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I needed a make a quilt for the second niece once the first one was finished. She had said she liked earth tones and muted colors. I knew it was going to be a tough project because when I'm working in a color palette I don't really care for, I don't enjoy the project as much. I had a lot of time to search for fabrics though, while I was working on her older sister's project. One morning I was checking the Missouri Star Daily Deal (one of the first things I do each day), and saw the Layer Cake Moda Collection for a Cause 1852 set. It was gorgeous, and even though it had lavender and pink in it, which my niece didn't really have in her color request, I thought it would be perfect. Well... let me backtrack a bit. When I saw that set I ACTUALLY of my brother and sister in law -- that niece's parents. They absolute adore antique furniture and in the last few years have truly been going to town furnishing their home in their favorite style. And my brother in law's hobby is restoring antique radios. But the brothers and sisters in law are low on cue of quilts to make -- so I figured I'd use this lovely fabric for the niece this time. And, of course, I went back to Jenny's tutorials to see what would compliment this fabric. Again, I found myself looking at the disappearing hourglass, but this niece wasn't really interested in a copy of her sister's Red and white, just in other colors. She said she'd prefer something with fewer "pointy parts". Then I saw The Disappearing Hourglass 2. I'd already done all the cuts once and so decided to go for it again. This time instead of yardage, I used the Layer Cake called for in the tutorial, so the project went much more quickly. However, I did have to cut the background fabric from yardage. I used a tan fabric with tiny brownish half-curles and a gold speck that is very subtle. I completed the project with yardage from my stash for the inner border of maroon, and a deep green blender that has a bit of yellow tone to it, which makes it go really well with the rest of the fabrics. I haven't quilted this yet, because I had carpel tunnel surgery a couple of weeks ago, and I'm not cleared to do that kind of work yet. I use a Baby Lock Tiara II, and pressing the quilt with my hands to move it around isn't comfortable just yet. Maybe in another week or two. Meanwhile - my brother in law, the radio restorer, saw this quilt and said his daughter likes it, but he absolutely LOVES it, and may try to talk her out of it. Since my first thought was of him and his wife when I saw the fabric, I was really pleased. I may just give this one to him and his wife, and make something else for my niece #2. She's off discovering the world right now anyway... Her taste may change by the time she gets ready to settle down.