Settler's Trail Update . . . .

I didn't have much time to sew last week but I did spend a little time on my Settler's Trail blocks.

I'm in the process of connecting my strip pieces. When I pieced my original strip sets I always pressed away from the background fabric, not open like I normally do. By pressing the seams to one side it allowed the strips to go fit together perfectly. I hardly needed to do any pinning at all.

Once I've connected the strips sets I press those seams open. Here's the back of my block.

I'm thinking I still have around 6,000 pieces yet to connect!

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Settler's Trail Update . . .

I don't think this Settler's Trail project is going to make for very interesting blog posts, but here goes!

The quilt is made using three different style of blocks, each block finishes at 4 1/2 inches. The directions call for using two inch 9 patches or one inch squares. I decided to try something different entirely.

I've decided to make this block using strip sets.

Here's my inspiration block.

And yes, you read that correctly, this block is 5 inches!

The good news, it didn't really take too long to make my strip sets and I'm happy with my fabric.

I think I need around 30 of these blocks.

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BOM Rehab . . . .

Sinta, at the Pink Pincushion, is hosting a BOM Rehab. The rules are easy, work on your BOM project or projects, blog about it on Monday, and maybe, in addition to working your way through your BOM projects, you may win a prize!

It's a nice motivator, make a block or two and join in the fun. As luck would have it I'm working on a BOM, Memories of Provence by Monique Dillard at Open Gate Quilts.

I had enough time this weekend to make two blocks, this one

and this one!

That gets me up to 4 blocks total.

So far I like all the blocks I've made, not a stinker in the group!

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Moving Right Along . . .

So what's a quilter to do after finishing one quilt, move on to the next!

I usually sit down the first of each year and plan out my quilt projects for the entire year, as of yet I've not gotten around to doing that, instead I'm just going with what suites me when it's time to start another project, so far it seems to working out great, and here's the project I picked for April.

This is Settler's Trail, designed by Kathy Borgardt, for Primitive Gatherings.

(click here for more pattern detail by Primitive Gatherings)

I probably wouldn't have looked twice at this pattern if it was hanging on a wall with all the other patterns. But I saw the quilt at Primitive Gatherings when I was in the shop last fall, and it really grabs your attention. After I seeing the quilt I went looking for the pattern.

This quilt finishes at 50" x 59", and is made using, are you ready, 6,523 one inch squares. This will be a new personal record for me. "Oh Christmas Tree" has my current record of 4950 pieces.

My one inch strips are cut, I went with an assortment of civil war fabrics that have small prints. I used my Go Cutter to cut these strips, it went fast and the strips are accurate. I'm hoping the accurate strips at the beginning of this project pays off down the road.

Besides this project I'm planning to make "Summer Day", Sinta and Sherri's Schnibbles of the month, plus crank out a few blocks for my "Memories of Provence" BOM. That's enough to keep me busy and out of trouble, I think!

I was so happy that 145 folks were interested in my Simple Abundance leftovers. That fabric is too pretty to be on my shelf and not in your quilt. As far as the food goes, desserts, sweets, and chocolate were very popular, so was pizza. Enough folks left comments about rhubarb pie that I plan to try it one more time. But Rennie, your favorite food, raw haring and raw onions, there's nothing that would convince me to give that a try!

The winner is Bonnie, Institches with Bonnie. Bonnie's favorite food is cookies, who doesn't love a good cookie, not me!

If you've not done so, go check out Bonnie's blog and read about her behind the scenes quilt tour at the Smithsonian Institute. It's very fascinating. There's a quilt there by Martha Washington, and it's a UFO!! Unfinished quilt projects from the 1700's, some things never change!

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner . . .

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving comments for the Traditional Fat Quarter Quilt Book Tour! I had fun reading all the comments you left. By the way, most of you need to give yourself permission to enjoy every minute you're on your computers doing quilty things. Just think of all the time you save by learning new and faster techniques, the money you save by looking for the best deals on fabric, and most importantly, the friends you make, it's our version of a quilting bee! Time well spent all around.

Here are the book winners:

Monday: Kim from Kim's Kreations

Tuesday: Judy - Shade Tree Quilting

Wednesday: Michele G

Friday: Vicki T

I know, I didn't say Friday was a giveaway day but it was, a secret giveaway day!

All the winners have been contacted by email.

So here's my latest quilt that I made using Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille.

And here's my other quilt, Lifetime Quilt Number 60, that I made using Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille.

Both lovely, and all the quilts I need made out of Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille.

Here's what I have left over, some yardage, some pieces from a layer cake, some pieces from a charm pack and some scraps. Would you like to have a quilt or two made from Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille?

 - Contest Now Closed - 

I'm passing this fabric along to anyone who's interested. Just leave a comment on this post telling us what's your favorite food! Mine is pie, pizza pie, chicken pot pie, apple pie, coconut cream pie, you name it, if it has a crust I love it! (except that nasty rhubarb, who thought that was a good idea, to make a pie out of that!)

The box is packed and just needs an address to find its way to your house.

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