MMMRR Reveal

At the last minute, back in January, I decided to join in the Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin hosted by the amazing Michele at Quilts From my Crayon Box.  I was going to pass, but couldn't quite do it :)

Here is my original center block.

I love the Joel Dewberry florals and the Courtyard Garden block.  I was super excited when I mailed it out and I was NOT disappointed!  While I waited for this beauty to come home, here are some pics of what I worked on to keep my mind distracted:



Month 1
I love this paper pieced star--it was even one of the blocks I though of using as my center block.  I didn't have any Vintage Modern hanging around my scrap pile, so I pulled out some Marmalade and I love how it worked.  I also did the gray mitered corner border (with mixed success.)

Month 2
The theme for this one was seasons and holidays.  I'm not big on novelty fabric--I don't think I've ever bought any, so I went with the spring theme and butterflies from Lori Holt's row along.  I think they turned out darling.  I used scraps from some of my favorite projects over the last year.

Month 3
I think this is the one that gave me the most anxiety.  I love the blue and green in the center block, but I had almost none in my stash.  I wanted to pull out the original colors from the center block, so I spent several days agonizing over color variations.  I ended up going back to the row along  for the star design that looked like small saw teeth to me.

Month 4
This is the most visually stunning one I got to work on.  I've never done any color wheel projects, but now I'm sorely tempted.  I went through my scraps and pulled out every color variation I could find.  I tried to make it look like the colors were swirling out from the center block.

Month 5
I love the bright cheerful colors that made up the added borders on this one.  The applique border was beautiful.  Way beyond my abilities.  I just added a blocky border that felt more like a final frame to me.

Month 6 (Home to Mama!)
The suspense really built as I waited for my garden to return home--partly because I finished my border early in the month and partially because mine was coming from the Yukon, so the mail took its sweet time.  I was so nervous looking back at the beauties I'd worked on.

I was in tears when I opened up that package ...

 Isn't it gorgeous!  THANK YOU to
Kim for the amazing triangle border.  I love the art deco feel!
Karyn for letting it "rest" and not trying to match exactly.  Your choices were perfect!
Kathy for that simple, yet subtle low volume border.  I love the soft playfulness!
Julianne for the piano keys.  I love the scrappy and the feel of pulling out from the center!
Janet for the checkerboard.  I love what the yellows add to that final border!
I am blown away by the thought and creativity that came together to make my mini amazing.

Thanks so much to Michele for organizing the fun--I would definitely do this again!