Scrappy Thangles

Power is back on so I'm working on my butterflies. I had mentioned to someone that I would be using Thangles to make my tiny butterfly wings. They responded with, "I thought you were making it scrappy?"

No problem. Cut them apart and use the smaller sections!

So instead of using 2 different fabrics, I used 10 scraps.

And, with a little trimming, I'll have 5 unique butterflies!

I did make one miscalculation, though. I forgot the size on the package was "finished" size so I made them all too big. I'd rather make them bigger and then cut them down then have to restart them, though.

TWENTY SEVEN DOLLARS!!!

When it comes to my obsessions I don't do cheap. And when it comes to threads and notions I have quite the storehouse.

But today I needed some more Aurifil...

I was shocked! $13.50 each! For these two small spools! I paid it - I want to support my local quilt shop - but dang!

#EmptyBobbinNoMore

Some Kind of Wonderful

In the face of adversity, great things can occur.

I was doubting this last night when we lost power during a wind storm. This morning seemed as bleak. Rather than working on the second Splendid Sampler block (whimsical butterflies), I found myself in my quilt room this morning doing a little Spring cleaning.

For the last few years my primary quilting has been memorial quilts for other people. I loved the challenge of taking a pile of clothes and cutting and piecing until something magical came out of all that sadness. But it drained me and took the joy out of quilting. There were weeks when I couldn't open the door to the quilt room.

And then this Winter I moseyed back in and worked on my log cabin quilt. I always have a simple, mindless scrap project to pick up and put down. I've been piecing this one for 10 years. After completing my block, I realized I only needed two more for the center of a quilt.

And then The Splendid Sampler came along. I only intended to watch (just like I watch the Stitch-along group). I loved seeing the heart blocks filling my Facebook feed, nudging out the political posts and the Flint Water Crisis rants. When the butterflies appeared, I was hooked. There's no way I can keep up with two blocks a week, work, geocache and continue with my online courses, but I can work on the ones I like and make a pretty wall hanging from it.

So this morning, without power, I found myself back in the quilt room cleaning off the table and putting unneeded fabric away. And, lo! What did I find?

My Some Kind of Wonderful project! 

Look how beautiful it is! And look how many blocks I completed! And this is not all of them. I even found two more in stages of completion! I had safely tucked them away so all the blocks, pattern pieces and fabric were in one place. After my successful Splendid Sampler heart the other night, I have the urge to pull out my appliqué needles again.

I admit now that when I started this project I was potentially setting myself up to fail. To learn how to appliqué starting with a full size quilt is insane! My mistake was not allowing myself time to learn at my own pace. Which makes it so sweet pulling this old friend out of the pile and picking it up when I can. 

Hey, if it takes 10 years to make a log cabin quilt, why am I rushing my applique quilt?

This Heart Roped Me In! (TSS 001)

Full confession time: With such a full plate this year I had intended to be a voyeur during The Splendid Sampler quilt-along, I planned to save the patterns but just watch the beautiful blocks fill my screen on Facebook. But the first two blocks were too fabulous to pass up! So, here I go - feet first. I may not make all of them but will create the ones I enjoy.

Here's my first one - I haven't appliquéd in years! But it was very enjoyable (yes, Chooky, I admit it! It was as relaxing as you promised!). Luckily it was quite easy to step back into the world with my applique kit and notecard readily at hand).

Mine will be a scrap quilt and, gasp! I intend to cut into my precious charm packs! I'm at the age where I realize life is too short to save the good stuff!

Looking forward to this journey.

Hello, Old Friend!

It's lovely to spend some time with you, again!

Quilt room is finally clean after a hectic holiday season. Enjoying some log cabins on this snowy, Winter Michigan Sunday.

I always have at least one pick-up-and-put-down project going at a time -- usually a scrap quilt. I've been working on this one on-and-off for probably 12 years! 😊

The Splendid Sampler Sew-Along

Have you joined the movement yet?

So far over 3500 quilters from around the world have! 

85 quilters (designers and industry leaders) have contributed 100 6-inch blocks for this epic quilting adventure. Starting on Valentine's Day, two blocks a week will be published. Techniques include piecing, paperpiecing, appliqué, embroidery, and English Paperpiecing. 

The blocks will remain available until March 2017 when they will be gathered into a That Patchwork Press book. 

I signed up the moment I realized Pat Sloan was a contributor! Find out more details here: http://www.thesplendidsampler.com

#TheSplendidSampler

Why We Quilt...

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