January Swap Block

I tried a new design for my January block for my Block Swap Adventure.  I found a tutorial on Freshly Pieced for a ribbon star block.  It took me awhile but I got it done.  You really had to watch how you sewed your pieces together.  I hope my swap partner likes it.  She requested an orange block.

Log Cabin Blocks

I spent last weekend working on my log cabin quilt.  I had previously had seven blocks done and then got caught up in Christmas gifts.  Now that I am free again I started up with the log cabin blocks.  I had eight more cut before last weekend so I assembled them and ended up with fifteen blocks that were complete.  I decided I wanted a twin size so I was going to need a total of 48 blocks.  Then the fun began.  I cut and I cut and I cut.  Now I have nice piles of every size separated by light and dark.  Now I get to assemble and sew this weekend.  I had to go to my LQS and then to JoAnn's to get additional fabric.  Good thing I had a coupon for 20% off my total purchase and then the fabric was 40% off.  I even got the backing fabric for my husband's quilt.  A bargain of $12.00 for 4 yards of fabric.

Wish me luck.  

String Quilt Revival

I treated myself to a new book today with my Barnes and Noble gift card.  It is "String Quilt Revival" by Virginia Baker and Barbara Sanders.  It comes with a DVD featuring Nancy Zimmerman.  It has some really neat string quilt ideas.  They also don't use paper for their foundation.  They use no show mesh stabilizer.  You keep it on the quilt rather than tearing it off.  Great idea.

I, however, am using sketch pad paper for mine.  I picked a charm square pack I am not going to use otherwise for the charm squares in the middle of my string block.  I got two pieced tonight.  Just trying it out.  I was going to do all light floral but I am using those fabrics for my Farmer's Wife quilt so I just stuck with neutrals and darks which I have plenty of.

Took a picture of my two squares, the book and my sketch paper pad.  I will probably do this over time.

Goodie Bag and New Fabric

I belong to the Austin Modern Quilt Guild.  We changed our meeting place to the warehouse of an on-line fabric seller.  She has a wonderful website and her warehouse is spotless and just brimming with modern fabric.  She also gave away a goodie bag.  Three fat quarters and other goodies.  What a treat.  I am looking forward to buying fabric from her.  I know it is coming from a nice, clean warehouse and the fabric is treated with care.  She is a real fabric lover and made a switch from the corporate world to follow her fabric passion. Her website is formandfabric.com

I also ordered not one but two sets of fat quarters for my favorite Moda fabric "Martinique".  I never had any yardage just charm packs.  I am so excited.  I am not sure what my project will be but it will be beautiful.  

I was just browsing on PinInterest and came across this amazing quilt.  One of our fellow bloggers took this picture at a quilt show in California in 2006.  I thought I would share because this is just such an amazing use of pinwheels.

The information on the quilt is as follows:

It is 488 Smashing Pinwheels by Gail Sims & Cheryl Uribe of Livermore, CA, USA


This is a link to the photo http://www.lemontreetales.com/lemon_tree_tales/2006/10/index.html.


How are you spending your New Year's Day?
Okay.  How about another old-fashioned quilt from  broderie.typepad.com.