It's been a very good week....

in the Valley *VBS* With so many packages arriving, it felt like Christmas...maybe better. Why? Because it was ALL fabric and quilt related! A stuffed-to-overflowing computer paper box from Dianna in Iowa. This is my 2nd box from her. Yardages of fabric,some bits and pieces, some scraps and a couple of quilt tops ready to finish up. It will all get used Diannia, and a big thank you!! I won a drawing for a box of scraps and FQs(and 2 patterns)from Minick and Simpson, a real treat for me as I own none of their fabric line or patterns. Those talented gals design for Moda. Thank you Polly and Laurie! And my "I won" jellyroll from Vickie of Mid-Ohio Knitter's drawing. That's also how I won the Minick & Simpson scraps. I have managed to get some sewing done this week. I got these kitchen sink blocks together for a donation quilt, now to get it pinned.
 And the spirit has been moving me to work with the "Improv" idea. I think that is pretty much what I do anyway(with orphan blocks and odd bits) but I've never thought of it as improv. I suppose what I do could be called a method.
 I begin with a center block(or maybe not, depending) and then add on. I don't lay this type of piecing out. I sit at the machine, with the "beginnings" in my lap and audition assorted squares(and parts) to see what will fit and what might look good in that spot. I've found that spacers are a big help. You can sneak in some pretty dull bits, as long as there is a brighter place for the eye to rest. I don't measure except with my eyes. If some is left over at the end of the joining seam, I just whack it off with the scissor.Having a pile of HSTs of various sizes is handy, as are strips of assorted sizes.
This is more labor intense and slow, than working with blocks of the same size and lattice. So far I haven't wandered into the block and lattice approach. Must be I like doing the way I do it....LOL