Friday, January 27, 2017

Whatever Works!!!

Paul: Are you still blogging?
Me: No, I am reading the comments on my blogpost.
Paul: What is the difference?
Me (Ignoring his last remark): Such sweet comments. Did you read my blog?
Paul: Not yet. Come snuggle with me.
Me: I will snuggle with you if you read my blog.
Paul: I will read your blog after you snuggle with me.
Me: Coming...


That was a short conversation. Finished to satisfy both parties.
Whatever Works!!!



Speaking of finishing something - I did not finish anything that I started in January. But I do have a finish to share.



And as a quilter - a finish is a finish and is better than a UFO/WIP.


A quilt is like a conversation - between the fabric and thread, between the quilter and the pattern, between the sewing machine and all other distractions.


Here is the resulting story from my conversations with fabric, thread, and the sewing machine, distractions notwithstanding.  I am calling this one - Whatever Works. What do you think? Does the name suit?



Honestly, there is always a scrap vortex quilt in the works - actively.  Whatever scraps are left over from cutting fabric (for the main quilt) are being sewed in twos, at the same time as the principal quilt is being pieced - much like leaders and enders.



Like the side conversations at the main conference.


One fine day those side conversations, cross talks and whisperings will come together to become something meaningful.


Hey, I am not complaining. Whatever works. Right?


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Remember those JR Twists from January?  They were my DREAMi moments and before I could finish them, I had another DREAMi moment - dreamier than before.


I blame it on Mary Huey. Thanks to her, I got the bird flu or shall I say bird flew :-D
Her blog led me to the tutorial
http://www.blocklotto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BirdBlockDirectionsV2.pdf

As soon as I started reading the tutorial, I realized - oh no. There is a (slightly) better way of making these birds. Instead of making one, make two birds - mirror images.


Of course, I did not stop there. There are over 60 birds in the making.


I have not been able to stop. Somebody help me.

One leg. Two legs.


This is Chipotle Chilebird. Yes, naming them is super-fun too. Also something I learned from Mary Huey. If you are wondering where are the rest of them, well they are hatchlings. Will share when they become fully-grown birds...Ha Ha Ha.

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It is only logical to dream about spring and summer when one is the middle of winter.  Look what I found. This is the Summer Solids FQ Bundle from Connecting Threads.



And this is the Spring Solids FQ Bundle. 14 FQs for under $18. You are welcome!


Love these solids - so many possibilities. What would you do? I will probably mix them up - the bright summer colors contrast well with the pastel spring-y ones.


Speaking of supplies, did you hear about the Craftsy sale?


I will be linking with One Monthly Goal, Sandra's Dreami party and all my other usual (but favorite) linky parties.

This blogpost contains affiliated links.

37 comments:

  1. I love a good scrap quilt....heck I love scrap projects.....yours are certainly a feast for the eye!

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  2. Love your Chipotle Chilebird. It is adorable.

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  3. Such a fun quilt! Thanks for linking up with Elm street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish!

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  4. I love you scrappy finish. And the solid bundles I need.

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  5. Like your scrap vortex. It looks like you use larger pieces than Amanda Jean. I started one but other leaders and enders got in the way. And I have to find a way to use up a ton of little triangles.

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  6. so charming, you.
    I've been wanting to make those birds... what better symbol than a bird, flying freely. LeeAnna

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  7. Love this!!! I fell in love with scrap quilts when i tried one using "dryer sheets" as the foundation... and the rest is history...:))) GB

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  8. I love this! Your scrap quilts are a delight. You use such vibrant, happy colors that the scrap quilts almost burst with joyfulness

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  9. I think that this definitely works! Your scrap vortex is so bright and cheerful. I could make a lot more of them too. My challenge is that once I start one I don't want to stop.

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  10. Preeti - 'Whatever Works' is a great name for a great scrap quilt - good job! And those birds are darned cute! I can see how you would want to make a whole flock. I might have to make them another distraction!

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  11. This is a great quilt! Whatever works, indeed! It looks especially good against the snow. And the birds are adorable. Perhaps they'll have a quilt of their own?

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  12. Great quilt, super post! I made some of those birds this past summer! Such fun! XO

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  13. Oh, I love this finish!

    and those birds!

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  14. Love the commentary about the side conversations for the Whatever Works Quilt. It's a lovey piece and like a fun remeberancr of many fantastic projects. Love the cheerful birds too...

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  15. Okay, confession: I feel like any pattern I see/buy/design from now on I want to run by you to ensure it is making the best use of the fabric and that there aren't hidden possibilities...like mirror images!! LOVE your birds and seeing your scrap vortex makes me think maybe mine is okay after all... Thank you so much for linking up with my first DrEAMi! linky party. ;-)

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  16. I love your description 'a quilt is like a conversation' so descriptive and oh so true. Whatever Works is a great quilt, bright, colourful, it definitely works. Great way to use scraps.

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  17. Love the name! It really fits the quilt. Congrats on a fun and colorful finish.

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  18. That scrap work surely works - beautiful.

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  19. Love the mirror image birds and sixty already, you did get squirreled, big time. "Whatever" is a delightful name and a lovely quilt. You may be the fabric and thread whisperer.

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  20. 60 birds?! I fear you may need an intervention, but you would be hard pressed to find any among us that would be willing to do it. I think your "plan" of not having any quilty resolutions this year is working out wonderfully for you.

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  21. Great scrappy quilt. And those birds are adorable.

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  22. Thanks for all the sunshine in the beautiful colours in your quilt and the birds. The quilt makes me feel like sewing my scraps together as I sew but I don't know if I will do it. We used the bird block for a block lotto at my Guild. Lot's of fun!

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  23. Those birds are adorable!! I can't wait to see where you are taking those feathered friends...maybe flying south?! I have to agree with you, a quilt is like a conversation! Perfect!

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  24. I love scrappy quilts, and your Whatever Works quilt is a beautiful one! The birds look like fun, too. Thamks for the link to the tutorial!

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  25. I recognized the Block Lotto bird right away. When I made them for the lotto I observed that it could be "block yoga" because that block made me stretch my skills (and it felt good). Lots of spare parts quilts in the making this month. I like yours! (P.S. If you're not a Block Lotto participant, consider signing up. Great designs!)

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  26. The backing on your Whatever Works quilt is fabulous - love those leaves!

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  27. I love your bird. It makes me think Spring is just around the corner. Well done.

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  28. Your birds are adorable! But, really, you are so trying to tempt me to look at fabric to buy. NO, I will be strong. I must wait until I really need something before I go wild again. Regarding Whatever Works. I love the name. Plus I can't quite figure out how you put this together. I would have to study a full picture a while to see how you could get those sections together and fit with the other sections!

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    1. Whatever Works follows (more or less) the directions that Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts shared in her Scrap Vortex QAL. Here is a link - http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/scrap-vortex-qal-week-one.html.

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  29. I like "Whatever works" it turned out great - and Yay for a finish!! PS - did he ever read your blog?? ha ha

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  30. I love your quilt, your birds, all scrap quilts and whatever works. I'm taking part in a QAL, and just made a blogpost to show off. My blocks are pretty much like yours. Love it. By the way, don't stop making those birds. You can use them for potholders if you should have too many some time.

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  31. Love that Scrap Vortex quilt, and those crazy birds make me smile!

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  32. Your Whatever Works quilt is such a pretty mix of bright and happy fabrics. I love the quilting... And that backing!!! Really makes me smile!

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  33. A wonderful scrappy quilt, and great name for it too!

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  34. Anything Goes....perfect name!
    The birds? I want to make some! Thanks for the link. I think I know which fabrics I'm going to use. Finally, do you cut the slash for the bird legs improvisationally or from the pattern? (I'm guessing improv)

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  35. Oh, that feather fabric backing is stunning. Can't even say how much I love it!

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  36. The name is perfect! My bin of scraps is over flowing - a vortex may be in my future, too!

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