235. Flower Shop

 So long ago, 2008, I was part of a 1930s reproduction fabric block exchange with friends from church. We used a really great pattern booklet by Terri Atkinson called Confetti in the Corner. Each block had the same components but depending on how you assembled the blocks, they could look entirely different from each other. It really was genius and I have often thought it would be fun to make a solids version.

We each made extra blocks, and someone assembled them together for a quilt for the MCC charity quilt auction. So many years ago...

I never had an idea of how to put my blocks together, which is why it took so long to put the quilt top together. I had 13 blocks (because I had a duplicate of the block I had made). And then I saw this beautiful quilt by Mendy Slone, using 13 blocks, and knew I had found the setting for my quilt.

I am not proficient in applique, so I used some foundation paper pieced patterns by my friend, Amy Friend (@duringquiettime). The flowers were various sizes but I had plenty of the green solid fabric and was able to fill in the negative space to make it work. 

For the backing, I had some panels by Cori Dantini in my stash called The Makers. They were really cute but I had never quite known what to do with them. They were the perfect colors for this quilt. 

Most of these women no longer go to our church for various reasons, so this quilt is a special one for me.

I had initially thought I wanted some kind of flower design for the quilting, but Darby thought that might "fight" all the pots of flowers so she suggested something swirly. I'm glad she did. 

We were in San Luis Obispo (central coast of California) in early November, and while eating lunch I noticed this little flower shop across the street. I had already named the quilt Flower Shop, so what could be more perfect?!

Mark's brother, Scott, took some behind-the-scenes photos:

I was happy that Amy seemed to like the photo op as well , because it was her patterns that really made the quilt special.

Quilt: Flower Shop

Block pattern: Confetti in the Corner by Terri Atkinson, with foundation paper pieced flower patterns by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time

Quilt top pieced by: Cindy Wiens

Size: 52" x 62"

Quilted by: Darby Myers

234. Peanut Butter and Jelly

 When Aaron was little, he sang a little song: "Peanut, peanut butter and jelly, jelly," and he always whispered the "jelly" part. I thought it was so cute and made him do it over and over.

I joined Moda Blockheads 4 this year. I have never done a Moda Blockheads sewalong before, where a new block pattern is released each week, each by a different designer. I had a stack of fabrics that was just waiting to be used so I thought this might be fun, if only I could keep up. I named it Peanut Butter and Jelly and thought of Aaron the whole time I was making it.

I did a good job of staying on track throughout the whole sewalong, kind of remarkable for me!

The blocks were 9" finished, and I completed all 42 of them. There were several setting options but I opted for just sewing the blocks together without any kind of sashing. 

As usual, Darby did a great job on the quilting.

When we were in San Luis Obispo (central coast of California) in early November, I had brought the quilt along just in case a photo op popped up. The bricks in this building seemed like the perfect place to photograph.

A behind-the-scenes photo taken by Mark's brother, Scott:

Quilt: Peanut Butter and Jelly

Pattern by: Moda Blockheads 4 (a sewalong with various designers)

Pieced by: Cindy Wiens

Completed: 2022

Size: 54" x 63"

Quilted by: Darby Myers

Gifted to Valerie Rempel