Yummy!

The pattern is called White Chocolate, but in this colorway it reminds me of a Milky Way bar. Yummy either way! I altered the pattern layout and alternated the blocks once I figured out to read the pattern to figure out how many pattern repeats should go across and how many should go down.

I could see that there would be some secondary patterning coming through where the design motifs touch when I had them on the design wall during Silver Thimble Club. But, I never realized how many more I would see when I actually had the entire top put together.

Hubby and I laid it on our bed to check size (will need a brown border to make it big enough and allow for shrinkage from quilting and washing) and to just see how it would look. Hubby took the photo from above (standing on a chair, bless him). First, I saw diagonals emerge across the surface and thought that was pretty cool. It was only when I looked at the photo of the quilt that I noticed the large star that comes out. I love, love, LOVE that!

Shop Hop is this weekend, and while I will go by my two usual quilt shops (one participating, one is not), I will look for good deals, but I am not doing the whole Shop Hop thing. That is too dangerous for my budget this year. I am saving and waiting on tax refund to replace my decrepit sewing machine and I could really put that off if I allowed myself to really "do" Shop Hop. I just don't handle temptation well enough! But, next year is a different story!

Anyway, I need either fabric for the borders or for a new backing and I will use the backing fabric I have for the borders. I also need to get started on finishing up one little girl baby quilt and making one for a baby boy. Then, I will wait to see whether the next little one is a girl or a boy. But, no matter what, this will require a bit of fabric! I am hoping that in the 2,000 new 5 yard fabric bundles that are going to be out at A Scarlet Thread this weekend that I can find something to inspire me!

Place your vote!!!

These photos were taken today at Silver Thimble Club. I was trying out some ideas for how to set the blocks in my White Chocolate quilt top. Above is set like the example quilt and picture on the pattern.

This one was an experiment. Hubby and I played around with them one night and couldn't decide if they looked nicer with the light background and dark center or the opposite approach. I tried to alternate the settings and it really is a dramatic look and I kind of like it. However, there are symmetry issues with this layout. I can't put a 5th set of long rows on it to balance out the design. I used a kit and can't get more of the fabrics. I am drawn to the contrast it creates, but I do see the symmetry issue. I just can't decide if it bothers me enough to avoid this setting on this quilt.

I could definitely see myself doing another one in the future with this layout, just planning for the extra long rows to balance it out properly.

A wonderful lady at Silver Thimble suggested that I use the first setting and put a chocolate brown border all around to give it that dark look on the outside edge.

I am open to suggestions!

Next Quarter's Silver Thimble Quilts

Okay, the computer doesn't like me right now, so it insists that my photos be out of order. So be it. These are the quilts for the 2nd quarter of Silver Thimble Club in McDonough, GA. We meet at A Scarlet Thread quilt shop. Above is the June quilt in black, white, and red.

This beauty is for May's get together. The bright aqua color doesn't show up as beautifully as it does in person. It really draws the eye. Love it!

This is the April quilt. It is Georgia Hoe Down by none other than our very own teacher extraordinare, Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilts. Ain't it a beauty? Very nice autumn colors. Pat even commented that this quilt would be gorgeous on a fall table with gourds and pumpkins.

Silver Thimble Club in McDonough!

Today, despite the questionable road conditions, was the first official meeting of the Silver Thimble Club at the ever fabulous A Scarlet Thread Quilt Shop in McDonough, GA. It's always a treat to go into the shop and today was no different!

We had a great time and enjoyed our teacher, Pat Wys, immensely! I learned quite a bit. It wasn't all terribly new material to me, but often a better way to accomplish something, either to increase precison or efficiency. Good stuff! I pretty much learned to quilts from books and from gleaning information from my mom that my granny had taught her, so it was great to learn new ways to do things and why these ways may be preferable to the way I usually do them.

This is a photo (that I borrowed from Pat's blog--hope that is okay) of the quilt that I am currently working on. It is made from Pat Wys' pattern "Strawberry Pie." The quilt shop made us kits of these wonderful fabrics. I can't wait to complete mine.

At first, I thought it was a bit too girly and I wanted to make it up with more aqua colors and less pink. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to make something girly just for me. Trust me, I don't think my boys will care much about this one! I didn't purchase the backing that is on the sample, instead I chose a simple butter yellow that will look lovely and soft. Even I can only be so girly!

This beauty is what the kits for next month will be. The pattern is another of Pat Wys'. Did I mention that this lady is really talented and a great teacher? It is called "White Chocolate" and doesn't it just make your mouth water? I love it. Again, I can't take credit for the photo as I borrowed it from Pat's blog to be able to show what we are doing.

If you are in the area, you should really, REALLY check out A Scarlet Thread and maybe you will become a Silver Thimble, too!