Little stars at night

I mentioned recently that I'd been holding off on Adam and Brenda's quilt until I had my skills up, and that it was time to get started, because I had the skills. I picked up the very soothing English paper piecing, and the last thing left to do was master foundation piecing. If that last sentence didn't make any sense to you, the short version is that if I take my intended finished block design, break it into component parts, and print it onto some easy-to-tear paper, I can use the paper as a direct template to sew complicated patterns with dead-on accuracy.

This is a more natural-color version of the smallest, lightest star. The edges are rough because they'll be appliquéd under, later, and don't need to be perfect now:

I realized there was little chance of me being able to photograph this little star at night while allowing you to see the subtle patterns underneath, so I shot a second photo, stripping it down to grayscale and exaggerating the levels so you could see that wicked tight center join and the prints in the fabrics:

These are not large stars, and if you look closely, you'll see the threads in the weave of the fabrics, helping you gain a sense of scale.

On an unrelated happy note: Tenzing received a provisional clean bill of health today at the vet's. Given how ill he was, and that it took two courses of antibiotics to clear up the infection, the vet has asked to see him one more time a month from now.

He is asleep between my knees even as I write this post. I am glad to have him home, safe and well.

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