I'm making this for my cousin who just moved to Iowa. I'm going to send her pictures showing the progress on the quilt. Here are the pictures from the first two emails I sent her

Step one:

Get the fabric out of the cupboard. It was very strenuous.

Step 2:

Cut 4" strips.

how will the end result look like? and how do u cut the fabric so straight,lol

any tips for a beginner?

Here's a link with a picture that will be similar.

I use a rotary cutter and a straight edge ruler to cut the strips. Definitely cut using a rotary cutter and don't try to cut patterns out with scissors. The best tip there is.

I am just trying to select the fabric for a Trip around the World. been struggling all morning...and you seem to have selected your fabric so easily. Is there a formula or something you can help me use....three lights, three darks??? I would appreciate any help.

Really, I am terrible at this fabric selection.

For me fabric selection is the hardest part of any quilt. Primarily why I love scrappy cause anything goes and no selection required. I have decided though that taking a black and white photo of the fabrics to decide the hue is a grand idea.

Love your colors!