Harbinger of Spring!

I planned to make only one but see so many possibilities!  I could end up with a flock.  This delightful pattern is by Nellie Durand at  Nellie's Needles.  You will find a slide show there of many amazing birds!

Another Hexagon Quilt

Only one more big (six feet by six feet) sandwich waiting on the sewing table to be machine quilted.  Then I think I will limit my projects to placemats-size for a while.  ;o)

The One Block Wonder is Finished!

Still warm from the dryer, signed, sealed and about to be delivered this afternoon, this quilt represents a whole heck of a lot of work!  It will go to my daughter who has already admired it and assured me that it will be treasured forever.  I give most of my quilts to my family so I don't have to store them but can visit them any time I want.  Clever, no?

ENDLESS CHAIN

I have two hexagon-block quilts currently in the works.  So when I ran across this one in the linen chest, I noticed for the first time that it is made of hexagons, too.  It dates from the time I first realized that '30s reproduction fabrics were readily available, late '90s.   It and and another quilt represent the first armful of fat quarters I ever bought.  I remember not being able to stop smiling!  The pattern, from McCall's Vintage Quilts magazine, Fall, 1997, is called Endless Chain.  Not quick and easy, no shortcuts.  It's done the old-fashioned way:   all set-in seams, with the centers hand-appliqued.  It's stitched in the ditch around the hexagons, then tied through the centers.  I didn't much care about the actual quilting but have since come to appreciate it.  ;o)

One Block Wonder

I've never been even remotely tempted to try this quilt.  One fabric, one shape.  Not my style.  Until I started following the discussion of the upcoming class on the Learning Fiber Arts group.  So much excitement!  Then I remembered I have six yards of a beautiful Kaffe Fasset "Bekah" print.  The flowers are six to eight inches, a large print.  It was one of those what-was-I-thinking, whatever-will-I-do-with-it purchases.  It fits all the criteria; it hasn't even been washed (according to the directions, you aren't supposed to wash it) which is surprising, as I usually wash all fabric as it comes in the door.  I've signed up for the class and borrowed the book from my daughter and now I'm wondering, will I be able to wait until the class begins?  Is there any rule against getting a headstart?  I do work more slowly than most.  ;o)

In My Back Yard

The bougainvillea is particularly showy now.  We've gone out with shears several times to trim it, but it's always abuzz with bees and butterflies and we don't have the heart.  We're told to expect a low of 27 to 31 degrees tonight and it's sure to be nipped.  Which will be good for it.  Then we can trim it. ;o)

JANE'S DIAMONDS

Inspired by a Kaffe Fassett design, which was a reproduction of a quilt made by Jane Austen, this quilt has been simmering on the back burner for a while.  I made some design decisions which I regret now as I'm not at all happy with my version.  If I were to do it again, I would include the center medallion and arrange the fabrics in a trip-around-the-world configuration, like the original,  instead of the random placement.  However, I would really like to add some more interesting elements to this one first.  It's crying out for something, I don't know what.  I started adding french knots, as you can see in the lower photo, but stopped with two as thread heavy enough to show up would tear holes in the fabric and I wouldn't be able to take them out if they looked a little silly.  I'm open to suggestions if you have any.  I would like to save it as I love the fabrics and the diamond motif.  :o)