Falling Backwards

Daylight savings time is still trippy to me. I don't understand why we still have to change our clocks. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the extra hour was of any use today since I wasn't even able to get much sewing done. Ah well, here's hoping for a more productive week.

Since my last post I was working on the American Made Brand fabric mini quilt challenge. Even though my pieces were not selected, I had lots of fun making them. Now, you can actually get to see them since we weren't allowed to post them yet.  I am really exited about hanging them in my sewing room.

Modern Traditionalism

This set of half-square triangles set on point was run and liberating to make. I used 2.5 in blocks in various colors. I cut them in half and just pulled 2 random halves to sew together. Straight line quilting and gentle curves finished off this first block.

A Brilliant Cut

I knew I wanted to draft my own paper pieced pattern for my second mini. I also wanted to use as many different colors in this design to make another rainbow piece to add to my collection. When it was done, it reminded me of a mulit-faceted diamond hence the name, "A Brilliant Cut".

Our guild hosted the wonderful Carole Lyles Shaw for a class on modern improv techniques and to learn more about her new pattern using the Fibonacci sequence. I have my first of 4 sets done and plan to finish this one soon. I am excited about the direction it's taking.

I finally cut into my Alison Glass and
Anna Maria Horner fabric collections.
Totally worth it!

Two dear friends celebrated their marriage in October and I wanted to celebrate their love with an idea I had from last year. I won these X blocks from our December block lotto at the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I knew I wanted to make a cross stitch heart if I was the lucky winner. Here's the top:

A cross-stitched heart

I had to make a few extra to make the final design work and decided to make the surrounding blocks in a set of low volume whites. I might have to make another one for myself one day.

Finally, I was lucky enough to join the Gold Coast Quilter's Guild in a class with the amazing Dianne Hire. We learned about her process for designing quilts and how she makes these fabulous, curvy designs come to life. She even autographed my copy of Vivacious Curvy Quilts.

This is so gorgeous in person.

Her attention to detail and the little beads/embellishments
make this even more stunning up close.

She quilts with a double needle and varigated thread!
Genius!

I can't wait to finish my final design now that I have most of my blocks cut and sewn. I used only shot cotton to make it more interesting. Here's a sneak peek:

My pretty scraps!

Piano keyboard border: Heck Yes!

Here's is my October block for the Stash Bee. We were given a set of colors to pull from and total freedom on the design. Since I was pattern testing for Sew Kind of Wonderful, I made this block for Kaja:

Chic and Jazzy: A new pattern using the
Sew Kind of Wonderful Curved Ruler

I recently signed up to work on the Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern with Salty Oat. 
We are completing one block per month and will finish up in 2016. Here's my Block A:

I might remake this one since I think it needs to be a little more dynamic, even though we are going for a minimalist look. I think I am the only one in this group making a gray quilt instead of a white one.


Since I've been working like crazy, I was told I needed to take some time off or I would lose some vacation hours. I am pretty excited to take another week off this November and look forward to sewing like crazy over the next few weeks. I need to finish up my QuiltCon entry, too, so wish me luck!

Are you working on a special project that is keeping you busy this fall?