The Dawn of Some New Projects

So after complaining about lack of inspiration only yesterday, I have some fun progress to report. I'm really excited about it... and a little bit nervous at the same time!

As you've probably noticed, when it comes to sewing, I love trying new things, so it was only a matter of time till I tried my hand at designing my own patterns.

A while ago Kristy pointed me in the direction of Quilt Assistant, a free program that you can use to design quilt blocks. I've been tinkering about with it for a while and so far have not been very happy with what I have come up with- it was either super unoriginal; not particularly well drawn or a combination of the two!

Even though Kristy warned me that I should go to the forum and check out all the tips for how to use the program, I've been impatiently feeling my way in the dark and have been working it out by trial and error. I think that I am FINALLY getting to grips with it! Yes it would've been quicker to read the instructions, but where's the fun in that!?

I have been motivated to try to turn my doodles into something, you see I have decided to design something for the challenge part of the friendship quilts blog hop. The idea of the blog hop is to make something inspired by friendship bracelets for a special friend. I've got a couple of friends who could benefit from surprises of this sort at the moment, so I'm excited to make something for one or both of them.

Now don't expect masterpieces straight away- I'm starting simple and working my way up.

Here is a sneak peak of my first trial. I just used some scraps that I had lying around. I'm pretty pleased with it, and I'll definitely turn this into something, but I already know what I will change for attempt number two. The pattern has been drafted, I just need to make it up.

Can you see the friendship bracelet inspiration?

More details on this project and on the recipient soon.

In other exciting news, I am working on designing another paper pieced design. Its pretty complicated so I really really hope that it works. The inspiration for this one stemmed out of a couple of email correspondences with Laura of Quokka Quilts. She set the challenge and who am I to say no!

The annoying part is that I was all set to start piecing last night, but I am missing fabric in a crucial colour! AAARGH the frustration!!! I really really really want to get started but will have to wait patiently until I get the chance to buy some fabric (probably next week sometime!)

If you want a hint what it is... just look at my logo...

(... Although this one will not be tartan...)

I'm sharing at Creative Spaces and From Blank Pages...