Another Pantone challenge, I'm officially addicted!

My mini quilt for the Radiant Orchard Pantone 2014 Challenge…...

Title:"At the Crossroads"
19 x 15 1/2" (mini quilt entry)

Top Fabric: crazy pieced crosses (Kona solids: purple, violet, crocus, hibiscus, British periwinkle, cerise, baby blue, caribbean, olive, ash, coal, charcoal, snow. Sunprint text, Sketch- gray, Architextures by Robert Kaufman).
Back fabric: Violet peacock lane for Michael Miller

Thread: piecing: Aurifil 100% cotton in off white- 2021
             quilting: various Mettler purples, Aurifil grays- 2605, 2620, 1158, Aurifil off-white #2021
Quilting: each cross square is quilted differently

Batting: warm and natural 100% cotton
Binding: Kona snow 2" strips (narrow binding for a mini quilt)

I tried to use us many of my scrap pieces from various quilts to make this mini, once I was done, although not intentional, it somehow seemed fitting to have this mini completed in time for the Easter season.

I'm linking up to the Radiant Orchid Pantone Challenge at On the Windy Side and Play Crafts and on the Flickr pool.

Philosophy

I think have one regarding quilt backs. I like to use the back of my quilts to use up all the fabric scraps I have created while piecing the front. Since I principally work without a pattern, I can create a few large number of fabric bits and pieces that do not want to become fabric orphans. So, I use the back of my quilts to get those scraps out and get them arranged into some pleasing configuration and make it work.
Last year, there was a fun series of blog posts about quilt backs by Kate at Swing Bike Quilt. Many of my quilting friends have posted wonderful photos of their quilt backs. Since I was late to the game, I missed out posting about quilt backs, although I did take the opportunity to link a few of my photos to the group pool.

But it did get me thinking about the why of my quilt backs, which have run the gambit from simple to complex and nearly everything in between. I try to be purposeful when piecing the backs; trying to use more of what I have without adding to my already healthy (that's a pseudonym for obscene) fabric stash all the while desperately trying to keep the overflowing scraps in ONE drawer in my tiny sewing room. I hope to make a real dent in what I have on hand. Perhaps I'll be the ONLY person to notice, but I'm already feeling good about it.

Quilt backs- the quilt fronts and their stories can be found here.

February Bee Blocks

This month I had a chance to make some really fun blocks in "springy" colors. (Needed that- it's been so very cold here).

+ & X blocks for HAVEN @ do. good stitches

tutorial here.

and for Whitney, (the peacock tree) for the Jane Austen Bee and Book Club. Tutorial here. Her color palate is just beautiful.