Collecting


backingoptions

I’ve got several other things to finish before I can actually work on it so I’m collecting a few pieces to use in the backing for my medallion quilt.
Not sure exactly how things will come together, but it’s nice to have this pretty pile to look at as I come and go.  I’m especially excited about using some of Melody Miller’s arrow fabric in it, to echo my own arrows on the front.  My only rule is that it has to come from what I have on hand.

It’s going to be a busy next few weeks and I’m feeling overwhelmed today by all the work I need to complete in a short period of time and in addition to my usual efforts.  I’m reminding myself that doing something – anything – even if it’s not the perfect thing, is better than just worrying!

Off to do my best (and maybe add another piece of fabric to that stack if I can spare a minute).

Jennifer

Yard Sale Finds

I’ve pretty much quit going to yard sales, not because I don’t love it but because I just don’t need to bring home more stuff.  This year I’m trying to simplify our way of life and fewer things in the house is part of the program.  But a few weeks ago my neighbor told me she was having a yard sale the next day and invited me down to her garage to get an early peek a the stuff her mom had brought over to sell. (Thanks Lindsay and Gloria!)

Soooo, I ended up bringing home a few new things.

pinkchair

I have a weakness for vintage children’s chairs and this pink one had me at hello.  I love the sweet details on it, from the holes to the handles to the scallop detail below the seat.  It’s also the perfect kind of vintage – still sturdy but distressed in all the right places.  And pink.  I really do like pink.  It’s the perfect size for my youngest who was turning four the next day so it came home and became one of her birthday gifts.

pinkchair2

I’m happy with how much fun she’s having with it, and also with how it looks in her room at the foot of her bed.

cornershelf

The second item is this coral colored corner shelf which fits perfectly in the corner next to her closet.  I’m trying to help my little girls with clutter – they take everything to their room!   So far they’re loving the shelf and it hasn’t been overloaded with stuff.

Sbedroom2

There is still a lot for me to do in here since painting the walls gray.  When it’s clean, I love the simplicity of what we have in there and I especially love this bed, from a yard sale in Denver (thanks again, Dad!).

Sbedroom

There you have it:  my two new finds.  I actually bought a couple of other things as well, which I have big plans for.
It’s Labor Day weekend, which is kind of the last big hurrah for yard sales.  Are you out finding something awesome?  I hope you have a relaxing few days!

Jennifer

Lone Star Medallion Quilt Top


medalliontop2

It’s 84 inches square and time to call it finished.  I really love my modern medallion quilt top.  After adding the arrows and orange border last week, I added a diamond border followed by a piano key border to finish it off.

medalliontop1

One of the interesting things to me about this quilt top is how “pastel” it looks in color from a distance, when up close it is full of vivid, bright and many dark fabrics.  It reads so differently depending on how close you are.

medalliontop5

Creating this quilt has been a fantastic experience in adjusting things as you go along, changing plans, trying ideas.  Lots of math, lots of sketching, lots of work but lots of fun too.  I have enjoyed every step of this creative experience.

medalliontop4

The navy diamonds are bold like the arrows and help the arrows stand out.  They finish at less than 1.5 inches wide.  After the pink and orange I wanted to end with the greens used in the middle of the quilt.  There was one print from the Carnaby Street collection that I hadn’t used much but really like, so I fussy cut my favorite part of the motif for the corners.   The green strips are 5.5 inches long and there are 300 of them in the border.

medalliontop3

I’m excited to piece a back for this quilt and decide how to quilt it.  Lots of work still to go but I’m thrilled to have this quilt top completed.

Thanks for visiting!
Jennifer

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