A Distraction, A Flimsy, and "Hyper" Activity

It began innocently enough. I left a comment on Karen's blog and she replied. One thing led to another and somewhere along the line she sent me a link to a 6" finished Mariner's Compass block named Sunburst. I wasn't going to make it, but I downloaded the pattern out of curiosity. Before I knew what I was doing I had printed enough foundations to make the block, selected fabrics and actually started the thing.
 It wasn't my top priority, but it was my favorite distraction. I would work on it whenever I only had a few minutes to sew. When I finished it, I decided I didn't want it to be just a little 6" block, so instead of the corner pieces the pattern provides to square it up, I inset it into an 8" square and added some setting triangles. I thought I would bind it with black, but as I stared at it, I started to wonder if that much red was overpowering the whole thing. Then I tried a gold border before the binding.

This seemed a little garish to me, so I kept playing with my options. The idea came to me to actually strip piece the corners with the radiating colors. Why not? I've already paper pieced and appliqued (and not very well, I might add) to get this far. Why not throw in another process I don't love, right?

 This mock-up has me uncertain. Can't decide if it detracts too much from the center design. I guess I need to let this marinate more. Anyone have the perfect solution?

I did get something to flimsy stage that had actually been on my "to do" list. It had also been on my design wall all summer long, which was a nice patriotic touch for the sewing room. All it needed was to have the borders cut to size and sewn on. I really stall when it comes to borders! But finally!! My patriotic version of the Primitive Gatherings Picnic Quilt (aka Independence Day Picnic) is ready for marking, basting and quilting. 

And the adventures in hyper-quilting continue. I made up the bright orange batik and I call this one "Feathers on the Pumpkin." This one may be a little too "hyper." I used three thread colors, instead of two, like my previous experiments. The main feather is stitched in a color that blends so well into the fabric that about all you see are the embellishments.

One more batik is sitting, waiting it's turn to be hyper quilted. It is a deep plum color and I think it will be staying with me. Something I have learned while making these little feather pieces is that hand stitching down binding made of batik, onto a batik, isn't the easiest thing. My fingers are sore after just a little quilt like this.

My summer block swap with Maureen is almost over. I've got my last set of blocks ready to send off to her. When I have received her last set I will unveil the group and share my plans of what they will become. Now I need to get going on my August Simply Charming Every Other Month SAL quilt, Haven't even started!

Until next time,
Janet O.