Happy St. Patty's Day...Hard to believe spring is around the corner already!

This is what we look like today:

I am in the middle of teaching a Basic Crazy Quilt class...pictures after next week! And this week I also will give a talk about the History of Crazy Quilts at the local Historical Museum, again I will include pics later...but for now, I thought I would catch you up on my Gospel in the Stars quilt, which is progressing nicely!!!

Here is a layout of where I am going with this project:

The muslin pieces are laid out to show the next set of blocks to continue with this theme. The center is paper samples to show how the center will be accomplished.

So, I have been busy on the outside blocks. The top right is where I started with Virgo. These blocks will be the main constellation, along with the Decan constellations that help complete the story, which is what Decan means.

So here is Virgo, along with the fabric attached for the backing, which is not finished yet.

 

These are 9" by 14" blocks. Top and bottom row are horizontal, but the two sides are vertical. My count before starting these was at 819, with this block total count at 43.

Next comes Libra, with a count of 43 also!

Each block will be backed with a new fabric not previously used, with a label on the back.

Scorpio is next, with a count of 44!

 

Saggitarius is the next, now going vertically, with a count of 37!

Capricorn is the next Vertical block, with a count of 46:

If you look for these stars, they will indicate the count on the constellation circle from ancient days...

I use the same two stars, but each block they will be in a different combo or design!!!

And now Aquarius, with a count of 42, last in the vertical on left side of quilt:

These are what I have completed so far...working on Pisces now. This brings my count to 1074!!!

I am not finishing these pieces till I tackle the center piece. So there's no telling what I may still add before completion!!

Here's all the blocks laid out on the floor...the paper center has moved around, no fear, I know what will go where!!!

This layout will also create four new corners of the quilt. So I have already designed in my head what will go in each of them!!! (Pisces is missing on the lower left, because it is on my table!)

Well, thanks for following my progress on this 2020 Challenge!! This is a fun and challenging project. Stay tuned for more!!!

Yep, 2018 is finally here!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!! Let's make this our year and do some amazing things, agreed?

I don't know what happened to the month of December!! I know I was busying stitching and enjoying the holiday celebrations. First some pictures of our decorations.

Then at night when the lights are on....

Well, as much as I love decorating for Christmas, tomorrow it all gets put away! Hubby already took advantage of our low snowfall this year, and removed all of the outdoor decorations.

 That's not all I accomplished in the month. First, the 18th was our 35th wedding anniversary, so I made my husband a special gift. His mother has been in heaven for 20 years now, so I took some of her fabric, didn't know she was a crazy quilter till after she had passed away! Then I embellished four blocks with some favorite pictures...needless to say, he loved it and had some tears!

Celebrating Mom in Heaven for 20 years; Sandy and I being married for 35 years; and I have been crazy quilting for 20 years!!!

Sandy graduating from college.

Mom playing with a string and Sissy, our deaf cat, who lived till age 17.

We toasted mom's life after the funeral at the Tony's Fish Market on the Beach. When we were back for Sandy's 50th reunion in September we stopped by again, just to get a picture of the setting sun!  

Front of his gift, with all four blocks sewn together. I used her fabrics again for the backing, did each block individually and then sewn together.

 

Needless to say, he loves it!

Now, it's time to see how my Gospel in the Stars quilt is coming along. As some of you know I am doing this with Sharon Boggon's 2020 Crazy Quilt Challenge!

Each one of the squares have now been backed individually, and will be sewn together. Here are pictures of the constellations and their backs... starting with Virgo...

Libra...

Scorpio...

Sagittarius...

Capricorn...

Aquarius...

Pisces...

Aires...

Taurus...

Gemini...

Cancer...

Last, but not least, Leo...

Then the four corners...first one is called Creation Day 4...

 Next I call Treasures...

Next, on the lower left, is Prince of Peace...

And last corner...God's Glory...

Now this puts me a little over 800 on my count...so I had to keep going! Since there are  48 constellations, 3 for each of the original 12, I knew I could add more...

Virgo, is stitched but not yet backed..

then Libra has been stitched...

Scorpio is also stitched..

And as you can see, they cross the whole top, with Sagittarius and Capricorn coming down the side...The center keeps evolving...these are paper patterns laid out for contemplation.

Well, I am at the point that I will continue making the blocks to go around the quilt again. Not sure of exact count, but am sure over 1000. I have it written down, just haven't added it all up. I will before I start the center, because it will become critical by that time!! 

Thanks for following on my journey. I hope it blesses you as much as this project is blessing me!!

Happy Stitching!