1. When the Stars Go Blue - close up, 2. flickr.com/photos/54510738@N03/6783414131/, 3. Brighter Than the Sun, 4. projectquilting

The Challenge:  Making Music

Quilter:  Sweet Dreams by Sarah

When the Stars Go Blue

Inspirational Song:  “When the Stars Go Blue” cover by the Carrs and Bono

I'm a quilter in Chandler, AZ, and chose to make this 24" square quilt for my 2nd Project QUILTING piece! It was inspired by the song, "When the Stars Go Blue." It was originally recorded as a country song, but the cover by the Corrs and Bono has always been one of my favorite songs!

I managed to find the perfect FQ for this project in my stash. It has a consistent pattern all through the fabric, but it changed in value from light blue to dark blue across the width of the fabric - perfect for "going blue." I pieced the stars using Oh, Fransson!'s sparkle punch design - so fun and easy to put together, I can easily see making a full quilt this way! I quilted it with simple straight lines, randomly crossing the quilt.

Quilter: Dashasel

Waltzing Matilda...far far away

Inspirational Song:  Waltzing Matilda

Project Quilting Challenge 2
blogged: dashasel.blogspot.com/2012/01/waltzing-matildafar-far-awa...

For this challenge, I selected the song "Waltzing Matilda." The song is a popular Australian song apparently about itinerant workers who carried their belongings in a swag. To waltz Matilda means to travel with this swag. Another interpretation of the song is that these men used to dance with their swag bags since they did not necessarily have women to partner with.

With this in mind, I initially wanted to create a waltzing swag bag. My process was that first, I selected my fabrics. I thought about these men carrying these bags and what possessions they might keep in them. I also thought about how these were their worldly possessions and perhaps how they sometimes slept on these bags or as they carried them dreamed about their lives and future. With this is mind, I cut into my Far Far Away fabrics. I wanted these guys to have a fairy tale ending.

Next for the design, I decided on a dresden-ish template. Because the dresdens were a bit larger than the center circle, it helped me to create a wavy circle, like a dancing skirt. To actually quilt this, I pressed the waves into pleats (still not tired of these!).

I then quilted in a circle, with the thought in mind that people dance around and around.

The quilt was made by me in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and measures 31" x 31".

Quilter:  NancysUniqueBoutique

Brighter Than the Sun

Inspirational Song:  Brighter than the Sun by Colbie Caillat

I chose Colbie Caillat's song Brighter Than The Sun. I used bright colors and piecing and added machine quilting along with shiny lame fabric to make the 'lightening striking the heart'. The size is 18"x13" and it was made in DeKalb, IL. This is my first challenge to participate in and I finished it on Thursday but had computer problems and couldn't upload my photo until late. Funny how life goes sometimes! This project is out of my box by using bright colors and just being fun since usually I'm so serious.

Earlier Closer Looks:

• Closer Look, Part 1
• Closer Look, Part 2
• Closer Look, Part 3
• Closer Look, Part 4