2016-04 part 3 wedding quilt

I've finally gotten this 100x100 Trip Around the World top pieced for my husband's niece and her fiance.

(sorry about the fuzzy picture)

I personalized it for them by embroidering their names on the center block.

Next up will be to piece the backing..  I'm going to have to add left-over strips from the front to the backing fabric to make it fit.

2016-04 part 2 class prep work and a challenge

I am working on preparations for upcoming classes.

I bought these fabrics for the Mardis Gras class.... a variation of a Lone Star pattern and there are no pre-cutting instructions given... just fabric amounts.

As you can see I chose NOT to use traditional New Orleans Mardis Gras colors of purple, green and gold.  These Christmas fabrics will fit in better with my holiday home decor.

Next I pulled these blue and gold fabrics from my stash for the Fire Island class.

I think these will make a nice focal piece in my living room.  I have the dark blue pieces cut and will spend "free time" this weekend cutting up the print and gold fabrics.  I'm a bit short of yardage for the gold and I've added this additional gold print that I think I can use in the center block and/or maybe the 4 corners too.

The third class is Glorified 9-Patch.  I need to select 2 dark/med  and 2 med/light fat quarter pairs to make some blocks in class.   I love my purples, but I definitely do not have enough in my stash for a full project.  I will need to go shopping if I want to go with those colors.   But I do have several blue and gold fat quarters that I think  will do.

After downloading this picture I've decided to change out that one light fat quarter.  I think it will stand out too much.

I am also working on pulling colors for a 3-color challenge project that I am participating in with a group of friends.  We were each assigned colors by lottery and we have until August to make something. I am struggling with finding a way to make these three colors work. I'm hoping to find some inspiration at the upcoming quilt show.  

2016-04 Farwell to another fabric store

I was saddened to hear the news that Hancock Fabrics is going out of business and has been sold to a liquidation company.  I know some of the ladies that have worked there a long time and they are very upset.

Over the next few months everything will go on sale and the discounts will get deeper as time goes by.

We all love discounts... and I did purchase some fabrics for a class that I am taking soon.

But I'd rather pay full price and still have a fabric shop here in town.  Now there will be no last minute trips to pick-up some necessity for a current project.  I will have to plan my projects and trips ahead of time.