Digits

I don't mean to keep bringing back my previous quilts, but in this case, it helps to explain my latest finish, which I'm calling "Digits". I've been calling it QWERTY II, because it's basically a re-do of QWERTY, a quirky little mini I came up with for the Modern Mini Challenge earlier this year, but in reality, Digits is not really inspired by a QWERTY keyboard.

QWERTY hangs outside the door to my office at work, and my friend Nancy, who just happens to be our company's bookkeeper, loves it and asked me to make me a version for her. She hunted down the number fabric for the background, and then picked through my entire stash of Sketch to find colors that coordinated.

The machine applique went pretty smoothly, and of course, the framing. But what I was really excited to do was a repeat of the dense organic straight-line quilting I had first done in QWERTY. Not sure why, but I love doing this, and it creates an awesome, sturdy texture that wouldn't be that inviting on a large quilt maybe, but on a mini - perfection.

Nanc was off today, but there'll be a little surprise when she comes to work tomorrow . . .

This quilt is my third finish for the Third Quarter Finish-A-Long {see list here}. Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

To the Finish Part Trois

Talk about pressure! It's time to make a list for the third quarter of Quilter in the Gap's Finish-A-Long. I'm sure you're like me - the 'to do' list continues to grow in the midst of trying to finish up what's already on the docket! There's much I'd like to accomplish in the next three months, but definitely these projects . . .

4x5 modern Quilt Bee quilt - It was on last quarter's list and I didn't quite make it. I'm nearing the finish line on this one.

Marmalade "Storytime Squares" baby quilt - Hope to have this done in July actually. It's always fun to use a new line of fabric, and this one should be a fairly quick finish.

Christmas lap quilt - I'd like to make a quilt to coordinate with the unconventional tree skirt I made last year.

 

I have a start on the fabric pull, and am thinking about "On a Whim." Maybe yes, maybe no, but would like to do this as part of Christmas in July, though that's putting alot on July's plate!

QWERTY variation - A friend picked out fabric and has asked me to make her a QWERTY quilt of her own. This is way over-due, and I'm hoping to finish this up sooner rather than later.

There's a part of me that's ready to just start on something fresh and new and out of the blue, and I just may. But meanwhile, also hope to get these projects done in good time . . .

Linking up with the Finish-A-Long's Pre-Third Quarter Linky Party.

A Win for QWERTY!

Well it might have been a 'random' win (and you know I love random!) but I'm no less pleased! Have you checked out the winners of the Modern Mini Challenge? {see here}

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!