Playing Catch Up

Sometimes I succumb to peer pressure and I join a QAL or SAL, but lately the few that I have joined have kind of languished hiding under tables, in bins, in ziploc bags, shopping bags--patterns sitting on the printer, you get the picture. 

Sunday I decided to pull out my farm girl book, blocks, and fabric stash and started cutting.  I lost track of how many blocks I cut out Sunday, so that when I was ready to sew I could just go. 

Today I decided to sew.

I made the 12 1/2 inch Kettle's on block.

I also made the 6 1/2 inch churn dash block. 

I actually have a plan worked out on how I am going to construct this quilt.  I have a lot more blocks to make. 

Recently I went way out of my comfort zone and signed up for a class to make a Quiltworx pattern.  Why is it outside of my comfort zone? 

1.  I am taking a class with people I do no know, yes hard to believe, but I am very shy. The teacher had been a special speaker at my guild and when she discovered that I had signed up for the class she sat me next to a great group of women. 
2.  I am not a paper piecer!  I always struggle, but in order to make this gorgeous pattern you are going to have to paper piece to get those spectacular points. 

I went to the first class in June, and discovered that I am a----Slow Stitcher!!!  During class most of the women had all of their parts from the first step finished after 6 hours.  Me I had 2 portions completed out of 8, and had started to chain pieces the remaining 6 pieces, but was not finished at the end of class.  I pulled it out and finished these up this morning. 

I have some pieces to cut so I am ready for the next class in a couple of weeks.  So far I am feeling pretty confident, I think I may be able to make a pattern that I purchased years ago.  The pattern is called Sand Devils.

I actually finished something too!  I had bought a pattern which used a side kick ruler.  I bought the fabric then wondered, what if this doesn't work well?  So I used a handful of 2 1/2 inch strips, and a yellow fairy frost scrap and made this pattern called Rock Candy, a table topper which uses the side kick ruler.  I will say that the pattern instructions were great, and I can't wait to work on the next quilt.

I quilted it just doing simple arcs from point to point within each diamond.  I do probably need to put a label on it, but hey it is done!  Also gave me an opportunity to use my new quilting machine.

I also made a small contribution to the quilting economy.

Seriously who can resist a stack of gorgeous fabrics, many printed on white in a rainbow array? 

I have lots of  projects that I have started in the past to keep me busy.  I have farm girl blocks cut out and ready to sew, I have a couple of dog beds that need to be sewn close, I have an Ocean Waves quilt, a bag lady block for guild, and lots of flimsies to be quilted.