Determined

I am NOT going to lose momentum on this scrap quilt..  I refuse.

Tonight I went through the yellow scraps and pulled out all  the little pieces, weird shapes, bits of leftover piecing, etc and started cutting out what will be 4" finished, 60 degree triangles.  I have about 1/4 done, and I cut out all the grey and grey-on-black triangles that will alternate with them.

These will become strip sets that will go on either side of the big stars I posted yesterday.

I don't like the oranges and mustards hanging out with the bright happy clear yellows.  Good thing I'll be giving this one away.

Twinkle

Twinkle, twinkle giant stars....
Here's my next addition for the yellow, black, white and grey quilt.  16" squares
I am so very happy with the movement that the white prints provide.  Unfortunately the dim light at night in my house just don't do them justice.

Yellow Scraps

I know that I keep saying that I will finish up some of the  couple dozen UFO's that I've started.  But I am also really trying to use up scraps to keep them under control.

I sorted them into bins of yellow, white, black plus the leftover grey from the double wedding ring.

I had 6 strips, 16" each of the HST.  I added the grey to  one side of each.  Then I started putting the random strips together, which then got cut into similar width strips.

By noon, I'd decided that the strip set with the triangles will become one edge of the quilt and the piano key strips the opposite.

I have one section of 5" wide strips left over from a donation quilt that I made that needs to be worked in.

And this afternoon as I was driving back from a Quilt Block Ladies gathering, I decided that some big stars in black and white might look cool.

This square was my test.

Not sure where I'm going from here, but will keep you posted.

Quilt Marking & More Progress

My apologies to the non-hand quilters as you must be horribly bored seeing yet another picture of the same quilt that still isn't finished.  This shot is for the handquilters who will appreciate that I spent my entire long weekend snuggled under this nice warm quilt avoiding our single digit (F) cold weather and finishing the corner that is in the upper right of the photo.  I think I may be able to claim 3/4 done of the main quilt, then it's time to move on to the far less complicated two borders.

Thanks to all of you who left lovely, brief supportive comments on the previous posts.
The other question that I've been getting a lot is about how I marked this quilt.

 I have been using the blue "Mark b Gone" water soluble pen that is available in most fabric stores in the US. I used a 60 degree ruler to make sure my diamonds stayed the right shape then drew the grid using a 24 inch quilting ruler.   I have read blog comments about this not washing out well, but I haven't had any trouble with it.  Of course, I am a little paranoid and I only mark as much as I think I can get to in a few weeks.  I also give it a spritz with a water bottle as I finish a section - but that's mainly so I can admire the quilting and see if I missed a spot.   I live in a very dry climate so I've never had any trouble with it vanishing as some in humid climates have. I will give the whole thing a soak in a tub of cold water before it goes in the washer.

After the main grid is marked, I put it in the hoop and stitch the main grid lines.  After that, I add the other lines while it's in the hoop.  It gives me a break from stitching and is easier for me than hovering over the table to mark them.  I can also fudge the width between the lines a little for size if I find the grid lines are a bit off.

I don't worry about being too precise on these detail grid lines as I can easily adjust a bit.  When I first started I was really worried about the ending diamonds being the same size.  Now I realize I'm the only one who might notice...and that variation really does give the overall quilt a little more character.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

For more tips on marking grids, check out these recent tutorials by Annemart at Qulting The Town Red, and Tim at Tim Latimer-Quilts Ect

Don't forget that it's WIP Wed at Lee's and Esther's blogs.  You can check out other people's projects that aren't yet finished, which of course always makes me feel better about slow progress.

Curls

Happy to see that the curly q's are preserved by the background pattern.  

Nearly 1/2 way finished.

Quilting Update

 Making progress and this picture may give you some idea why I am pleased with my decision for this quilting.

I particularly love it since the diamonds are stitched in magenta.

The cold weather is certainly motivation to quilt.  We had a good bit of snow on Mon & Wed which helped clear the air.  Someone inquired what I meant by "inversion".  In the winter, we get weeks where the cold, stagnant air gets trapped in the valley and the warm, clear, sunny skies are are high elevation.  Now it's just clear and cold.

I even bundled up to go outside to take pictures of the quilt...but the sun is so low on the horizon that my yard is all shadows from the trees and shrubs.  Still trying to figure out settings on the camera.  The successful photo was some auto setting that didn't include flash. Not sure if I can replicate.  Good thing I start a photography class Tues.

Update:  Am linking up to Esther Aliu's WIPs on Wed post since the applique is her Heart's Desire (though completely re-arranged) and I thought her readers may be interested.  And I discovered at photography class that I accidentally discovered the "scene" settings on my new camera and the first photo was taken with bright natural light from the window and the portrait setting. 

Biker Fabric Run

Treasure Valley Shop Hop is April 18-27. As you know...Shop Hop is an event where fabric stores stay open beyond normal hours and give discounts and give- aways.

I am planning on a fabric run on the bike, probably Sat Apr 20 & Sun Apr 21, but could shift a day one way or another (Fri, Mon) depending upon interest.  I have invited the Motorcycle Club we belong to.  Hope y'all like leather.  And Biker Bars. And Babes / Dudes with Harleys.

Day 1 would be Nyssa (bright and early but has a coffee shop), Ontario, Baker and ending in Halfway - looking into hotel options.

Day 2 would be McCall and Crouch then home - .

Fact #1:  All quilt shops are near bars.

Fact #2:  I can give you directions.

If you or someone who likes to ride on your bike are interested, please contact me by Jan 31 so arrangements can be made. 

Progress

 Over 1/3 of the way done with the quilting.  First picture with my new camera.  Unfortunately we are in an inversion so the light is flat and I have much to learn about ideal settings for quilting photography.  Welcome any advice on ideal camera settings.