A few more non-novelty quilts from my bucket list

 I think every quilter has some ideas of quilts they want to make "someday".  Over the last couple of months I've just not been much inspired to play with the novelty fabrics, and I was definitely very tired of T-shirt quilts (I think it's been 12 in the last 12 months).  So I tried some different things from my bucket list.  

I received some Applipops for Christmas so wanted to try them out.  I had been wanting to make another black and white quilt for a while so when I searched for quilts with applique circles this one was perfect. It is only about 14" square and it was fun to play with all those bright scraps. Pattern "True Colors" by Nancy Mahoney.

Several months ago I had run across the traditional pattern called Jack's chain and a related modification called Ring Cycles (designer Lessa Siegele).  I loved the interlocking circles.  Initially I had thought I would hand piece it, but then decided to give machine piecing all the Y-seams a try.  I am very glad I decided to use batiks as they don't wobble around as much as other fabrics.  Also very glad I decided to just do a table runner size.  I think I would have gone nuts doing all those Y-seams for a full size quilt.  But the optical illusion of the circles is great. And all from my stash too.  But I have confirmed, I really don't like Y-seams! 

I have also been making some progress on a hand piecing project that I started at least 3 years ago.  I am enjoying how it is coming out, but I am getting tired of all the curved seams and pinning required.  I was hoping to get it to throw size, but it might require some borders to get there.  I think I am going to do another 10 or so "flowers" then put them together.  No idea yet how I'm going to finish the edges.  I might even applique them, but will have to cross that bridge when I get there.

Though I've enjoyed all the "regular" quilts I've been making, I really must spend some time with my novelty fabrics, I haven't opened those drawers in 6 months now.  Though I admit I have purchased the odd FQ here and there.  I think I'll scan back through this blog, see if I can get inspired.  There is a friend's 1st grandbaby on the way this summer that deserves a very special quilt.

Finishing out 2020 with applique

 Several months ago one of my quilty cousins contacted me to tell me she was thinning her stash. I have 2 close cousins-in-law that quilt that I call quilty cousins.  Anyway since this particular cousin used to work & teach at a quilt shop I of course wanted to see what she was getting rid of - I knew it would be nice fabric.  Among other things, I bought this stash of reds that are definitely NOT in my usual bright/bold fabric style, but my stash is pretty thin on reds so I figured I would use them eventually.  

I started looking at how pretty they were together and decided to make something for my dear daughter who loves red.  And since I was itching to do some applique, I'd include some applique in the center of the quilt.  I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with this other than I knew I wanted some applique and some piecing, kind of country looking from the plaids.  So this quilt literally grew as it went along.  The applique patterns are from Aunt Millie's Garden by Piece O Cake designs.  It was fun to watch how this worked out, mixing a bit of this and a bit of that.  I am very pleased how it came out, and in time for Christmas.  Notice the pieced hearts on the sides - appropriate for my sweet daughter.

One additional note, I had really enjoyed the applique pattern & Piece O Cake's method of applique so I decided to email Becky Goldsmith and let her know.  And she replied, very nice reply.  And put me on her own blog - see the Feb 14, 2021 post.  Cool!