Highways

The thing about a challenge is that you just never know how creative you can be until you try something new. For instance, how would you make a highway on a map?

 This is how I did it!

Right now, I'm at the 'stewing' point with my maps quilt. You know, that time when you pin your project up on the wall and keep walking by it and asking yourself, "Now what!?"

Getting Direction

 Have you ever tried to make a map out of fabric? ...Me neither.

It's something I had never even considered doing until I was invited to join the Four In Art group on Flickr. Every three months each participant makes an art quilt centered around a topic. Our first challenge, under the topic of 'Urban' is to make a "Maps" quilt.

In doing a bit of research on the subject, I found a fun book full of ideas. I thought about buying it, but I then doubt that I would ever use it again after this project. Instead, I hunted down a map that I like and am busy making "map fabric". Hopefully, I will get the feeling of "direction" as I go along!(Pun intended!)

One thing for sure, I'l be as surprised as anyone as to the outcome of this little 12 inch quilt! 

Sneak Peek

 Suz and I are so excited about our Friendship x and + Swap that we couldn't wait till the last Friday in October to share our first set of blocks! (Marble couldn't wait either!)

Each month we both will be making 2 each of 4 different renditions of the popular  x and + block. Then we each will send four blocks to the other person.

Here is the first set of four that I'm mailing to Susan in Australia. You can see our color pallet here on our original post about the swap. This month, we focused on using orange, pink and aqua. Next month's blocks will feature a different combination of our pallet colors.

We have started a flickr group for the Friendship x and + Swap where anyone joining us can share their blocks with other quilters. Click here to find the flickr site.

If you missed the original post about the swap and guidelines, check it out here.
These blocks are so addictive and fun to make....you won't want to miss joining us!

Sunday Morning

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; 

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

! Corinthians 13:12

Fourth Quarter Finish-Along List

It's time to make my list of UFO's to try to finish during the last 3 months of 2013. With Christmas fast approaching, I thought I would be realistic, for a change, and whittled it down to three projects.

1. Joy Christmas Tree Skirt: This is a new UFO and I want it done by the time I put my Christmas tree up right after Thanksgiving. It only needs binding!

2. Crossroads: This is a holdover from last quarter (and the one before!). I got it all put together during the 3Q, but it still needs quilted and bound. I'm thinking straight line quilting. I also am wanting to think up a new name. Any ideas?

3. Juicy Fruit: Oh, how I would love to get this done before the end of the year! I didn't realize how time consuming making so many 6 inch churn dash blocks would be, even with the Mid-Century Modern Bee helping me. In August, I worked at the blocks during a MQG day retreat and may do it again at the November sewing day. After laying them all out, I've decided to make a few large 12 inch churn dashes to add to the mix.

Three projects...three months! Thanks for the motivation Leanne!

Catching Up

September slipped by before I realized it almost! I hate it when that happens because that means I had gotten behind on making  blocks for my super duper Mid-Century Modern Bee mates.

Anne asked for a fun-to-make block of her own design. I made an extra which, hopefully, will make up for my neglectful sewing. Boy am I curious as to the setting she has in mind! Sorry to be late, Anne.

For October, Elizabeth asked each of us to make a sampler block in green. She has plans for a Christmas themed medallion quilt. I chose to make the Crosses and Losses block. I hope that the fabrics I used are not too funky.
It feels really good to be caught up again!

There's still time to jump on board the Friendship x and + Swap! 

3Q Finish-A-Long Report

Just under the wire, I am reporting my 3rd Quarter finishes in the Finish-A-Long.
Here's my original list of 6 items. I made some progress on all but one, but can only list 3 of them as finishes. I guess half isn't too bad.
Here they are.....I'm so happy to call them DONE!

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt....more pictures here if you missed them. Whew!

Blueberry Tablerunner....more pictures of this 10 year old UFO here.

The Jelly Roll Race was my first UFO finish for the quarter. I blogged about it here.

Thank you, Leanne for hosting this Finish-A-Long for without it, these may have all been still sitting on a shelf in the dark.