Bali-Pop, Bali-Pop, Oh-lali Bali-Pop!!!

 

Today I was able to finish up the second of projects for the week…..this time a lap quilt for a wedding present.  As I mentioned when I showed the beginning of this quilt, it was made from two sets of Bali-Pops. 

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It is a very simple design using the 2-1/2 inch strips found in the Bali pops.  Although I was really excited about these batiks when I purchased them, I found that making a quilt completely of batiks is kind of boring.   Having said that, I am pleased with the final results and hope that it will be a blessing to this young couple.

Today I worked on the third of my projects, but it wont be finished for a couple of weeks.  I found out this morning that I am going to have to make a trip to Texas to attend a funeral so will be out of the quilting loop for most of next week.   Right now I am desperately trying to think of something to take to work on….at times like this I wish that I did more handwork!!!!

 

Now onto the decoration of the day…….

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When I was six years old, I began taking piano lessons from the High School girl who lived next door to me.  
I was the first student that she had ever taught and Susan proved to be  a wonderful teacher.  She gave this  little book as a Christmas present the first year that I was with her.    It is called “Miss Flora McFlimsey’s Christmas Eve” and was one of Susan’s favorite Christmas books.  I have enjoyed it over the years and, as with many of these decorations, I think of her when I set it out.

A New Start

On Saturday my husband hurt his back, so we were not able to attend the local university football game.  Instead, I spent the time watching the game on TV and going thru all of my Fons and Porter magazines, with the idea of ridding myself of them. 

However, one of the perks of looking thru them all was that I found a design that I wanted to use for an upcoming wedding present.  It is a simple modified four patch and I thought that it would be great using two packs of Bali Pops that I had purchased a few months ago.  I had to make a few adjustments to the pattern so that I could use the pre-cut 2-1/2 strips.

Yesterday afternoon I spent about 3 hours working in my studio and am pleased with the initial look of the quilt……

_B163253The final version will be 6 blocks wide and 8 blocks long and a few of the pieced blocks will probably merge into the border as well.  I showed it to the bride’s Mom and she thought it would be well liked.  After talking to her, I will probably try to introduce a bit more of the browns into the quilt.

Now for my rant…..the Bali Pops are beautiful fabrics, but they are NOT cut accurately.  Several of them have areas in the strip that are only 2-1/4 inches wide!! I am having to check each one as I go and compensate for those that are too narrow.    In my opinion, they are far too expensive to not be well cut.

Today, I am talking to a group of 3rd graders about quilts….should be fun!!!

Happy Quilting!!