The Rest of the Year in Blocks...

Here are the closeups of the other 6 blocks for my "Around the Block" quilt. I still think a few of the blocks need more... something. Also, a couple blocks just don't seem to have enough contrast, mostly I am referring to the milktoast month of August. I like it, but it doesn't seem to fit the overall look.

Here is July, which I was always excited about since I used to collect Americana fabrics....

And here is August, which is suffering from the blah's. I like it alot though. Just needs a little something....

Next October and November. October seems good, but November may need something extra. After all it is my favorite month!

And last but not least... December. Also maybe needing some extra pizazz. (spelling?) So now I feel a little frozen again now that I have gotten them out and see that I want to add some special touches here and there. In the meantime, today is my day to sit down and make some new years resolutions! I have several in mind already. Last night I made a list of all the projects I have begun planning and collecting fabric for and the total is 17! Wow. Maybe one of my resolutions will be to finish them all!

I have much more to post, but I guess I will save some for later. Stay tuned my quilty friends!

A Closer look at the Houses on my Block

Today I am taking a closer look. I think that some of the blocks look too simple. Probably because I lost some momentum once I got behind. I am trying to think of any last embellishments I can make to them before finalizing them by putting them together and quilting. *Going into obnoxious proffessor mode* --"This is what we artists refer to as "resisting premature closure"."

I took some liberty with the patterns after a while too. I made a church for June (a June bride came to mind) and a school for September (I will always think of it as the beginning of the school year) I even have a quilt shop in there. July and a few others seem to be lacking something.

Here are the first 6...

The New Year and Fresh New Fabric!

The new year will begin in a few days and I will begin sewing new projects! I am so excited about my quilty plans this year. I am through with those negative thoughts about how I will not be able to sew with a toddler and a baby to take care of. I did just fine sewing the Christmas projects and the commissioned quilt for a friend's sister.
I also have plans to make some items to sell in order to justify my fabric habit. The real justification in my heart however is that making quilts for others is sort of my ministry. Another big project for this year is to make some great CASA quilts to give. (more explanations about those later)

In preparation for the new year and inspired by a comment from someone yesterday we decided to rearrange our living room furniture for the first time since moving into our house 2 and a half years ago. With the new arrangement there is a big empty wall over the couch just itching for the "Around the Block" house quilt that I have not finished. I have been sitting on these finished blocks for about 3 years now. They were part of a guild project in which we were given a pattern each month for a year. It took me a year to do catch up work and then they collected dust. Time to put them together finally! Here they are sitting beside each other acting like a complete quilt...