Bonnie Hunter class preparations

My preparations are almost completed for a class with Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville, in south Denver.  The all-day class is sponsored by Wooden Spools quilt shop.  I remember how disorganized I am at a class so I cut pieces ahead of time.  Well, then I was tempted to sew "just one" but ended up with 2 Jacob's Ladder, and one Rosebud.   Jacob's Ladder had always been a favorite.  I have a 3rd set of blocks cut for Union Square but not shown here -- better save something for the class!.  Believe me, I have a LOT of plaids!  I LOVE this Rosebud -- normally it ends up looking feminine, but wowser, plaids make a big difference! We're making the quilt Bonnie calls "Shirttails."  I'm planning to set the blocks in a Row format, and each row will using the same fabrics.

I am traveling with a friend who knows how to navigate Denver traffic.  Denver is about 4 1/2 hours from my home in western Nebraska, but we'll have a lovely visit during the drive.

Thanks Jody, for that lovely soft blue plaid in the Rosebud block - it sings!

My Show and Tell will be my favorite Pineapple Blossom that I started in Casper, WY, also taught by Bonnie 3-4 years ago.

Jacob's Ladder, Border, and Label ideas

This hand-quilted pretty, "Candy Ladders" was made even before I had a blog, and I'm astonished it was never posted. The blocks are traditional Jacob's Ladder, 6 inch, yes 6 inches! It may be the last one I've ever done by hand, unfortunately. Many babies have come along, and I've given them 'ordinary' baby quilts, but I've seen that these days, new mothers don't quite understand the work that goes into a hand-quilted baby quilt, so I've hung onto it.

I'm posting it today because a blogger was asking for border suggestions. While this looks like a lot of work - well it IS, sorta, it certainly has been an excellent border. The squares finish at 1 inch. It travels well around corners, although you might have to fudge in the centers of the border, it uses up the scraps from the quilt, but you DO need ONE CONSISTENT color (white in this case), the same in every border block so the eye sees the flow going around the quilt. This was all based on Bonnie Hunter's, Scrappy Bargello at www.quiltville.com When I first started quilting a LOT, this simple block idea practically exploded in my head, with ideas, dreams, pictures, colors! LOLOL

Below is my favorite part -- the label is a pocket with a little Beanie Baby Bunny. What child would not LOVE that pocket with it's critter tucked into it. For a time, our LQS had Beanie Babies on sale for $2.00, and I bought a bunch, using the label/pocket in many kid quilts, and tucking a little critter inside.