Design Wall Monday

The month of May is quickly moving along and today was the first day I've thought about the Monochromatic Challenge. I am combining this challenge with the Christmas gift sewing on the 25th this month. I am going to make another Chubby Charmer to have ready for a gift come Christmas time.

This is one I've been using. It's great for going back and forth to sewing days and I especially love to use it when I travel. It's the perfect size for your "personal" item. It easily holds my book, neck pillow, camera, iPod, etc. The main thing I change from the pattern is I use 4 1/2" charms instead of 5.

                                                 
                        

Last month I made one out of strips for the brown challenge. That one didn't last very long in the gift closet. I gave it to DS #3's girl friend for her birthday.

So this month I will make a red one. I'm still nursing my elbow so today I only gathered the red charms. I'm not sure about all the fabrics. Now that I'm looking at the pic, I think I'll go with some repeats and take out some of the fabrics that are bothering me. And I need to still find a fabric for the handles and lining. Maybe tomorrow.

Check out other Design Walls over at Patchwork Times.

Bloggers Quilt Festival 2011

Since this is my first year having a blog I have never participated in Amy's Bloggers' Quilt Festival. But I have enjoyed all the eye candy in previous years and am so excited to take part this year.

I have been quilting for 32 years and have made many favorite quilts. They change over the years especially with the changing fabric styles. Currently my favorite quilt was given to my niece for her 16th birthday last year. I think she liked it but you never really know with teenage girls - but I LOVED IT! I loved it's simplicity. I've always loved homespuns but I loved these homespuns in bright cheery colors. But mostly I loved it because I made it on a retreat with my favorite quilting friends. We all made the same quilt but used different fabrics - batiks, florals, Jennifer Paganellis. We had the best time and the quilt will always remind of that weekend.

Thanks for checking out my quilt, now go over to the festival and check out all of the other fabulous quilts just a click away.