Christmas Strings

I'm playing with more string quilt blocks. 

I'm using Christmas fabrics, so I think I'll call this one "Wreaths and Stars"--seems more appropriate for the holiday than "Christmas Spiderweb."

I'm not sure I have enough of the red for the stars, so I may make half of the blocks with a green star.

Sorry about the lighting--I wasn't about to carry all of these outside! :)


More to come...

Random Ohio Stars

I put together my Random Ohio Star blocks today.

I like the way they look, but I do plan to use a couple of borders to make it look really finished. Not sure of the colors, yet; I'll audition several. The top in the picture isn't hanging very straight, but you get the idea. :)

This has been a fun project--I'm looking forward to the next step! 

I'm linking with Jo's Country Junction for the Bonnie Hunter UFO finish up, with Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday, and with Creative Goodness .

Mystery Solved!

I finished the mystery quilt I wrote about in my last post: It's A Mystery


I'm having a hard time getting a good photo of these fabrics, but here are a couple of tries. The darkest color is maroon--not purple.

The more I look at it, the more I think I should have continued some of the diagonals into the border to create a more finished look--if I do this pattern again, I'll try that.

It is 70" x 82" with the borders and binding. The pattern is pretty simple, and it goes together well.


One fewer unsolved mystery in the world!

It's A Mystery!

A quilter on a forum I belong to hosts free Mystery Quilt Train Rides two or three times a year for anyone who wants to join in. I am very thankful to her for taking the time to design and write out instructions for us. Here is what we are working on--she gives us one clue per week.



Clue #1:

Clue #2:

Clue #3:

Completed block:

Beginning layout for assembly:

I can't seem to get the fabrics to photograph true-to-color--the burgundy of the completed block photo is the closest.




It is a lot of fun participating in these mysteries with other quilters. The range of colors and fabrics is amazing. I have heard quilters say that they would like to do a mystery quilt, but that they are afraid of the expense--especially since they might not like the end result. I always use inexpensive fabrics for these (at least the first time--sometimes I repeat the pattern), and I figure that if I don't like the result, someone else will--I can always give it to him/her!



Edited to add: Here's where I am today. Not good image quality, but the overall pattern shows up now. I will audition borders next.

More Ohio Star Blocks

I'm making more Ohio Star blocks. My first ones were here: Ohio Star Block.


I'm planning to put together one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns called Random Ohio Stars.  I have the 12" blocks done, and now I'm working on the smaller (6") ones.

They take some time for me to complete, but I'm enjoying the process. I'll keep you posted on the quilt's progress!

The Secret Garden

As a child, my favorite book was The Secret Garden. As an adult, I am lucky enough to teach the book every semester. Great job, right? 

That, of course, means that I re-read the book often. I have several editions,

These are only a few of them!

but I must admit that my favorite is the one I had as a child.

It's fragile and in pretty bad shape, but it is dear to me.

What does this have to do with quilting?

Look!

Gates, keys, and blooms!

Mary, birds, and seed packets!

I don't know yet what I will make with these, but until then, I'll just enjoy looking at them and being reminded of a wonderful book.

Improvisational Quilt

This quilt began as an experiment in making hourglass/QST blocks. You can see the post about it here: Hourglass Blocks. Then, I added four-patches. Then I added some more four-patches. Then I added a border. Then I added another border... Let's just say it grew improvisationally.



I made a layout plan on EQ7 after I made the blocks.

The actual quilt looks a bit different, but I am so glad to have the EQ7 program for a layout tool.

 
I used a black paisley print for the backing and binding.

I like the quilt, but I love all shades of red (except those with yellow in them). I'm hoping the color combination won't be too jarring for the quilt's recipient.








This quilt grew in the making; I didn't begin with an overall plan. Perhaps I should call myself The Experimental Abuela!

Linked to My Quilt Infatuation