My Improv Stripes Mini Quilt

Oh, how I love improv! It takes me out of my box, out of the constraints of being "perfect", and straight into a place where my creativity can dip its toes into new waters. 

At the end of July, Debbie at A Quilter's Table hosted a QAL using another of her great ideas.

You may remember my Cross Cut Quilt from last summer.

I had followed Debbie's QAL then and that quilt is one of my all-time favorites that I've made.

My Cross Cut Quilt 2016

Debbie's latest improv project was the Improv Stripes technique. 

The idea was to use fabrics with contrast, cut them into strips, sew them together and make stripes!

Blocks of various sizes would be made, then later trimmed to be sewn together. 

I decided to pull out my stash of Halloween fabrics.

Not having a particular size or shape in mind, I just dug in!

Above are some of my untrimmed blocks of stripes.

It started growing!

Fitting the blocks together was the hardest part...but still fun!

Strips and stripes were added, blocks were cut in 2 or 3 pieces and then reattached just to fit. 

I quilted using a spiral design.

I liked the idea of the curves against all of the sharp edges and corners of the stripes and blocks. 

I backed this piece with gold polka dots on black fabric. 

Finished size is 28" x 30". A nice size for a table topper.

It will look so cool with my collection of Halloween props of witches, pumpkins and ghosts.

I think I have a new favorite!

Linking up with:

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Busy Hands Quilts

The Upstairs Hobby Room

I Wish You A Merry Christmas QAL--Block One

 

I'm one of those people who always have such good intentions to get my holiday projects done (or at least started) early. It rarely happens. I end up cramming it all in and get done just under the wire. 

I am a procrastinator. One of the "leaders of tomorrow" sort of people. 

Well, this year, I am kicking that old habit to the curb! I am joining the quilt along named "I Wish You A Merry Christmas". The first block is introduced with the tutorial by Vanda at  Quilt In Peace. It's a pretty snowflake applique on a 13" block of fabric.

Of course, you choose your fabrics and favorite technique for applique. 

I chose a red with gold star background fabric.

My snowflake fabric is fussy cut from gold and white snowflake fabric

and also a gold micro-mini polka dot.

After setting the applique pieces with Heat & Bond Lite, 

I stitched each piece down with a looser zig zag stitch using gold thread. 

Of course, there are prizes offered for each block completed! That's always a plus, right?

Linking up to: Quilt In Peace

More Hand-Made Cards & a Winner!

If your name is.....

Cheryl from Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting, you've won the prize of a personalized hand-made card! 

I'm anxious to see what number, colors and symbols Cheryl wants on her card.

I know it will be fun to make it for her!

Since my last post, I've made a few more cards.

The above card is going to my best friend for her birthday. She loves blue! I just happened to have some fabric with words and text on it, so the Celebrate word was cut from it.

The blue matched almost perfectly!

The next card went to a sweet friend who just moved to Minnesota. A group of friends decided to send cards all on August 1st to shower her with our blessings. 

Along with her card, I sent this framed machine embroidery sentiment:

She's taking on a different PE position near her new home. I wish her the best!

I'm hoping to find some time this week to do some sewing (along with Chery's card). 

There's a few quilt alongs that sound like a lot of fun!