Delight, Big Girl Panties, Shape by Shape, Cotton and Steel, and Sweaty Palms.

As soon as I saw Jaybird's Delight pattern, I knew I had to do it. I ordered it immediately, and began contemplating fabric choices. Once I received my first Cotton and Steel bundles from Westwood Acres, I knew what I wanted to do.

Here's how it started:

Definitely got some sweaty palms and heart palpitations when making the first cuts into my newly acquired and highly coveted Mustang and Basics bundles. I waited what felt like forever for these babies find their way home to me.

Some in process pictures, including some "helpers":

This quilt pattern was literally a delight to put together - no pesky y-seams and Julie's pattern instructions were easy to follow and flawless. Eventually, I ended up with this top:

Then I had to wait...and wait...and WAIT for a LQS to get some Cotton and Steel yardage in. I really do try to support my LQS whenever possible, but this tested by patience and faith. Eventually, the Cotton and Steel bolts arrived, and I was able to get a backing piece.

Meanwhile, I performed my typical stalking-like behaviors and researched thoroughly how Angela Walters had quilted Jaybird's samples. I really liked how she quilted the sample quilts, but thought I'd engage Kathleen Riggins from kathleenquilts.com. Have you heard of this quilting genius? If not, stop wasting your time reading this and go check her out.

Every Friday she does this thing called Free Motion Fridays. If you send her a picture of a quilt top, she will step by step show you how she would go about quilting it. So not only do you get her excellent quilting ideas, but she also breaks it down for you step by step! Click here for her suggestions on my quilt top.

I put on my big girl panties and went for it! Here are some not-so-great pictures while it was on my longarm, which lives in the dreariest, darkest of all dungeons known as my basement.

You may notice that Kathleen suggested I quilt each of the non-main-star blocks in one similar pattern - which I will dub as the ribbon candy and lines block pattern. I thought instead I would use this opportunity to spread my wings and try out some new and different patterns.

So I busted out my signed copy of Angela Walters' Shape by Shape book and went for it. There are repeats, but I definitely challenged myself and tried lots of new designs - some with more success than others. Regardless! I'm proud of this baby. Here are more eye candy shots:

I think the back turned out pretty awesome and really shows off the totality of the quilting design best:

I'm thinking of doing the binding in the navy arrows....good contrast for the back with pops of all the fun colors.

Happy Quilting!

Star Struck!

Last week, Angela Walters was in the Handi Quilter's studio filming for QNN tv. I had the honor of meeting her and somehow convinced her to sign a few things for me. She's one of my quilting idols - I think her approach and attitude towards quilting is phenomenal and so inspirational, especially to non-professionals like myself.

Before she began, I suggested she warm up and make sure the pen worked (wink, wink) on my whiteboard in my office (like I hadn't already tested the pen before she came in!).

Then I had her sign my trusty Fusion first (just in case she ran out of time or patience ;)

And it turned out amazing!

Then I had her sign two books she authored that I owned copies of...and as if that wasn't enough, she gave me her one and only hard copy - her advance copy!! - of her new book Shape by Shape (due out in September)!! 

And by the way quilty peeps, this book is fantastic! Pre-order now! Each section has a typical pieced shape, and there are a bunch of different ways to quilt it with detailed instructions on how to quilt the design. Angela breaks it down and they are easy enough for even me to follow! I love the hexagon section so much - it inspired me to work on finishing up a hexagon quilt. 

That's her signing...

She's just as nice and genuine and down to earth as you might expect. I can't wait to see her again. 

Happy Quilting!