Making the Blackberry Pie

Here's an update on the Blackberry Pie quilt.

I've been making strips galore. I don't really enjoy strip piecing. It beats the alternative though, so I do it anyway. Why don't I like it? Well, look at those curvy strips. I don't have enough patience to get the grain perfectly straight as I cut a gazillion strips so they are almost always curvy. And even though I'm a far cry from being a perfectionist, it sort of drives me crazy.

For this quilt, I'm cutting them down into very short pieces so this curve won't really matter, though. And I've started assembling them into small blocks. Um... 2 down. Approximately 300 to go.

Quilting with ADHD

I think I may have quilters OCD or maybe ADD or ADHD or some other sort of Disorder. I just can't seem to stay with one project and get it done in any sort of timely manner. Every other week I get excited about a new project. I feel like I haven't been able to buckle down and really make progress on anything lately because all I want to do is look at fabric, look at patterns, drool over other people's quilts, and dream about the quilts I could make. But settle down and get serious about making them, one by one? Well, that's harder to do. That involves time, concentration, energy and maybe a babysitter.

And so what do I do? I went and started another project yesterday. I think that makes three official quilts that I've either started or need to start or am planning to start or something like that in the past few weeks.

First, I've got to get going on the Two Color Challenge quilt! That one has a deadline of August 1, and I originally thought that wasn't going to be a big deal. But now, a month later, I haven't cut anything yet. Shh! Don't tell the other two color quilters or Nicole! (If you haven't checked out her blog- Sister's Choice Quilts, head over there now. She's got style. And I'm not just saying that so she won't kick me out of the Two Color Challenge!) What's my hold up? Well, I'm trying to exercise a little frugality. I need to buy 6 1/2 yards of cream, and I'm holding out for a sale of some sort. Lame. I know.

Second, I've just barely mentioned that I'm also participating in a non-blog exchange with some girls up in Utah. We all lived in the same neighborhood in Saratoga Springs for about 5 years and started quilting together as we were having our first babies, making our first homes and basically just starting out in life. I love this group of girls and am thrilled that they are letting me participate long distance now that I live down here in Houston. This block exchange will be in September. I decided on my block and bought my fabric for this last week. I'll post more about this later.

And now, I've gone and started another quilt with my sister. I was so inspired by Nanette's Mosiac Squares that she posted about almost two months ago. My sister came over, soon after, I showed it to her, and we both drooled and pledged to make that quilt (similar to my reaction last Tuesday to the Carpenter Stars quilt in the Quilt Sampler Magazine). Yesterday, as our children ran around, destroying her home by means of hotwheels, legos, and whatever else they could get their hands on, she and I started cutting into our scraps. This picture is the original quilt from McCalls Quilting Vintage Quilts Spring 2004. Have I ever mentioned how much I love scrap quilts? I know I have. But I'm saying it again.

Here's my start.

Blackberry Lattice Top

Alright, I've been stewing over my plan for my two color quilt for a few weeks now. Here's what I've come up with. It is definitely inspired by this quilt that I linked to previously. I just tweaked it a teeny bit and am really excited to get going on this now.
I think it has a lacey, Victorian feel to it.
And it also reminds me of Blackberry pie with a lattice top crust. Yum.
Time to get cutting! I've got to get a move on if I'm going to have this completed by August 1!

Two Color Quilt Challenge

I'm excited to join in on my first online quilt challenge. Nicole at Sister's Choice http://sisterschoice.typepad.com/ has issued a Two Color Challenge for the summer and I'm definitely going to take on that challenge!

I've been wanting to make a two color quilt ever since checking out Better Homes and Gardens Two-Color Quilts from the library last summer.

I also have a good friend back in Utah, Kristin, who inspired me several years ago by making a beautiful red and white Drunkard's Path quilt.

I love how classy Red and White quilts and Blue and White quilts are. I've really been leaning towards making a Blue and White one because blue is my favorite, but I'd like to have one of each eventually.

However, both of those will have to wait for another summer because I've decided to make a purple and cream quilt. Several months ago I saw a beautiful purple and cream quilt in some quilty magazine. It was gorgeous. And I vowed right then and there to make a purple and cream quilt for my mom, who loves purple. She is also a quilter and seamstress extraordinaire. She could easily make herself a beautiful purple and cream quilt. But I'd like to make one for her too because I love her, and it'll be a meaningful experience for me to think about her all summer long as I work on this quilt for her.

I've started my hunting and gathering. Aren't these gorgeous?!

As for the pattern, I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I haven't found just the right block yet. This one might be it, but I'm not ready to commit yet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/manulao7/527655337/in/pool-twocolorquilts Isn't that pretty?

Go check out Sister's Choice for details. Basically anything goes as long as its two colors and you post your progress each month and finish by August 1. I've posted links to the other participants in a new area on my sidebar. Anyone else up for a challenge?