I did it. I started cutting this quilt last weekend, and this weekend, finished sewing the top together.
I'm calling it it "all mixed up". The pattern is well written, and although it requires a LOT of cutting, the results are well worth it. I'm putting this baby in the closet for a bit before I make the backing and quilt it. I was on a mission to get it sewn together and off my sewing room floor as quickly as possible since my cat was loving pushing the envelope with me by peeling out on it, making all those little pieces fly. I can now breathe.
I'm a little nervous about this next thing I want to tell you. You remember this retreat with AmandaJean last fall? Well, she is unable to come and do the spring retreat, so Tara at the Inn at City Park, here in Fort Collins, has asked me to do it! I'm going to be teaching on improv and paper piecing: beginning and advanced block design and construction. Here's the info for it and I'd love to see you there!
Join us for a weekend of creative sewing with Penny Layman of sewtakeahike!
Workshops focusing on improv and paper pieced blocks, including block design and construction as well as advanced block design
When: April 15- 17, 2011
Where: Inn at City Park
1734 W. Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO
970-672-4725
And lastly, make sure and check out Amylouwho's blog if you're interested in a giveaway for one of my footstool pincushion kits, here!
Happy Monday!
~Penny
Happy Monday! Love the quilt...sew very pretty. Congratulations on being asked to teach at the retreat. What an honor and a blessing!
Posted by: dee | 21 February 2011 at 05:42 AM
YOU are a fine choice for the April weekend! I wish I could go. I know I could learn a lot from you. I always do.
Posted by: Suzanne | 21 February 2011 at 05:54 AM
Love your quilt! as for the retreat a little too far to travel but if you're ever over this side of the pond.. drop in!
Posted by: Effie | 21 February 2011 at 06:13 AM
awesome! I think you will be great. :) And very fun quilt top, love that pattern.
Posted by: Angela | 21 February 2011 at 06:26 AM
what a great quilt! so many wonderful prints!
congrats on the class. you are gonna do great! :)
Posted by: randi | 21 February 2011 at 07:18 AM
I love your quilt! You make the neatest things. If I lived near Colorado I would love to attend. And, why DO cats like to mess up quilts in progress that are on the floor. Mine does it all the time. :)
Posted by: Nancy | 21 February 2011 at 07:19 AM
Well, Penny, you've come a long way in a short time. I'm sure it doesn't seem to short to you, but you've really stretched and grown.
The top is out of this world and congrats on the leadership role. You'll do great.
Try to relax and enjoy.
Posted by: Arlene | 21 February 2011 at 08:05 AM
Dang it! I wished I lived closer!!! I would totally come. Let's plan our own beach sewing retreat at my house. I'm so excited for you - you will be awesome!!!
Posted by: Amylouwho | 21 February 2011 at 08:14 AM
Very cute little quilt top! Congrats on the class. You're going to have fun, I'm sure!
Posted by: Rachel at Stitched in Color | 21 February 2011 at 08:19 AM
love the quilt and how exciting to be teaching a class at a retreat! you'll do great and have fun too!
Posted by: elsa | 21 February 2011 at 08:37 AM
YEAH for you!! They will have such a treat having you as an instructor. Love love that quilt, the fabrics are so fun.
Posted by: Jody Blue | 21 February 2011 at 09:12 AM
Love the colors and the curves! How did you ever get them flat?
Posted by: Jessica | 21 February 2011 at 10:46 AM
Ooooh, how exciting Penny -- I know you'll do a great job and probably have a fantastic time!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 21 February 2011 at 11:03 AM
I can't even tell you how much I love this quilt. The shapes, the colors... it all works so very well, though I can't put a finger on what exactly makes it work. It is lovely!
Posted by: amanda | 21 February 2011 at 03:15 PM
awesome penny. the quilt and the retreat. I always love your style. :)
Posted by: anna | 21 February 2011 at 06:08 PM
Oh Penny, LOVE YOUR QUILT!!! It turned out awesome!!! would you mind if i showed a picture of it on my blog??? Ive got a few i can show of people making my quilt pattern up in gorgeous fabrics!! Would love to show it off!!! xx
Posted by: Bec Johnson - Chasing Cottons | 21 February 2011 at 08:00 PM
The quilt is fantastic and I'm sure your retreat will be, too! I LOVE retreating.
Posted by: krista - Poppyprint | 21 February 2011 at 09:13 PM
You will be great! You are a perfect choice for the improv. As I said at my house, your process is facinating and so different from mine!
Posted by: Michelle | 21 February 2011 at 09:57 PM
i so wish i could come and learn from you at your class! that would be a treat. i love LOVE love your quilt top. it's amazing!
Posted by: amandajean | 21 February 2011 at 10:03 PM
Penny, how great that you teach at a retreat! i so wish i could come but due to money, work and thousands of miles i can´t :-)
anyway, all my best wishes to you for this gig, i am sure you will be a wonderful, inspiring teacher!!
have a great day,
Claudia
Posted by: Machen und Tun | 21 February 2011 at 11:08 PM
Penny you will do great! I would love to attend a retreat with you! It's a bit far though. ;) But you can come and join us in NOLA for our retreat if you want. lol.
Posted by: Angela | 22 February 2011 at 12:23 AM
Beautiful quilt!! I hope your teaching goes well.
Posted by: Miaou | 22 February 2011 at 12:57 PM
i'm so excited that you are teaching this workshop. i've never been to one of these before. last night i talked with my hubby about it. he decided that this quilty workshop was the equivalent of him, sitting in the dugout, at Cubs playoff game. sounds like a fair comparison to me :) i can't wait for April!!!
Posted by: melinda | 23 February 2011 at 07:48 PM