Slow Sunday Playtime

Today has unintentionally turned into a quilting play day.  I have two projects that are now clamoring for my attention, but they're still in the planning stages.

My husband's niece is expecting her first baby in March.  I had always intended to make a baby quilt, but yesterday I finally got info from her mom about nursery colors, decorating ideas, etc.  Her color choices and design element (owls) reminded me I had some Tula Pink Hushabye fabric stashed for future baby quilts.  I have more colors than pictured above - go here if you want to see all the different colorways.  So sad this fabric is no longer in stores!

I thought I might make a baby-size version of this quilt by Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom.

But Kim Brackett's Picnic quilt from Scrap Basket Sensations would look really cool in the Hushabye fabric, too!

Then I got an email from my LQS announcing Kate Spain would be visiting and promoting her latest fabric line.  And oh, by the way, she designed a free pattern.  Hmm, couldn't I substitute a pieced owl for the bee in her pattern?

At the same time all those ideas are bubbling around in my head, I'm trying to decide what layout to use for my next set of Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks from last year.  These Greek Square blocks were fun to make and they used up lots of scraps!

I played with various arrangements and snapped quick pictures with my iPad.  A straight-up grid might work, IF I could find the right fabric for sashing.  I tried white and some colorful prints on a white background, but it's just too blah.  Maybe some Kaffe Fassett Paperweight fabric?

Colorblock layout?  Narrow dark colored border followed by Kaffe Fassett Paperweight?

I think turning the blocks on the diagonal is much more visually appealing.  Not sure what fabric to use for the  end and corner triangles, though!

I think this is my favorite, although I need to tweak the color arrangement a little.  If only I could figure out what fabric to use for the corners and ends.  I tried a few black prints, but that's too overwhelming.  I guess that means a fabric shopping trip is in the future!

Have you stuck with me this long?  If so, please feel free to share your thoughts on your favorite baby quilt pattern and/or Greek Square layout.

As for me, I need to settle my brain!  I'm going to go claim my favorite chair and do some hand quilting.  This little quilt is is begging for completion before Valentine's Day.  I'll be joining up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, another source of inspiration!

Little Hearts - Complete!

I'm so tickled to have completed this UFO - it's been unfinished since 1997 or so!

I unearthed this project back in February and decided it needed finishing in honor of Valentine's Day.  I didn't quite make that deadline, but I persevered and put the last stitches in a few weeks ago.  I'm very pleased with the quilting design - simple but effective!

I outline quilted the hearts with red embroidery floss.

Hmmm...my supply of table setting props has dwindled over the years.  What I do have plenty of is dolls!  So, we have a Lady & the Tramp vignette - Bella Notte!

Ancient UFO Unearthed: Little Hearts Wallhanging

I unearthed an ancient UFO the other day.  Neatly packaged in a zip-loc bag were a few finished blocks, quilt block pieces, extra fabric and a page of instructions.  I immediately realized now was the time to finish this project, as the quilt featured pieced hearts, and Valentine's Day is nearly upon us!

The pattern is from a now-defunct magazine entitled Miniature Quilts.  I only have the pattern page, not the entire magazine, so I'm not sure of the exact date, but my best guess is 1995-1997.  If anyone has a stack of Miniature Quilts magazines, this is from Issue # 17.  The pattern was written to be made with plaid scraps, with black, white and red as accent colors.

I did my version with red scraps, some  of which are reproduction fabrics.  The blocks aren't too difficult to assemble, just a little fiddly because the pieces are small.  The strip of red fabric on the right side of the quilt is binding fabric I'm auditioning.

I thought it might be fun to use red embroidery floss (single strand) for the quilting.  However, after doing a little sample, I decided using red on the white sashing would make things look too busy.  I think I'll use the red floss to outline quilt the hearts and regular off-white quilting thread in the sashing.

Finishing this UFO was so much fun I decided to make another version in pink.  It's still a work in progress, but I'll share some photos soon!