Just a little bit challenged

After seeing a lovely little quilt on Sharon's blog, I decided to participate in Marcia's Scrappy Quilt Challenge using her Denim Block Pattern Tutorial.  She shared her pattern with us at Sew We Quilt in November - that pattern rocks! 

To get started I opened a fabric bin that was on the floor and pulled 4 fabrics, then I chose 3 more that sort of coordinated with them. 

There are one or two fabrics in the group I didn't use yet, but my focus fabric is this piece of "Kaleidoscope" by Hoffman that I've had for a very  long time! 

I've had it so long that I don't know how old it is, I just know it's time to move it along.  Get to steppin'

I cut my focus fabric in squares and rectangles at 2x2, 2x3, 3x3 and 3x4 (plus 1/2" seam allowance), then I added fabric strips cut at different widths around them log cabin style...

Round 1.  That light green batik is actually a fabric that wasn't in the first photo, it was on my cutting table from something else.  

When I went to do the second round, I realized I didn't have to use the same identical fabric for each round, so I mixed it up a bit...

at least... I hope I wasn't s'posed to!

At this point I noticed I was working with 10 pieces, so rather than cut two more to make it an even dozen ... I just eliminated one of em!  I can always use it for something later... maybe a mug rug or an oatmeal mat, as Gene made for his Nana.  With 9 pieces I'll have an easier 3 by 3 layout.

In Round 3 you can see the pieces taking a more definite shape...

They're not all the same size, but I think the design element of this pattern is based on them not being too matchy-matchy.  Variety is the secret sauce in this one!

And last but not least, Round 4 where all sides of the center focus fabric are surrounded, log cabin style.

My next step will be to lay these out and "fill in the cracks" with whatever size strips necessary so the blocks can be sewn together in rows.  Piece o cake?  I dunno yet, we'll see!

Yesterday morning there was a discussion on Exuberant Color about color theory... I commented that I did take a class but all the info went right out of my head, so my color combinations are sometimes just gut instinct.  The fabrics I'm using for this challenge are an example of me flying by the seat of my pants, so to speak.  They may not all have tea and crumpets with the focus fabric, but they do have a passing acquaintance!  It's just a quilt.

If you'd like to participate in this challenge, do visit Marcia's blog, read the rules and regs, then pull some fabrics and get started!  It's a cute pattern, and she's giving away a great prize!  PLUS she has a linky, and you can show your flimsy if you finish it before January 23!

Sew forth and sew on