I decided that the Tealorange quilt needed simple quilting. I started with stitching in the ditch between all the blocks and then added some parallel lines close to the ditch like I did on this quilt (but only in one direction).Then, I decided that I needed to fill the whole space with lines.
I have to say, I think the result is well worth the hours it took. I am thrilled with the results on the whole quilt.
I'm going to put a scrappy binding of orange and teals around it and will share a full view photo when it's really finished.
It has finally gotten warm enough to be outside without sweaters so we've also been working on some outdoor chores. Yesterday we went out in the fields hunting for morels and asparagus - we didn't find any of those but we did come back with a big load of garlic mustard. Today we'll plant some more things in the garden any maybe even have a field fire. I tell you, the fun never ends around here!
What projects have you been working on?
This is what I've been working on the last few days. TEALORANGE! You may remember me posting some of the blocks over the last two years. These blocks were made by my quilt bee members two years in a row. Aren't they cheery?
This quilt has been a real "pick me up" this week. I needed that.It is too rainy and gloomy to get a good full view photo so, you'll have to wait for the final reveal because I now have it basted and ready for quilting. I hope I don't agonize too long over how to quilt it.
As I have been making more tiny two inch star blocks I've been thinking about my 
I have gotten the quilt out many times and thought about what I could quilt in there. I tried plain cross hatching, and seriously considered a closely stitched bishop's fan.
Still, I think it needs a big feathered vine.So, I've told myself that this needs to be the next quilt I finish. You heard me so now the pressure is on. I need to mark it and get to quilting.Really, what have I been waiting for? When I finish I can snuggle up under THIS!
Here's hoping I can get it done. 
I finished and washed my latest quilt, Brenda's Stars. It is heavily quilted in the linen look background and the star centers. The sashing and star points are not quilted.
Here's the full view.
50 by 62 inches. It shrank a bit in the quilting and washing.The fabrics are from Pink Castle Fabrics. It was fun to browse through Brenda's great selection and put these fabrics together.
Here are some basic directions for the quilt as I made it.Cut from the fabrics:large floral - 20 6 1/8 inch squaresfat quarter spots - 50 5 1/4 inch squares30 1 1/2 inch squaresquilter's linen - 80 4 1/2 inch squares20 5 1/4 inch squaresCut all of the 5 1/4 inch squares on the diagonals as shown to make quarter square triangles.
Lay out the blocks as shown.
You will be piecing the block into diagonal chunks. Sew the first groups together as shown. Be careful not to stretch the pieces as you sew and press.
Continue sewing the pieces together into sections as shown.
Sew the last two seams to make the block.
Measure the size of your completed block (mine measured 12 1/2 inches). Cut 49 1 1/2 inch wide rectangles the length of your completed block (12 1/2 inches).Lay the quilt out the way you want it to be sewn together.
Sew the top together, sandwich with the batting, and quilt as desired.
These beauties are from 
she even sent me FOUR extras!
I LOVE that they are all different. Some are very pointy and some are more fat and squarish. Have I mentioned how excited I am about this quilt???
Aren't they great?
I am eager to get working on these orange and teal stars. I am still awaiting a few more blocks but I hear they are in the mail! Wooo Hoo.We have pies in the oven and a turkey in the fridge. Have a great day tomorrow.
After finishing a few more smaller projects I am feeling a little more prepared for the 
I feel like I can now calmly return to a larger project like finishing another quilt.
I put hundreds of pins in it last night. I will be quilting it on the machine but haven't decided about the design yet.
I don't want to put any quilting on the stars. I really want them to float above the background. Outlining each star would be very tedious but I kind of think it needs it. I would like a lot of quilting in the background but I don't want to do the old meandering thing either.What are your quilting thoughts?And isn't this backing fabric great? I had just enough for the back of this quilt!
I have been working feverishly the last few days to get this quilt top put together. I finished all the blocks on Saturday and sewed it together and added a ten inch wide border yesterday.I LOVE the way it turned out.I am considering hand quilting it and would love to put a big feathered vine in the border but am not excited about quilting the little star blocks. I'll think it over as I work on some other projects. My hand quilting UFO pile is growing.
I spent the afternoon making some more tiny stars. A couple more afternoons like this and I'll get all the stars for this quilt finished.I think I'm finally starting to get in the rhythm of the school day. I have been listening to Harry Potter on tape while I sew. Jim Dale does a superb job reading them. If you haven't listened to his recordings of the Harry Potter books, I highly recommend that you do.I am making a list of other books to listen to after I finish the Harry Potter series.What book would you recommend?
