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I am notorious for starting a project when I have no business doing so. Literally dozens of quilts wait in the wings and I decided that it’s time to start making a dress for my one-year-old niece. Let’s not mention how she is still waiting for a quilt (in progress) or how I have another fabric gift I'm working on for her. But she's almost walking. She needs a dress from Auntie Sarah.

I decided to make her a Jewel's Stripwork Dress in the same style as my daughter's airplane dress from when she was two. For the scrappy version it requires nine different fabrics. I started looking at my stash and settled on the Tula Pink drawer to select from. My sister was visiting so she helped pick a focus fabric (those awesome raccoons) and the supporting fabrics. I originally purchased three yards of the raccoons to make my daughter a dress, but that never happened. I’ve used them in a couple other projects, like this mug rug and this swap mini. There are also bits of that print in my 100 day blocks. 

I’ve cut out all the pieces. If I remember correctly the dress goes together really quickly so I hope to have it done by their next visit on the 13th. Stay tuned!

 

I'm participating in the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge with Cheryl of muppin.com.

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Three years ago I took a break from online quilt bees. And honestly, I've missed it. A couple months ago I reached out to friends in The Solid Seven quilt bee on Instagram and I was immediately welcomed into the group. A couple members are women who were in the bee with me back in 2015-2016. It's fun to be sewing for quilty friends again.

October Blocks

In October Ellyn asked for 70's inspired blocks in a rainbow palette. I immediately chose to make a cassette block from the Quilt Hits Vol. 1 paper pieced pattern by Projektownia Jednoiglec. The cassette tape on my block is about 9" across, so I think the block finished a little larger than 13" x 13".

I thought about other options for a long time until I landed on the idea of making a Mork from Ork block. As a child in the 80's the majority of time was spent watching TV, and I loved Mork and Mindy. I guess that show was my introduction to Robin Williams. What a fabulous actor! I used the Paper Pieced Children block by @saphre1964 and @southbaybella as a starting point and edited to add details. There's a bit of top stitching on the shoulders and the triangle. This block is about 10" x 13".

 

November Blocks

In November, EA gave us the palette of Kona Breakers, Robin Egg, Regal, Pomegranate, and Salmon and her design inspiration is this quilt from Jeni Baker. I thought I'd do some improv piecing, but actually started with the two 12" snails trail blocks, using the Fat Quarter Shop block pattern. Then I improv pieced the strips in the panel on the left. And I was still itching to make some improv flying geese, so I made those next. And I just couldn't stop so I improv pieced some of my scraps for EA to use as filler. :-)

 

December Blocks

This month we're making some fun sunrise/sunset inspired blocks. I'll share those with you later this month. :-)

 

I'm participating in the 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge with Cheryl of muppin.com.

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For the third year in a row I'm participating in Cheryl Sleboda's annual 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge. I'll be sharing about a variety of topics including color inspiration, what I'm working on, organizational tips, and quilting tutorials. What would you like to read about? Leave a comment or email me to let me know what you'd like to see this month!

If you're new to my blog, here's a little bit about me. I am a former middle school math teacher and current traveling quilt teacher based in San Jose, CA. I love bold, saturated color in quilting and in life. My quilting style is varied, but my current workshops are planned improv technique based classes. I have two kids (ages 7 and 9) who both quilt and a husband who doesn't. ;-) When I'm not quilting or designing, I enjoy reading mysteries and playing board games. Our current favorite games include Pandemic, Puerto Rico, and Splendor. If you want to keep up with me, please sign up for my newsletter.

Visit Cheryl's blog for the list of optional prompts and the linkup with participating bloggers.