Mini Zig

I whipped up a little mini over the weekend.  I've been seeing some amazing zigzag quilts in the works, like the one Wanda is working on, among others.  Of course, my sewing room is away from my computer so instead of referring to what's already out there for how-tos, I sort of reinvented the wheel and sketched out a rough plan before I cut any fabric.

Yeah, I know, I'm technical that way.  I'm probably the only one who can decipher my chicken scratching there, but perhaps I will post a tutorial in the future.  [Updated to add:  Tutorial is now HERE].

It does differ from others in the fact that I used four fabrics, two of which repeat.  One is the vintage floral print.  I *heart* that fabric.

Are you surprised to see it juxtaposed with the red print that looks like it came straight off The Dating Game set, circa 1970?  That's a contemporary print but I cut off the selvage a while ago now and don't recall who makes it.

I made sure to treat Juki Jane right this time.  Oiled and de-linted her and gave her a fresh needle...which broke about a quarter of the way through quilting when I hit a bumpy seam.  It was pretty dramatic the way it shattered, and it gave me a little scare.  Made me glad I was wearing my reading glasses!

(Back)

Quilted in little free-form daisies, just like the ones I used to draw on my notebook in school back in the day.  Finished at 12 inches square.

This will be a little giftie for a friend.

I'm linking to Connie's Free Motion by the River Linky Party Tuesday and A Stitch in Time 2012 Finishes.  Click and visit!

Number Three It Is

You guys are awesome with the feedback on the border!  Thanks so much.  I appreciate your taking the time to chime in with your pick.

Number three was the overwhelming majority.  I liked that, but I did like number one as well, with the gray/purple borders.  I was hoping hubby would feel strongly about one or the other, but he liked both and didn't really care which way it went.  Coming off a 12-hour shift, the most important thing for him was to park himself in the Lazy Boy, not stand around mooning at fabric for long.  Can't say I blame him.

So I cut the blue and purple borders, and as I sewed them on last night, I thought, wow, this is great!  It didn't seem like there could have been a more ideal choice.

The breeze didn't cooperate with the photo sesh of the flimsy on the clothesline this morning, so we have an "action shot." 

Look at that...the ash tree is starting to lose its leaves already.  September first, and welcome fall!

Linking to Sarah's Whoop-Whoop party today.  Go have a look around, there are always great things to see!

P.S. - It needs a name other than Number Three.  I was thinking maybe Bright Pathways.  Other ideas?

Border Dilemma

Okay, so maybe dilemma is too strong a word.  After all, the world doesn't turn on this border, and thank heavens for that. 

How about choices?  Here they are, in no particular order.  I've given them numbers simply to differentiate, no indication of preference.

Number 1 - inner purple/outer gray print:

Numero Uno

Number 2 - purple:

Numero Dos

Number 3 - inner blue/outer purple:

Numero Tres

Number 4 - blue:

Numero Quatro

What do you think?  Cast your vote or offer opinions, please!

By the way, I took off the word verification and set comment settings to registered users.  I hope that works out better.  So far, no weird spam (*crossing fingers*).  I find the word verification has gotten more and more difficult, which can be frustrating.  I thought it was my imagination or yet another sign of geezer eyes, but there was something about it on G4 yesterday that there is some rationale behind their appearing more difficult.  Did you know that was called a CAPTCHA?  Me neither...learned somethin' new.

Playing

I've spent some time playing this week.  I looked at the mess that is my sewing room and my very random stash, and...well, it overfloweth.  So I decided to pull some fabrics for a little quilt.  I actually began with some prissy little pastel prints, but who am I kidding, that is so not me.  I gravitated then to a rather eclectic mix, the stuff that makes my heart sing!

It included a couple of cool pieces gifted by a friend, some batiks and other lucky thrift store finds, and a piece via etsy from Jenny, who was paring down her stash.  The rest were leftovers from past projects.  Oh, and the lovely hand-dyed purple piece from Vicki!

So, a bit of this and that, but all of it pretty wonderful!  I enjoyed coming up with each of the pairings, but I really wasn't sure how well they would play together.  The cutting was easy-peasy, no template required.  Just 7-inch squares, stacked into pairs, sliced twice, reassembled, and trimmed to 6 inches.  The free pattern is here.  I happened upon it quite by accident—or serendipity!

And here it is laid out on the floor.  I do believe it works!

I had one more block which I threw together at the last minute, but it didn't seem to work in the body.  I have set it aside for now, but I may bring it back into the border.  We shall see!

Linking up today for the first time to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.  Welcome visitors!  Also, this is one of my "NewFOs" for August, so I am linking to Cat Patches as well.

Winner Time!

It's a few minutes before noon as I start this.  In about 20 minutes, I'll have my trusty assistant—that would be my hubby—draw the winner of (and from) the vintage sugar bowl and mini giveaway.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a photo of the baby quilt I made a couple months ago for my friend Kathy's daughter, who is expecting a baby girl in about a month.  Amy, the mom-to-be, has the new baby's room all decorated and ready to go, and she used my quilt as an inspiration piece for the colors of the baby's room.  Isn't that cool?!

"Some day I'll be a Super Hero," says the wall art.  I love it.

The wall color reads blue in the photo above, but it is actually turquoise or aqua, as can be seen in the crib photo. 

I love the raspberry and green accents.  And check out this shelf, which one of their friends made, and the cat was exploring.  Incredibly cool.

Okay, 12:01 says my clock...time for Norm to pick the winner (and me to snap and upload some pics of the process).  One moment please...

And the winner is....

Texas Jenny Wren!  Congratulations Jenny!  I will send you an email shortly!

Thank you all for for the lovely comments.  I wish I could make a mini for each of you.  Now I am off to listen to some live music on this lovely summer day.  Hope you are all enjoying a great weekend too!