I've been working hard the last few days on my mini quilt for the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap. The shipping deadline is fast approaching, and thankfully, I had a plan, I just needed time! So, I started pressing and cutting away on Sunday night, and got right to piecing on Monday.

I managed to piece the first block and a half on Monday, while I caught up on Project Runway All Stars. I was really thankful that I had something pretty to look at during this past week's episode, with all the bugs the designers were using for inspiration!!

I'm thinking of calling this block Showstopper, and yes, I am definitely planning to write a pattern for this block. Because the block is so intense, I can't see anyone making a whole big quilt of them, so I think what I may do is write mainly a block pattern. I haven't done that before, but I have to say, this block is a challenge! Twelve pieces of fabric per template and eight templates per block, that's 96 pieces of fabric just for one block. What do you think about that?


Last night, I worked on piecing the remaining template pieces. Full on chain piecing frenzy! That's one of the things I really like to do when I paper piece - I like to sort my templates and chain piece each different template, which sometimes makes progress feel painfully slow but at the same time, it keeps me from making mistakes with my fabric placement, so chain piecing is a good thing for me.

I've got all the templates pieced now, I just need to finish sewing all of them together today so I can quilt and bind this bad boy and get it in the mail to my partner! I sure hope she likes what I'm making - I think it's going to be one of those swap gifts that I'm going to have a hard time parting with! That must mean that I'm making a good swap package, right? Have a great day!

The Modern Quilt Guild is having another fantastic Sew Down shindig, this time right here in the south - in beautiful Nashville, TN! I love Nashville - haven't been since a high school marching band (yes, I was a band geek!) field trip during high school, but it's still a fond memory of mine. With workshops from Carolyn Friedlander, Anna Maria Horner, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, and Angela Walters, you definitely don't want to miss this one. The craziest part is that I'm going to be giving a lecture there, along with Alexia Abegg. I'm honored to be included in such a talented group of quilters!


Did I mention the most amazing part? A studio tour with Anna Maria Horner herself!!! Ever dreamed of seeing where she creates? Now you totally can! Registration opens Monday, November 11th, and you can find more details on the MQG's blog and website right here.


Definitely some fun news! I'm super excited about it. I've also updated my teaching calendar with this event and a few others that have been added to my calendar recently. I've been having such a great time teaching and lecturing and sharing what I know with others. Have a fantastic Monday!

Welcome November! November happens to be one of my favorite months of the year - it's one of the few months of the year where the sweltering Florida weather usually starts to mellow out, but more than that, it's the start of the holiday season. I love Thanksgiving, though I tend to grumble a little bit about all the cooking and the cleaning that goes with Thanksgiving during the actual event, I do really love it. What about you?

And because it's the first of November, that means it's time for another Lucky Stars Block of the Month reveal - the Star Crown block...

I love the way this block came together, from the fabric selections to the piecing. I'm really crushing on the way the stripes of the red AMH Innocent Crush fabric makes the block just sing. Definitely a great example of the right fabric in the right place - but honestly, I didn't have any idea that it was going to have such a big visual impact when I was picking out my fabrics, it just happened to be the exact right shade of red I was looking for!

This block is officially on its way to all Lucky Stars 2013 members. If you have not yet taken advantage of the fantastic 2013/2014 deal, you've got just a few more weeks before that deal wraps up. Until November 15th, you can sign up for both the 2013 and 2014 Lucky Stars Block of the Month Club, totaling 48 block patterns, for just $25. Pretty amazing, right? To sign up for both, click here to be directed to my Pattern Shop.


Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend everyone!