Happy Blogiversary to me

Today marks a year of blogging for me. I'm celebrating by showing you two recently finished projects that I couldn't have done without all the rest of you in blogland. First up is my newspaper quilt called Baskets of News, measuring 34 by 38.

This one was inspired by Sara whose guild made two wacky basket quilts inspired by Gwen Marston last year and she shared the method with us online. I pulled out my reds, whites, and blacks, and started making baskets without a plan. By the time I had 16, I started on the letters inspired of course by Tonya. I used a piano key boarder I've seen on various other blogs, and this little quilt, inspired and influenced by many of you, came together. It's also a tribute to my work in newspapers and the old joke: What's black and white and read all over? If you click on the photo, you can spot several newspaper fabrics in it.

My next quilt is also a collaborative, online effort. I started making the words "It's a different thing altogether " (Tonya again) and put together some stars. I posted about the process, got comments, and reworked it several times. I've hand quilted and bound it. The background is made entirely of two inch squares (you know how fond I am of those!) in neutrals. I made 9 patches and friendship stars and one wonky row at the bottom as a nod to my liberated quilting influences.

I've quilted in some friendship stars over the quilt, and I'm using high contrast thread. I haven't mastered machine quilting yet, but I'm not a bad hand quilter, and if I'm going to all that effort, I want my stitches to show, darn it.

Here's some more shots of the background. And below is the whole thing:

The border is yet another one from a batik I bought last spring. I've used the various stripes in several quilts, and I'm really liking this one. This finishes at 44 by 28 and is a gift for the songwriter who penned the lyric.

Thanks for sharing my blogiversary with me. I appreciate the comments, suggestions and critiques. That's what makes blogging so much fun that I'm going to keep going for another year.