June Strawberries

The Pieceful Patchwork kit by Shabby Fabrics for June showcases strawberries and strawberry blossoms. This is a fun, moderately-sized (31"x31") project that gave me a great break and palette cleanser from making larger quilts. The fabric choices in the kit were very cheerful and germane to the theme. The white background has teeny strawberries on it. The red for the bulk of the strawberry has tiny white random spots, like seeds. The central star block was fun to do. The jagged green leaves facing different directions at the top kept me engaged and on my toes to face them correctly.

I made two strawberry blocks over two days, two blossom blocks on a third day, and the assembly on a fourth day. I broke up the necessary (but not always exciting) cutting on the day I actually made that part, so there were three cutting sessions.  The petals of the blossoms were actually two subtly different shades of cream. The center was a happy yellow. Providing three different greens for the leaves added depth and interest. When I picture small square baskets of strawberries I imagine them same aqua blue as the background of the blossoms. 

I also associate baskets of strawberries set out on a gingham table cloths or with gingham napkins. Therefore the diagonalized gingham sashing also tied in with my musings. The fabric for the outer border brought to mind the Beatles song Strawberry Fields Forever which can be heard in this YouTube video.

Per the Wikipedia entry for Strawberry Fields Forever I learned that John Lennon based the song on his childhood memories of playing in the garden of Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army children's home in Liverpool. The the song's lyrics represent a reflection on childhood innocence.

Now what's left to do is the backing, quilting, labeling, and binding. I am leaving those activities for another day and another mood. Completion is on my "To Do" list but hopefully will soon be on my "TA-DA" list. The term "TA-DA" list refers to a term coined by Katie Fowler in her book An Artist's Journey through Wonderland. I blogged about that book in my Wander or Ponder post dated 4/13/2016. It is a short, fun, inspirational read. The book was motivational without a lot of heavy dogma. But enough meandering down the rabbit hole. Enough blogging and sewing... time to eat some strawberry ice cream!

Make it Merry Month Two

In Month Two the assignment was to make four Block #2's and four Block #3's and once again I enjoyed every minute of it. I cut out the fabric for the Block #2's and assembled them before cutting out the fabrics for the Block #3's. This divide and conquer method was soothing and not at all stressful or confusing.

These are my four Block #2's. Making flying geese is not onerous when sewn orderly eight at a time.

Here are my four Block #3's. The method of making those QST's for the star points worked out really well. They were made a bit oversized and then trimmed down symmetrically, carefully centering the mid point.

Block #2's and Block #3's are both stars but look how different in shape they appear, side by side.

The eight blocks from Month Two, similar to the eight blocks from Month One, are not at the very center of the quilt. Can you find the location of those eight Month Two blocks? Hint: each set of four is positioned at corners.

Month Three will have the fabric for eight more blocks. I am still excited about this project and looking forward to the arrival of the next installment. Happily, the novelty has not worn off.