Sampler Quilt Top Ready...

This is the sampler quilt top from the 2012 free online Craftsy block-of-the-month. I told myself I was not permitted to sign up for the 2013 class unless I put these blocks together. Since I made only 15 of the 20 class blocks, I assembled the quilt top in five rows of three. However, this presented me with a slight problem. Generally long, skinny quilts are not my favorites. So I widened out the side border pieces, and narrowed the top and bottom ones. Because it's just a top at this point, it doesn't look as if it's hanging straight, but it is in square... at least I hope it is! Instructor Amy Gibson did a great job leading us through the various techniques for the blocks and quilt assembly. 

Part of the fun in quiltmaking is playing with the blocks to come up with a pleasing arrangement. The California Dreaming fabric line I chose for this project is so bright and bold that they all kind of worked wherever I put them. So high marks for bright... if you like bright! 

This photo shows the border in progress. I seem to be an incurable floor-quilter. Getting down there to work is not much of an issue, but getting back up is another story. But I'm so messy when I work, and I make piles of stuff all over the place. So there is no table big enough... it takes a floor.

And I just wanted to show this photo. I started the New Year with a lovely Yoga retreat held at this retreat center. Could you be anything less than peaceful here? Ahhh.....