It's a Start :)

So here is what I got done in my class last night.  It was so much fun!!!!  We actually took our homework and sewed it into tubes and then cut the tubes into strips.  (Those fun little guys in the bottom of the picture.)  Then you unpick in a designated spot to make the strips for the diamonds.  What a cool way to put a quilt together!!!!    I had only ever seen the tube method used for making continuous binding strips.  I had no idea it could be used to make diamonds like this  :)  Ya for learning new things :)

Whereas this is for Grandma's 80th (at the end of Feb) I need to get the rest of the points put together sooner rather than later :)  Each diamond got a little easier as I got more practice with the technique.  The first ones were making my head spin a bit :)   So here hoping they will get faster, not to mention more accurate.  3 down and 5 to go :)

TNT Thursday

First off, I just want to let everyone know that after today TNT will have a short break for a few weeks.  It will be taking a hiatus during the Simply Charmed Blog Hop :)

Now, onto what I tried new this week :)  For the first time, I did some quilting "Homework".  Seriously, I never thought I would ever do "homework" again in my life.  But . . .  tonight, my Mother-In-Law and I will be attending a class on speed piecing a Lone Star Quilt as part of the Cedar City Quilter's Guild Retreat, and we were given homework to bring to the class.  Here is my finished homework.  I am so excited to see it transform tonight.  I plan to give this quilt to my grandmother for her 80th Birthday.  I am so excited :)

  

So . . . . My new thing is quilting homework :)  (Hopefully I won't have a lot of homework popping up in my life again, I was very ready to be done with that after college, tee hee hee)  What did you try new this week???

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One Week Away, Yippee Skippee!

The Simply Charmed Blog Hop is now only 1 week away from starting!!  Yippee Skippee!!!!  I can't wait to share with you all the amazing tutorials put together by these fabulous group of quilters.  Not to mention, have some great giveaways, including a $200.00 grand prize gift certificate!!!

If you missed the introduction post you can find out more about the Hop here :)

It is going to be so much fun!!!  I can hardly wait!!!

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I've Been Seeing Stars!!!

This last week I have been focused on making Stars!!!!  And I must say, I forgot how much I loved making these blocks.  These stars are part of my Stars Quilt-A-Long quilt.  I finished the Block 1 and 2 sets months ago along with the Quilt-A-Long.  Then I kind of fell behind.

I am making this quilt for my daughter's bedroom (she got our old queen bed frame when we got a king) and now that the frame is in her room she is getting antsy for the quilt to be put on it.  So this week it was all about putting her at the top of the priority list :).

So . . . These are the finished Block 3's

These are the finished Block 4's

These are the finished Block 5's

and these are the finished Block 6's 

Yippee Skippee!!!  All of the blocks are done!!!  Now I am just playing with the layout on the floor.  I tried hard not to over-think it to much and just started laying them out so that I would get a nice random pattern. Then I moved a few around to try and give the colors balance.

So what do you think???  Does it look balanced??  Any suggestions on any blocks that should be moved???  It's still on the living room floor so changes can be made easily :)  *EDIT - I moved things around a bit according to some great suggestions that were given.  So this is the "new new" layout :)  Any new suggestions??

I'm in McCalls Quilting!!!!!

McCall's Quilting March/April issue is now available and I have to say I am on Cloud 99!!!!  Why . . .

because inside that edition are my quilts!!!!!   Girl or Boy . . . Hugs to Enjoy were designed and pieced by me and quilted by Natalia Bonner.  Isn't this just the cutest picture??  I can't get over how adorable it makes my quilts look!!!!

Being published is something I have had on my list of things to do for a while now.  I still remember doing a little squeal and happy dance when I got the email that these quilt designs were accepted.  The process takes a while and now that it is here I still can't believe it.  I just get giddy each time I see this!!!

Here is a full shot of each of the quilts.  They feature both piecing and applique.

I used Riley Blake's Penny Lane by My Mind's Eye.  I just love these color combos :)  They are so bright and happy and are just perfect for a new little wee one!!!

And here are some close-ups of the quilting.  The quilting Natalia did is just amazing!!  Thanks again Lady!!!

Happy Quilting to each of you!!!  I think I might be on Cloud 99 all week long :)