A little SV?

This quilt has a terrible name, but it's growing on me.

I started last week, before Superstorm Sandy, and made 4 blocks.  I didn't like them.

I hemmed and hawed, thinking I could change the block somehow and have it turn into something I did like.  I played.  I cut more scraps, you know how it goes.

Then I started making several blocks at once (instead of: cut 49 squares, sew 49 squares, feel meh), and by the time I had 10, the pattern appeared!  And my scraps looked good and scrappy!

I've had thoughts of stopping at 12 blocks and adding a thick border, but then I look at my scrap bins (I found another accidentally today, completely jam packed with pieces perfect for this project), and realize I should probably keep going.  I have no idea where this quilt will end up (can't imagine it on my bed), but if I can clear through one bin of scraps at least, I'll love the quilt for it..

The name's gotta go though.. thinking about calling it "hurricane sandy"... for the chaos.  Or for the calm it gave me during the chaos...

Have you made one of these yet?  What were your feelings?  Motivation?  And how did it end up?

Hit the ground running

Stash busting is the goal of the year, right?  Well, I started a new board on pinterest and it's filling up pretty quick.  If you have suggestions I'd love to hear them (send links and I'll pin them, k?)
I actually started this one last week, right after my awesome stitch n bitch on the 29th.  Bernadette wanted to start something new and I pointed her in the direction of one of my favs-- Material Obsession's "Fractured" quilt.  She dove right in and started piecing, and the rest of us joked that it would be our little group's first challenge quilt.  Silly me, I took up the challenge...

I have always wanted to make this quilt, and even started with a test block a few years ago (which I can't find, btw).  The pattern was printed in Down Under Quilts, issue #136 from 2009.  If you don't subscribe, it is also available for purchase here. 
Nifty made one a while back and I love how hers came out, especially the back.  I hope mine ends up that cool.  I absolutely love that it will take 112 fabrics if I do each block with two separate prints.  Yes, I definitely have that much stash, and yes, it will be a pleasure to bust it.  :)

I spend most of the week pulling fabrics, pairing them, and cutting blocks.  I'll slash some and make piles at the sewing machine to get to when I've got a few minutes to spare.  I think this will be a good machine project for once school starts again and I won't have a lot of planning time in the sewing room.  Right now I've been pulling  a lot of purples..

I think my initial turn off when I did the test block a few years back was having to trim up each patch before completing the 9-patch, but now I'm not so scared of that.  The motivation to use up fabric is really compelling, I guess I'm willing to do anything..

Anyone else start in on your 2012 quilt goals yet?