Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Friday, November 17, 2017

That Quilty Tug of War

You all know what I mean...other bloggers have been writing about it lately, too.

The pull in one direction to finish something up, and the tug in another direction to start something new!  I've been going through that this week.  So I thought I might do a little of both!

The Dancing Monkeys want to be finished!  Started back in 2016, these blocks were a Rainbow Scrap Challenge project that I just had to make after seeing the fun monkey wrench blocks from other quilters.


I had fun making these scrappy blocks in all the colors of the rainbow, and finished up the quilt top just last month.


This week, I got the backing and batting ready so that I can get this project basted and start quilting it.


That might be just the thing to do during the football games on Sunday afternoon!

Meanwhile, also way back in May of 2016, I won this beautiful bundle of a fabric line called Blush and Bloom...


and it has been sitting on the shelf ever since, waiting for some inspiration.  Until last weekend, when Linda from Kokaquilts posted about her beautiful Floribunda quilt and included a helpful link to the tutorial for a Sawtooth Star block by Amy at Diary of a Quilter.

Since this bundle of fabric includes several pretty florals


plus a few geometric prints, and some that read as solids,


I realized this batch of fabric would be perfect for the Sawtooth Star block!


So, yep, I made this one which finishes at 12 inches.  I liked being able to use the floral as the focus of the block, with the more solid fabrics for the flying geese.  This will definitely be a "playing with the idea" project going into 2018!

While this isn't starting out as a scrap project, it will certainly generate scraps, lol! They will be great for trying different sizes of stars, as well as sashing or border ideas.  I'm going to enjoy playing with this, now that I've gotten started!

Sharing at SoScrappy for Scrap Happy Saturday! 









19 comments:

Karen S said...

Good luck with your plans to complete the monkey quilt. It is good to have a goal.
And I think your choice of block for the fabric was a good one as the star looks great!

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love your projects! That monkey quilt is adorable!!! The new star quilt will be fantastic as well! Great colors and mixtures! Have a great day!

Vicki in MN said...

It will be fun to see your stars progress along the way. I too want to start something new...other than the same snowman over and over, LOL January will soon be here and I can do that perhaps!

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

The Blush and Bloom bundle is so perfect for your newest project. I haven't made that Sawtooth Star block but I sure like the idea of using the blooms for the center! Your monkey quilt is so cute. mary in Az

make.share.give said...

A lot of beautiful, bright work!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I know that push/pull feeling so well! Great job working toward getting a quilt to the finish line. Something I have been struggling to do.

Cathy said...

That Sawtooth Star is awesome, and I know this is going to be a lovely and FUN quilt for you. I’m trying to resist the pull of new projects (other than an occasional test block) in order to finish up Must Do’s. Don’t know how long I can hold out, LOL!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

That new quilt is going to be stunning! The monkeys look like they are getting excited. It's almost time for a game of Dodge the Needle!! :o))

PaulaB quilts said...

Love the monkey quilt, especially the way they morph into churn dash blocks. Do they do it at midnight? The Stars will be a perfect way to use that great fabric.

Magpie Sue said...

I'm pleased to see your monkeys doing a happy dance in the quilt top. Sawtooth stars are perfect for showcasing special prints. Be careful, you might get carried away! (ask me how I know)

MissPat said...

I like the way you sashed the monkeys. Florals are some of my favorite fabrics. I have quite a few, but sometimes don't want to cut them up.
Pat

Cathy Tomm said...

Yes I know that tug of war well. Great to see you have a quilt ready for quilting now. It has turned out well.

gayle said...

I seem to get the tug of something new more than I do the push of something old... 8)
I'm crazy about those monkeys, and equally crazy about those stars!

Chantal said...

Congrats on getting Monkey Wrench to a flimsy stage. It is a beautiful quilt with the pale yellow. Gorgeous bundle to play with. Love the first block you've made. I got the tug but in a different way. Instead of finishing vs starting, I got quilting vs weaving. If only there was more time. ;^)

Angie said...

Great idea to feature those gorgeous florals in the center of Sawtooth Star blocks!

Kate said...

The floral as the focus works so well in that block. It's going to be fun to see this one come together.

Cathy said...

Lucky you to win those fabrics and what a great way to use them. It's nice to get inspiration from other bloggers and know in an instant that you have fabrics that will work for the blocks that inspired.

I never feel any tugs but just go with the flow since my only deadlines are self imposed.

Preeti said...

Oh my goodness, that floral fabric really enlivens the Sawtooth Star block. You have plenty of colorful fabric to play with. Enjoy!!!

Janice Holton said...

What a beautiful score! That will a great project to work on when you need a change of pace from others. I like stars of just about any kind. Have fun! And yes! That pull to finish up something or start something new is REAL! :)