Wordless Wednesday - Mosaic

1. rainbow geese quilt, 2. Rainbow quilt - WIP, 3. [3x6] Bee Beehive 15 Q3, 4. Color-work Quilt, 5. values quilt top, 6. Joseph's Coat Quilt Along , 7. Weekly check in on charm quilt, 8. What's Your Favourite Colour?, 9. Rainbow Quilt completed

Je crée, donc je suis.

I have a long list of unfinished items in my stash and in my head. While I am definitely a thinker, it's my creativity that best defines me.

One is for a lovely little girl has been without a "blankie" from me since her birth over a year ago. Before she was born, I consulted her mother about the use of Ellie Fun - Karen Neuburger's Pink Dots purchased with Fabriholics Anonymous here on etsy.

This fun polka dot fabric uses rich pinks, purples and reds. Love it!!

I scanned in a photo of the fabric into EQ6 and started doodling. Both quilts are throw size and use a 12" finished version of the Autumn Star block from Quilter's Cache as a base.  After heading Tonya's admonishments to use more contrasting colors and many adjustments, here are my two layout choices:

Option 1: Diamonds are Forever

Option 2: You Zig and I'll Zag

 Baby S is now a walking, soon-to-be-talking toddler, so I am already woefully behind in getting her this quilt.  Maybe I'll get it done before she starts college.

Which layout do you vote for? ~ksp

Writing Lines

I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm..
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.
I will check the bobbin thread every time I reload a new bobbin in the longarm.

Several hours of my life I'll never get back.

Learn from my mistake...or this could be you. ~ksp

Better Late Than Never...

This is my "design wall"...well actually, its a design floor.  I haven't been able to get myself together enough to get my felt up on the wall...anyway, I digress.

In 2006, the now defunct Block Central hosted a block of the month titled "Nine Patch Nirvana". I previously blogged about it here.  I loved the pattern and the idea of participating but, as has become usual with me, I wasn't able to participate in the sew-along until much later.

Fast forward several years, in December of 2010, I dug in the stash and found some batik and hand-dyed fabrics that I felt lent themselves to the pattern. I used Kona Cream  as a unifying background.

After too long of a delay, two weeks ago, I got busy and started piecing...Here's how far I've gotten.

There are two blue batiks and Kona Cream from different dye lots...ya'll know I like to keep it scrappy.  I've got some extra half-square triangles of various sizes that I will work into the border and back...I think. 

So far, I like it a lot.  Next up...the border and back.  If I can get it together, this will be my brother's Christmas gift; after all, blue is his favorite color. ~ksp
 

Customer for Life

When I bought my JukiTL98Q from Sewingmachinesplus.com in 2009, I received a complimentary gift certificate for $200..gotta love that. I used it to purchase a copy of Electric Quilter6.  I was new to quilting software but as a visual person, I loved the idea of using the computer to sketch and, more importantly, to do the maths...hate the maths...

Long story short, in the fall of 2009, my trusted MacBook crashed and died on me.  Unfortunately, I did not properly back-up my software and I could not find the software CD.  In short, I was in a lurch.

Jump cut to 2011, as part of my Sew Bee Joyful Virtual Bee I wanted to use turquoise and red in a scrappy execution of a traditional-ish block. This presented a design challenge for me because I was going to have to translate my design ideas to others.  Somehow, my sketches and (questionable math) on cocktail napkins were not gonna cut it.

I lamented at the loss of my EQ6 software.  I researched buying EQ7 new at  $190...it just wasn't in the budget right now. On a lark, I reached out to Electric Quilter.  A few clicks on their computers and $12 later and there was a CD headed my way. Awesome!!  I love any company that stands behind their product and supports their customers.  I got a live person, who was informed about the product and could actually HELP me.  They had me at (live person) hello.

I had already chosen the Lover's Lane block (from the Quilter's Cache site here).  The block is simple, yet with color placement, can look very complex.

So with my new re-acquisition, I got to doodling and came up with this design.

Since it's going to be scrappy, the colors will vary but the color values will remain the same.  For example, reds will be consistent - dark and bright

Using EQ6, I can print out the estimated yardage and the strip piecing instructions for my Bee-mates??hive members?? (What is the proper term?)

Whatd'ya think? ~ksp