Summer Sampler Quilt

Well I decided to join in the summer sampler quilt along fun. I don't know how I managed to resist this long after looking at Faith's blog and seeing all the great blocks she had planned along with Kate and Lee. Anyway, I started a few days ago and have so far completed five blocks. It is a lot more time consuming than I had originally anticipated, but I am learning a ton! The seam ripper and I have become "friends" quite a few times but I have managed to conquer my fear of paper piecing so it's all worth it. Here are my blocks thus far! If you are looking for a new quilting project you should check it out -- it's not too late to start!

July Bee Blocks

July do.Good Stitches inspire circle blocks

This month was my month for the do. Good Stitches bee. [Can I just pause for a second here and say how much I have enjoyed being a part of this bee? If you're looking for a group of great people and want to quilt for charity, you should check them out on flickr.]

It took me awhile to come up with a design for this month's quilt - I had tons of ideas swirling through my head and finally settled on a half square triangle quilt in citrus colors - orange, green and yellow with a gray background. My goal is to make a sunny, cheerful quilt that will make a child smile. The blocks are starting to roll in and I'm just waiting for the rest so I can get started on the quilt top.

Flickr Friday: Purple

Here are some of my favorite photos from flickr this week. I've obviously had purple on the brain...check 'em out and come back next week for another installment of Flickr Friday.

1. Purple Koosh 2. Purple Haze 3. Purple Line 4. Purple January 5. Purple Flower 6. Purple 7. Purple Rain 8. Purple Haze 9. Purple

What color has been on your mind this week?

Me? A Quilter?

Sometimes I look at my life and I am surprised that I am so into quilting. When I was younger, I had always balked against the idea of quilting or crocheting or knitting simply because I thought they were boring, lame crafts that only "old ladies" participated in. How very wrong I was! Luckily I grew up and have come to understand that quilting is a work of art and a way to really allow your creativity to shine.

My adventures with quilting started off as a side mention one day to my husband about how I though it would be interesting to learn how to quilt. And of course, being the great man that he is, my husband decided to surprise me with a sewing machine. The rest, as they say, is history.

Anyway welcome to Purple Panda Quilts - the place where I will share what it is like to be a quilter, designer, photographer and wife to a medical student all at the same time. I hope to use this blog to connect with all sorts of quilters that I know are out there, create some friendships, and bond over our love of fabric and creativity. In honor of starting my blog I would love to hear from you about how you started quilting.