Beauty.....

...in imperfection.

A nine patch of leaves.  

Because I can.

As I Immerse Myself in Blues and Greens.....

I'm starting to become attached to this little blue and green homespun nine patch - so I'd better give it a name. I think I'll call it - Appalachian Mountain Skies. There is particular relevance to this name, but I can't tell you why just yet.

I would like to ask YOUR advice...

I am in the process of calculating how many blocks total I'm going to need for this (queen sized) quilt. But first - I must figure out exactly HOW I am going to put this together.

Do I want to sew all of the nine patches together for a really colorful visual impact? (left) Or,




do I want to have each nine patch separated by a nice crisp 6" white block like this arrangment on the right? (I just removed every other block and the white that is showing through right now is just flannel from my design wall) If I choose this design, I would insert a 6 inch finnished bright white on white in between every other nine patch and probably hand quilt with white perle cotton some type of design in each white block (maybe an abstract pine tree).

Whether you are a quilter or non-quilter -- please share your opinions with me as this is strictly a design element question and you guys have such great taste (Tammy, Lisa, Michelle 3rd Eye, Summerset, Andrea, Monica, Wurzerl,etc.,) and ideas. Also -- from my quilter buddies (Jeanne, Katie, Jean, Vicky, etc.) let me know which design you prefer AND how YOU would quilt either of these choices.

I haven't done that many large-scale quilts and am still a little "green!" But I'm lovin' these colors and the texture of the homespuns and am super excited that I will be able to put this into my Little Gracie Frame when it's time -- which should make the quilting much more enjoyable.

So, let me know what YOU think....

Not So Fractured.....

Jean just e-mailed me a picture of the fractured slices all put together. They are not stitched yet, just placed appropriately for the photo. I think Renoir would be pleased. My section is the bottom center. You can see the actual print of Renoir's painting down two posts below as well as a close up of my slice. Jean still has to stitch the pieces together, quilt it and bind it.



Coming up next..... more progress on Starry, Starry Night - I've done some stitching and "melting" of organza for the black sphire, and have begun stitching the little church. Also, making some serious progress on the hand pieced nine patch homespun quilt.