Practice Block: Caesar's Crown

I did a practice block for my swoon - Sorry I haven't posted anything about the non-practice, it is a gift and I haven't gifted it yet...I am not so patiently waiting.

But in the meantime, I made another practice block.  This time a paper pieced block by Sew What, Sherlock? called Caeser's Crown.

 I wanted to practice it, because  (1) it was paper piecing, (2) I needed to know how much fabric it would take, and (3) I have it in mind for something special. 
So I called my mom up and had her pick out some fabrics from my stash.  I knew that I would print the pattern a wee bit smaller to have a smaller block (they regularly finish at 24 in), so I planned on turning it into a pillow for my mom (hence her picking the fabrics). 
She chose oranges - Two from Happy Go Lucky and one Timeless Treasures print.

Then I set to work making the block...

Cute, right?  But once I made it, I wasn't sure that I wanted to use it (the pattern, not this specific block) for my original purpose anymore.
Then I quilted it and everything changed.

I am in LOVE.  I am super proud.  Apparently quilting small is easier for me.  I wondered...quilting my sister's quilt was easier, more fun, and turned out better than anything else I had ever tried. 

Now I feel a need to make and quilt more small things.  I think my mom's new office may need a mini...


And perhaps a few pillows.

- Katelyn

Practice Block : Swoon

I don't like to jump in.  I am not a risk taker.  I like lists, practice, and room for error.  So when I make new things, I don't want to use my intended fabric.  I practice.
I have been wanting to swoon for a while, but I just don't have the time right now.  However, my friend Janet over at Simply Pieced made a beautiful double swoon (go here for her post) earlier this year, and I just had to copy.  But I couldn't just make the swoon...I had to practice first.

Here is the regular 24x24 swoon block.  I was going to make it a large pillow, but now it might become the center of a baby quilt.  We shall see...
I had tons of fun with this block and think that if I do make the quilt in the future (I mean I already have fabric picked out and set side, so...) I will make all the blocks in a factory, chain piecing kind of order.  That will make it all go faster (I think).

But I can't wait to go ahead and get my hands on these!

They just scream "pretty princess" to me!

Do you have any swoon advice?

 - Katelyn