I need to try something new, Star Bright!

I have been sitting here wondering what I want to do new next.  I use to try new things all of the time (new quilting things) and have not been doing them lately.  While reading blogs lately, I have been so amazed by all of the Paper Pieced things that people have been producing.  I have decided that I want to make something paper pieced.  So I sat down with EQ7 and designed out a simple 6 inch paper pieced block.  While drawing out different blocks (this was my 4th) my son Jared was helping me.  You can tell when he helps as everything has to be colored green (it is his favorite color).  He was had to point out my original blocks were not symmetrical and instructed me on how to properly make my block.

So having picked the block I decided I wanted to make a on point quilt (I seem to be on a diagonal kick for some reason). Any way tossing all of my blocks into a single quilt with approved quilt size from Tanya, I came up with what I will refer to as the frog quilt top.   This looks cute, but just wont cut it for me.

So twisting my blocks around, I was happy with what I then referred to as a star quilt.  I am fond of stars so it was good.  I do have issues though with the all green, but that can be fixed.  It was funny after I saved the above picture Jared had to point out that I messed up a block.  If you look at the bottom 2 blocks in the above shot they are facing the wrong direction.

Now this is what I finally decided was the quilt that I plan to make.  I plan to call it Star Bright.  Now I need to pick a fabric line and order fabric.  Then of course have to sit down and start making my paper pieced blocks.  I hope that after making that many simple paper pieced blocks, I can get good enough to do some of the cool complex blocks that so amaze me.

Simply Color Table Runner

Though this is hanging from the wall it is not a wall hanging.  This is a table topper made out of a fabric line called Simply Color mixed in with a solids.  This table topper was made using our free pattern on Craftsy.

One of the things Tanya and I struggle with is taking pictures of our item.  We live in a small house with 4 kids and we have little space that is not covered.  To take these pictures, Tanya cleared off her desk in our computer room.  It was a great wide open spot with the exception of our desk reflects so much light.

  I have been so desperate for better pictures that I have even been thinking of taking classes at school or even online classes.  I got a email on a class from Craftsy today and got 58% off on a Commercial Photography class and am finally ready to admit I need help.  I have already watched 3 lessons and found a few things I could do to improve what I am doing.  The big problem again is space.  I don't have any room to spare in my house.  I am glad the seasons are changing and that outside will soon become a option for quilt taking, but for now still struggling.

As always my quilts are simply quilted with strait line quilting.  I really need to branch out and try some of the FMQ, but am afraid to give it a try.

Link A Finish Friday #106

Some of last weeks great shares last week.

Triangle Quilt Along - The Sassy Quilter

Dolly Quilt - The Crafty Nomad

Big Figure #7 - Heather's Blog

Finish Friday - Sew Fresh Quilts

Flying Geese - Simply Pieced

These are some of the great quilts linked up last week.  Link up your finishes and don't forget to visit some of those that linked up.

Monthly Giveaway of $15 Gift Card from our sponsor Fat Quarter Shop. Please thank them and visit them for your quilting needs here are some of the places you can find them.

Their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Link up Rules are simple.  Link up something you have finished, Worked on, blogged about, slaved over or other wise accomplished over the last week or so.

No item not allowed.  Link up some of yours, visit some of the others and enjoy your quilting day.

Purple Hot Pads

Today I have some Purple Hot Pads to show off.  These were made weeks back and I have been forgetting to post it so now is the time.  I think they look pretty cute for scrappy hot pads.

I did get a new pattern done and posted this week on Craftsy.  If you go put a comment on the pattern and then leave a message here about it I will email you a free copy of the pattern.  If you don't like the pattern comment on any of my patterns and I will send you a free copy (its a HST quilt by way)

Christmas Quilt for James

It is funny how some things just get lost in the wash.  This is the front above and back below (not sewn together) this quilt was finished in late December and quickly washed and put onto my son Jame's bed.  He then got it dirty (only a 18 year old son would spill food on his own quilt and let it mingle there) so the first time I went to take pictures of it, well it was just not presentable.  We washed it again.

This second time washing I did manage to get a picture taken of it (though not by me) this time it was by a guild member at our guild meeting in and I had to grab this picture off Instagram. At least we have a beginning of a picture of this quilt.  As of the beginning of the story of this quilt (Feb 8) I have yet to sit down and get good pictures of this quilt and I will sadly need to wash it again (Teens are hard on quilts you see) My son tells me though that he loves it and sleeps with it (and apparently eats with it) every night.

Yea it seems that I finally managed to get a picture of the quilt.  It is funny how this blog post has taken almost 3 weeks to write.  James's quilt is a pattern out of a book called Quilting Modern.  It is a pattern named Winter Windows Quilt.  It uses a quilting technique called Modern  Crazy-Piecing.

The pattern has only one swath of the piecing across the middle.  I did it on both sides because I wanted to quilt around the blocks so that they would show the quilting on both sides.  I think it turned out fantastic and so happy that we now have pictures of it.