Warm on Friday, warmer on Saturday. Clockwise: blue-eyed grass, skunk cabbage in full leaf, golden Alexander, field horsetail, star of Bethlehem (a garden escapee, very aggressive).
It was much cooler on Sunday and I took a nap instead of a walk.
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Several months ago I made string X blocks into a flimsy and added a border. I didn't like the border but it was the only fabric on hand that sort of worked and that I had in enough quantity. I put the flimsy in the box and hoped I'd like the border better eventually. It still didn't appeal and I couldn't find anything at Michael's or Hobby Lobby [all I buy at Hobby Lobby is fabric, and not much of that]. Fretting was getting me nowhere so I went to Quilter's Heaven and found a great print and, gasp, paid full price. The peace of mind was worth it.
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(Quilter's Heaven is in Northbrook (my hometown). Owner Maureen O'Connor hosts The Opinionated Quilter on YouTube every Monday.)
Way back in 2008 I took my Featherweight to the Magpies' meetup in Las Cruces, NM, and sewed many, many red/black/white flying geese and HSTs.
Similar-but-different wall hangings for the ALA auction in 2022 and 2023, and a lap quilt in 2023.
But some stars began to shine.
I used white/black nine patches made from the leftovers from the black/white/jade nine patch (photo in the May 6 post).
The setting triangles are from the almost-last pieces of a print I bought a whole lot of about 20 years ago.
The border was a bargain acquisition from a destash (about 4 yards remaining).
The blocks are 6" finished. 2-7/8 yards for the flimsy.
(All the red/black HSTs are used up. There are black/white and red/white HSTs remaining.)
Linking up with Design Wall Monday Oh Scrap! Monday Musings Sew and Tell
Silk purses every one!!! Creative minds love challenges....
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of those lingering parts and pieces!! That red/white/black quilt is beautiful. The new border on the string quilt was a good choice.
ReplyDeleteI love your red, black, and white stars, Nann! That is a color combo I've never sewn with, but now I want to! The new border on the string X is perfect, too. Two pretty tops!
ReplyDeleteSo creative! I love how you are using absolutely everything and it looks great together! :)
ReplyDeleteThose black and white and red stars are fabulous! And I agree about changing out the border - it's a big improvement (which you already know).
ReplyDeleteFabulous stitching progress in your studio. Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteI love to see your ideas evolve! Its like opening a surprise package.
ReplyDeleteCeci
The quilts that just evolve instead of being planned sometimes turn out to be the best ones
ReplyDeleteSometimes some things are just meant to be...or in the case of the original border, not meant to be. I always enjoy seeing what you come up with using the Parts Department and the shiny stars is proof positive.
ReplyDeleteIt's always amazing how changing a border can completely change the quilt. Your HST star quilt turned out beautifully! What a great way to use up those spare parts.
ReplyDeleteThe new border on the X-string blocks makes such a different - gorgeous! I love what you did with the "left over" pieces on the last quilt. It is great! I love all star quilts. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings. Have a great week.
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