Inspiration Comes From...

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Usually, I am inspired/motivated by what I see in my Instagram feed.  Sometimes, a group challenge/project/quiltalong catches my eye, and sometimes it is a particular fabric.  Other times, it is a specific person whose work I admire.  

So, imagine my surprise when I was inspired by a backsplash.  You know, that area of wall between counter top and bottom of upper cupboard.  I was watching the Nate & Jeremiah by Design show on a Saturday night when a teal colored backsplash was shown.  Now, honestly, I have seen many, many backsplashes in my lifetime (because I have been known to watch more than a few of those home shows).  For some reason, though, I immediately decided that the very simple pattern would make for a fantastic-looking quilt.  Plus, it would give me the opportunity to use up more of my scraps!  

Here is the first block I made...

See...easy peasy.  

So.  I set about making the quilt.  I made it the perfect size (54 x 66 inches), so I was able to quilt it myself on the Big Bad Boy (Janome 1600p bd).  It is now completely finished...even laundered!  And, guess what?  I am in love with it!  It wasn't supposed to happen...was just a project between projects.  Like I needed something to occupy myself with.  But, hey...the softness, the drape, the texture...any one of them, but all three?  How could I not love it???  It is never leaving my house.

What do you think?

Scrappy Backsplash 

Hope you're having a great weekend!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Do You Remember?

How many of you remember the 'Big Bad Boy' I acquired over 7 years ago?  If you recall, he came with a Handi-Quilter that I was never able to use...space and Big Bad Boy (my name for this machine) tension problems being the reasons.

The Big Bad Boy is a Janome 1600P DB...a workhorse, for sure...built for speed and does only straight stitching. 

Well.  The poor thing has been neglected all these years.  I planned to send him for a maintenance check (and please, could you fix the tension?) several times, the last being almost 3 years ago.   However, it never did get done.  Until now.  I got him in for a check-up at my LQS this week and all is good.

I am very much looking forward to using the BBB for piecing.  The next thing I need to do is to buy a walking foot so that I can do some easy quilting with this BBB.  Did I mention that he has a larger work area than my Naomi Janome?    

The results of my test drive with him:  works like a charm, though noisier than Naomi Janome.  Ah well...cannot have everything, right?  Love this Big Bad Boy!  Making plans to work with him tomorrow.

How is your weekend going?


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11