One down...

Here we are, only a couple of weeks into the new year, and I am happy to report that I have finished my first quilt of the new year!  

We were given a challenge from the Modern Quilt Guild for Violet Craft's Madrona Road.  I absolutely love this entire line, both colorways.  My local guild was given some fabric to play with, and I was one of the lucky ones that got to play with some.  Our challenge was to use it in a pattern, block, or technique that was new to us.  Since I have only been quilting for a little over a year, this was an easy challenge.  I have been hoarding the Chopsticks pattern by Julie Herman at Jaybird Quilts, waiting for just the right fabric, and I knew this was going to be it!  

I love this quilt so much - it was faster to put together than I thought.  The pattern was really well written, which was no surprise - I even purchased a couple more patterns from her today at our Guild meeting.  

Here are a couple more pics -

The obligatory rocking chair picture... I really need to find a new place to take my quilt pictures!

One of the great things about this pattern is that there is a ton of opportunity to quilt in the negative spaces.  I have only really done that on one other quilt, and I really love it!  I asked my son for his opinion on what I should quilt, and he was very specific on his choices - pebbles in the gray outer triangles, flowers in the middle, and meandering on the prints.  Well, who could argue with that?  So, that is exactly what I did.  I LOVE IT!  Here is a close up!

I think this is a great way to start off the year - now on to the next project.  hmmm... maybe I will finish my #scrappytripalong?  Talk to you soon!

TFL!