At the January meeting of the Mini-Meez we were challenged to do a Valentine-themed miniature for the next meeting. The timing was perfect because I had just seen a pattern on a blog that I thought would be perfect.

Before I started work on that “perfect” pattern, a link to this pattern by Janet Wickell showed up in one of my blogs. I made a Sunbonnet Sue pattern at Christmas and I absolutely love the theme. In fact, I’ve been collecting a few patterns from old quilting magazines folks at the Guild have been giving away.

This Sun Bonnet Sue pattern included Overall Sam as well so how could I resist.

This was a project the Guild did at a recent Tuesday bee. I debated with myself about participating because I didn’t want another UFO adding to my already large pile. I decided to go ahead because, if I used Christmas fabrics, I would have a head start on my Christmas projects.

There was a lot of prep work involved before we even touched our sewing machines. Before class we cut out twelve squares from each of three fabrics. We also had twelve squares of Soft and Stable and twelve squares of Steam-a-Seam cut. Once the Soft and Stable and Steam-a-Seam were applied to the backs of two of the fabrics we finally were ready to start stitching.

Once the sewing was started it was a quick finish and, because there was no binding to do, once the sewing was done the project was done with the exception of the beadwork that keeps the flaps together.

Pat has decided this one is a keeper so I’m no further ahead on my Christmas projects.

I knew early in the fall that the Guild were going to have a workshop using a Jelly Roll; on a trip to Calgary I purchased a roll. The Guild offered several pattern options and I chose Sticks and Stepping Stones from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.

After sewing several blocks together on the day of the class I realized the jelly roll wasn’t well suited to the pattern. The roll consisted of very dark strips with bright coloured flowers, and very light strips with bright coloured flowers. With white squares dividing the blocks I felt that the pattern was completely lost; there wasn’t enough contrast between the light strips and the white, and there was too much contrast between the white and the dark strips. I took all the blocks apart and then restitched the blocks using only the dark strips and the white squares. While I still wasn’t completely happy with the results you could at least see the pattern.

I tried a new quilting pattern by following a DVD from the Guild library – Curvaceous Curves and Vines. I need more practice but I like the design. The quilting doesn’t show much on the front, but it sure does from the back!

Pat uses this as a cover for the back of his new TV chair.

I don’t think I’ve ever read the book “Good Night Moon”, but the name seems appropriate.

The pattern for the moon came from a Guild library book but once I made one block I thought it would work with a “Give and Take” technique. I didn’t bother to look up my notes from the class I took; if I had I would have realized it didn’t really suit the method.

When it was done I thought I might be able to use it for a card, but I wasn’t satisfied with it. I’ve added it to the miniature collection in my hallway. When I look at it I can’t help wondering why I didn’t alternate the light and dark background squares.

Maybe next time I can do blocks to represent the phases of the moon. Stay tuned for that!