157 - Chat Noir

Order of the OPUS GLUEI has a new Poobah. Chat Noir has graciously agreed to join our humble little challenge blog. I am so excited. I have been friends with her for a bit now, and am thrilled that she is one of the gang and will be contributing her talents. 

The challenge this go 'round is a welcoming challenge in her honor:

CHAT NOIR

(Black Cat)

Use a CAT or BLACK, or both, in your project this month.

Welcome CHAT NOIR.

Flower Bird

HELLO...HELLO...HELLO...HELLO...HELLO...
(That's the echo off of the blank walls I call my blog. 'Scuse me while I wipe away the cobwebs.)

I have been on a blake. (Blog-break). The blake is now over, and I am ready to go again. I just needed a bit of a re-charge. Sometimes you just need to step back and not worry about some things. KWIM?

Lots to catch up with, but today is all about OPUS GLUEI. (I took a blake there too. But am also back there.)

The theme for this fortnight is BOUQUET to YOU. Flowers. Anything to do with flowers. Drawing them, planting them, decorating with them. OR Making a bird with them. OR a flag. OR butterflies. 

The bird is the front and the butterflies are the back. Just in case you NEED to know. 

The flag is going to be sent to be put on display in Boston to help folks heal from the horrible terrorist attack at the Marathon. The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild is collecting them for a Memorial Day ceremony. You can read more about it HERE. 

The bird pattern was from Block Lotto for the April block lottery. You can read more about the block lottery HERE and get the bird pattern HERE.

The butterflies were extras made for a butterfly block swap I participated in a couple of months ago. They are the perfect width for this flag. AND they are made out of flowers too. Very happy accident.

You certainly don't need to make a flag. Or a bird. Or give whatever it is you make to someone else. BUT we would love to see what you make. Link up your creation over on OPUS GLUEI. Come on and play with us. It's fun.

January Finishes

Sometimes I feel like I have accomplished NOTHING. You know the feeling. So I decided to see what I DID do, and made a mosaic:

Turns out I made a lot. Starting at the top and working across:

1. Finished my Halloween bitty wall hanging
2. Finished MY Autumn Leaves quilt
3. Hexie Love Heart block for a friend - Made with Love and Hugs
4. Mask for a Sweet 16 Ball
5. Bitty Chicken block - 3 inch finished
6. Star Wars bunting
7. Doctor Who bunting
8. Clamshell pillow
9. Sewing Room bunting
10. Flamingo Magnet
11. do.Good Stitches blocks for January
12. Solid Hexie Improv block for Stash Bee
13. do.Good Stitches blocks for November
14. Solid Paper Pieced Star for Stash Bee
15. Self portrait with January goals

I feel pretty accomplished. I love making these mosaics. You should try it. Let me know if you do. I'd love to see what you got done in January. If you haven't got pictures for your January makes, take pictures of your February makes, then make a mosaic at the end of the month. You won't regret it. I promise.

Out of this world Coasters

Instead of the notecards assigned to us, I decided to make a couple of coasters. 

The subtle improv curves are easier than I thought. Made using nothing but scraps from the bunting I made for Melissa. Hopefully she'll start using coasters now. 

But I went old-school straight for the backs. Not sure that I am all too crazy about the improv curves. But I am so happy that I CAN do them. If I change my mind.

Down the drunkard's path...

Yes. It's true. I am going down the drunkard's path. And I'm loving it. I made another mug rug. This one for my beer mug. HA! Just kidding. I'll use it for my coffee mug too. It's a two sided little wonder. Side 1:

Oh, sure, I stumbled at first. I mean, not on these blocks, but in the past. But this class is wonderful. These are the first try at this block. Really, it is. Rachel's directions are that good. And side two:

I'm certainly not afraid of curves any more. As a matter of fact, I see more in my future. 

A Year of Lovely Finishes - February Edition

It's time to commit to a FINISH for February. This month I am going to finish this quilt:

These 9 patches are going to become a disappearing 9 patch. I'm still toying with the idea of sashing. 

Linking up with Melissa at bittersweet designs and Shannon at Fiber of All Sorts.

January Finish - I DID it.

At the beginning of the month I committed to finishing a quilt for ME. A quilt that I started years ago and now wanted to get done. I figured that I could commit to ONE finish for the month. Well, there's a reason that I let this lovely top sit for years. I am skiddish when it comes to the basting part of the sandwich process. If you don't baste properly, you can get puckers on the back when you quilt it. I didn't want puckers. 

Long story short, I used spray basting. And I now have a new love. I LOVE this stuff. 

Anyhow, here's my finished quilt for January:

Can't wait to wash it and start snuggling under it. 

February will bring a new finish. Keep checking back. You'll see.