Monday Musings

 Last week I made the trip back to my favorite 

local quilt shop, Miller's Dry Goods. My mind and 

eyes were tuned into a different fabric selection, 

and I wasn't disappointed. I was looking for, and found, 

some highly patterned, and colorful floral pieces. 

My latest inspiration comes from a book I've

highlighted here several times, and is one

of my favorite go-to reads--

Quilting with a Modern Slant

This incredibly scrap-inspired quilt is the work

of Katie Pedersen, who blogs as Sew Katie Did.

I just love it!

I've been on a HST kick this year, and have written

about my frustration using pre-cuts when making 

them. The feedback I received was full of ideas, 

but two names kept coming up. One was Bloc-Loc 

for their squaring-up rulers. When I decided on this 

concept as my next project, and realized the extent 

of work, I contacted Bloc-Loc. We talked about my 

ideas,and they were gracious to send me a ruler 

to use as a demo here on Pink Doxies.

I was sent a 6.5" squaring up ruler. Bloc-Loc's suggestion

in their directions say to use one inch up, so a 7.5" 

square to start. I didn't have anything that large in

my scraps to use so I hit my stash--hard!

I have over 50 fabrics cut into squares or strips

at this point--

...and another 140 or so to go!

I went after pieces that I've never used 

before first, and filled in with others.

My trusty He-Man Ruler has been very helpful. My 

tendency with plastic rulers is to lose contact

with the edge right at the end, and it causes a 

swerve or divot in my strip. The heavier ruler

with the gripping foam underneath it helps

hold the fabric in place all the way to the end.

This is the idea of a finished block. I am already

willing to say I am notably impressed with the 

accuracy and ease of the Bloc-Loc ruler,

but floored by the increased speed I can work.

So far, SO Wonderful, Bloc-Loc!

 Also on my list of daily lessons to grow my skills is

to visit the Leah Day Free Motion Quilting Project.

Every single day I do something. There is a vast 

improvement in my skills even from the first 

video until now. It's FREE, and I'm so grateful

for all the resources packed in there.

I keep practicing so I can link up with

Lizzie Lenard's Vintage Sewing Blog on 

Thursday's when she hosts a link up party.

 My days are going in all directions, it seems,

but I feel I'm moving forward like the coming

of spring is. There are so many new things to

learn when you're trying to grow.

I'd love to hear what things you're working on

or how you're trying to grow your skills.

Please take a minute and let me know 

today in the comments.

I'm so honored to be 

featured today on~

and also at

I'm linking up today with~

Bambisyr med sin Quiltgladje!

Monday Makers

Hug-a-Bit Quilts

Cooking Up Quilts

Show and Tell Tuesdays
Sew Cute at Blossom Heart Quilts
Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story
Freemotion by the River
Late Night Quilter

Thank you so much for your 
link-up opportunities!

Time for work!

Come on, Doxie Girls.

Let's go sew.