a + b + c =

a new trio of mini quilts:

improv pieced,

patchwork letters,

meant to hang in a row.

i fully intend to continue on with this project - whether that means completing the alphabet or moving on to numbers. i love how freeing the patchwork became and the puzzle that improv piecing can be. the process of straight line quilting (i echoed the shape of the letters with a new line every 1/4") was a bit addictive as well. it became a chance to meditate on the work that i had done and the possibilities of what could be.

frankie insists that the letter 'a' quilt should be full size - she sits her little self down on the floor and tries to cover her  toes with a quilt that is just not big enough. maybe a 'frances mae' quilt is in the starts for my baby girl.

and with the return of cool air comes the return of my inspiration/motivation/creative brain. let's face it, summer time just isn't my thing. besides enjoying the occasional frozen yogurt and a farmer's market here or there, humid air, bathing suits, mosquitoes and i just do not get along. 

but now - oh now! - there are craft fairs right around the corner that require planning and preparation. there are cool, quiet nights that are just screaming for quilts that need to be bound (and therefore snuggled underneath). and finally a sewing table that is tidy - i won't say clean - enough to stack fabric and sort scraps and sew sew sew!

the next few weeks (and months, perhaps) around these parts will be spent:

:: making piles of triangles to sew onto my new bunting bags. 

:: cooking casseroles and baking muffins.

:: rekindling my love for this little island that has been our home for five months now.

:: digging into my giant pile of works in progress.

:: knitting up some beautiful alpaca that has been in my stash for far too long.

and a sneak peak of another project that is so close to being done i can almost taste it. i can't wait to share.

it would be an understatement to say that i am very much looking forward to october. i am going to organize my sewing table (the mess is a bit embarrassing at this moment), finish a few quilts, and get started on some new projects that have been brewing and stewing in my head all summer.

one of those projects involves mini quilts - this paper pieced star was made in one day and i oh so love it. wouldn't you like one to hang on your wall or keep on your dresser?

xo for now

look at what arrived in my mail box the other day! a beautiful package of illustrated, delicate and bold, floral and graphic fabrics that i might just have to keep on my shelf to admire for a little while. there are some ideas floating around in my head about what this collection could become but for now i am happy to simply admire them until the perfect plan comes along.

fabric collection is miscellany by julia rothman for cloud9 fabrics
purchased from hawthorne threads

swoon block #2 done.
both blocks quilted.
(and machine quilted at that. pat one the back for a new skill.)
now to back and bind.
et voila, new pillows!