My Great Quilting Expedition

I saw the Chimney Sparrows block some time ago and wanted to make a wall hanging using it.  The piecing is tricky. I felt I wanted a quick, trial project, so instead of piecing each block, I painted each block with Jacquard Lumiere fabric paint.  I then pieced the blocks together on point.  I sandwiched with 2 layers of Hobbs polester and white cotton backing.  The really fun part of the project was the quilting.  I love thinking about how to show off the blocks to their best advantage.  Any excuse to quilt feathers! :)  I probably should have used my rulers to quilt this, but decided to 'wing' it and just  FMQ by eye. I still need to add a binding...

The last few weeks have been extremely busy and I have found little time to sew.  Our house is sold subject to contract and there is so much to do as we are downsizing - 21 years worth of 'stuff' to part with.  I have managed to finish piecing Pythagoras' Lute and am presently quilting it.  The photo below was taken before it had been sandwiched. I have signed up for the UKQU Winter Mini Swap.  It will be my third mini swap with UKQU.  I have 4 different plan possibilties based on my swap partner's likes and dislikes.  I am presently making small samples before I make a final decision.  I always have to question my motives.  I want to make something my swap partner will love...but I also want to challenge myself by making something I haven't tried before.