When the scraps get too small...

make the blocks smaller!

I liked my big Mariner's Compass block so much I made these.  The large one is 12 inches.  This little one would finish into a 5" circle, but I think I am going to use them in the corners to frame the larger one.  Something like this.

(Sorry...not great pictures, but the lighting isn't so good tonight and I'm having trouble getting them to stay on my make-shift design wall.)

Now I just have to figure out what background I want to put it on.  I'm going to need to buy fabric for that one, so it'll be a few days.  My LQS closed down until October (it is changing ownership), so I have a 25 minute drive to get to the next closest store, which probably won't happen until next week.

Mariner's Compass

I recently bought a great book with different patterns for foundation piecing.  One of them is a Mariner's Compass pattern.  I've always loved to look of this block, but never tried it.  I couldn't fall asleep tonight so it seemed like a good time to try it out.  So, I grabbed my scrap bin and pulled out batiks from a project long ago and made this.  I'm not quite sure what I plan to do with it.  It might make a good pillow or wall hanging or table topper if I can find some coordinating background fabric for it.  As you can see, I didn't even have enough of one purple to do all the background the same, but oh well!   It may end up being put aside indefinitely since I used up most of the scraps I had in the block, but it was a fun experience and I like the way it looks.  I definitely will be making a full sized Mariner's Compass sometime soon.

Friday Night Sew In Results...Bubble Gum and Chocolate

I spent last night working on the progress of what I have nicknamed my bubble gum and chocolate quilt.  I made lots of progress on it and here's what it looks like!

I plan on adding outer borders, but ran out of steam before I got that completed last night.  Eventually the brown area will have appliqued flowers and swirlies down the middle.  I'm still auditioning design ideas for that, but here's the direction I'm currently headed.  What do you think? 

My plan is to try my success at hand applique again.  I tried it once, many years ago, but have since done lots using fusible webbing and machine.  If you don't see this project again for a long while then you will know why.

And if you noticed from my picture above, the sun has come out.  Four full days of sun this week!  I am a happy camper!

Friday Night Sew In

Tonight is another Friday Night Sew in sponsored by Heidi over at Handmade By Heidi.  If you haven't checked out her blog, I recommend it!  Yesterday she posted a really handy tutorial on how much fabric you need to create your own "Precut" charm packs, layer cakes and jelly rolls.

I'll be working hard tonight during the Friday night sew in.  I'm not showing yet what I will be working on, but hopefully by tomorrow I will have a big revealing.  I will hint that it has something to do with this. 

Happy Friday everyone!