Neapolitan Valentine

Long story short.

Two years ago I started this wall hanging.

 

After quilting it with pink thread...I just didn't like it.

So I hid it away in a box.

Took it out a few weeks ago, and made myself finish it.

(I hate unfinished projects!)

The colors reminded me of ice cream so I named it Neapolitan.

(I like to name my quilts!)

I think the blocks look like Dutch Windmills.

(I love striped binding!)

And now I'm so happy it's "finished" and just in time for Valentine's day!

And there you have it,

MY

Flutterby Border

Well, I've been busy.

Finished sewing all the rows together and decided on a pink border.

I'm happy with the border color choice

because I know the person this will be

going to likes PINK.

It's such a menagerie of flowers and butterflies,

although not my usual style,

looks so summery and happy

that I'm really pleased with it.

Remember, those 3D butterflies:

And it's almost ready to "fly".

But...I could use your help

deciding which of these three bindings

to go with (below):

What do you think?

Please feel free to leave me a comment

with your choice!

Thanks  ; )

Block Party

So here's a big step for me.  I decided to enter the Block Party contest over at Quiltstory.

The categories are traditional, modern and creative. And I think that was the hardest part...deciding which category my blocks fit in.

My first is this aqua, red and white "Whirling Star" block.  The pattern was from the book Block by Block by Beth Donaldson but I used that awesome Bliss Fabric and thought it was perfect ... reminded me of a peppermint candy.  I think the pattern is pretty traditional-combination of pinwheel and star but the fabric is modern.  Still, I'm going with the traditional category.

And my second is this pink, chocolate and white "Dutch Pinwheel" block.  I saw the pattern and instructions on this post at Quiltstory back in August, in a quilt shared by Twin Fibers.  I love pinwheels and thought this was an interesting modification...looks like a windmill.  As I've shared before here (in fact just yesterday), the fabric is from a charm pack I couldn't resist buying and think it's perfect for Valentine's day.  Again, the pattern is traditional but the fabric is kind of retro modern.  Still, I'm going with the traditional category for this one as well based on block pattern.

So there you have it!  My entries for the Block Party.  Can't wait to see the others too.  Long week of school ahead then a whole week off for President's Days.  Happy sewing!

Swiveling Sweetness

With Valentine's Day coming up I thought it was the perfect time to get back to an unfinished project I call Neopolitan. 

It'll be a wall hanging when it's finished and I plan to practice some free motion quilting on it due to its manageable size and the fact it'll stay in my room. Pink's never been one of my favorite colors but mixed with the chocolate and white...it is just yummy and I couldn't resist picking up this charm pack.

The block is called a Dutch Pinwheel and I followed a pattern posted at Twin Fibers.

Hoping to finish by 13th so I can hang it for Valentine's Day. 

What really got me thinking about this quilt, in addition to the Valentine's colors, were all the half square triangles.  You see, today was a gorgeous day and I spent the morning sipping Starbucks and early afternoon driving from fabric store to fabric store with rays streaming through my sunroof and birthday gift cards burning a hole in my wallet (compliments of some great friends, Char, Tab & Martin). 

And burn right through they did.

Check out this Swiveling Cutting Mat I picked up for 1/2 price.

So the next time I need to cut a square (2x) on the diagonal...all I have to do is....position, cut once, then...

Swivel it!

 And cut again.  (Oh and isn't that a sweet little pair of embroidery scissors?  30% off!)

I also bought a few other sewing notions and a larger cutting mat to replace my old worn one but I didn't photograph that.  Instead, have a peek at this cute little fabric combination.

Shhh...can't say yet what they're for.

As you can see it was quite a productive morning.  But that's not all.  On my sunny, breezy cruise home I happened upon a "new to me" oldies radio station for a real trip down memory lane.  So when I arrived back home, I pulled out yet another cool birthday gift ...

...from my family...they thought I could use an updated ipod.  This one clips on so I can rock out when I sew and what's even greater...

...it's got FM radio...so I can tune in my OLD and NEW oldies stations!

And, well you saw the results of my amazing day!

SWEET!

Hope yours was too!

Recalculating

Not too long ago, I posted what I thought would be my final hexagon flower for the quilt I'm making.  I was ready at that point to start in on the white border pieces.  But then I decided to make sure my original plan would give me the size I anticipated.  Now, since I teach math, normally I don't have a problem with calculating and recalculating.  But, honestly, sometimes after work I just can't stand the thought of doing more math.  So, I decided to just go ahead and sew some together and measure with my arms to reach the desired width.  Here's the hexie chain....

And the verdict....need to go wider and consequently a bit longer than planned.  So then I "had" to do the math and .... I need 40 more?!  Ah, well I love sewing the hexie flowers so I just got busy.  Here's 3 I finished this week. 

Just Peachy

Pretty in Pink

 

Powder Puff

I usually try to do one per night, so hopefully I can get back on track and keep up the pace... well maybe every other night!

Oh, and don't forget to stop by One Flower Wednesday's to see more hexagon projects and progress...there's a button on my sidebar.

Sidetracked: Project Neopolitan

Well, it's a good thing I can multitask.  Because I couldn't resist this cute little packet of pink, brown & white retro charm squares.  I passed them by many times but finally decided I needed something to brighten those white walls of my bedroom.  So I snatched them up and now have a wall hanging in the works.

They remind me of the Mint Chip quilt I made for myself earlier this year but instead of minty turquoise & chocolate brown we have strawberry, chocolate and vanilla....hence the name for my new side tracked project:  Neopolitan

Can't wait to get started!