Color Wheel...

Who doesn't love color?! As a child, didn't we all love that new box of crayons or colored pencils? Before one ever came out of the package, I know I hesitated for at least a few seconds to take in the full array of untainted color. I have not changed a bit. A new stack of fabric, a new set of Prismacolor pencils, a new set of fractals for a canvas...I have to allow time to take it in. Color is mesmerizing!

I have this color wheel hanging in my studio...a constant reminder of what I love.

So when I found this pattern at Stitched in Color, I knew immediately that I wanted to make this...for me!

It was a great way to play with all of my batiks. I'm not sure if this will replace the color wheel on my studio wall or find a home on some other wall in my home. I wouldn't even mind it on the ceiling above my bed so that it is the first and last thing I see each day. Color inspires me!

I have just begun working up a sample for the new BOM class that will hopefully begin in the fall. Paper-pieced stars again in a very different setting. Should be fun!

Holding the World

A new friend recently shared with me the artwork of Nicholas Roerich. I was particularly struck by one piece called Holds the World. It is currently my desktop picture. I have decided to name this new quilt top "Holding the World." I photographed it this morning on my grass that desperately needs to be cut, so the quilt did not lay flat. I'm planning to enlarge it a bit with a border of some kind but have made no definite decisions. At least the bulk of it is done, and I can begin putting together something for a new BOM class that will probably start in the fall.

This pattern comes from an old Quilts with Style magazine from 2006. The 12 block patterns can be found here. My first one was done in batiks and set like this...

What a difference!

One-third of the way...

I'm sitting at my computer on a Friday afternoon thinking about the fact that one-third of the year is already gone. It's actually difficult to wrap my head around the movement of time. Four months ago, I decided that blogging might help me get some work done around here. I think that in many ways the idea has brought success. However, the prime idea was to finish projects that I had already started, and what I've accomplished has been a mixture of many things. So, I started putting my sewing into categories. I have real unfinished projects, I have stash projects, I have brand new projects where I grudgingly have to go out and buy fabric (hahaha), I have class prep projects, and finally the Block Swap Adventure.

Although I felt as if I kept very busy during April, I don't have that much to show for it. I made a ribbon quilt top for a friend, made a Judy Niemeyer quilt top, "Reflections", made the red and white New York Beauty for a class, bound four quilts, and participated in my first block swap..

So May is here, and I'm plugging away at the new setting for my brown star BOM class. I only have one more piece to construct for the corners.

Then, I need to go over to the shop and pick up the other six star blocks and put it all together. This is what I have so far...

I also finished constructing all of the morning glory squares, put them together, and embroidered yellow French knots in the center of each flower.

Now, a border?

I guess I need a new stash pick, don't I? hmmmmm...