early arrivals

***So thanks to a creepy person who is cyber-stalking one of us, I have had to make all my photos of the wee one friends and family only and have decided it might be best not to post them on the blog at all, as much as I would love to share with you guys. Sorry if I am coming across as paranoid or weird, since I can't go into it at length here. Suffice it to say some people are crappy, and bad things happen when crappy people have too much time on their hands. Sorry, folks.***

Monday night, after I wrote out my to-do list for the next day (because I am forgetful and easily distracted, thus need a list to remind me of projects, appointments, and general stuff), I realized that I still had not packed my bag for the hospital. I grabbed the diaper bag, packed it for the wee one and quickly tossed a few toiletries into a bag for myself. And then my water broke. The timing was uncanny. Twelve hours later, we welcomed Finbar into the world. I could not be happier. I love this little guy so much it is ridiculous. Hope to get back to making stuff soon, but for now I'm enjoying spending time with our feisty wee one. I probably won't be around here much in the coming weeks as I've got my hands full. Thanks for reading! Hope you folks all have a fantastic weekend and a wonderful Spring.

happy maliversary!

It was eight years ago that this adorable little stray walked up to me while I was having a cigarette outside a laundromat in Long Island City. Thanks for those eight years, Dogger! Here's to many more hikes and walks and games of fetch together.

wrapping it up

The scrappy hexagon baby quilt inspired by Anna Maria Horner is finished! Hooray! I think this may be my favorite of the three crib quilts I have completed in the last couple of months. Measuring 33 1/2 x 38 3/4 inches, it is the smallest of the three, but it is definitely the prettiest. At the risk of sounding too proud of myself or whatnot, I did a damn good job with this one, and I love it.

I really enjoy the palette I used and think it will work well for a boy or a girl. I took my time quilting it, having learned my lesson from the wonky cross quilt that sometimes it pays to make the extra effort and be patient with my machine and myself.

Here's a detail shot of the quilting as seen from the back, taken while I was sewing on the binding:

I used a whole piece of Anna Maria Horner's Folky Flannels for the back after Kelly turned me on to the line. I saw her working on this amazing baby quilt and fell in love with the prints and the textures. I figured using flannel for the backing would make the quilt extra-snuggly for the baby come those cold New England winters, and it would also be a nod to the person whose work inspired it in the first place.

Ah, I do so love those mitered corners. It is always so immensely satisfying to stitch up that binding. Although, this morning, I had a dream that one of Matt's friends was over and that he was asking me what I was working on. When I told him about binding the quilt, he said, "Oh, I know how to do this. My mother taught me how to do an invisible stitch because she was a quilter. Want me to finish that for you?" And I woke up as I yelled out a resounding, "YES!" Heh. I have to admit, I find this particular binding to be most satisfying now that it's done. Whew! I'd say I'm done with the quilts for now. I'll continue working on blocks and stuff, but nothing that requires me to get down on the floor any more until the Feisty one is here. Besides, all I really want to do is kick back and read for the next couple of weeks. I may just do that.

wonkilicious

The wonky cross quilt is finished and had been washed for extra-wrinkly goodness. The finished dimensions are 36 x 48 1/2 , so it's a decent size for a crib quilt. I have mixed feelings about it, though. For starters, I should have thrown some more solids in there. While I thought sticking with the prints was a great idea at first, it almost feels too busy. Then there's the fact that I did a sloppy job quilting it. That's not totally my fault. As much as they say that only a lousy artist/craftsperson/technician blames their tools, my sewing machine has not been cooperating lately. In fact, as I was sewing 100-something fingerpuppets for Bazaar Bizarre last December, it started acting up, and I knew it would only go downhill from there. Perhaps I just need to take it in for a tune-up. I'm hoping it's just that. I do a pretty good job of maintaining it. I clean it regularly since I use it so much, making sure there's no lint trapped in the feed-dogs or any other part of the machine. You'd be shocked at what I have pulled out of my machine after sewing several batches of softies. Back to the problem on hand, however, whenever I quilt, my tension starts out nice and even with clean, even stitches, and then it all turns to shit. My stitches are not evenly spaced. The tension goes from perfect to tight to perfect to tight in just one 12 inch length of sewing. It doesn't matter how I hold the fabric or try to distribute the weight of the quilt. I end up ripping so much, it's ridiculous. The process of quilting has been rendered completely unpleasant with this machine. It's not even an old machine. It's a Kenmore, and I've had it for just 4 years. It should be noted that in those 4 years, I have sewn about 600 or more softies. That's a lot of sewing, especially when you take into account that my softies are fussy little things with lots of parts. Yep. I feel like maybe it's time for an upgrade. Tune-up or no tune-up, I am not so sure this machine can handle another holiday season. But I digress.... (I do that often.)

About the quilt: love the colors, not so keen on the busyness. I copped out on the back and just used a whole piece of the Michael Miller Zoology print - partly because I didn't want to get too fussy and just wanted to get it done, and partly because I hear that babies really respond to graphic black and white shapes. That Zoology print would be perfect for providing such stimulation. So I figure he can lay on either side of this and have a ball. My quilting leaves a bit to be desired, but hey, my machine is sucking dog balls lately. I just traced the shapes in the quilt, alternating between tracing inside the crosses to tracing the rectangles the crosses create. Pretty basic stuff, but with all the prints basic stitching was maybe the best way to go.

matt makes me laugh

Recently, I bought a whole bunch of flannels from fabricworm with the intention of using them as backings for snuggly baby quilts. I am especially in love with these by Ann Kelle (Blooms & Stripes in Summer on top, Blooming Stripes in Summer beneath it). When Matt saw them, he said, "Ooh, it's like Orla Kiely designed a kids' line." Gotta admit, I was shocked he made that connection, but yeah, no wonder I find those prints so appealing. Now, what to do with them....

grab some coffee - it's gonna be a long one! (rantrantrant)

I was going to post about the wonky cross quilt today, but then I came across this article and felt the need to comment on it. Normally, I resist commenting on such things on the blog because I don't particularly want to court controversy, and let's face it, anytime someone expresses a strong opinion on a knitterly/crafty blog, people freak out. Being as it is craft-related, however, I'm just going to go for it and say this:

While I sympathize with some of the sentiments expressed in the article, I don't understand why so many commenters feel the need to ridicule the people behind the blogs and dismiss them as "losers" who are "not actually living life." I, too, look at some blogs and wish that I was as productive as some people or took photographs that are as beautiful as others or that I was as ambitious or accomplished as others, but I don't hate myself for not being any of those things. And I certainly don't resent or begrudge anyone else their talents or abilities. If anything, I admire and respect them. It seems that a lot of people don't "get it." These blogs don't exist for the purpose of making anyone feel bad about themselves or their lifestyle/choices. They exist because the people behind them want to celebrate beauty and share it with others. They exist to establish a sort of exchange and cultivate a community within that exchange. Since these people commenting over on Jezebel (a site that I normally enjoy, despite the occasional questionable article) don't understand what compels these folks to blog in this way, they dismiss the blogs and the people behind them in a pretty derisive and nasty fashion. You don't understand why someone chose to do something, so you call them names, make all sorts of assumptions about them, and reduce what they're doing to something not worth doing? What sense does that make? Someone made something pretty and that makes you feel badly about yourself? Why?

Perhaps this strikes too close to home for me. It reminds me of a difficult choice I had to make a couple of years ago. I had a friend who didn't understand why I chose to make softies. She thought it was silly, I guess, though she never came out and directly said so. She would occasionally read my blog, and when we would speak, she would say, "Oh, you're making so many things. Should I be doing that? Should I be making things?" The question shocked me because I didn't understand why she should feel that way, especially when she was so awesome and successful. She was getting her Masters in Language, working as a copy-editor, running the community garden, active in local politics, and about to embark on a trip to Italy and Germany. My response was, "If you feel like making stuff, do it. If you don't, then don't. Just do your thing. Do what makes you happy. Why compare yourself to anyone else?" She would then follow that up with, "Well, I am an intellectual, so making stuff is kinda beneath me. I have no desire to quilt, anyway." Eventually, she started really imposing her opinion of crafting onto me and couldn't accept that I felt differently about it. She felt it was a worthless endeavor, and that would have been fine had she been capable of realizing that her opinion was not law. It got to the point where I couldn't take talking with her anymore because she would project her insecurities onto me and end up making me feel like crap after every conversation. That's what a lot of the comments over on the article remind me of - they sound like they're written by people who cannot accept a divergent opinion or lifestyle if it's not what they would choose for themselves, and if something is not for them, then clearly, it must be wrong.

Here's the thing that I wish I could have said to my former friend that applies to these people as well: it is not all about you. The world doesn't revolve around you. The internet doesn't revolve around you. It's not all about your tastes and your preferences. It takes all types. Some people are going to think differently from you or do things differently. Deal with it. You feel passionately about your opinion/ your interests? Guess what? So does someone else with a different opinion and a different point of view. It doesn't mean that anyone is right or wrong. It just means that you are different. Celebrate those differences. We all have something to offer. While you may not have any interest in restoring furniture you found in the trash, you have a PhD or a law degree or both. Celebrate that! Revel in it because you are damn successful. Should others resent you and think themselves inferior to you for that?

If an innocuous blog about someone's breezy life makes you feel so awful, then don't read it, but to trash the blogger behind it or their endeavors just because you feel bad is simply ridiculous. We all have our insecurities; the way to get over them is to just say, "fuck it!" and be ourselves. The best way to shatter the mold is to realize that you can do your thing without conforming to a mold and to refuse to conform to it. Comparing yourself to everyone you meet does not help. Belittling others does not help. I don't go to skateboarding blogs and then complain that they make me feel inadequate because I can't ride. And I don't go to shelter blogs and call people liars or frauds because they were able to score some sweet deal on craigslist or lucked out and found some amazing piece of Scandinavian furniture in someone's trash when I never have that kind of luck. And I sure as shit don't go to The Sartorialist then hide in shame because my style doesn't hold a candle to the impeccably attired folks that grace his photos. Nor do I feel inferior when I read Rich's blog because he's so damn funny and witty and his cat Winston is a megastar. It is absurd (and selfish) to imagine that we should feel badly about ourselves just because someone else shines at something. No one is saying that you have to compete with anyone else, and if you really feel that way, then maybe you need to examine where this competitive impulse comes from and why it's there. Also, I'm all for the debate of crafting and blogging and Feminism, but the article didn't really so much discuss that. The comments allowed for much less as they were for the most part a gushing fountain of Haterade with only a handful of exceptions. I will say that some of the comments were spot-on about one thing: a lot of those pretty-pretty blogs are highly edited. The bloggers are extremely selective about their content and their photos, and they have every right to be. Aren't all blogs carefully edited? Besides, who's going to post a photo essay about the cat puke they had to deal with first thing in the morning? More importantly, who wants to see that? If people were interested in cat puke, dude, I'd have blog fodder every day.

On a highly personal note, you know what does make me feel worthless? Having the birth center tell me that because of my past history of depression I need clearance from a shrink before I can birth there. That makes me feel awful. Reading about someone's gardening choices doesn't fill me with self-loathing. Checking out someone's softies and thinking that they are the most adorable things I have ever seen doesn't make me feel like I've already failed as a mother. Looking at someone's blog filled with exquisitely photographed cupcakes and fancy recipes doesn't make me feel like less of a woman or like I'm failing at femininity. If anything, those pretty places take the edge off of coming home with that news and provide a welcome distraction from all sorts of ugly, painful feelings that come from someone actually telling me, or at the very least, strongly implying that for reasons beyond my control I am inadequate. And that's not to piss all over the author's feelings or those who feel the same way she does. It's only to point out that there are more substantial ways in which people are made to feel worthless, ways that pack a harder punch than pretty pictures on a stranger's blog or a supposedly sugar-coated version of femininity. Sometimes, it is really hard to say, "Fine, this is not for me," and move on unscathed.

Can I just say one last thing? I found it a little amusing that several of the blogs they linked to don't even feature photos by the blogger herself. All the photos that commenters were clutching their proverbial pearls over, disgustedly commenting on how much time these bloggers have on their hands and what decadent/spoiled/pampered & moneyed lifestyles they must lead to afford to take such pretty pictures? Just about all those photos were taken by professional photographers, i.e. people who shoot pretty pictures for a living, and were co-opted by those bloggers, which is one of my personal pet peeves. I generally avoid blogs that do that because it irks me so, but that's just me. I can appreciate the eye candy because we all need some eye candy, be it for creative inspiration or as a form of escape. I would rather have my eye candy straight from the photographer's blog, especially if that photoblogger's tone is welcoming and they seem like the kind of person you would want to hang out with. Again, this is just me, and I don't expect or need anyone else to agree with me in order to validate this sentiment. I just think it's worth putting it out there, though.

bound & determined

It's been a little quiet here on the blog, but I assure you, it's been anything but that in real life. There's been lots of bustling and buzzing about as I juggle the last few projects in between midwife appointments and family and out-of-town friends visiting and prepping the ol' home and spending time with friends and just being tired. I'm finishing up the wonky cross quilt this evening, stitching up the last length of binding as soon as I get off the computer. I want to finish it tonight. I kinda have mixed feelings about it, however. I love the palette but fear it might be a little busy. Also, in my haste, I did a piss-poor job of quilting it. Looking at it now, I wish I had treated some parts differently and added little details here and there, but that's for another day....

I thought the wonky cross quilt would be it as far as baby quilts go for the time being, but lo and behold I came across this beauty over on Anna Maria Horner's blog. Naturally, I had to make one like it. Apparently, the pattern is in her upcoming book, Handmade Beginnings, which will be available May 3rd, but I couldn't wait. I'm in full-on nesting mode, and it's a little crazy. I'm thinking of getting the book despite the fact that I probably won't have time to make anything from it between then and the 8th (or whenever our Feisty friend decides to show up) because the projects are adorable. That, and I love the dress on the cover. I love it enough that I must make it.

The technique used to construct this is more or less the same as the technique used for making the hexagons for the hexalong. Suffice it to say, I still have a lot to learn. My center? Far from perfect. It does make for a quick and attractive top, though, and at approximately 36 x 36 inches, it's a great size for a baby quilt. But again, more on this later... like when I actually finish it.

it's a little bit of madness

Last week (or the week before), I heard about an awesome quiltalong going on over at jaybird quilts. It's basically a hexagon-along, and naturally, I couldn't resist hexing along. I've always wanted to try this method. I'm not officially playing because I'm not sure what my schedule will be like in the next couple of weeks, but if you want to hexalong, go to jaybird quilts. She's got a great tutorial on how to get started. I can't wait for the rest of it all!

I think I need to strip a few more pieces of fabric, since what I have so far only measures about 18 x 24 inches tops. Granted, I intend to sash a border around it. I think a good 8 - 10 inches ought to do nicely. I still think I need some more triangles, though, just to be on the safe side.

Over on Flickr, little red hen/eggmoney suggested I try pinwheels, and when she talks I listen because, well, have you seen her amazing quilts? Her works is bananas! It is so awesome. I had a bit of fun arranging the pinwheels, but I'm not sure which way I will ultimately go with this. It's fun to experiment. I might stick with the hexagons just because they're more subdued, but we'll see.

I don't have too much fabric left to play around with only because I used up most of those 1/2 yards on this wonky cross quilt:

Why would you look at that? Yet another crib quilt! I'm trying to see if I can squeak this one in before it's time. I am in the process of sewing up pieces for one last row. Hopefully, I'll have the top finished tonight. The back is going to be one big wonky cross - easy as pie.

Some folks had questions when I posted about the fabrics for this, but because blogger is set up the way it is, I can't answer folks individually through email. So here goes:

Carolyn - The second print from the left is Zoology by Michael Miller in Lagoon. I love that it's almost an inverse image of the Alexander Henry prints.

Jane - I seriously considered doing a zigzag but found myself cutting these strips and blocks instead. Next time, though!

Reve - Some of these fabrics I picked up at Franklin Mill when I went there with some friends a few months ago. I just rounded out the collection with some more Michael Miller and Alexander Henry from fabricworm, which is at the moment my favorite online shop. Their prices are good, their collection is fantastic, and they ship super-fast.

I'm off to finish this top now. Perhaps come the weekend, I'll be binding this puppy so that next week I can move on to other crafty endeavors before our Feisty friend gets here.

crazy shower loot - pt. 2 the sewn goods

In continuation of yesterday's post about how lucky I am to have such awesome crafty friends, I present to you the sewn goods. The phenomenal quilt you see here is by Kelly, whose quilting I have long admired. Her work is just brilliant! Look at that binding - the fabric she chose is perfect! *swoon*

And how lucky is this baby that even his burping will be done in style? Caro whipped up the most awesome burping cloths. Because she is one smart cookie, she used flannel for the backs of the cloths so that they will stick a little and stay in place when you throw 'em over your shoulder. So neat!

Finally, we come to these adorable onesies in a range of baby sizes that our friends Ryan and Rhiannon silk-screened for us. Each one has a snappy little slogan on it based on an inside joke between Ryan and Matt, which I would explain here except its one of those jokes that probably wouldn't be funny or clever to anyone but Ryan and Matt. You know how it goes with those. Regardless, the onesies are ridiculously sweet.

Huge thanks to all of our thoughtful and talented friends who showered us with so much love on Sunday. You guys are all wonderful, and I am so glad to know you.

crazy shower loot - pt. 1 the knits

I am really lucky. I've found some pretty awesome friends since we moved up here almost four years ago. This Sunday, they threw me a fabulous baby shower. Both Matt and I were touched by everyone's thoughtfulness and generosity. As it is, I get all verklempt when people give me presents, but handmade presents always throw me over that edge and reduce me to a blubbering mess. The waterworks were in full effect when I opened up a gift from the one and only Grumperina and found this sweater - the sweater - in my lap. I watched her progress on this beauty both on her blog and in person, totally in love with it, all the while hoping to knit one for the Feisty one as soon as she made the pattern available (which it is now). Seriously, I am so honored and moved by this gorgeous little sweater. Also, every time I put this on the wee one, I will admire Stacie's amazing spinning skills, as she spun the yarn Grumperina used.

Also from Grumperina is this wonderful blanket, that I love love love! The colors are so spot-on.

So speaking of wee sweaters that inspire a huge response, this teeny beauty by Greeley also had me weeping with joy and love. I love the neckline, and that Sundara is so squishy and sumptuous.

And GAH! Will you look at this delightful little number by Diana? It is the most perfect shade of green! And the juicy orange buttons are such a smile-inducing detail. I love this so much!

Last but certainly not least, I received this ridiculously cute itty-bitty hat from Pam the other day. It was actually the first of the handknits to come through our door, and boy, did it break the floodgates. I'd like to blame it on the hormones, but really, I am extremely touched by everyone's thoughtfulness and lovely handiwork.

Next up, the sewn goods....

hi!

I had a wonderful weekend filled with family and friends, and I am extremely happy but exhausted right now. I have a doozy of a post, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Hope your week is off to a sweet start!

just go with it

Sometimes when I overthink things, I become paralyzed with indecision. I'm feeling that way right now. All I know is that I love these colors together, but I have no idea what I want to make with them just yet. Do I want squares? Do I want pinwheels? Do I want a whole crib quilt that is one fabulously crazy single wonky log cabin rectangle? I want to get a move on now because it would be nice to get one more top done before the wee one gets here, especially if it's a quilt that he can use. I'm thinking you can never have too many crib quilts, right? I think I'll just start cutting and see where that takes me.

wonky stars in rgb

When I blogged about Minty's blocks the other day, I mentioned my test blocks - how I made a few blocks for myself with my own background fabric just to try out the tutorial and get a feel for the construction of the wonky stars as well as their kinda loosey-goosey spirit. Well, I've since decided to make a bunch for myself because surprise! surprise! now I want a wonky star quilt of my own. Perhaps that's the one dangerous aspect of virtual quilting bees. You end up wanting to make quilts for yourself using every motif that you sew for others. I figure I'll take my time with this because... well... you'll see soon enough. There are other projects in the works.

stacking blocks

Matt dragged in these flat files shortly after we moved into this apartment. A friend's dad was getting rid of them, and Matt immediately asked if he could have them, smitten as he was with the weight and color of the wood, not to mention the idea of having awesome old flat files from the 50's in our place. His original intention was to use it to store his artwork, but it didn't quite pan out that way. He soon found an better system of flat files, metal ones they were throwing away at work which are larger and more efficient, and that's what he actually uses for his artwork. He keeps them in the basement with his worktables and paint and whatnot.

Eventually, I started to use the files up here because they seemed like the perfect place to store my quilty works in progress. Now, it's filled with my different blocks for different projects, a couple of hand-quilting projects in the works, and finished doll quilts. I think it's time to officially call it my quilting files. With the backs of a couple of drawers falling off and wide enough openings above each drawer for an array of pet hair and the occasional dust bunny to fall through, it's not a perfect system, but like Stuart Smalley, it's good enough, smart enough, and doggoneit, I like it - a lot, actually.

playing with blocks

Squares by (in no particular order): Nova, Minty, Julie Frick, Diana, Jennie, Pam, and me.

So about that quilting bee I'm in - I forgot to mention that last month was my month. Derf. I had already picked out my fabrics and chosen a design/motif before I'd even joined, so the rest was super-easy. All my bee-buddies did an amazing job, and I am totally in love with the results.

Originally, I thought I wanted to do some sashing, but seeing the squares together with all their wild juxtapositions makes me think it works best as is. As soon as all the squares are in and I whip up a couple more to make it 30 blocks total, I am going to start joining them. I may even finish this quilt by the end of the month; I have the perfect backing fabric ready to go and everything. Oooooh, YAY! Can you tell I'm excited about this?

Thanks to all my fellow bee participants! You guys knocked it out of the ballpark!

swap goodness

left to right: snail by Evonne, Circle of Friends Square (hexagoned!) by Kelly, Tried To Look Pretty potholder by Susanne, Topflappen by Jenn, and Lotus Blossom potholders by Beth.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this year's Potholder Swap. I spent most of today napping, recovering from yesterday's fun and hilarity, and admiring the delightful potholders I got in the swap. As I said yesterday, we were inundated with so many gorgeous potholders. It was hard to choose from so many beauties. I managed though.

This snail potholder from Evonne just blew me away with its tremendous cuteness. And it's teal on one side and pink on the other - LOVE!

from left to right: Circle of Friends Square by Lynda, Starfish potholder by Cheryl, Hexagon potholder by Adrian, and Potholder IV Maryse.

I also got extremely lucky and received wonderful potholders from my co-hostesses and from little loops, who by the way, sent us the most hilarious note with hers. I admit, I kinda bit it as far as crocheting potholders for all of them. I hang my head in shame now. After crocheting my five, I started on another four, but I had such a serious case of clawhand (or to be precise, my CT was causing me so much pain & discomfort) that I just couldn't do it. I was able to get three fronts and backs done before admitting that clawhand had won and there was no way I would be able to join those fast enough without seriously hurting myself. I do intend to finish them off and send them to my fabulous co-hostesses at some point in the near future, however. In the meanwhile, I at least had some softies to present them which I hope they love as much as I love their potholders and this awesome bag Stacie made:

Tomorrow, I will take down last year's potholders and rearrange all of them (this year's and last year's) in a carefully curated display of crocheted loveliness. Can't wait to see them all up! I will post photos as soon as that's finished.

potholders galore!

I spent all day at Adrian's today with Maryse, Stacie, and Cheryl sorting potholders for this year's Great Potholder Swap. Dude. Just, dude. There were so many gorgeous potholders! Thanks to everyone who participated! You folks really outdid yourselves this year! And thank you all for the chocolates and other delicious snacky treats. We are all about the snacky treats. You guys rock!

And huge thanks to Adrian for being the hostess with the mostest! As always, she was beyond fabulously hospitable with tons of food and drink and presents. She is truly the sweetest, and her mailperson is wonderful for coming to pick up all those packages on Monday. We had a little over a hundred packages total. It was such a great afternoon hanging out with friends, laughing and eating tons of cheese while admiring some super-awesome crochet. Perhaps we'll do it again next year.... We'll see about that next year, though. For now, we are pooped! Hope you all love your potholders. I will post about the ones I got in the swap tomorrow or Monday.

busy as a bee

With Spring finally upon us, there seems to be no shortage of virtual quilting bees happening on the ol' internetz. Why, it's all abuzz with quilty love these days, and I am falling right into it myself. I decided to join some old friends in a little bee of our own. The timing might not be perfect what with the wee one due in just a few weeks (holy crap!), but I'm going to try. I keep sitting out bee after bee because of one obligation or another, and I didn't want to sit out yet another and end up regretting it. Because you know what? Bees look like a ton of fun. And they are! And honestly, it might be the only sewing I do for the next few months. (Let's not speak of how the very thought of working on assembly lines of softies makes my head hurt. Oy. I don't think that's going to happen again until Xmas.) Might as well sew something that inspires me.

And let me tell you, sewing these blocks for Minty definitely inspired me. For her month, Minty decided she wanted wonky stars. Her requirements were simple - she wanted us to make stars in different colors so that ultimately she would end up with a spectrum's worth of stars. She sent us a background fabric and asked us to use fabrics from our stash for the points. She also directed us to this wonderful tutorial. I made a few test blocks, which I'll post about next week since I stupidly didn't photograph them today, and I fell in love with the results. I went a little head over heels with it and made a couple of extra blocks for her:

Here's hoping that she likes 'em. And here's to virtual quilting bees! I'm looking forward to working on everyone else's blocks. It's interesting to see what patterns/ motifs people choose and to play with fabric again.