Five It Is

Work has been so busy this week that the only quilt progress I can claim is finishing the fifth row of sashing. Some weeks are just like that.

It likely would have gone quicker if there was less of this...

and more of this...

And it gave the list maker in me the chance to tick off another tick on my progress chart. It also inspired me to put together a few more of the shorter three piece sashing strips. I love lists....M

Snowballs For My Backing

You know how quilters love to pet fabrics? Well, consider this a virtual fabric petting session.

I found a great fabric for the backing of my improv trees online for a great price in Hancock's sale bin so I took a chance that the colours would work and ordered it. By the time you pay duty, and with the low Canadian dollar, it really doesn't make good sense for me to order from the States, but the stars aligned for this one. Happy I took the chance because it's going to be perfect (it's the piece on the left).

Like the binding fabric, this one too had the word 'snowball' in the name of it, 'snowballs and diamonds' maybe; it's from Marcus Fabrics. I can't remember, but I really do like it. It's warm enough without being overpoweringly beige. Interestingly, I didn't notice the subtle overall almost bias gingham the pattern creates until I took this pic; if you squint a little you really see it. Even more reason to like it.

And, since I had depleted the creams and whites in my stash, I made a quick stop in Stedmans on the way home from a business trip to Toronto last week. They had fat quarters on sale so it was a bit of a no brainer and I found a few extra pieces to add to the pile.

That lovely orange Philip Jacobs floral came with my Hancock's order - I just couldn't resist - as did the pale blue Anna Griffin floral at the bottom of the pile. Another great deal, which is good because I needed enough for the backing of a project that I haven't even started!....M

Four, Almost Five

There are now four completed 29-piece sashing strips for Danuta's Garden and the fifth is very close to being finished too - eight more four-patches to be added and then I can stroke that one off the list too, so that's today's hand sewing.

I would probably be further along if I didn't spend so much time admiring the combinations in the tiny four-patches...

...or if I stayed off Pinterest...

Regardless, they are moving along nicely and it will be a lovely way to spend my Sunday afternoon. When I finish number five there will be two more to go and then a batch of the smaller three-piece sections....M

Making Friends With Freddy

Seeing the wonky baskets that I posted about a week ago prompted Jane to pull down a shoe box of bright scraps that she'd been saving and start working on an improv quilt of her own. She has a couple of books by Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston and has been wanting to give their style and try so now seemed as good a time as any.

She's got a great collection of fabrics...

and in no time was off to the races.

The spirals in the centres of the blocks are from placemats that she found at a flea market. There's a second larger size that she wants to incorporate as well.

I gave her a quick tutorial on how to put together a wonky star and I'd say she's a natural at these too. Luv those fabrics!

The star looks so great with her wonky blocks. I think she's going to have tons of fun planning and putting this one together. I'm certain that she and Freddy will be great friends by the time this is finished...M