Analyzing a quilt and finding surprises!

One of the first quilts I became attracted to at the recent Sisters Quilt Show (Oregon) had lovely colors. 

As I gazed at the Churn Dash block design, I began to notice some detail that I hadn't been aware of upon first perusal. I knew there was something about it that caught my eye and held me there. The intrigue caused me to inspect it more closely.

Here's what I discovered as I focused on the opposite color corners in each block (pink and orange): those Churn Dash blocks aren't just "wonky." Each Churn Dash is actually made up of four Friendship Star blocks. It's much easier to see them in the white stars to the bottom left and right of it. How clever!! Have you ever seen this design before, or made it? I love how the base half-square triangles give it that "wonky" look! If you know the name of this particular pattern, please let me know.

This little "twist" helps me to understand how design can make a big difference in a quilt's appeal.

My sincere apologies for not having the name of the person who made and quilted this lovely piece.

DON'T MISS my previous post on July 19 to see a fabulously homespun, paper-pieced quilt :)   

Especially if you're a CHICKEN FAN like me!

It's link-up time!

Ho-Ho-Ho Garland Finished

You may remember my former posts, on Nov. 19 when I exhibit the results of drinking a mocha & visiting a shop of STUFF and begin making a banner or garland for the holidays. On Nov. 21, I posted a tutorial on how to make the fabric letters. Yesterday, the day after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and conversation with our daughter and friends, we watched a university football game fraught with rivalry (the University of Oregon "Ducks", our family's team, versus the Oregon State University "Beavers", my sister's family's team). The incredible game kept us on the edge of our seats till the very end, when our team won in the final seconds, 36-35!!! What's this got to do with the garland?, you may ask. My dear husband set up a card table so I could finish its design and bring this fun project to completion so it could be hung on our front door before Christmas. I spread all the ingredients I'd collected on the table including scissors, wire cutters (for the canvas ribbon used as the base), thread, needles and pins.

 I love the result!

 Now when we open the front door, it's fun to hear the tinkle of the 4 green and red bells.

Bells, fake holly & berries, ribbons, and ornaments.

I found this cute Santa at a thrift store & gave him a new home.

If you make something like this, please share it. 

I enjoy seeing what others create!

Making Quilt Labels

This is how it looks on-screen.

I love my new sewing machine (from last Christmas)! The Pfaff Creative Performance allows me to dabble in another stitching art: machine embroidery. It's come in very handy for quilt labels! I made this label for my sister yesterday:

This is how it looks in reality.

Need a label for your quilt? I have many designs to choose from! Let's see what we can do together--your ideas, my software :)