more of the greens. New fabric is always part of the allure as well!

For me, one of the longest steps, but one of the most important is the cutting. Everything is ready to go! I think the hopes, and dreams of a quilter should be bottled and called Allure! It would definitely be a beautiful scent!

Plan C - "C The Tulips"

This wall hanging is finally complete. I'm not sure if I want to say how long ago I started it, but let's say it has been a few years. It is the Plan C pattern from Carrie Nelson. Here is what I said about it when I started

"I was not happy with my original design, and so I found a different one that used smaller 4 patches. Part of my problem was that I had bought charm packs, and the edges were pinked and the squares were smaller than 5 inches, which made them too small for some of the patterns I was looking at. Finally I decided on a third pattern, ironically Plan C by Carrie Nelson from her Schnibbles Times Two book. It calls for even smaller 4 patches, so everything is much better now. The original idea was to make a lap quilt for myself, but now I like the idea much better of making it into a wall quilt." So it really is, a Plan C quilt.

I am happy that it is done, and will get to hang it up maybe in the winter time to remind me about the beautiful spring to come.

Linking to Finish it Up Friday, TGIFF and Can I Get A Whoop, Whoop!

Measure Twice, Cut Once or Twice!

I started working on these log cabins in November, at my quilting retreat. When I got home I put away and just took it out again in July. Many of the blocks were wonky and when I took a closer look I realized that I had not cut a lot of the logs correctly. I had already made a note to myself for next time not to do a bunch of cutting at a quilting retreat and now I had proof. I had enough fabric left over that I decided to start all over. I will find a use for my other blocks; I am thinking about using them for the backing.

Linking up to Work In Progress Wednesday!

To New Beginnings

For me, today is a time to think and reflect. One year ago today, I lost one of my closest quilting friends in a sudden and tragic accident. I still miss her, and it has been odd to go to my guild meetings knowing that she will not be there. She was wonderful with my children and very encouraging of their quilting. I feel there is so much I could say, but at the same time don't know how to explain how much she meant to me.  I think of her often when I am in quilting.

Around this time last year too, I had some very good friends leave at my work for better positions elsewhere within the company. It was hard to be without them, but we have kept in touch and I have made stronger bonds with others at my job. Just recently, my position was declared redunant but I have been given another position which I have never done before, in the same company . I am excited and scared at the same time. My old position was a huge part of who I am. It was my passion and not just a job. Change though is not always a bad thing, and I have much more support than I ever thought possible.

 
So for me this is going to be a year of new beginnings and possibilites. This quilt I bought in June with birthday money. I was told it was bought at an antique auction. It was basted and given batting by the person who had bought it, and she had stenciled on some quilting designs. She decided that she was not going to get it done, so she sold it through my LGQ shop. I happened to be there later in the day when she brought it in. I got it for an extremely low price and as part of my new beginnings I am hoping to vastly improve my hand quilting, and taking my time enjoying it. I have gratitude for everything I do have, and I am excited to see what my future will bring.