Starting a new quilt

One of the projects I brought with me is the bag of pieces for the Christmas Ribbons quilt in Kim Brackett's Scrap Basket Surprise book.  This will be my second quilt from this book.  For this, I am using Bali Pops Zinfandel and hand dyed fabric I received from Carol Doak.  I cut all the pieces a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't start sewing the units together until today.  I put together one block so I could see what they will look like.  I think I am going to really like this quilt, but I definitely will have to change the name.  There is nothing Christmas about my version.

This is the Manette Bridge which is undergoing new construction.  It is very near my sister's place and this is the view from the deck.  The sun peaked out between the ever present clouds today and I tried to capture it in the next photo, but it really doesn't show.  Maybe it will be sunnier tomorrow.  This is the view across the bay.

Today, I also quilted a preemie quilt for the guild.  I will never sew with flannel from JoAnns again.  When I pre-washed it, it got all pilly.  Some of those pills were pretty hard and I broke two needles on them.  Now I have to buy new needles for my sis.  Live and learn.  I got the binding sewn on and will do the hand stitching this evening.  Tomorrow, I will sew more on the ribbons quilt, put together a back for Tasmanian Tango, and move all the quilty things off the bed so my husband will have somewhere to sleep when he gets here tomorrow night.
Joyful quilting, everyone.

Playing with fabric, and a few favorite blogs

Sometimes, I spend a long time in the studio, but have nothing new to show because I spent time playing with fabric and looking through mags and books for new patterns.  This happened to me yesterday and today.  Yesterday, I did sew a border on a table runner, but I don't want to post it until it is finished.  I also looked at several pattern books and found one I wanted to make with the Bali Pops (Zinfandel) I picked up at Sisters in Chehalis.  I found one in Kim Brackett's Scrap Basket Surprise. I found a perfect background fabric in the box from Carol Doak.  I cut all the rectangles (576) and squares (288), then I marked my diagonal lines on the squares.  This takes a bunch of time, and it is very boring, but I know that if I don't do it, I will be very sorry.  By the time I finished, I decided to call it a day in the studio.
Today, I looked at more pattern books.  I am in charge of the 2012 Raffle Quilt for my guild, and I need to find a couple of patterns to submit to the board for approval.  I am also the president of the guild this year, so I essentially have two votes one this:  One to select a few favorites, and one to vote for my really favorite.  That would be so much easier if I didn't fall in love with half the quilts I see.  The guild wants to do a more traditional quilt for 2012, but using modern fabrics.  I saw one online that I think might work.  I just have to find it again.  And that brings me to my next topic.
I love quilt blogs.  I spend some time each morning and evening reading about what other quilters are doing.  I am often inspired to head into the studio overflowing with ideas.  I would like to share some of what I found this week.  First, I love this small quilt tutorial over at Don't Call Me Betsy.  This is a very cute small bookshelf quilt where she uses selvedges on the "spines" of the books.  I have already started a small pile of selvedges so I can make one of the gems.
I also enjoy the daily posts over at Stash Manicure.  Each weekday, there are guest posters who bring a real variety of ideas, some tutorials, some give-aways, and general fun to the blog. Today's post has a fun tutorial about making a cathedral window pillow using machine sewing.  Each month, the blog host, Madame Samm, designs a new banner using quilts submitted for consideration by regular readers.  It is always fun to see what she picks.
I couldn't do a post about blogs without mentioning Bumble Beans.  This is the main blog of Victoria Findley Wolf.  She is also the host of 15 minutes play.  Victoria has a fabulous eye for color, and she is a wonderful inspiration for quilting outside the box.  When I came back to quilting after way too many years,  I was sure I would be a very traditional quilter.  After stumbling on 15 minutes play, and after a year creating abstract collages, I have embraced this style of creating quilts as well.  Both of these sites are great fun, filled with beautiful eye candy.
There are many more wonderful blogs out there, but I will wait for another post to share a few more.  In the meantime, you can see who I am following by checking my blog roll.
Joyful quilting everyone.