Beach Boys 2 sashed

The shadows really show up once the sashing is complete.
At this point the quilt top measures 35 1/2 inches square. I could add the border and it would be larger than the standard crib quilt.

Here is a close up of the border; it is all dog tags with typical dog names! Except for the ones that name the fabric designer (M'Liss) and her websight!

I have always been fascinated with shadow box quilts, with the optical illusions. But I had no idea how easy they are to make. I took a strip of white (1.5" wide) and sewed it to black (10+" wide). Then I cut them into strips 1.5" wide.

I had trimmed my blocks to 8.5", and so I cut a black/white strip at 8.5", then I sewed it to the bottom of the block. The strip for the right side of the block was cut at 9.5" and sewed on.

Now that I know how easy it is, I will be sure to make another shadow box quilt!

Shadow Box Blocks

This will be Beach Boys 2. I had fussy cut the squares for Beach Boys (yesterday's post); the leftover fabric had full images of dogs, but I could no longer cut them all the same size.

Instead, I framed the different size squares and cut the blocks the same size. Then I added shadows to the blocks. They will really stand out when I sash these with white. And I have the cutest fabric for the borders!

I wanted to show close ups of the five different dogs-on-the-beach scenes.

This one's drinking 'puspi cola".

Somebody needs a nap.

Here come the young studly dudes...

These guys remind me of the characters from the old movie "Cocoon"!

I've linked this up with Judy's Design Wall Monday at http://www.patchworktimes.com/

Beach Boys and Rosey

I finished the Beach Boys top tonite. I think it turned out cute! The black border is all paw prints. I sort of wish that I had used a darker bottom sill of the attic window block.
So, here is my amazing new machine!

It can go 1500 stitches a minute, which I tried out for the first time (while sewing the borders).

Well, Rosey was in her kennel, which is right next to my sewing cabinet. The high speed of the machine produced a high whine, which made Rosey highly uncomfortable. After a few wimpers and shifting in positions...

...she high-tailed it as far from me as possible....to the front door!

Poor Rosey.

But it made me laugh!

Beach Boys

I had an ah-ha moment today. I found this adorable dog fabric in the remnant bin at Joann's; I tucked it away until I had an idea how to use it. I knew I wanted to fussy cut the dogs to emphasize the personalities of these beach boys. The guy in the lawn chair is drinking "pupsi cola'!

Attic Windows is the perfect pattern to showcase a great fabric! Here are the first six blocks. (I have six more to go.) These took me an hour to whip up; they measure at 8" square.

These guys just make me laugh! The small print gives basic dog commands: sit, stay, fetch, etc.

The Christmas Sampler was set aside; I must first applique those two last blocks before I will allow myself to do another block. I guess I am not really excited about applique. It is more fun to piece the blocks!