"I'm Leaping"

That is what my dad always says when we call him to dinner.  "I'm leaping".  As in "to my feet".  So, that is what I'm calling my little quilt.

Instead of 16 block squares, I made mine with 49 squares in each block.  Just liked the added element of complexity I guess.  They make a pretty mosaic, don't they?  It puts me in mind of the 60's when my mom was putting mosaic tiles on everything we owned.  Don't you feel if you step back a bit further, the little squares will show something representational, like a cow in a pasture or Abraham Lincoln in profile?  Ok, I am getting goofy now.

While reading about the Leap Year pattern on the blogs of others, I keep seeing two variations mentioned--a 16 patch version and a 36 patch version.  I thought I WAS making the 36 patch version, but as you see, my blocks have 49 little squares.  It looks like in my hurry to get this top finished, I neglected to actually read the pattern.  This is the sort of thing that happens when I stay up past my bedtime.

I have no idea how I managed to finish this.  It was a fun little project, but I started it at the eleventh hour, that's for sure.  I did stay up late and sewed by the light of the moon shining through the window of my studio.  Believe it or not, I have never worked down there at night.  I am a morning person, and staying up doing anything remotely productive after the sun has gone down is very much against my nature.  It felt strange to be wandering around in my back yard at midnight in my nightgown, going from studio to house for a refill of chardonnay.  Oh.  Maybe THAT'S why my blocks have 49 squares instead of 36.

The fabric I used was two charm packs of Farmer's Market, by Brannock and Patek.  Also, since I like to use these Schnibbles on my kitchen table, I cut down the size to nine blocks instead of twleve.  The blocks ended up being 7 1/2 inches square, the lattice was 2 1/2 inches wide and the border was 3 inches wide.  I think my finished top is around 32 inches square.  Don't you love that sprinkling of black throughout the top?  It makes things twinkle.  I was completely random in chosing my fabric placement, except to avoid putting the same colors right next to each other.

Even though this quilt top came out a far cry from the Leap Year pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, I really like my accidental variation.

 

Comments

[Barbara Anne]

Applause, applause!! Well done in finishing this Schnibbles quilt so quickly and I love that you modified this pattern to suit yourself!!

Watch that chardonnay and moonlight. Next you'll be dancing by the light of the moon, but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

My mother always said that every room needs a touch of black to add that same twinkle of contrast. Later, she told me she had started putting silver and glass items out to bounce light around her rooms. I do both of those things in my home and add black to many of my quilts.

Hugs!

[Leah]

Love your schnibbles. I too did the 49 block. When I went back to skim the pattern for my sashing sizes I didn't see anything about a 49 patch block and thought I had screwed up major. But I was sure the pattern mentioned a 49 patch block so I sat down and read the pattern till I found it again. It is in the Notes section of the Cutting instructions on the first page. Not even a whole line, but it was there. Phew, I wasn't as crazy as I thought. :)

[Jayne Honnold]

You're turning into night owl! I love being awake at night, especially when there is a beautiful moon. Of course, I love mornings, too, and that is when I'm most productive. So I basically need to figure out a way to operate without sleep.

Love your version of Leap Year!

[Quilter Kathy]

It is fabulous! I smiled to read about you wandering around in your nightgown in search of wine!
I finally got a card mailed off to Grandpa Larry and hope he is recovering well.

[Jan]

Your Leap Year is stunning! Weren't June's Schnibbles parades filled with such imaginative versions? It's great you were able to sneak some time in (and out and back in) the studio!

[Suzy]

LOVE it! The black really does make it pop! :o)

[Ariane]

Your quilt top is beautiful!!! Love the 49 patch blocks....a happy accident!!!

[sillysally]

Ha ha, glad you didn't get into any trouble, what with being in your nightgown and drinking too much chardonnay! Your Leap Year variation is great!

[Diane]

So fun! I too am a morning person, but sometimes night is nice for the peace and quiet.

Have a great week.

[AnnieO]

Your variation looks great and can be used for more than one season, too, with those wonderful colors. Charm packs sure help with making a quilt at the last minute!

[Carrie]

ROFL You really didn't read the pattern! Or you did and you forgot! The 49-patch option is in there if you want the smaller squares/strips and the larger block. :)

Wine and quilting is an awesome combination! The best part is that even in the results aren't perfect, you don't mind!

I hope it was some of Ryan's wine. :)

[Sinta]

Sometimes you just have to go with it! The pattern was just a inspiration point... no need to read the instructions... your minds eye had a plan!

[Jean]

Love it to (all of the 49) pieces!!! A gal at a local quilt shop always puts black in her quilts for the same reason. It makes them sparkle!

[Susan Ramey Cleveland]

Love it.

[ina]

Beautiful! I LOVE best sewing in my pjs while everyone(including the dog) have gone to bed. No interruptions and no other responsibilities. ;p

[Anita]

I love your version!

[Linda W.]

I am pretty sure you need a small fridge--as it is the perfect addition to any sewing studio! No more wandering around in the wee hours for a refill! Love the quilt--a fun finish.