Intentional Piecing: Tell Me A Story

My adaptation of the Tell Me A Story quilt from Intentional Piecing

I have to tell you about a new book that I absolutely love. It is Intentional Piecing: From Fussy Cutting to Foundation Piecing by Amy Friend. You probably know who Amy is from her blog During Quiet Time and her many publications and patterns. The premise of the book is to use fussy cut fabric in clever ways. There are so many great foundation paper pieced blocks, but I also have some of the other projects on my list like the cute little clutch. I had the good fortune to be able to help with the book production at Lucky Spool too and it was so hard not to drop everything and make something from the book! I have been waiting to finally dive in and be able to share it!

Tell Me A Story Quilt Stitched Storytelling Event

Amy has a Tell Me A Story quilt stitched storytelling event going on right now. For every block you make and post to Instagram until June 1, you are entered to win a lovely bundle of fabric. The full details on it are here. The instagram tag #TellMeAStoryQuilt is fun to follow!

That stack of fabric on the left is the prize! Lots of good fussy-cut options there!

I dove right in and couldn't stop. These things are like block crack! They go together quickly and easily and it was fun to find a use for some novelty prints I've had stashed away. I seriously thought that I didn't have that many novelty fabrics before I started putting these together. I guess I have more than I thought. My theme is loosely fairy tales and childhood stories. That was an easy one to have on my mind since I have to small kids that I read to on a daily basis. I was impressed that when my daughter saw the blocks, she exclaimed "Mommy, these are all like story blocks!" I see some fun times looking at the little details and making up our own stories together.

Here are some of my favorite blocks out of the bunch I made:

I had so much fun making this beautiful, fun project and making it my own! I didn't use any background fabric in my blocks like in the gorgeous original and made up a little complimentary border. I've been in scrap busting mode so I figured I'd use up some odds and ends from my scrap bin.  The projects in this book are awesome for that! Now it is time to get it quilted but until then, the top is hanging up in my family room play corner already.

I used the same foundation pattern for the block to make the border.
It is a block with only the corners pieced in and then cut in half. Easy peasy modification!

Next up!

My next project from the book is the Stash Happy Tote. It will make a great teacher gift!

Discount!

Lucky Spool is offering a 30% discount on the book on their site! Use the code: FRIEND30

Ready to quilt! Boxed In and Forgotten Fabric: Top 1 of ???

I'll start off showing the Boxed In quilt. It is so pretty and sweet. I'm sending it out to be quilted because I don't have time and I'm on a deadline to give it to my niece. The backing is one gigantic four patch. I love it! I'm definitely going to do this for a back again.

the back is a 60'' x 60'' four patch

Second, I'm not sure how I did it, but in between a very busy weekend I managed to cut and piece the Forgotten Fabric quilt. I don't love it but not to the point that I'll do anything more with it. I'm glad it is done but I sort of wish I had just cut squares and done a plain patchwork quilt. Live and learn! Plus, I think quilting will bring it all together. Extra bonus is that I'm glad I don't have to feel guilty about that stack of fabric and I can mentally move on AND I've got a gift for someone that I think was meant to have this.

I love the pattern (Carryall Tote and Throw from Valori Wells) and how quickly it comes together. I need to get out some of my big prints and make this one again. It sings with larger scale prints.

And no more stashing fabric for a project because I think someone else will like it. Only stashing fabric because I like it. I don't want to turn this blog into Craft Crappy.

So what do you think? Is that an ok quilt? Or an embarrassment to the craft? lol!

Star in a Day top finished

The stars aligned today! I had a holiday from work but my daughter still had daycare, so I ended up with a chunk of time to finish up this quilt top. The pattern is Star in a Day from Star Saavy Laps from Fats. I dropped it off to be quilted this afternoon. When it is done and bound, it will be hung on the wall in our family room.

Fabric:

• Border and center: Tranquility from Sandy Gervais by Moda
• Red: Deb Strain by Moda
• Ivory: various fat quarters
• Background: Petals & Paisleys by Possibilities for Quilting Treasures
• Backing: Serenity by Heather Mulder Petersen for Henry Glass

Chocolate, Wine and Roses

I'm kind of working towards having some seasonal quilts to display at home. I don't have that many on display. Some, like this top I just completed, are great because although it is kind of Valentine's day, it can stay up all year if I want. It is a little soft and floral for my regular taste, but there is a side of me that likes this sort of thing (in moderation). I'm pretty eclectic in my taste. Modern mixed with traditional, streamlined mixed with ornate. (There are no rules, you know!) What I really like about this quilt is how the blocks interlock so it is hard to tell where one starts and another begins. Now, I need to quilt it.