Confetti and Blogging Behind

I'm fighting to get things onto the blog these days. Not only because my progress tends to happen one block per day or slower, but it's taking me multiple days to get the pictures from my phone to my computer (and for whatever reason, I can't blog from my phone). That's making Instagram (my latest social media join, what can I say, I'm slow to take on new things) the easier place to update. I'm not giving up on here -- I like being able to type so much, more for journal reasons than anything else -- but I'm afraid it is increasingly behind.

Here's an attempt at catching up:

I've been working on this for a few months, one and off as I'd like. Mostly not working on it. But I pulled it out again recently and thought I would get it working again. I started building blocks and thought I was happy with it.

Until I tried it on a design wall.

Not quite what I wanted at all. Interesting how the change in lighting -- and surface background -- can change how things look and feel.

I sat on it for a couple days, debating solutions and taking opinions. Most opinions suggested adding a darker border between the existing blocks. My gut said I needed to chop up the existing blocks -- that each pop of color was too big.

I took a two prong approach to solving my problem: I chopped them up and added some low volume borders -- low volume that is more 'medium' compared to the white and white-on-white I'd been using thus far.

It's hard to see the majority of the low volume additions, but I promise they are there -- and that it has made a huge difference.  Not quite every block got an addition, and some got 2 or 3, which makes it easier to begin thinking about turning my newly-small blocks back into bigger blocks.

The boldest low-volume additions include gold metalics, and two of them additions are more 'cream,' but my favorite ones are white with cream -- although they are significantly harder to see in these pictures.

I'm debating whether this will be a wall hanging in the kiddo's room, or whether it will hang on my design wall area when nothing else is. I think by the time it is put together, it will be too small for a baby quilt. I do have more low volume whites and white fabrics, so I could add a little bit of a border around the outside if it's close to baby quilt sized by the time I'm done.

Truthfully, I'm just playing, and enjoying the break from using my brain too much. Even if that sometimes leads to me needing to use my brain more. I've got a lot of work ahead of me to begin piecing these little blocks into larger and larger blocks, but that's the kind of work I love.

Quilting Practice

Getting this thing basted took me long enough that I didn't want to set any rules for getting it quilted. That might not be the best approach, but I learned a lot while I was working on it! And sometimes, I think it is good to have 'learning experience' projects instead of 'this needs to be good' projects...

The biggest lesson: I'm not sure I'm done quilting it...

I knew that I wasn't keeping the amount of quilting the same throughout the piece. I thought that wouldn't be an issue, even though I know that the 'rules' say that you should try to keep the quilting fairly similar throughout. Some of the 'lighter' blocks are okay, others are screaming out for more. The 'heaviest' block is almost too heavy, especially compared to everything else.

My quilting in this lovely green square is fairly heavy, for all that I was 'doodling' and had no plan for what I was doing! I kind of echoed the triangles, then got a little crazy filling in the rest of the open space. I started in this field, and quickly realized I didn't want to go that heavily throughout the rest of the quilt. I'd never finish at that rate! I wish I'd started elsewhere and saved this one for last -- it might have had a better concept for how much I wanted to do...

Meanwhile, the large block just over that is very lightly quilted, and I suspect needs a little more... My initial goal was to practice curves by going around those circles, but when my sewing machine light went out, it got even harder to copy. I added in some straight lines to help hold the fabric in place while I looped around, but when the light burned out, I tried to call that good enough.

It's not good enough. I really think I'll be working on this area again once I've got my machine working properly again (light replaced among other things). I might even break out my back up machine and work on it between now and then. The loops aren't looking too pretty, but I have lots of chances to be practicing on it and I would like to be more comfortable with this kind of quilting pattern. (This is another area where I struggle with the feed dog issue -- I tried dropping mine again, since the machine needs to go to the shop anyway, why not!? That was worse. Much worse. But using the feed dogs was a challenge too. Would a walking foot help here? I'm supposed to be ordering one, but have put it off trying to decide between a walking foot and a darning / free motion type foot.)

I aimed for a middle of the road amount of quilting in the two blue rectangles -- and I should have gone heavier. I also should have basted more carefully (apparently). I had pinned these blocks about every 2 inches, but it clearly wasn't enough -- as you can see in both, there's pulling and puckering all over those blocks! The central cheater block was traced stitch in the ditch style and looks good in person, for all that it's lightly quilted.

You can see the quilting a little better on the back, for all that it's quite busy fabrics! This is the back over the two large blue fields and the cheater block. I love the way the cheater one turned out!

Each of the little blocks was quilted differently, some better than others...

The pictured two are my favorites. Some of the others are... less lovely. But I'm not picking the quilting out. This is just a picnic / sleeping bag / camping kind of quilt; it's okay if it is less than lovely. It will help me feel good about it getting used -- and the practice and freedom to totally screw up parts of it have been good for my quilting skills.

I squared it up already, which meant losing some of the grey border from around the green field (sad moment, I really wanted to keep that), and it's really ready to bind -- except that the more I look at it the more I think I've got to go back to the largest field (top left) and work on some more of those circles. The blue fields would benefit from some pebble quilting if I could do that (unlikely to happen without free motion working properly!), but I might be able to convince myself to leave them alone. I haven't done anything in the light grey border around the cheater block, but if I'm putting this one back through the machine, I might come back to it too. All the borders are fairly simply quilted (a line or two) and could benefit from more work too.

I know there comes a point where you can over work a project, but I think this one needs just a little bit more. Then again, I also feel like I'm on a short time line with that other project, so this one might have to get a 'good enough' pass for now and come back after some use...

Playing with Layouts

Truthfully, I've never thought of myself as someone who likes scrappy, chaotic quilts. I'm usually attracted to the more perfect, the more specific. If I'm picking a pattern or purchasing a quilt, that's what I want.

But nothing makes me happier than the absolute puzzle of fitting together totally unmatched, strange sized blocks -- either with each other or adding in lots of excess background.

I had a blast doing that in 2015 when my group made a wonky star quilt. Starting with something more or less like this group of blocks:

 And turning it into a quilt that looked like this:

It's the most strange, freeing yet precise puzzle I have ever done. And I utterly love it.

So, you know I'm having a blast doing it again with my current scrappy quilt.

After looking at the pictures from the other day, I did decide to move the dark brown zig zag quilt into the approximate center of the quilt, and I am more or less working out from there. Right now, it looks kind of like this:

There are a couple of 'blanks' that still need filled (bottom center is most noticeable) but I think it's coming together nicely.

For me, putting this all together is mostly about putting together blocks into bigger and bigger blocks, all while keeping the seams as square and easy as possible. So, I'm going from a couple dozen small blocks in random sizes towards the eventually goal of three super blocks (a left, center, and right) that should go together into a full top in 2 quick seams.

That's the plan anyway.

Right now, the right column super block is in 3 large blocks, and the center column super block is done except the blank spot, which will be built from any trimmings I have left when the left super block is completed (there's some overlap you can't see in the photo, so I know there's some excess). I haven't started putting the left column together yet -- though I know the order and have a plan.

All that said, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to need a bottom row super block (although it could go on top too). I'll have to see how the 'top' measures when I'm finished with the 3 column super blocks, but the quilt is shrinking faster than I anticipated (seam allowances).

I could also just add a solid colored border to size it up. I have been drooling over this all-grey scrappy quilt with a solid border addition (Lauren Hawley, via Pinterest). I'm not sure it would be nearly as appealing with so many colors.

Obviously just a quick mock-up. I kind of like it in the browns (because brown? because tones of a single color? because it goes with the center block?), but it's not quite as appealing as the inspiration.

Well, no reason to get too stressed yet -- we'll just have to see what happens when what I have is finished and how the size turns out. But the more I look at the brown one there, the more I like it.

I'm headed into a short week -- and really need to focus on a different quilt right now -- so I'm thinking this one should take a back seat for a while. But I'm not sure it will. It's still a good size to pull out and work on over breakfast and the few little breaks I get. Basting, not so much. But once I get that basted, I can quilt it in the same times and spaces, so... decisions, decisions!

But it feels really, really good to be back at the machine. Hopefully this suggests 2017 will be a more creative year than 2016.

Whoops

You know what that means...

Yep, even though it is the last thing I really need, I started a new project.

I can justify it all I want -- it's all scraps, I'm using up stuff that was taking room in my storage, it's going so fast, I couldn't have worked on any of the others anyway -- but while those are all true, it really boils down to this: I needed something a little more brainless.

I've got great projects going on. I really do want to be working on them. Even if basting is the worst.

But everything else I'm working on -- or working towards -- requires a lot of attention to detail. Measure twice, press once, measure again, then cut or sew. That's great for a more perfect outcome.

But right now, I need something messy and fast and just plain fun.

So, I'm scrap busting. I'm sewing fast. I'm not even looking at colors or patterns -- only sizes.

I pulled 4 orphaned blocks I've had for 5+ years out of storage, then pulled all the greens, blues, yellows, and a few creams and oranges from my 'too big to be a scrap but too small to be really useful' pile (does anyone else have one of those?). Then, I just matched scraps together in increasingly bigger blocks.

When I took a break because I needed to iron -- and the ironing board was in with the sleeping baby (technically not a toddler for a couple more weeks) -- I whipped out a quick draft layout to see how my progress looked:

There are still a few blank spots to fill in, and the layout will almost certainly change as I keep working, but, it's fun and a little wild, and I kind of love it. You can easily pick out 3 of the 4 blocks, but I think the 4th blends right in (left most, approximate middle). The dark brown zigs stand out, but not as much as I thought they would. I might move them more towards the center -- if they can't be disguised, might as well feature them! -- but I might not. I might keep on with my 'don't look, don't think' plan. 

Of course, I've had help. Any moment the baby is away, the help comes out of hiding: 

His nap on the creams and yellows might have led to the color choices so far, but I'm not too worried about it. I've honestly not paid any attention to that yet, and I don't intend to. I need a total vacation from thinking -- or over-thinking -- and this is it. It might not look great (although, I actually kind dig it) but I feel great, and that's what really matters right now.

June Check In

So... I'm managing about 30 minutes of sewing time every month, and I'm only making it to my local quilt group about half the time (once a month). So, not much is happening around here. Well, not in the sewing or quilting area. There's lots of stuff happening elsewhere -- we've got crawling, and lots of attempts at walking.

But yesterday I had a few minutes of time to myself, so once I cleared off the sewing desk (which was a challenge), I had a chance to work on something. It's true that the last thing I need is one more top waiting for basting... but that's what I started on anyway!

Do you ever wonder what will happen to your stash if you can never return to it? I don't really mean that as a morbid question, but I suppose it is a little bit... I have wound up with a small pile of unfinished projects from a relative who quilted. (There's a much larger pile still waiting for the family to go through it, so this may only be part one of the "inheritance" or it may be all I'm going to get.) While this relative had a lot of projects going on, things were left in such a way that most people coming in after won't be able to guess what the plan for each started project was, much less try to finish it that way. (And my stash is the same, lots of started projects with no guidelines for anyone!)

Some of these started projects are far enough along I think I can turn them into finishes with only a little bit of effort. Others are probably more destined to be orphaned blocks for a long time... but it's a fun new challenge, and right now, it fits my time allotments better than basting!

So, I pulled out this pile and set to work to see what I could make of it. The big blocks were already completed, as were some of the patchwork borders -- though it was clear that they'd been assembled block by block rather than in a short cut method. There were scraps and precuts made for whatever the other 'sampler' blocks were going to be, but with no directions, I couldn't figure out what to do with them. So, I made a few more patchwork strips.

I obviously have a few more to make before this is ready to assemble into a top, but I ran out of time to keep working on it. Most of the patchwork block strips are only 5 - 7 blocks long. I've left them that short so I have a better chance of putting them all together in a variety way instead of a patterned way, since my next set of patchwork blocks will be coming from a different pile of precut scraps. I didn't have much of the orange or green in the blocks I made, so I want to aim for more of that next time around, then ensure that the little strips get mixed together as they assemble into longer strips.

When I first put out the blocks, the one in the center was one of my least favorites -- but with the addition of the patchwork stripes, I think it's become my very favorite!

I'm thinking this will be another baby quilt, though I have no idea where it'll end up in the long run. The fabric choices are a little more 'primitive' than I would ever have chosen, but it's actually quite cute so far (if I do say so myself), and I'm looking forward to seeing how it finishes up. There's probably not enough coordinating fabric to make it any larger than a baby size -- though if I wanted to be incredibly scrappy I could aim for a twin with a non-coordinating back... but I'm not that brave or scrappy! I do have a couple blocks for the back that look like natural quilt labels, so I'm actually really excited to see how that turns out.

Hopefully I'll get a little time to work on this over the weekend. If not... we'll see how it looks next month!

Tiny Updates

I'm still here, but there's very little to share -- unless you want updates on diapers and laundry and litter boxes. No? Me either.

But -- things are happening. Not a lot and not quickly, but they are.

I'm working on a quilt in my local group time -- it's kind of a free form barely medallion style quilt. It started with my favorite starburst style block, and I'm building out from there.

 At the end of the first month.

At the end of last meeting. You can't really tell, but the strange multi colored border is dogs in sweaters. I think it needs at least one more border. Maybe red with white dots? Maybe another set of HSTs or something else more time consuming?

I obviously hit the wall on making decisions for that quilt, so I started on something else before the meeting was up and it was time to quit for two weeks.

This is a little farther along now, but I haven't taken a new photo yet.

On my own I've been working on this oddblock (leftover blocks and fabric from a project the quilt group did for me) leftover thing:

It's grown -- slowly -- into something larger, and hopefully large enough for what I want to do:

Please ignore the nursery decorations hanging in the way... that ribbon jellyfish is the best thing in the world right now, and I don't dare move it. I have the fabric for the backing of this oddblock project, but I haven't taken the time to work on it yet. I think I'm dragging my feet because I don't want to baste -- and I can no longer claim I'm putting it off for being pregnant (like I did all last year on many projects).

Quilt group is this week, so I'm hoping to make some serious progress again. Or at least, some progress. If not, at least I'm going to have some fun!

Progress on the Stress Front

The stress level isn't down any, but I am still having a blast pulling these scrappy blocks together from my stash of scraps and unloved fabrics. I had hoped I managed to pull a few that would tie together with the pink/blue/lowest volume one, but it still seem to be a slight misfit against the others. The day will come when that one has a few more matches, but it may be a while in coming. I did make a conscious effort to add more blues and purples, and I do think that paid off. Still seems to need a little more yellow, and a few more low volume prints, so I'll give my stash another combing through. I think I also have some really unwanted fabric in my parents' garage that I may look through for something else in the right colors.

I am also going to have to look for some more low volume neutrals for the triangle blocks. I'm almost out of the last of my current cut. So I'll be keeping an eye out, but I don't really want to purchase any fabric specifically for this someday quilt. That could be tricky since low volumes aren't really my usual purchase. Maybe this will help push me out of my comfort zone next time I need a coordinating piece or sash fabric. I think I have enough to make three more blocks, so I could make three and call it good - it looks like a decent size for a crib quilt or something - but I think I want to keep going and just see where this is in a couple months of scrap busting and working whenever my 'real projects' feel too restrictive.

This is one of those projects I can work on a block (or less) at a time, but that looks like a mess until it all comes together. Or maybe it looks like a mess anyway -- but hopefully it's the kind of mess that works together into a scrappy, cohesive whole.

Whatever it is, I'm having a blast with it.

Stress = New Project

There's something about being under a lot of stress in my regular life that makes me crave something new to work on, something with less rules and strict guidelines than any of the projects I ought to be wrapping up. Sometimes straight lines and rigidity is a relief, but sometimes, I've just got to do something more wonky and creative and immediately rewarding.

So, I set aside the strips of Greg's quilt - which desperately need 12 more hours of work - and reached for a pile of scraps I started cutting last time I was trying to sort through my stash. I had initially planned to make a scrappy X and Plus quilt (something like this or this), but in my attempt to find scrappy pieces large enough to cut the biggest pieces from, I manage to miscalculate and miscut every stinking big piece by about half an inch. Frustrated, once I'd realized that, I set the pieces aside and walked away for several months.

Well, last night I had the itchy fingers to work on a new project -- and not the ironing two of my practically new projects are calling for - so I broke out my mistakes and went for it anyway.

When these first two were sitting on my desk, I absolutely hated the lighter one - but from across the room -- maybe four feet -- I like it better than the other, louder, block.

I promised myself I could stay awake for one hulu episode of a television show, and let myself sew that whole time.

And here's where I stand at the end of the episode. Five strange little blocks done, and a burning desire to go back through my stash in search of a few more quieter fabrics to add to the mix. My big blocks area  lot of greens, but I think I want to add some more soft pinks (maybe now is the time to use the pink skull fabric?) and some blues if possible (my stash is very low on blue). I think it could also benefit from a little more yellow - and I know I have some of that to spare.

I have no time line and no plan, except a general idea to add more variety to the blocks, and I'm going to leave it that way. I think I may just pick along at this as I find time and scraps large enough. Then again, it may be that this kind of more creative, more 'whatever' project is all I'll be able to stand for the next week or two. Whatever.

That's the phrase of the season. Whatever season began in mid-July and isn't ending any time soon. I don't have the physical or mental energy for perfection -- part of why I'm not pushing myself to work on projects where perfection matters, like our two quilts -- and I don't see that getting better any time soon. I rarely know what work will bring, but the last week has been more that way than I expected, and I know the next few weeks are going to be terrible as well. I'm just trying to hang on.

I'm also pretty happy that I managed to turn on my machine again. I do love the process and it's been too long since I set aside the time to get in here and do something. I've got to remember how happy it makes me, not just how much work it is to get everything set up in the middle of the chaos.

While Waiting on Tech Support...

In the growing list of things that are keeping me from accomplishing my non-hobby goals, last night I got to spend way too long waiting on tech support for my computer - and not solving anything. So, while I'm still waiting on getting that figured out - and unfortunately, a securely working computer is important to just about all the other steps I'm supposed to be working on - I am happy to report that I put that time spent waiting to use trying something new.

Though, it occurs to me now that I should have used that time working on the 2013 cross stitch portrait. Whoops. Maybe next time - since there's going to be one!

While I was waiting, I was trying to organize my leftover/scrap pile - left overs from other projects or odd blocks with no homes. I have a hard time throwing something away unless it's just a tiny trimming I'll never be able to reuse. I came across some excess that was trimmed off the back of the Happily Ever After Quilt after quilting. The smallest panel was about 15 by 45 of pieced and quilted backing and batting.

Previously in my waiting-turned-organizing time, I had been looking through some of the things I've pins on Pinterest and rediscovered a tutorial for Pink Stitches' Boxy Pouch. It called for starting with two small quilted panels, some lining fabric, and a zipper - all things I had within reach (except the interfacing, which I don't have and figured I'd skip, as usual). It seemed like fate, so I pulled up the tutorial on my tablet and went to work.

My tutorial following skills weren't quite up to par, what with being very distracted by trying to remain connected to three chat windows and a phone line - but I managed to pull together something fairly similar in only about an hour.

Since my zipper was a 14" and I had lots of panel to cut from, I went with a slightly larger box than the tutorial (the larger size is mentioned toward the beginning of the tutorial, so I didn't feel completely like I was jumping off head first). While my panels are a little more random than I'd have chosen if I had started from scratch, having them already pieced and quilted probably saved me an hour or more.

I started with two 15" by 10" panels and ended up about 10" by 6" finished bag. When it came time to box out the corners, I took out about 1.5" (having already forgotten the suggestion to try 2" on the larger panels) - but I'm very happy with the finished size, so I'm glad I forgot!

The tutorial was easy to follow - if I had this much success while doing four other things, just imagine how good the finished product could look if I'd been concentrating! Previous zipper installation practice probably helped a little, but it certainly isn't necessary; the tutorial makes it very easy. I struggled a little with the two ends of the zipper - again, user error of not marking where to stop/start sewing - and sewing the box corners shut after taking out the 1.5" also gave me a little trouble, but I had a blast and I'm pretty happy with how the finish came out. I really want to try it again - minus the tech support stuff.

My lining leaves a little to be desired. The scrappy aspect isn't my favorite, but it's okay compared to the fit. I cut to the prescribed size, and did my best to follow the directions in terms of seam allowance, but it seems a little too large. This isn't an isolated issue - it's happened to the last several bag projects I've made. I'm not sure what the issue is, but I really want to get it figured out - ill-fitting, baggy lining is a serious peeve. This one isn't far off, and maybe after a little use it'll settle in better.

It's not perfect, but it was fun and I want to make more. I always think that immediately wanting to make more is a sign of a great tutorial and a great project. Seriously though, I need to find a reason to make more of these. So family, you just might be getting these kinds of bags as gifts this year. Don't tell! ;)

Scrappy X and + Pillow

A few days ago I shared a scrappy x and + block that I had made, quilted, then bordered out in a deep purple scrap:

Although I love the single block (I am going to have to find a reason to make more of these blocks!), once I added the border I figured this was headed toward becoming a pillow for my library chair.

I pulled together a rather scrappy looking envelope close back:

(which I actually love almost as much as the front)

and wound up with a single 13 or 14 inch pillow.

I do wish the overall size was larger - maybe approaching 20 inches or so - but otherwise I'm quite pleased. Who would have thought that these colors and patterns could work together at all? I was worried that my combinations weren't going to work at all - but I'm pleasantly surprised with the results.

I'm always worried about choosing fabrics to go together - probably part of why I rely on precut packages so much - but this has been fun, and rewarding, and yes, has me thinking I should push myself to try matching fabrics on my own more often.

Still Just Playing

I am still in love with the strange little scrappy x and + block I made, and still not certain what I can do to make it into something workable. I'd really like to see it pillow size, which will require the addition of a border to enlarge it a little more than the current 11.5 square. 

For right or wrong, I couldn't see using a very printed border, nor a solid one. But I found three purple options that fell somewhere between a print and a solid, and all of which seemed decent enough matches.

I'll have to find a pillow form - probably by taking apart an older one and seeing if I can re-size and re-fluff it a bit first - before I determine whether it needs another border or not. I suspect a quick border in something nearer the dark blue would be a nice finishing touch... but we'll see what's needed when there's a form to size to.

And since my scrappy collection grew a little during the making of this, I have started another starburst as well.

I do wish I'd swapped the purple/black/gold/white and the grey/teal/citron/white places. I thought from the prints that I was doing the right thing, but looking at the finished piece I would have been happier if the two citrons were farther apart rather than adjacent to each other. The scrappy block on point in the center was my own addition, and while it's not as cleanly made as I had hoped, I am pleased with the addition of something in the center. I'll lose a few points on the edges no matter what I do - but I'm toying with making a few more scrappy blocks like this. I'm not sure I could make an entire quilt out of several of these blocks, but a few scrappy ones set in a large field might work well... 

Playing Around

I really should be working on cutting the sashing for our two quilts - for the third month running... but truth be told, I've kind of fallen out of love with those quilts. Sad, because I've already cut all the Reunion prints I will use on them. Sadder still because I like the idea of us having matching quilts again (since using one has never worked for us) and I cannot justify tossing the project and starting over with different plans/fabrics. At least not until we've got a new bedroom - which is still looking to be years down the road.

So, I really should be working on those quilts. But instead, I keep digging through my scraps looking for something easy and fun to play with instead. It's a problem - but it isn't costing me money, since I'm using only scraps and a few spare change minutes throughout the week, so I'm hard pressed to complain too loudly.

Tonight, inspired by some scrappy X and + pins, I took some of my scraps and a pin that was almost a tutorial, and tried my hand at it.

Sometimes trying to figure out the best way to make quilt blocks from photos turns out to be fun, or at least a good workout for my brain. Other times, I really wish I had searched hard enough to find a real tutorial. I'll let you guess which kind of time this one was, though I will say that my lack of precision on this one was more than a little frustrating. I think I should have wound up with something nearing 12" square. Once mine is trimmed to square, it's going to have no choice but to be 11.5 or smaller.

I'm a little torn about my fabric choices on this one. Some moments I like the overall look, other times I'm not certain the plus really works with the x. But, I'm hard pressed not to love it - and not only because I finally cut into that dark blue floral I've been holding onto for nearly three years. I know nothing of it - other than that it was a fat quarter bundle purchase from JoAnn's - I have absolutely loved it and hesitated over and over again about using it in a project. I have a little more than half of the fabric left and now that I've seen it in something, I'm all the more eager to find another something I can make with what little I have left.

I have already quilted it to a scrappy piece of batting, but I think I might still be clever enough to turn it into a sofa pillow as I'd hoped. That might require adding a border of some kind since 11x11 seems a little small for a sofa pillow. I'll have to see what I've got on hand. If nothing jumps out at me, this could always become another mini quilt to brighten up the house during these cold and dark months.

Semi-Update

I'm still picking away at a semi-sampler quilt. And I'm still more or less progressing without a plan - but now I'm completely out of the fabrics I was using! 

I thought I'd used the last of my scraps to size them up a little (so I can more easily cut them to a matching size) but as I was laying them out to iron it became very clear that there are some major size disparities. 

Here's my collection of little blocks so far: 

Since I'm out of fabric - except for a few bits of scraps left - anything I want to do at this point require buying new fabric. I've also got to decide how to make a layout that showcases 14 blocks... 16 would have been so much easier, but unless I do two of them quilt as I go, top stitching tiny scrappy pieces, I just don't think I can squeak out two more blocks...

But - How cute are they looking!?

Confession time: I have a least favorite. (Number 3) I don't have a favorite (I love 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14).

I may try to pull number 3 apart and rework it into something I like a little bit better. There's also a chance I'll pick another less loved block and either cut two or move them to the back (giving me only 12 to organize into a front that makes me happy).

Oh, I should mention: Number 11 was based off a tutorial for Spiderweb Blocks at SewMamaSew. Number 9 was based off directions for a block at Sister Of the Divide. I thought I had an inspiration for number 5 as well, but at the moment I'm not finding anything more specific than the Java Stars Quilt at Moda Bake Shop (which has been on my 'want to make list' for way too long). Number 8 was inspired by the amazing Everything Is Coming Up Rainbows quilt at Spotted Stone - though mine's not nearly as cute or well done! I think the others either came from some of the quilting books I've got stacking up around here or my continued love affair with wonky stars...

I've been a bit shy about sampler style quilts before, but I have to say, it's been a blast to explore some very different styles of blocks in a low commitment way. I'm kind of sad to think I'm at the end of this project - though I'm not sad enough to want to buy more fabric and keep going - at least not at the moment. There's still time for me to change my mind!

A Little Update to a Little Quilt

Remember my Semi-sampler blocks?

They haven't gotten much attention recently - partly because I honestly had no idea where the fabric was!

A little spring cleaning and they were back at the top of the pile - for now... Which means I made a couple new blocks including this super cute one:

Despite the flash back, this has the right color/focus... 

Since there was a lot of variety in the sizes of the blocks, I spent about an hour adding a little to the smaller blocks until they were closer to a uniform size. They still need to be trimmed down some to be nearer to uniform but now at least there's something to cut down without losing part of the most important bits!

Fabric was running low before I was done, so I had to be a bit creative (a couple of them are 'outlined' in the colors instead of the multi-dots or white I was hoping to use) - but before I completely ran out of fabric, I did end up with 14 blocks. And I guess that's as far as we're going to go unless I can bring myself to make one or two more incredibly scrappy blocks from what's left. Which is incredibly unlikely... but I won't say never. After all, 14 isn't an easy number to work with. 16 would be much better, but I'm not sure I can hit it with the bitty scraps I've got left...

Oddblocks

Since I'm still in semi-panic mode over some out of control things, I figure now is as good a time as any to confess to some more of my hidden starts.

My fabric storage area is open to the air - and cat hair. Living between three dirt roads means results in a lot of dust. Those two things don't exactly go well together, but I work with what I've got. Clearing off the shelves to do a little dusting revealed some hidden and forgotten blocks...

For the most part, these are left overs from trying to make a single block to mail in for a family/prayer quilt for the Nephew. These are from very early in my sewing/quilting history - and some of them look way better than others!

My very first attempt at patchwork

It's supposed to be a mushroom and a gnome

While it's kind of nice to see my growth, I don't think the cabins, gnome, or patchwork are anything worth keeping. On the other hand, there's not much to salvage... and I hate to just throw that fabric away - especially the blue swirly sky. I really love that fabric...

The brown almost chevron pattern and the cats are probably worth keeping - if I can figure out something else to go with them. I loved the cat one and very nearly sent it in, but it just didn't seem right for a little boy.

There are a few more oddblocks hanging about my desk. Less forgotten, but with no more direction:

I need to make a few more things that aren't pinwheels! I think I went a little overboard on those!

I have a slightly idea of these coming together in a field of a third fabric, but what it will be, I'm not sure. Maybe a pillow or the exterior of a quilted bag?