Colourful Links and Batiks

My newest batik charm squares seduced me into cutting them - just a wee bit - to play with this
fun, quick way to make nine patch squares.

The block is only 3 inches square when finished!

Too cute, I couldn't resist:)

Link to Fun with Barb Nine Patch tutorial

I did complete another Halloween 1904 block (my #5). I just need to add its border on (the rectangle bricks you can see on the right).

But the batiks are charming me!

So far I've cut three 4 1/2 inch strips off of this 2 yard piece of batik that I bought a few years ago now.


The batik has me mesmerized with what the colours do - how they fade, change, darken as you look around the one piece of fabric. Maybe that's the magic - that one piece of fabric can do what a whole quilt usually does - pull you in to savour every inch of it!

The tutorial results in making 2 nine patch blocks at the same time that are opposite each other. Again, look at how much there is to see in the fabric!

I've been thinking a lot about colour this week too.

I read this neat article by Maria Elkins (now I know who she is!) over at this site and learned about a new to me color theory - Munsell color theory. Have you heard of it?

{Of course I'm keeping the little 1/2 inch strips I'm trimming off the charms! I'm not sure yet what I'll do with them, but I know I can lay them between 2 pieces of Mistyfuse and just create something!}


There's also a new modern quilting technique book out. So far the blog 'press' about the book has focussed on the first chapter of the book, color.

Here's a good review article on the Sew, Mama Sew blog about the chapter and its take on color.
(really reminds me of what Maria Elkins was talking about!)

I've been really thinking lately about putting together a program or group of projects about how I play with colour. I'm thinking about a course to guide you to make "happy quilts". I wasn't going to focus so much on color theory - although knowing a bit of that will make you feel more confident in your choices and give your gut instincts a bit more direction:)

What do you think? Would you be interested in a course - or series of workshops - or? - from me about how to make happy quilts?

And by happy, I mean quilts that make YOU happy.

That's kind of the idea here - to combine theory and practice with fabric and play so you can build your confidence in choosing fabrics to make quilts that make YOU happy!
What else do you think you would need in a course about quilts and colour?
 I'd love to know!


Enjoy the weekend,



Sarah V


p.s. {I'm also itching to make a bag! and found this crossover bag by Bari J.}

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Motivating UFO Photos

Before I went away for the weekend, I posted a photo of this block in progress on my Facebook page. Two of my friends were motivated to start working on their Halloween 1904 quilts! With their motivation, I got this block finished. (It's block #10 in my numbering system:))

Halloween 1904 is by Blackbird Designs, in case you wanted to make one too!

I picked up a few more black fat quarters for the quilt while I was away -  a great excuse to find and purchase fabric in a new-to-me quilt shop. 

3 Gals and a Quilt Shop in Huntsville, Ontario.

While I was there I picked up their row for the Row by Row Experience that's going on throughout North America it seems. This will probably be the only row I collect as most of the stores are outside of my postal code area:)

Row by Row Experience

THIS is how close I am to having all of my blocks done! #10 helped me get both bottom rows completed. If I had stuck to my plan of quilting each block when it was done, well, I'd be half done the quilt by now.

However, these are the only 2 blocks that are quilted!

Thanks to my almost-7 year old son for pointing out to me that

  goals are better than plans 

because it's okay if you don't meet your goals, 

but you feel bad if you don't finish your plan.

 Out of the mouth of babes!

 Now my GOAL is to finish the blocks by the end of the summer. 

The details, the plan, will take shape on its own.

 These photos are part of making that goal real for me 

- seeing how far I've come and

 feeling great about it :)

I'm sure I posted about it before, but the back of the quilt will be done in large pieces of 3 Sisters Double Chocolat and some other fabrics that go nicely with it. I'm as excited to have the back of the quilt as I am to have the front of the quilt. 
Two in one joy!




Do you have a UFO goal for this summer?

Leave a comment so I can come visit you and cheer you on!

We can do it!

I'm linking up with the Needle and Thread Network to see how some other Canadian quilters are spending their summer. 

 The Needle and Thread Network



With Joy,


Sarah V

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