LSG Quilters Bee

So I joined the LSG Quilters Bee. I am apparently a glutton for punishment :) As we can all tell (because I'm obsessive like that) I dug into my new stash for all my Day of the Dead fabric (all purchased from EQuilter), and cut it all into strips for a String Quilt.

Yes, it's going to be loud and obnoxious. I already love it! What is DotD without loud and obnoxious and fun times?!?


This hot red & black Kauffman print is the focal fabric for the string quilt. Isn't it delicious? Yes, I am a Dia de los Muertos fan, I don't know why considering that I am neither Mexican nor Catholic (in fact I'm a half Puerto Rican Bard, a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids).

Once this fabric comes in (I ordered it online), I will be trying a practice block.

*bouncy bouncy*

Plod plod plod plod plod

Well, all the Town Square blocks are done, so I've started on the Improved 4Patch blocks. So far I've finished 10 of them, with 15 remaining. I'm going to sash these with the black fabric as well. I really think that will pop the colors in these blocks.

I'm getting my back tattooed tomorrow, so probably won't be in the mood to sit in front of the machine for a few days... that's why I was trying to get as much done as possible tonight!

I found my bed quilt fabric!

I found it on sale at the LQS... two shades of red batiks (one mottled black/red, one mottled hot red). So pretty! It's for a two tone queen sized bed quilt that I found in an old American Patchwork & Quilting magazine (June 2004 I think is the date on the mag). If I can find a picture of the pattern, I'll post it. Check out the score!

Now to find more time... LOL Actually, I'll finish the other quilt before I work on this one because I get obsessive about the big projects.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

I really don't have much time to piece, so I kinda fit it in between homework/kid/school. That means that I don't measure my progress by how long it takes to finish the block, or how many days that it takes to get it assembled. I'm of the "any forward progress is good progress" school of thought.

There is definitely noticeable forward progress: 5 Town Square blocks. I need 25 of these blocks for the quilt, which calls for 50 12 1/2 by 12 1/2 inch blocks, a pieced border & 2 other thin borders. I've gotten a wild hair and decided to sash all the blocks with 1 inch strips of black to add pop.

Alright, on with it!

So I hadn't planned to start quilting again. I really hadn't. I disposed of my sewing machine, gave away my supplies, gifted my entire stash to my Mom, et cetera... about 6-7 years ago or so. Then I found out that my best friend had never gotten the quilt that he had purchased the fabric for over 7 years ago (my sister was going to make it). Even though he's no longer my best friend (for a myriad of reasons), I figured it is my responsibility to make the quilt since I am the one who talked him into it in the first place. So. Fabric shopping was on the list... I didn't have ANYTHING.

His favorite colors are blue & yellow, and those were the colors chosen for his quilt 7 years ago. I managed to hit a sale and pick up enough blue & yellow fabrics for a large quilt. Excuse the kind of blurry camera phone pic.


Then came the marathon washing and pressing and cutting to get it from THAT, to THIS.

Yeah, doesn't look like much, does it? Never does, at this stage.