It's been a bit since I was last here. I certainly haven't been slacking. I'm just all over the place! Literally, I did some traveling, but also gathering thoughts on my projects.
Today I'm rounding up my project "basket". Our quilt guild picked the Idea Challenge Jar word "basket" in December. I quickly browsed through my UFO/wish list of projects and came across two that fit the bill.
The first basket I made for this challenge I used denim from my pile of old jeans that I have stored away. This cute little basket measures 9 inches across and 4 inches tall. It's great for holding my little fabric pieces while I'm assembling blocks. Not too deep and just wide enough.
I added the beading trim that I had left over from another project. I've even considered doing some hand stitched quilting, but still in the thinking stage with that thought.
Next, I came across a pattern I had stashed from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine dated April 2010. As I go through the check-out lines at stores there are always these eye-candy magazines that you just have to have. This magazine caught my eye because there is a quilt with basket blocks on the cover. I knew I had to make this one. I'm a basket weaver so this is right up my alley. I purchased perfect basket patterned fabric to use to make this quilt. and there it sat. Evidently things got in the way. The magazine and the basket fabric has since been in my stash tote.
The Idea Challenge Jar choice of "basket" put this quilt to the top of my to do list. Well, after I made a couple basket blocks I thought to myself - what am I going to do with this quilt once it's done? At that point I decided a table topper would be perfect. I assembled the four blocks into a square to fit perfectly on my dining room table. The colors of yellow and blue tie into my decorating colors. The finished size is 26 1/2" square. With Easter around the corner this basket is a perfect time to display on my table.
Now that the table topper is done I absolutely love it!! So I really have to make the full quilt. This will be my next project to conquer. When this quilt is finished it will become part of my selection of quilts to hang seasonally on my front porch.
I consider my "basket" challenge to be completed. These challenges have made the perfect opportunity to use up stash fabrics and UFO/wish list projects. This is a win - win.
Well enough chatting - I need to get back to work!
