Flower Shop

  So long ago, 2008, I was part of a 1930s reproduction fabric block exchange with friends from church. We used a really great pattern booklet by Terri Atkinson called Confetti in the Corner. Each block had the same components but depending on how you assembled the blocks, they could look entirely different from each other. It really was genius and I have often thought it would be fun to make a solids version.

We each made extra blocks, and someone assembled them together for a quilt for the MCC charity quilt auction. So many years ago...

I never had an idea of how to put my blocks together, which is why it took so long to put the quilt top together. I had 13 blocks (because I had a duplicate of the block I had made). And then I saw this beautiful quilt by Mendy Slone, using 13 blocks, and knew I had found the setting for my quilt.

I am not proficient in applique, so I used some foundation paper pieced patterns by my friend, Amy Friend (@duringquiettime). The flowers were various sizes but I had plenty of the green solid fabric and was able to fill in the negative space to make it work. 

For the backing, I had some panels by Cori Dantini in my stash called The Makers. They were really cute but I had never quite known what to do with them. They were the perfect colors for this quilt. 

Most of these women no longer go to our church for various reasons, so this quilt is a special one for me.

I had initially thought I wanted some kind of flower design for the quilting, but Darby thought that might "fight" all the pots of flowers so she suggested something swirly. I'm glad she did. 

We were in San Luis Obispo (central coast of California) in early November, and while eating lunch I noticed this little flower shop across the street. I had already named the quilt Flower Shop, so what could be more perfect?!

Mark's brother, Scott, took some behind-the-scenes photos.

I was happy that Amy seemed to like the photo op as well , because it was her patterns that really made the quilt special.

Quilt: Flower Shop

Block pattern: Confetti in the Corner by Terri Atkinson, with foundation paper pieced flower patterns by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time

Quilt top pieced by: Cindy Wiens

Size: 52" x 62"

Quilted by: Darby Myers

Another Finish: Peanut Butter and Jelly

 When Aaron was little, he sang a little song: "Peanut, peanut butter and jelly, jelly," and he always whispered the "jelly" part. I thought it was so cute and made him do it over and over.

I joined Moda Blockheads 4 this year. I have never done a Moda Blockheads sewalong before, where a new block pattern is released each week, each by a different designer. I had a stack of fabrics that was just waiting to be used so I thought this might be fun, if only I could keep up. I named it Peanut Butter and Jelly, and thought of Aaron the whole time I was making it :)

I did a good job of staying on track throughout the whole sewalong, kind of remarkable for me!

The blocks were 9" finished, and I completed all 42 of them. There were several setting options but I opted for just sewing the blocks together without any kind of sashing. 

As usual, Darby did a great job on the quilting.

When we were in San Luis Obispo (central coast of California) in early November, I had brought the quilt along just in case a photo op popped up. The bricks in this building seemed like the perfect place to photograph.

Behind the scenes:

Quilt: Peanut Butter and Jelly

Pattern by: Moda Blockheads 4 (a sewalong with various designers)

Pieced by: Cindy Wiens

Completed: 2022

Size: 54" x 63"

Quilted by: Darby Myers

Quilts by the Water: Third Time's a Charm, Pigeon Point Light Station, California

 Oh, the story behind this quilt. 

Years ago, Dotty Warkentine and I took a class together called Hidden Wells. Each of us thought we had an idea of what color scheme and fabrics we wanted. But when we went to purchase our fabric, the owner at that time told us we didn't know what we were doing, and chose our fabric for us!!

Purple and red is not what I had planned. So then I decided I would make and gift this quilt to my brother. 

Design wise--not bad. Color--not a fan. 

It sat hidden for years, not in a well as the pattern name suggested, but hidden nonetheless. My plan had been for a braided border, and I made slow progress, only to get discouraged and put that in a drawer as well.

Years later, inspired by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, who had cut up a quilt and made a double wedding ring, I decided to do the same thing--cut it up! My brother never knew I had made the quilt top for him so he was none the wiser.

Chop, chop, chop.

My plan was to add solids to tone it down. No matter what I tried, nothing was working.

I even called in some extra help. But still nothing worked. Back in the drawer it went.

And then I took a class by Tara Faughnan.  I discussed my dilemma. She suggested I try again, maybe using the blocks as the basis for color choices rather than actually using the chopped up blocks. 

I tried some of the chopped up fabric in the center but it didn't work either. So I ultimately went with all solids.

All of a sudden I was enjoying the process. 

Yet, I knew I had to incorporate some of the original quilt somewhere--it was part of the back story. so that's exactly where it went--the back. 

This was my first attempt. Horrid.

I finally settled on this and I'm happy with it.

We took it along on a trip in the Santa Cruz area and photographed it at a lighthouse.

It took awhile to get here, but it is now one of my favorite quilts. I had originally wanted to name it Broken Engagement, but I think Third Time's a Charm is just perfect.

Title: Third Time's a Charm

Pattern by: Tara Faughnan

Date Completed: 2021

Size: 68" x 68"

Quilted by: Darby Myers