halfway there...

Lately I'm feeling halfway done with a lot of projects with not much to show for it. Here's a few things on my to-do pile.

I pieced this top on retreat last week. I've been wanting to try Heather Mulder Peterson's Spanish Tiles from her Living Large 2 book. You just need 9 FQ's and some sashing fabric, so I quickly pulled some Secret Garden that I've been stashing. It went really well with some of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom collection. The top turned out very soft and pretty, but definitely needs some quilting. That might be a while!
I'm also getting ready to quilt this little baby quilt that my daughter pieced, to be given to a local children's shelter.
And finally this week, I'm readying some random Dresden blocks to use for teaching this Summer. I had to show you this, as it's not a typical color combo for me - but I'm lovin' it!

quilt recognition

I was super excited when I was asked by one of our local quilt guilds - Bit's and Pieces - to be a judge for their show. Although I hate the word judge. How can you possibly judge a quilt? How can you critique a piece of lovingly hand-crafted work? I can't - so I like to think of it as recognition for a quilt that stands out in the crowd. Something unique and beautiful as the result of painstaking work or happenstance {as both have happened to me}.

I got to choose a favorite. Phone pics don't do them justice, but Candy Grisham's Dresden quilt was my pick. An original design with a pieced background, beautiful colors and Dresden blocks perfectly placed; it was also nicely quilted.
I almost chose this one - Lollipop Trees by Carole Braig. I loved the colors and I believe this was her fist appliqué quilt.
It was a tough job giving recognition to these quilts! Here is a precisely pieced and beautifully quilted star quilt by Marsha Bray.
It was also fun to see {not judged} a display of quilts created for the Robert Kaufman solids challenge by our STL Modern Quilt Guild.
The show runs through today {Sunday} at Queeny Park in Saint Louis.

Sunburst quilts

I finished two quilt tops on retreat this week! The first is another Sunburst. This quilt was patterned in McCall's Quilting America Quilts for the Home last year. I'll be teaching it at an event this Summer and wanted to make a few more samples. This can be done in sooo many fabric combinations! I'll show you a full picture when it's quilted.My friend Rene also did one using Amy Butler's Lark collection. It's just gorgeous! Yes, you'll probably be seeing more of these :)

Pouch Swap

I can finally reveal the pouch I made for my partner in the STL Modern Quilt Guild swap. Mine went to Mary Claire, our talented vice-president, who blogs at Splendorfalls. I had so much fun playing with chevrons again. I've got some directions posted here.

The pattern is Perfect Zip Bags by Elizabeth Hartman - using a great method to insert a zipper and construct the bag.
The fabrics were the very modern Echo line by Lotta Jansdotter.
I started this one using a little strip of chevron piecing I had hanging around, but decided the colors may not be exactly my partner's taste. So I get to finish this up for me!
And I received this adorable pouch from Miss Nancy at Tea and Quilts! My grand-daughter claimed it last night and there was a bit of persuasion to get it back!

fabric love...

I'm having a problem choosing fabric. The problem is that there's just too much gorgeousness out there! I have indulged a little and I'm not one bit sorry I added this group to my stash. I've always loved Lizzy House's style, but wasn't interested in castles, peeps or foxes. This group - Hello Pilgrim -is right up my alley - floral, bright, clean and graphic. If you're on the fence about purchasing this line - get it. It's even prettier in person!

This group is Verona and I already have plans for it - stay tuned!
And this week, I'm readying for a retreat - 4 glorious days of sewing. I've got some "Secret Garden" by Sandi Henderson cut and ready to go.

I'll also be working on a new version of my "Sunburst" quilt. I'm teaching this design at an event this Summer and hope to make a couple more samples.

The strips are cut and ready to go. It's navy, green and gray - I think it'll be pretty classy looking.

And finally I haven't stopped making chevrons. This is a little sneak peek at a pouch for a swap this weekend at our guild meeting.