Modern Mini-Good Morning Sunshine

Yep, that's right friends...I got it done in time! Woot! I'm quite proud of this little guy, it is the first time I've come up with a design and figured out how to piece it all on my own (other than the sun block...). I'm calling it "Good Morning Sunshine!" which was very fitting, because today was the first day we've had nice sunshine all week, so I was able to get some pictures of it outside.

This originally started out as a little mug rug, but trying to piece those itty-bity-teeny-tiny-pieces and trying to get them to line up was just not happening...so, it got enlarged to a mini/wall hanging quilt, finishing at 14"x10". For the quilting, I followed the lines from each side and the middle of the rays, I like the simple effect it has over all.  For the fabrics, I used Kona Peacock, Butter Cup, School Bus, and Ruby for the sun and stripes (along with solid white..) and then Kona Charcoal for the binding.

I did use a paper-piecing pattern for the sun part, it is a part of a New York Beauty block.  I got the pattern from here, but the directions were in German so I followed this tutorial.  And thanks to my new skills at sewing curves, this was a cinch! 

The backing I used some scraps from the front.  Actually, I cannot tell a lie...the blue got switched to Kona Turquoise as I ran out of Peacock...but who's keeping track?? I used the zig-zag binding tutorial as usual (one of these days I'll work up the courage to try a different method again...), the binding on the back is obviously a little thicker than on the front so I missed the edges of it, but oh well, ya live ya learn. The good news is, it only took me *3* tries this time to get the ends attached properly!  Success! 

Here she is in her new home above my sewing machine.  I like that it adds a nice little bit of light to the area, though it's a little small for that spot so it may wind up finding a new home eventually, but for now it is perfect! 

I am entering this into Ellison Lane's Modern Mini Challenge, there are some amazing entries to far, so be sure to stop by and check them out! Also, I am linking up with {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations.