A paper-pieced pretty

I offered to test a pattern for Sunshine in the Attic, she designed a Christmas Star Stained Glass block and I just loved how it looked.  Since I had just received my reward from Connecting Threads' drawing on Facebook (THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!) I was inspired to use some of the sea-themed batiks.  This is the fabric I received:

 

Isn't it gorgeous!?  This is their new line called Batik Paradise and I'm impressed.  The batik fabric is not as stiff as some others I've worked with from my local quilt shops, but I like the quality just as well.  And love the designs!  I feel very fortunate to have received this beautiful collection.  The funny part was I had just ordered the following stash builder from them the day I found out I had won:

 

This is for my sister's quilt, I needed to boost my red, white, and blue stash and this was the perfect way to do it.  I shall have to get started on the cutting so I can use it as a leader-ender project for now.  The idea is to have it finished by next May & her 25th birthday.

 

Anyway!  Here is the block and some pictures of playing with the layout of the center:

 

I have decided to name my block Sea Glass, I feel it is fitting with the sea-themed fabric and stained glass idea.  And I'm trying to decided if I want to go ahead and make a full quilt with this or just a wall hanging that can act as an indoor window... decisions decisions!  I'll ask John.

 

 





 

This was great fun to play with, and I look forward to seeing the color-ways the other pattern testers go with!  I may need to try this with actual Christmas colors and see how I like it.  And now seeing the red, white, and blue next to the pattern intrigues me as well, hmmmm...

 

Alright, let's get out there and play with color combinations!

 

~Brandy