RSC15: January and Giveaway

With the end of January nearing, I got my block done this week. I have been looking forward to doing this quilt for almost a year!

Last year, I saw this block someone else was making for RSC14. Immediately I knew that this is what I wanted for RSC15.

This is a 14" block!

 At first glance, I thought it was a Courthouse Square block. Looking at it more closely, I realized there was a difference. Fortunately I was able to track down the block. It is called “Soul Searching.”

After doing some “Google Searching” for the pattern, I found it was designed by Kathy Doughty of Material Obsession. Maybe Kathy’s name or reputation is familiar to you, but it drew a blank from me.

Kathy makes quilts that are very modern. Anyone who reads my blog knows I’m a traditional quilter, which is probably why I never heard of her. The quilt is in her book, Making Quilts. There are 21 colorful and imaginative quilts. I have to confess I viewed them and transformed them in my mind to more “traditional” colors and fabrics!

Oh snap! Kaiju is trying to help with the photo shoot!

This is the book with my quilt block

I don’t have many black on whites, so I did have to go shopping. Oh darn! The good part is that after I cut the strips what is left is scraps! I guess I’m doing the reverse process of a scrap quilt!

Pay attention to this ----> Quilting Nonnie GIVEAWAY

I'm going to give away a copy of Making Quilts to one lucky reader! It's not quite new. Some quilter somewhere used some pages to learn how to make a soul searching block. 

All you have to do is tell me what "type" quilter you think you are and what you love about it. Results will be announced January 31st.

I’m hooking up with Angela at So Scrappy. Mosey on over and look at what others are doing with blue blocks! The badge is in the right sidebar.

This giveaway is closed.

My Granddaughter Has Made Her Entrance to the World!

It’s true!! Noel Heart, oldest daughter, and Chief, her husband, had their baby daughter on the 20th!

I got to go to the hospital for the better part of a day and cuddle that sweet little bundle. It’s been four years since I had a grandbaby to hold. There is nothing better in the whole world!

Her blog name is Darlin' Girl. It's one of my terms of endearments I use with children. And it fits here beautifully.

I’m thankful that Chief and Noel Heart live nearby so I can get my fill of baby holding. It’s between 3-4 hours away. Much better than Massachusetts!

I feel like a grandma pulling out her brag book!

First Finish of the Year

I have a crazy beginning to my Quilting New Year. I’ve already finished my first quilt.

In November, I read in one of the blogs I follow, about a QAL that was just for the month of November. I was feeling pretty good with Nancy Drew’s tree skirt finished. I hardly ever do a QAL, except for Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year. I have countless, because I refuse to count them!, UFOs that need to be a priority.

But I did go and take a peek. The blog I had read said wonderful things about Lori and her fantastic QALs. Once I went over to Humble Quilts, I was hooked. The quilt used 1-1/2 inch squares and I had plenty of those.

Lori had seen a vintage doll quilt and immediately wanted to make one herself. Once she drafted a pattern, she invited anyone to join in.

My box of 1.5" scraps & sewing into strips

Working on Seminole Border

The new skill I learned in making this quilt was Seminole Piecing. It was a bit difficult and took me a couple of quilting sessions to figure out how it worked!

Here is the finished quilt as a wall hanging.

And now, the charming Farley showing the quilt off as a doll blanket.

I’m looking forward to the next Lori QAL at Humble Quilts. I enjoyed this one so much.

I’m hooking up with the blogs that are listed on the right sidebar. Mosey on over and see lots of beautiful quilts.