Tiny Neon Flying Geese

This little flying geese mug rug has been a WIP for so long. It had been lingering for more than two years! 

Flying geese in a circle. 8" x 8" using neon fabrics and kona coal.

I started this little guy right after QuiltCon 2013, I was really inspired to use the bright neons I'd bought at the show. I whipped up this little 8" x 8" block using the free paper pieced pattern from Briarpatch Studio. I shrunk the paper pattern by 50% (I think...). The little flying geese measure just 1" x 1/2"! 

It's just one block - why did it take me two years to finish? First it was because I wanted to make it into a mini quilt, and I couldn't decide what else to add to it. Then I was using it as a sample in my foundation paper piecing demos at IQF. When I pulled it out to use during my IQF demo last month I noticed that it had faded. FADED. The neon pink in the block was half as pink as the leftover scraps. The block had never spent much time in the sun, and had been packed away with my paper piecing things for most of the two years but it was so faded. 

I decided the only real use for this block is to be a sample during my demos. I suppose that will have to do. I'm sad to have spent the time precisely piecing it only for the fabric to fade. It's a lesson learned, neon fabric is just not that stable. 

I finished this up at the Chicago MQG retreat a few weeks ago. Adding a bit of fancy free motion quilting seemed just right for it. I'm sure I'll make another with better fabrics one day, but until then, this is my little paper pieced demo sample. 

WIP - AMH Love Quilt

I have an obsession, and it's nothing new. I am in LOVE with Anna Maria Horner's fabric designs. 

Way back when I started quilting the first designer fabric I ever purchased was from her Chocolate Lollipop line. I was hooked immediately, and I've been hoarding bits of her fabrics ever since.

For the past few months I've been (intermittently) working on a quilt I call AMH Love. It's all my tiny bits of AMH fabric, and I'm hoping it comes together just as I envision it. 

To ensure that I don't screw it up - I made a maquette - a practice mini. (I learned this term from Jacquie Gering, what an inspiration!) So while I'm not sharing my full project just yet, here are some snaps of the Maquette.

I'm loving the dense quilting (what? I haven't taken pics of the quilting yet). I'm loving the paper pieced letters ("my first alphabet" pattern by Diane Bohn)

Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap - Sent!

It's been ages. I know. 

No excuses. This is my blog and I'm sad to have let a month go by without sharing a bit of my sewing. It's getting harder and harder to find a minute to post -- but I don't want to let go of the blogging. I love blogging. So thank you to whoever is still out there reading!

Last month I finished this sweet little mini quilt for the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap. I decided to go with a mini Red Letter Day block - since I can't stand the cuteness of all those tiny bits! Also, I paper pieced a tiny paper airplane there. Really the theme of this was cute (check out those tiny Briar Rose strawberries). 

I have been a bit addicted to paper piecing these days - my preparation for Demoing at International Quilt Fest hooks me every time! I decided to go super personal by spelling out my partner's name in perfectly paper-pieced letters. I imagine with a name like Rhiannon, she doesn't see her name printed on most things. The pattern I used is "My First Alphabet" by Diane Bohn / From the Blank Pages. Diane is awesome and I recommend her patterns - they're great!! 

This one is now living with its new owner Rhiannon / @Raebirdrhi (on instagram)

I need to teach.

Today I demo'd at the Open Studios at the International Quilt Festival, Chicago. I demo'd foundation paper piecing for the second time this year. Having already done the demoing thing at this show last year, I wasn't particularly nervous or stressed while prepping for my demo. I was looking forward to it - it's fun to teach people new skills. 

Each demo is given a two hour time slot - and that's enough time for people to come and go - several sets of people stop to see what you're doing and ask questions. I managed to do my complete explanation of paper piecing about eight times today. It went so smoothly and everyone had such great questions. I really think I taught some people a new skill today. They can go and paper piece without fear. 

Today's demo affirms my desire to teach. I want to get out there. I want to share my passion for quilting. I still don't know how to go about doing that -- but I need to continue to work on it. I love the feeling of sharing my love of precision, color, pattern, design. I love connecting with a student - I love when you see that moment of clarity in their face. They get it. 

So bear with me as I figure out how to get to that next step. I need to teach.