Creativity is Messy! Embrace it!

Say hello to Pam's Scrappy Sisters on retreat at Quiltville Inn!

And this isn't just ANY retreat - they've been plotting and planning since this time last year on making my Santa Fe String Star from my book String Fling. (I shared a photo of it hanging in the foyer in yesterday's post if you missed it.)

There is much string piecing of diamonds going on - and you should SEE the scraps that are overflowing at every workstation.

It's GLORIOUS!

And even better....Pam thought far enough ahead to have acrylic trimming templates made for trimming all of the string pieced diamonds to shape.  What a time saver!

Oh, this is definitely fun!

Yes, we are sewing on paper foundations.  They add stability and give us a size to shoot for so we know where we can use our smallest scraps to their best advantage - we know where the trimming will happen so there are no surprises.

You can use any foundation paper for this including phone books, doodle pads, financial prospectus pages - any thin easy-tear paper will work.

Pull out those short crumb pieces as well as strips - random 1/2 square triangles, ends of strip sets - this is a total clean out of all of those precious pieces you've loved enough to save.

Doesn't this look like fun?

It wasn't long before rows of diamonds were going up on design walls.

And each one shows the vision of each maker!

So pretty in ocean blues!

These neutrals are going on a red background -

It's going to be gorgeous!

Keep sewing more!

All of the lovely reproduction feel prints!

These crisp neutrals are going to have a blue background!

I love seeing this!

Dig deeper! There is some great stuff in here.

Oh, this is going to be gorgeous!

Doesn't she look excited!

Now to sew them all together!

Don't forget to break for lunch!

All of that scrappy sewing can really bring on an appetite and we enjoyed all the fixings of a sandwich/salad lunch.

And I got some late afternoon time to make this!

Yes, this is a Bristol block made in non-recycled fabrics.  I have so many leftover scraps from ,my purple Ruby Jubilee blocks and I plan to keep on piecing with them.

I have a plan!  And it also involves these:

What would you do if you uncovered a whole bunch of already covered string piecing foundations and random widths of string pieced strips left from another project?

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These were unearthed last weekend while I was pulling purple fabrics to work up into my wonky log cabin blocks and all of a sudden the light bulb went off -

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Now that the Ruby Jubilee quilt with Quiltmaker has been revealed, I can decide how I want to set my own blocks.⁣

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Instead of cutting filler strips from one fabric, I'm going to use up this scrappy string piecing instead!

⁣I think it will add a touch of "ME" to the quilt and I can't wait to start putting it together! I will also be incorporating more of my favorite blocks using the purple scraps that still need using up.

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Are you working on yours? ⁣

And in Bristol news! 

Bristol is a hit!  And I have so many of you to thank for that!  

Gift-Away entries are over 3,700! That's such a good indicator that I'm not the only one in love with star quilts, or plaids or plaid star quilts!

Thank you!

If you haven't gotten your entry in, please visit the Gift-Away Page and do so!  We will draw for our two winners on Saturday 10/29/22.

I will be drawing for 2 lucky winners that will each receive a Bristol PDF pattern from me and a Checks & Plaids Color Roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

Quilt Details:

Plaid Paradise!

For the star quilt lovers everywhere - Whether you sew with shirt plaids or scrap stash, Bristol is bound to be a favorite!

Easy to follow instructions, optional construction methods, full color photos and graphics to guide you from beginning to binding!

Quilt Size: 75'' X 75''

Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini.

Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.

Introductory Special: I have placed the PDF pattern for Bristol at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.  No coupon needed!  Sale price good through 10/31/22.  Hurry now and save!

I've also placed the PDF pattern for Spider & The Fly  at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop - no coupon needed!

The price is good through 10/31/22 and will revert back to full price on 11/1/22.

This morning's sunrise!

Now that the leaves are leaving - I can finally REALLY see the mountain ridges and watch the sun break into the new day.  That's probably the only thing I really like about the winter months ahead. Sunrises.  I can't see them in the summer with the trees all leafed out and filling in the view.

ALSO: We think the problem with the circuit board for my APQS is limited to one board and a replacement board will be on its way by priority mail hopefully today.  I am so grateful!

In the mean time - there is more Santa Fe String Star workshop fun to continue through the weekend.

My time with the quilters will only be interrupted this afternoon by a quick visit to the vet for Ivy's 4th (and hopefully last!) shot.

What do you have in store for your Friday?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Take some time to go over this checklist.

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What can you add to the list that will make your story even better?

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Maybe it's just appreciating the little moments.

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Happy Friday, everyone!