Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

I saw this on Blue is Bleu's website and couldn't resist replaying it here. I am a reading teacher after all!

WHERE BOOKS COME ALIVE

Chicago Modern Quilt Guild-ICE

I'm going to chronicle this project here in case the new owner would like to see how it all went down and so that I remember what the heck I'm thinking about doing. Welcome to the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild's ICE event. Here are the abbreviated guidelines:

The Preparation:

Choose 4 fat quarters.

Make 1 quilt block of your choosing from those fat quarters.

Bring it in a bag, along with the remainder of the 4 fat quarters to our next meeting where we will "swap" bags with another guild member.

The Challenge:

Make a mini wall quilt for your partner using the items from the bag.

You must use all 4 fabrics from the bag in the quilt.

You may add fabrics from your own stash.

Take your inspiration from the given quilt square.

Have fun and be creative!

The Return:

Bring the completed mini wall quilt to the July meeting.

We will have a show and tell of all the quilts, after which you will gift the quilt to the person whose bag you chose.

So, you get the idea of what I am supposed to do here. I don't think the member whose bag I have is a blog hopper so it's probably pretty safe to discuss the process here. 
This is a picture of the square she included in the bag(I cut it and then thought I should document the process so that is why you see slashes):

  She said that she likes wonky things and embellishments but is hesitant to try them because she's not really sure about it. I feel that way also except that mine is more a fear of messing it up. Sort of a fear of flying for both of us (I think) so I'm playing on that theme. Here's the beginning of my idea:

I'm going to make three wonky stars against a brown background and then add some embellishments. Right now I'm thinking about stamping words like wienerdog tricks does and adding crystals so that it looks like smaller stars shining. The words will read, 
Star light, star bright 
First star I see tonight
Wish I may, wish I might
Have some wings and fly tonight.
I am also contemplating sewing brown lines vertically in a wave pattern and hand quilting blue around the stars. 

p.s. Ginger of wienerdog tricks has the most awesome pattern pdfs you've ever seen! And no, I'm not a paid sponsor.yet.

What Have You Been UP to?

So, here's what I've been up to: this is the beginning of a I'm Blushing quilt with the Verna line.

I also made a soft alphabet book for Supercute. Here is the book and then a quick pic of him on the quilt that Aidan and I made for him earlier this year. At 3 1/2 months, he's about 8 lb, 10 oz! He's still on the heart monitor, but thankfully no alarms for Bradycardia in a while.

The Finale

I actually did it! I finished all the blocks. I made the last 4 and then decided that one might not work for others (and I really like it) so it's staying with me. Oh, I'm so excited about this swap! I can hardly wait to see what I get back and start making my first really modern quilt top.

This is the one I was unsure of (below) so I'm just going to keep it. I am absolutely smitten with the little owls, but I wasn't sure if novelties were "off limits" and don't want to chance it. I think I'll use the shag-minky material I bought a while ago for the backing.

2/3 done...

Without further ado, up for your consideration is block #8. Yep, only one block this evening because I spent the day with Supercute!! I would like to say thank you to everyone who has left a comment--I appreciate your kind words♥

And Now For Something Completely Indifferent

Here are blocks # 6 & 7. I think it is increasingly evident that I love the Marston/Moran color and print combinations. I am learning more about me--I like brightness and craziness. Hmmm...that certainly describes my personality....

I took the Moda Birdie focus fabric and worked my way back to the center of the block.

The brown dot and green dot both read as solids to me. I think, though, to someone else, this is a crazy print-filled and headache-inducing creation. I love it. ♥ 

Today's blocks

Okay, I made 3,4, and 5! Still not 100% on the color combinations for others, but I sure like them! I'd be happy to keep them all if no one wants 'em--that's a new feeling for me ♥

click for a closeup☼

Let The Games Begin!

I just realized that I need to get a move on if I'm to finish 12 of these by the weekend. So, I'm setting a goal of 2 each day, today through Friday. I'm excited but I'm a little afraid of just throwing together color combinations, and oh, the fear when I make the last two cuts (to divide the square into 4 parts)! A few others have posted photos on the flickr group--have a look.

Mod Bento Block Swap

On the right-hand sidebar, there is a link to the Mod Bento Block Swap and also the tutorial for this block. It is waaaaaay easy--you know I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true!! I've never been involved in a swap before, but I like the look of this one because there are plenty of parameters (Yes, some people hate that). I've heard a few horror stories about receiving less-than-quality material and workmanship; hence, my affinity for the guidelines of this swap. There is also a flickr group started!

So, if you're interested, please email  Jessica--there are less than 30 members so it's a small group.

Here is a picture of the fabrics I have chosen so far. In my excitement I purchased fat quarters instead of long quarters, but just so you get an idea of the fabrics that might end up in your quilt:

Are you diggin' it, baby???

Oh, and while we're on the subject of beautiful modern fabric, there is a seriously wild woman (Jennifer of Sugarstitches) giving away fat quarters of Heather Ross' Far Far Away II line. I know, Mayor of Crazy Town! Comment before she comes to her senses!! http://sugarstitches.com/blog/?p=696

(photo directly from sugarstitches.com)