New Year Random

It's been nearly six weeks since my last {officially} random post, so it's good to join in today. First up is something I've been meaning to share for weeks - a nice little video about Geometric Quilting Designs with Angela Walters. Wish I'd remembered to watch it again before my own recent geometric quilting adventure, but during these busy times it didn't cross my mind. But it's definitely worth a watch.

And speaking of sharing, after showing off my City Sampler grid earlier this week, I just had to share the latest finish from PatchworknPlay. She's made many of the same blocks as I, but in a very neutral palette, arranging them using the "City Skyline" layout. Isn't it something? I just think it's very striking and love that it's so different from where I'm headed.

After discussion here and on Instagram several weeks back, I meant to let you know that I settled on some quilt labels! I wanted to try some woven ones this time around and settled on using a portion of my blog logo. They are from Inked Papers on etsy, and I'm really pleased with them. I found the customer service, turnaround time, and product all more than satisfactory, so just thought I'd let you know that. 

So who hasn't heard about the Economy Block Quilt-Along (#economyblockalong) on Instagram? It's a brand spanking new scrap buster that you might want to consider. Here's the basic block tutorial that begins with 3" centers. I happen to have a stack of 2 1/2" squares - some are novelty prints, but most are not - so I adjusted all dimensions for my first little block.

My block finished to an odd size of 4 5/8", but as long as I'm consistent, all should be fine, and I at least can use those centers I already have. Here's how I cut and trimmed;

• one center block 2 1/2" square
• two 2 1/2" squares, cut diagonally for inner triangles; trim to 3 3/8" before continuing
• two 3 1/2" squares, cut diagonally for outer triangles; trim to 4 5/8"

Another fun new event comes from Amy/don't you know who I am?, who is hosting a Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along based on the book by Katie of Swim Bike Quilt, Faith of Fresh Lemons, and Lee of Freshly Pieced. It begins January 21, and I've ordered the book hoping I can maybe join in.

And lastly for today, I finally managed to create a mini quilt wall in my studio! I've been wanting to do this for ages, and just seeing them there makes me smile.

From top left going clockwise: made by #breepickles/Julie@Distant Pickles, me, 
Don't Call Me Betsy, Snippets of Sweetness, & kristananne/Doodle Do Designs

Linking up with Really Random Thursday.

A QWERTY Quilt

Lightbulb! I'd been mulling over what to make for the Modern Mini Challenge sponsored by Ellison Lane Quilts, and then it hit me. It was an idea I'd had for a while, but I'd never spent the brain power to pull it all together, though I couldn't seem to let it go either. We all know the asterisk block . . .

and you might have seen a pound symbol block . . .

Well what about the other special symbols on the QWERTY keyboard?

It only make sense, doesn't it?

So I went at it - piecing when I could, appliqueing when necessary. I figured out each symbol by-guess-and-by-golly, concentrating on the symbols above the numerical digits. The text fabric is Wordplay by Benartex, the brights Sketch by Timeless Treasures. I opted for no borders, and chose very dense organic straight-line quilting, overlapping in a grid in the diagonal spaces between blocks.

The challenges were in creating the various symbols, the bit of applique, and the quilting - as compact as I'd ever done. (It gave the little 17" quilt such interesting texture!) It's nothing outrageous, but an unassuming homage to the keyboard that's been a part of my life for years and years. (Thank you, 10th grade typing class!)

Linking up with the Modern Mini Challenge, Finish It Up Friday, {sew} Modern Monday, & Fabric Tuesday!

Ruby X

I fell in love on flickr . . .

1. Mini Cross Quilt for Kerry

1. Pillow Talk Swap, R.6 _Finished

. . . so much so, that I was compelled to make a mini x-quilt for myself. Not finding a pattern or tutorial, I had to figure it out. So I grabbed a charm pack, did the math, then went to work cutting and piecing.

I'm not sure why, but I'm loving these little 'x's!

For her mini quilt challenge, amylouwho had encouraged us to "try something new and break out of our comfort zones". I had already done that by working without a pattern, and decided to really go for it, and try a new free-motion quilting pattern. {Considering I had only ever done free motion here and here, this was a pretty big deal.} But I decided to go for it and did a swirly-ish meander. Perfect? No way. Did my friend the seam ripper help me out occasionally? Yup. But I kept repeating to myself, "I'm supposed to try something new! I can do this!"

And so, here is "Ruby X", 16 X 20" of darling, quilted up with determination rather than mastery. And I'm smitten again.

block fabric-Ruby by thimble blossoms; background-by basicgray;

sashing-KONA coal; binding-stash dots; blocks are 4"

Watch for a tutorial in the next few days! See Mini 'X' Quilt Top tutorial here! Meanwhile, linking up with the mini quilt challenge, {sew} Modern Monday, and Fabric Tuesday!



And adding to the new Modern Mini Quilts group on flickr!