In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Oh, Technicolor Galaxy, you look so pretty nestled snugly on a shelf...far, far away! Remember this project?

TECHNICOLOR GALAXY
Pile O' Fabric

I kind of got behind.  Way behind.  The hardest part of this project for me is bringing out the kit, fabric, templates every month for one block.  I thought I would wait another month and have two to work on.  The next think I knew, four months had passed and I was light years behind!

I felt like I needed a big, swift kick in the butt!  The butt kicking came from Jenn at A Quarter Inch From The Edge!  She didn't exactly kick my butt!  She did however, encourage (ever so gently), motivate and nudge me along.  Thank you Jenn!!

This is where I ended back in March!  See how fast time gets away from you?!  

I began with Block #3, Piano Keys.  

Once the fabric was selected for the blocks, it was on!  As always, picking the fabric took the longest!

I enjoyed making these.  I went with solids on top and prints on the bottom.  This block is paper pieced and pretty simple.

Block # 4, Scattered Geese.

I did not enjoy this one very much.  I love geese, I love paper piecing.  I was overwhelmed with all the pieces!  Once all the pieces had their 'geese', the sections had to be sewn together.  My seam ripper was used on more than one occasion.  There ended up being a section or two that were upside down!

Block #5, Arrowheads.

After block 3 and 4, this less complicated block was a welcome relief!  Applique time!  You know the drill!  Choosing the fabric!  Tick, tock, tick, tock...finally got that figured out!  This involved cutting fabric squares, ironing the fusible web to the back, cutting the arrowheads out, peeling the backing off, arranging and then iron those suckers down.  Done!

Block #6, Orange Peel.

Fortunately for me, when I ordered supplies for this Block Of The Month, I bought the orange peel stabilizer templates.  Good and bad about this one.  Good: they are glued down.  Bad: a lot of scissor cutting and prep! I found it super hard to get perfect points and clean edges.

They are done.  They are not perfect.  But they are done, done, done!!  Except for the quilting, but that will be another story!

Some where along the line, I found a couple mistakes!  Can you figure out what they are? The entire time I kept reminding myself to make sure I placed the colors in the correct place. I didn't.  The violet and gold/green arrowheads ended reversed.  As of right now, they will have to do.  

I thought it was a good idea to save up four months worth of blocks and do them all at once. That was not a good plan.  It was exhausting.  Mentally, physically.  I was overwhelmed with 'gotta get this done' thoughts and it took away from the pleasure of learning new things and enjoying the process.  Plus, it led to rookie mistakes (color flow)!  

Do you think I should redo the two arrowheads?  Once you see the mistake, it stands out like a sore thumb! 

UPDATE:  
I decided it was worth the time and effort to make this right ~ I would have been disappointed in myself had I not done the right thing and fixed the arrowheads!  Thank you for the advice!

LINKING:

Sew Cute Tuesday

Let's Bee Social

WIP Wednesday
Needle & Thread Thursday

Skill Builder #2 (almost)

It's that time of the month!  No!  Not that time of the month!  Let me rephrase...the second block for the Technicolor Galaxy Skill Builder BOM  

My first block was the center color wheel.  You can see it here: Technicolor Madness. Block 2 will be the Star Points.  Paper piecing fun!  

     
I pulled out the color wheel from last month and located the bag with the templates for the stars.  Good start so far.  (that was the easy part!)  

All of the paper piecing templates I printed on wash away stabilizer sheets.  Have you ever used them before?  This will be my first time. One of those new skills I wanted to learn!

I really didn't plan what or how I wanted my finished piece to be.  Since I was hoping to learn new things, I decided to keep it simple and stick with the color wheel.  However, had I known the possibilities that were out there I may have veered off the path a little!

This is the stage where I have to figure out my star point colors.  It seems easy enough. One of these days I should really time myself to see how long it actually takes me to make up my mind!

I got it now!  Neatly pinned, organized and ready to go!

Squeal!!!!  Love these!  I could look at them all day, every day.  I wonder if I could make these over and over and over...they were fun!

This is the plan.  Yes, that step was fun.  But there is so much more to do!

Like picking the coordinating prints for the second part if the stars!  That was difficult and made me want a glass of wine.  But I didn't cave...I stuck with it and eventually came to my final picks.

First I needed to cut a bunch, like a lot, a lot 1 3/4" low volume strips. And I might add, I'm glad I finally got on the low volume band wagon and now have a respectable stash...that was very helpful!

These are my first two 'test' pieces.  I was anxious to see how they would look.  With these two done, I have 22 more to go.  Hold on...let me whip those out...be right back...tick tock, tick tock...

That wasn't a long wait, right?  I spent most of the morning making these! Time consuming as they are one of the perks of using the wash away stabilizer - you don't have to remove it, so no paper piles and having to pick the little pieces off!  Also, you don't have to use small stitches.  Helps if you have to rip it out!  

If all the stars align correctly and you hold you head at just the right angle...they all come together just like this!  (and even then, they didn't) What a relief!  

If, I am to be honest with you, I'm not even close to done with block #2!  I knew I had to get started on this lesson.  It won't be long and block #3 will be out.  I didn't want to get behind and I hate being late to the party!  For now, I will put these star points away.  I still have to quilt them, which will take a while for me.  Did I mention this is a QAYG (quilt as you go) project?  Yet one more skill to learn!

You get the picture.  This is the pieces together, ready to quilt, ready for another skill to learn and one day master!

I tried to add a movie that I shared on Instagram.  I wasn't sure how to make it work on here, so if you would like to check it out you can see it here:  Technicolor Galaxy

  I DID IT!

Circle Of Color ~ Basic Geometry

Honestly my eyes glaze over thinking about math, any math. Geometry...what?  I may not be a math whiz, but I can hold my own with a sewing machine!  

With so many different social media venues these days, it sometimes overwhelms me.  With every click I see something new I want to try.  This makes my list grow and grow.  And grow some more!  I cannot possibly try everything I see, so when I finally get to something on my list...I am thrilled!  I may be a little late to the party (fashionably late) and that's okay with me!

My project for yesterday was A Circle Of Geese paper piecing.  Most likely you have seen it or tried it.  The pattern is available from Piece By Number, and here is the pattern and tutorial for A Circle of Geese.    

Not only will this be the first time making this, it is also the first project using low volume text prints! Woo Hoo!  Like I said...I have a long list.

My first block.  These blocks are 6" x 6".

Half a circle done!

I can see the end!

Four sections done!

This is the paper piecing template.  For all who are hesitant to learn paper piecing, don't be!  It really is a fun technique.  I am by no means an expert.  I am not hardcore.  There are many patterns, tutorials and information everywhere.  From easy to 'are you kidding me?' designs

I will admit I messed up on a couple pieces and had to redo them.  Have you ever had to rip out something that was sewn with 1.0 stitching?! Frustrating!  These tiny stitches are important for this next part...tearing off the paper!

Paper carnage!  This is the fun part!

Finished block.  Not a true color wheel, but it is pretty!  I was sure I printed the templates the right size.  I measured the red line after printing and it was 1".  My finished block is 11 1/2" even though the template says the 12".  Not a big deal for me.

I may add a funky border of some sort and make this in to a lovely little mini quilt.  This is a project I hope to make again.  It was fun!  Having one more thing crossed of my list is always a good thing!

What is on your list that you want to make?  Does your list keep getting longer and longer like mine does?

LINKING:

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Can I get A Whoop Whoop

Crazy Mom Quilts