Resurfacing

/ Friday 24 September 2010 /
I know I've been gone awhile - it's been an utter madhouse this September here in my corner of the university. I haven't opened up my machine in the last two weeks - the longest hiatus in a year! But I have an immense amount of teaching in the month of September, before our students go off on practicum. At the end of the month (next week!), things settle down to my normal level of teaching responsibilities, so I'll be able to return to more regular posting.
one month's worth of diamonds
However, although my machine hasn't been out, I've been beetling away at the handpiecing that I started last month. What I am showing is the net effect of about 30 days of using the Quilt Patis diamonds. I've got a trapezoid that I keep adding to star by star. I don't have a good sense of how to shape it. Eventually it will get to a size that means it's time to stop. At some point before that, I have to shape it into a generally square or rectangular shape. Let's hope that I have an epiphany along the way about how to accomplish that. In the meantime, the trapezoid gets bigger and bigger!
Looking up at the stars
A couple of other quick notes before I have to get back to work:
First, my blogiversary was September 18! It's a shame that I was too busy to organize a celebration that coincided with the actual date, but there will be a belated birthday party, with at least a couple of loot bags.
Second, I want to thank my LQS for picking me for the $100 grand prize from their fall open house draw!!! Yay! Any suggestions for what I should get?
Third, my next quilting endeavour involves kaleidoscope blocks. I'm going to make a serious study of them, and I've equipped myself with two different rulers, both of which allege they make life much simpler. I'm in favour! So stay tuned.
Finally, does anyone have any experience with Quiltsmart or Inklingo products? I would love to hear your opinion.
Stars from diamonds

12 comments:

{ Jessica } on: 24 September 2010 at 10:53 said...

your stars look fantastic!
i am also feeling the weight of a heavy start to the semester, can't wait to make a routine out of all this chaos~

{ Dee } on: 24 September 2010 at 11:07 said...

how wonderful to be so busy and still have such an incredibly beautiful and inspirational piece being worked on!

oh my, be still my heart!

{ Browndirtcottage } on: 24 September 2010 at 13:04 said...

Oh...Oh...luv yours! I am looking at a vintage one of these right now. I have always liked it and wanted to make an updated one just like it....yours is cool!

{ Sarah Craig } on: 24 September 2010 at 13:16 said...

Welcome back! I'm not going to be much help with your blog questions, but it is nice to see you back on my blog roll! Beautiful quilt top, too!

{ Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts } on: 24 September 2010 at 13:46 said...

I don't have any experience with those, but I wanted to say that your diamonds look beautiful.

{ Claudia } on: 24 September 2010 at 16:09 said...

Stars are looking good! I don't think I'd have the patience to see those thru to a quilt. I haven't considered using Quiltsmart. I'm not a big fan of interfacing but I guess it could be trimmed from the blocks afterwards?

{ My Life In Stitch } on: 24 September 2010 at 17:37 said...

The diamonds are lovely and it's good to have you back blogging. My time is not my own at the moment. Where has September gone?

{ elle } on: 24 September 2010 at 19:34 said...

Amazing hand work. But if I won $100 I'd buy thread. Kinda like buying underwear but what great effects on the quilt top! ;^)

{ Kristen } on: 24 September 2010 at 22:20 said...

I never thought to paper piece something like this. I have book that might help visualize you visualize the end result. I'll scan it and send it to you this weekend.

{ Miri } on: 25 September 2010 at 06:40 said...

Love your stars! To help "square" it up, I'd start by adding the white setting diamonds to the stars on the end...I think it'll help you see where you are better.

I'm also interested in the indiglo (whatever) process-I tried to download the sample from their website but it didn't work-but it was a while ago and I never went back.

{ Stray Stitches (Linda G) } on: 26 September 2010 at 13:47 said...

Beautiful stars! Your handwork is gorgeous!

{ Quilted bear lady } on: 31 October 2010 at 16:32 said...

This quilt top looks terrific! I use Inklingo.. have since it was first introduced! It is the best thing invented since the rotary cutter! Linda Franz just got a US Patent for Inklingo. There are more collections coming all the time. It saves time, fabric and makes sewing so easy.. either by machine or by hand.

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