Asian Indulgence

Ever since I got back from Utah, I have been piecing little tiny Asian fabric blocks like a maniac. I think I went through a severe withdrawal up in the north country since there were almost no Asian prints to be found.

Most of the fabrics in these blocks were already in my stash. Some were scraps left over from earlier quilts. I just can't bear to throw away those exquisite little bits and pieces of that richly colored and gold stamped fabric.

These paper pieced blocks are 2 1/2 inches square finished.

 

I happened to see this block design painted on a piece of plywood and fell in love with it. I converted it to a paper pieced pattern and went to town piecing my heart out. If anyone knows the proper name of this block, please let me know. I love it! My version is 7 1/2 inches square.

 

So what am I doing with all of this? Well, many, many years ago when I began quilting, I knew that I eventually wanted to make a quilt with applique bamboo. The pieced blocks are just going to be supportive parts of the overall design.

 

Here are some of the other components waiting to be assembled. I also have a small bag of real silk that I am going to use for some of the leaves. I am really loving playing with my little hoard of fancy stuff. I have been waiting a long time for this.

 

And then there is my stash of even smaller pieces of Asian fabrics. Perfect for Broken Dishes blocks.

 

Also 2 1/2 inch squares. I think I see a miniature quilt in my future.

I have also done a few other things since I got home from Utah. Like go to work and get that school year started.

 

Yesterday I met some dear former classmates for lunch. It's hard to believe that I have known these ladies since elementary school.

 

Hope you are having a great holiday today.

Nancy Rink's Quilts Returned

I can't think of a better way to end this month than to report that the majority of Nancy's stolen quilts were returned by a mysterious man. Rather than paraphrase her words, I cut and pasted her joyful post from Facebook:

 

 

STOLEN QUILT UPDATE
Amazing news to report. A man in a van pulls up in front of my studio. He comes in and I ask "May I help you." "I have something that belong...s to you," he replies. The client I've been chatting with exchanges quizzical looks with me. "It's out in my van," the man says. The client and I walk out to the man's van. He pulls open the door and tugs on something. My Amish With a Twist quilt appears. "This is yours isn't it?" the man asks. "Yes," I reply, my heart suddenly pounding like crazy. He hands me the quilt, then proceeds to pull four trash bags from his van that are stuffed full of my quilts. My friend Rickie and my husband who also just happened to have popped into the studio a few minutes earlier heard all the excitement, (I am sure I was squealing with delight at this miraculous turn of events) and grabbed up the trash bags and started going through them. There were most of my stolen quilts, neatly folded with all of my signs still pinned to them. The man said he was returning them for a friend who saw me on the news. A brief conversation ensued and then he left. So I am still pinching myself. Although a few quilts are still missing, the majority of them were there and are now safe and sound back home. Of course I reported all of this to the police detective handling my case. Currently, I am not sure where my case stands with the BPD as I have not heard back from them. Will keep you updated on any further events. So so HAPPY!!


I am still shaking my head and wondering all sorts of things. What do you think?