Steady Progress on Sunday Paper

I have been working steadily on my quilt for past few days. Once I figured out the foundation piecing, it has been a smooth sailing. Thanks to all the friends who suggested to use phone book paper instead of the newspaper, drafting, cutting and folding of the paper has been a lot easier.

Should have paid attention to those friends who were working on their quilts with foundation piecing, would have learned a few things then!

'Sunday Paper' in progress

At this point, I am not happy with the color selection but I am going to continue with this quilt and let this one be a design lesson. 

I am sure I will be making another version of this quilt at a later time.

By the way, If you are making this quilt and would like to add your name to the list on the side-bar, let me know. I will be happy to add your link.
 

Mystery Solved!

Spiderweb Hexagon

A scrappy Hexagon Spiderweb

 

Two weeks ago quilt historian and author, Barbara Brackman posted about Victorian puzzle of spiderweb hexagon. I can't tell you how excited I was to see this quilt. As much as I enjoy making improv quilts, my inspirations always come from old and antique quilts. Needless to say, I got sucked into this puzzle like none before! 

It was the morning of my class in Philadelphia but I was so excited about this pattern that I had to solve the mystery right away. Barbara had already figured out the centers of the block. I did the rest!

Although the mystery was solved and I thought I would make a small sample before I post about this quilt. Sadly, I realized this morning that I am not cut out for foundation piecing.
I have never attempted to make a quilt using paper foundation.

For a girl who loves to just get her fabrics out and start cutting, or pick up the scraps and piecing, this method is a LOT OF WORK! Those of you who have worked with foundations piecing, this should be a piece of cake!

But since I figured out the pattern, Barbara and I thought it would be fun to start a quilt along, I am going to learn how to foundation piece and make this quilt.

Betsey Tellford Goodwin's Rocky Mountain Quilts

Are you interested in making this quilt?

Leave a comment and let me know if you are.

If there is enough interest, I will post on how to draft this block. You will have to figure out how to piece the hexagons.

Visit Barbara Brackman's Material Culture to learn more about these quilts and her process on the quilt she made!

A group challenge

I am participating in a year long 12x12 challenge with my friends. We decided to make up our own challenge and revealed our first quilt of the year yesterday.

This is my quilt!

Snow

Each month I will be making a house quilt from recycled old clothes and stitch old and new memories in it.

Story behind this quilt..

The day after a snow storm in January...
Driving on the back roads of Lancaster...
Celebrating one of our relatives' 82nd birthday...
and thinking of the Kite festival in India...

How much can a small quilt pack?
Clearly, a lot for me!

An elephant for Terry

We celebrated Terry's birthday yesterday. Each of us made a block for her to mark the events of her 60th year. Check out what Cheryl made from the blocks.

If this elephant could speak, it would tell you about...
A grandchild's arrival, funny stories of making of a stuffed elephant for the baby and a very memorable trip to India.

It was a lot of fun to surprise her with our little gift.
  I did some baking today! Long time ago I had promised a blogger friend that I would post the recipe and never got around it. So here it is! My family loves these cookies.

Brazilian Coffee Cookies

Here is the recipe from Betty Crocker cook book

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 Tbsp milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp powdered instant coffee
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mix first six ingredients in a medium bowl.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
shape the dough into one inch balls.
Place them two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Flatten to 1/8 inch thickness with the fork dipped in sugar.
Bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden brown.

About 3 dozen Cookies.

Enjoy!

Workshop Pictures!

As I had mentioned last week, I taught 'Organic Piecing' at Philly Modern Quilt Guild this past Saturday.
The retreat was held in the art studio of Waldorf school in Philadelphia.
Here are some pictures of the students' work.

Fall colors!

Bright and cheery vintage curtain fabric in use!

Cool winter hues

Little bit of Spring and Summer

Background for an applique

Jessica Levitt of 'Juicy Bits'

Jessica Levitt

Jessica taught a class on color theory before my workshop. She is also an author of a book. Visit her blog to find out more about her work.

It was a lot of fun to be surrounded by quilters who were already thinking outside the box.

Here are some pictures of artworks in progress by the students of the school.

Students learn how to make a soft sculpture of themselves before they graduate.

Fun!

Have a wonderful day!