Traditional and Modern Mix for Post #200!

So this is my 200th post!  Yay!..Hooray!...Thank you! 

I tried to think of something really creative to mark this (albeit small) milestone, but much like the weather today, I just seem to be feeling dull and dismal.  So let me just share with you, like I usually do, what a pleasure it has been to meet all of you and share my quilting journey with you.  You are all  AWESOME!

Now let's look what's been going on in the quilt studio. There seems to be a mix of traditional and modern projects occurring at the same time.  So appropriate for my 200th blog because this is the way I roll! LOL

First up - I got the Oak Leaf & Reel blocks pieced together with the sawtooth borders.  Looks nice, no?  I am a little concerned about those borders not laying completely flat... but I will worry about that another day. :-).

So I thought I was done.  Add a nice red and white border fabric that I had chosen, and I was done.  But of course, as happens, the quilt had other ideas.

I started listening to this quilt - your quilts talk to you, right? and it was telling me it needed appliqued borders.  So .... of course I had to listen.

I decided on a vine that included a smaller oak leaf and some larger leaves that were in the blocks.  Not quite sure what I am going to do in those corners... again, another day.  I am open to any suggestions.  I used my Golden Threads paper to make a pattern for the shape of the vine. I am thinking of adding the year and my initials.. but need to think about that.

Next up is the string quilt star blocks.  I have been experimenting with all the suggestions you all were so generously shared. I tried each one with varying degrees of success. 

 I finally decided on the lightweight interfacing.  It is very stable, no odor or residue, it can be cut to any size (my blocks are 6" finished), and it is inexpensive.  It also adds very little weight to the quilt.  It is a winner!

My blocks are now very flat with no stretch on those bias edges.  Yay!

I am not sure how many of these star blocks I am going to make - but they sure are fun!

Check out Bonnie Hunter's blog today on sting quilts for a look at what inspired me to try string piecing. .

Meanwhile, Lucy has been staying cozy under one of her favorite quilts.

Happy Stitching!

Deb