Penny Sampler!

Well here is my exciting (to me) news.  A few weeks ago I registered for Rachel @ Stitched in Color's Penny Sampler class.

Courtesy of Rachel @ Stitched in Color

I'm excited because:

a) Rachel (as always) has designed the most beautiful quilt, I couldn't resist after seeing the pictures and block previews

b) I get to learn lots of new things and hopefully better the meager skills I already have
c) I learned that some of my New Blogger blog hop friends are also taking the class!

After looking at Rachel's fabric suggestions, and perusing online fabric stores for days, I decided that the Alexander Henry Mecca for Moderns, Urban Garden print would be my "inspiration" fabric.  Coincidentally I visited Joann's this weekend and discovered that some of the fabrics in Juliana Horner's new fabric linematch my color scheme perfectly.  I also ordered a slew of solids, and took a trip to a modern quilt shop today.  All the quilt shops in my area specialize in Civil War reproduction fabrics, so I have to travel down the road to get things that are more my taste... Plus we needed things at Trader Joe's and Penzey's, so I convinced Ryan that the quilt shop was right there so I may as well go ::wink::

So here's my "stack" for the Penny Sampler.  I am really happy with how it looks so far!  I think I might have to buy some more solids, but I think this should at least get me off to a good start with the blocks.

I'd name all the fabrics, but I don't know them all off the top of my head and I'm too lazy to look them all up!  I'm sure you can see all the DS prints in there because I'm totally obsessed.  I will probably add some prints from Florence when it comes out later this month.  I also need a print for the panel under the diamonds on the right bottom half... is this orange print from Heirloom too much orange?  

The solids are (top to bottom) Essex in Slate, Kona Glacier, Cotton Couture in Slate, Kona Aqua, Plum, Flesh, Medium Gray and Iron.  There's also a fat quarter of Free Spirit Tan in the neutrals row too.  I'm still debating whether I like it or not.  Not pictured are Kona Snow and Ash, since the cuts I have of those are >2 yards each and they don't fold well enough to fit in the picture.  I think I'm going to add Essex in Putty too 

In case you haven't seen the Penny Sampler in all of its glory, here's the full picture

Courtesy of Rachel @ Stitched in Color

I believe there is still space in the class if you're interested in joining the fun... the registration information is over here, and you can follow along with everyone's progress at the Stitched in Color Flickr Group!