Auditioning

My guess on Pam Buda's layout for her Nabby's Dowry QAL was pretty close. In fact, after my last post, I had played with the blocks a little more and had ended up putting that center block where Pam had hers. My other blocks are willy nilly though, because I am trying to get a balance with these bright blocks, if possible. If my design wall could talk it might tell you how dizzy it is getting from the frequency of rotation with these blocks as I play with my options.

Still not sure I've got it right, but I wanted to show you the lovely batik that had just arrived when I was in a LQS Friday. I had already seen Pam's layout, so I knew I needed setting triangles, and I thought this might be just the thing. What do you think? Does it overpower the blocks or compliment them?

I need more black batik for the other two sides, and if I decide to use the new fabric for the setting triangles, I am thinking I may use the new stuff for binding as well. This is very much out of my norm, I know, but I do love playing with the vibrant colors of batiks.

This week I whipped up my next Simply Charming Every Other Month Mini SAL flimsy (I'll link up to the appropriate month when the post becomes available). The green and gold 4-patch blocks were made with leftovers from all of the St. Patrick's Day stuff I made earlier this year. I wanted to use them in the Bits and Pieces pattern in Tara's book, and I wanted to give it a "Fall" feel by using other Fall colors in the sashing. I was searching for a good stripe in my stash, but the cupboards were bare, so I made my own.

Instead of the sashing cut at 3 1/2", I cut two strips at 1 1/2" and the center strips at 1". My sashing is 1/2" narrower than the pattern, but I thought making the brown or orange wider might make either of those colors too dominant. I think after quilting this one it will be bound with the same brown as the sashing.

Gidget and I had some quality time quilting up this little table topper for my sister-in-law. She chose the fabrics to match her kitchen and selected the design from the table toppers I showed her that I have made. She wanted hers a little smaller than my original, so I made this just over a foot square.

 I've never made feathers this small before--kind of challenging, but fun to do. If I could just turn in my eyes for a younger pair I wouldn't need to focus two Ott lights on the quilt when I use matching fabric and thread. Anyone else have that problem?

As I type I am listening to the wind and rain outside my open family room door. It sounds wonderful. Apologies to all those who have been experiencing flooding, but here in Northern Utah we have just endured the hottest summer on record, and in our little valley just below the Idaho border, it has been a very dry summer, too. So as I get ready for bed, I am singing away with Eddie Rabbit, "Well, I love a rainy night." : )

Until next time,
Janet O.