Quilts and questions...

This small 4 patch variation is one of my earlier attempts in making small quilts. I've never been quite sure what the difference was between a small quilt and a minature quilt. At that time, in the late 1980's it was being hotly debated.

I'm not sure it really matters..at least not to me. I saw this pattern, variation of 4 patch, and used some of my favorite scraps to piece it. The buttons at the intersections were my "homespun" addition, and buttons on quilts weren't yet the "thing" to do. But they're small buttons of advanced age, and suited the piece.

It feels odd to look back at it now, with not all the triangle points in tact, and a couple of odd fabric choices.
Almost 20 years later, I might do a better job of sizing the blocks before I made the pinwheels. But back then it was new to me, the whole rotary cutter bit, and often I just went ahead and "did my thing".
It's been a Sunday of doing my thing....so to speak. Units got made for a Railroad Crossing quilt I am piecing from my 1.5" scrap bin. Don't know what the setting fabric will be as yet, will wait til I see what the blocks look like laid out and then decide. I have lots of fabric to choose from.
Today also was the day I was in the mood to clean my stash..LOL. You know..the day when you pull every thing off the shelves and re-organize and re-order it? Ya..and it's a process and feeling that I like, and often save for rainy days, when I can sit quietly, fondling fabric, creating order, and listening to it rain. But today it was the fan I listened to.

And I washed new fabrics I got on a shopping trip with friend Betsy, on Wednesday. I did some pretty serious plastic damage. But as I open the yardages out and drop them in the washer, I don't really mind what the bill will be next month. I have new greens, and savannah golds and rusts, and I can hear the rustling of creatures moving about in the night in Africa.
I'm collecting fabrics for an African quilt..a coming attraction. Once I decide what pattern I will piece, that's the hard part this time.

The afternoon found me watching Cider House Rules, and realizing I had forgotten what a sad movie it is. But Michael Caine is wonderful as always. I love his voice, and also that of Sir Anthony Hopkins in Shadowlands. And Patrick Steward for that matter...LOL.

Was restless tonight with what tv was offering but too tired to do much, so I began a new Father Christmas in counted cross stitch. I only do counted cs occasionally as my eyes get really tired from counting the holes...but this is a neat small one, so I'll give it a try. I'm quite taken with Father Christmas vs. Santa Claus. But that's a story for another season.
I wonder..probably not as part of the Quilt Mavericks group, but do you other quilters make seasonal quilts? I have both Christmas and Halloween quilts. I really love getting the christmas quilts and wall hangings and table squares out after Thanksgiving each year. I have started making a Christmas quilt for each of my 5 children to have in their homes. Daughter # 1 is lucky enough and a good enough daughter she got a #2 christmas quilt last year, and the Uncle Santa wall hanging the year before. You'd think that would be enough, but regularily my quilts seem to vanish only to appear on her couch or wall. Luckily they know their way home again, altho I have considered the global tracking devices as an emblishment. Hopefully it won't come to that..LOL.