You Are My Sunshine

I've had wonky stars on the brain since Tong asked us to do these blocks for Sew Modern Bee. This quilt went together a lot faster than I expected. I just had to get into a groove and find a way to chain piece most of the blocks. Once I managed that, I was completely sold on this pattern! As much as I love modern quilting, there is something that just melts me about old fashioned patterns.

When I picked up this cheater print a few months ago, I instantly knew I wanted it to be the back of an all yellow quilt. I think it works pretty great on the back of this one!

This was the first time I've used pre-made binding. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I would rather make it myself! The pre-made is just a little more flimsy than what I am used to, but I do like how this one matches so well with the other elements of the quilt.

Big E took a shining to this one, but it's actually for one of the 7 babies of 2011! I have one more quilt to make to round out the seven and I better get at it since the Mama is due in exactly one month!

~Sara

A little more finishing and a lot less starting

I know I said I just had to add the binding to another strip quilt and it would be all finished, but I kind of don't like the binding choice, so while I percolate on that, I decided to jump in to not one, but two more projects (on top of my bee quilt - eeps!). I rarely ever start another quilt before I finish the one I'm working on, so we'll see what kind of precedent this sets. Anyhow, here are some shots of what's been swirling around in my head (doesn't it always feel so awesome to get those swirling projects out and in progress?!):

First up on the cutting mat, an all yellow wonky stars quilt. I cut out a whole bunch of pieces from most of my yellow fabrics. I started with 5" squares and had the bright idea to hack them in half. About half way through that brainwave, I realized I'd be better off leaving them as full squares so that I'd have more room to be as wonky as my heart desires. The polkadot squares you see at the bottom will be the center for each and every star. In my mind's eye, the yellow stars will look more like the sun because I already have my heart set on naming it "You are my sunshine." I guess if that doesn't go as planned, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" also has a nice ring to it!
And since I don't have enough white in my stash (how is that even possible?!), that project got shoved aside and out came these fabrics for the long awaited fishy strip quilt, completely inspired by these little bits of sweetness. Again, I'll need to secure some solids to mix in with these (and lots more just like them) strips.

One more thing to report, I received an email from a friend lastnight announcing that she's expecting! Six just turned into seven. It's a baby boom and I am not complaining!

Do you have any projects swirling around in your head just waiting to be put into action?
Do you let them swirl or are you a sketch book kind of crafter?

~Sara