Black KFCs Without the Chaos

I knocked off work about an hour early today since I have to work tomorrow and started cracking away at some new Frankenbag panels made from my black KFC scraps. I wanted to do something that felt less chaotic and where you could actually see the different elements of the panel.

Here’s the front of the bag. I think I achieved what I set out to do.

Isn’t that large block of the spiral shells fantastic!?!?! I just love that fabric. I have a big piece of it that I will use for a quilt backing some day.

I didn’t think I was going to like the black and white with these dark fabrics but I actually love it. It certainly gives the bag a different feel.

Here’s the other side of the bag.

In making these panels, I wanted to use some larger pieces of the KFC prints that are so fantastic. I love the way those larger pieces work here.

And those little blocks at the top with the diagonal lines of Jumble? I stole that idea from Brenda Tonyes, one of my blog readers who sent in photos.

Here’s both panels together.

I’m going to line this one with that gorgeous blue guinea flower fabric. I’ll probably finish this Saturday.

A friend of mine here in the Pacific Northwest named Karin Haderly posted some photos today of a Frankenbag she made for her mom out of some batik blocks and scraps left over from a quilt.

I love that circular quilting she did. I need to try that some time but I have no idea how to do it. I’m guessing there are tutorials online somewhere.

Here’s the back of the bag. She took these photos in the snowball tree especially for me!

Take a look at all those corners on those gorgeous batiks. Karin is kind of a rock star quilter. She makes absolutely gorgeous and intricate paper pieced quilts that are waaaay above my skill level. She invited me up to her house a few summers ago to spend the afternoon learning how to do paper piecing. I learned so much that day. She helped me build a few skills and gain confidence in striking out on paper piecing projects… but not as complicated as the ones she makes!

Karin also has border collies and shares my love for Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics and Philip Jacobs the person.

Speaking of border collies, take a look at this handsome lad. Rico is just the sweetest boy.

And here’s Bender in a babushka. It really works on him.

I’m feeling confident that I’ll actually have a strawberry or two from my garden this summer. It’s going to be fun to watch these grow. I’m hoping the squirrels and birds leave them alone.

And apples… it looks like I’ll have plenty of those too. Hopefully not too many to keep up with.

I’m looking forward to the weekend.