Guild Show and October Blocks

Did any of you locals have the chance to see the guild's quilt show this past weekend held in Westfield, Indiana?  I think it came off quite well.  I say it that way because I was on the show committee this time.  Although many people worked on it for two years my part of it required the most hours over the past seven weeks.  I'm guessing I put in about 75 hours in that time although I didn't keep track. I'm glad I did it but, it did put me behind on several projects such as the Block of the Month I've been doing for all of you.  Nevertheless, I am so glad to have met and gotten to know several more members of the guild by working on the show committee.  I think it really helps someone to feel more a part of a large group like that when you get involved in one of the activities of the group.  And, the quilts by my fellow oh-so-talented guild members were a delight to see.  Bravo to all!

October's block is Chimney's and Cornerstones.  It's a block I've always wanted to make and with colder weather coming I started thinking about cozy fireside evenings especially those at my Dad's. 

Here is my test block in Pink and Brown. 

For this block you can use leftover pieces from your layer cake squares or choose new ones to cut up.  I used 8 different fabrics but it could be made with as little as four fabrics. 

I started by selecting the two fabrics that create the X but, I'm not sure that is the easiest way to do it :).  Then I considered what I wanted to do with rectangle units.  I chose to repeat the fabrics on opposite sides of center going from lightest to darker (although none are "darks").  The tricky thing about choosing fabrics for this block is to make sure that even the darkest of the rectangles still has adequate contrast with X fabrics.  I probably made it more difficult by choosing a pink for one of these as the rest of the pinks had to be quite light in order for it to work.  But, I really like the way it came out so, I did my Layer Cake block the same way.  Here it is:

Layer Cake Block

There are many possible variations such as creating concentric squares or making each quadrant a different color or creating a log cabin effect instead of courthouse steps as this one is.  Use the cutting instructions below and lay out the pieces so you can make adjustments for the color scheme you select. 

Here are the full cutting instructions:

From X fabrics:
Cut (8) 1 1/2" squares of two feature fabrics. They do not have to be light and dark.  They can be any two fabrics which will contrast with the rest of your block pieces.

For next round cut (4) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles.  (Two of each fabric if you're using my coloration.)
For the second round cut (4) 1 1/2" by 4 1/2" rectangles. (Two of each fabric if you're using my coloration.)
For the third round cut (4) 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles.   (Two of each fabric if you're using my coloration.)

To assemble:
1.  Sew together the four patch in the middle.
2.  Add a small pink print rectangle to two opposing sides of the four patch.
3.  Add the X squares to each end of the small beige rectangles.  Add this unit to the top and bottom of the four patch unit.
4.  Continue each round by adding the (pink) rectangles to the sides and adding the X squares to each end of the logs for the top and bottom before sewing the beige rectangles on to the unit.  Block should measure 8 1/2" square when complete. 

Thanks for hanging in there!  Hope you have some time to sew today.

September Blocks

I had Another day to play Catch-Up (Thursday), now it’s Saturday….

After taking care of a few errands on Thursday I had a break in the action to work on this post.  I didn't finish it then but after a busy couple of days I can post it for you now.  I hope you have time to look at it over the weekend.  The weather has turned a little cooler and it feels lovely to be outside even if I’m just doing errands.  I’ve got my schedule under better control since last month.   I did finish the Railroad Crossing quilt as well as my other class samples and a couple of customer’s quilts too.  I've also had time to start another quilt top.

I made three blocks for you this month… twice.  One batch in pink and brown and, one from my layer cake squares.  I’ve got lots of 10" squares left and as I’m thinking about setting them I have one idea for using just 12 blocks to make a wall/throw size quilt which will finish at about 62” x 62” but I wanted to offer another option with more blocks in case you want to make it a bit larger (and have less leftover fabric.)  So, this month you can choose which one you want to make or make all three.  Or, if there was one you especially liked in an earlier month you could always make another of one of those.  The second setting I offer will grow more easily to suit the number of blocks you make.

The first block was chosen as a nod to the changing of the seasons and it is called Flock of Geese.  The second one uses up some of smaller leftover bits that I can’t throw away.  And, the third is a tribute to my beloved New York called Yankee Puzzle.  Once a Yankee, always a Yankee; September no longer goes quietly by without my thoughts returning “home”.  

Flock of Geese:

Version 1: Two Fabrics

From both a Light and a Dark 10” fabric square:  Cut  (1)  4 7/8” square, and cut (4) 2 7/8” squares.  (Note:  For the smaller triangles you could also use an easy angle tool.  In that case, cut (2) strips 2 ½” x 10”, layer dark and light strips RST in one stack and cut 8 pairs of triangles with 4 cuts.)

Pair the large squares right sides together and draw a line diagonally on the back of the light square.  Sew ¼” on both sides of the diagonal and cut apart on the drawn line.  Yield 2 HST units.   Press the seam open.  Square up, if necessary, to 4 ½”.   Repeat using the sets of the smaller squares.  Square these up to 2 ½”.  Lay out the block as shown in the photo at right.  Sew smaller units in groups of two then sew twos into fours.  Keep the units all facing in the same direction-light sides facing one way, dark facing the other.  Pressing the seams open will help the block lay flatter especially in the center.

Version 2:  Scrappy

Cut (1) dark and (1) light square 4 7/8”.  Choose 4 different lights and 4 different mediums (pinks) and cut (1) 2 7/8” square from each.  (Stack ‘em and cut them all out at the same time.)  You should have lots of pieces left from previous blocks.  Using them will help tie all the blocks together!  Use the instructions above to assemble the block.

Crossroads:

From one or more Dark fabrics cut a total of (4) 2 7/8” squares.  From one or more Medium fabrics cut a total of (8) 1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles.  From one or more Light fabrics cut a total of (8)  1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles AND, (4) 2 7/8” squares.  Lay the pieces out as shown in the photo at right.  Using the squares and the same method as in the Flock of Geese block for making Half-Square Triangle units, layer, mark and sew on both sides of the diagonal to make 8 HST units.  Sew rectangles together into groups of 4 by sewing them together along the long edge.  Sew the center of the block together.  Add a group of rectangles to the sides.  Add a HST unit to the end of each of the remaining rectangle units.  Sew these new units to the top and bottom of the center unit to complete the block. 

For a scrappier effect choose a wider variety of fabrics for the rectangles and further mix placement of lights and mediums.  This pink and brown version really isn't much scrappier than the blue and brown block above.

Yankee Puzzle:

From one light fabric (center pinwheel):  Cut (2) 2 7/8” squares.  From another light cut (6) 2 7/8” squares (or 2 2 ½” strips using an easy angle tool).

From Medium fabric:  Cut (2) 2 7/8” squares (or 4 triangles from a 2 ½” strip using an easy angle tool).

From Dark fabric:  Cut (1) 5 ¼” square, cut in half on both diagonals and (2) 2 7/8” squares (or, 4 triangles from a 2 ½” strip using an easy angle tool).

Using 8 matching light triangles sew onto both short edges of each of the 4 large dark triangles making four flying geese units.  Using smaller dark triangles, sew together with 4 matching light triangles to make 4 HST units.  Sew Medium triangles together with remaining light triangles.  Lay out block according to photo at right.  Sew a pair of triangle units onto the bottom of each flying geese unit to make 4 block sections.  Sew 2 sections together to make each half of the block.  Sew the halves together to complete the block.

My two blocks aren't much different from each other.  The top one is from my layer cake squares, the bottom one is from my stash.

Note:   I use an easy angle tool much of the time especially with 10” squares.  I feel like I get better usage out of my squares.  From (1) 10” square I can cut (2) 2 ½” strips and (2) 5” squares.  With those units I can cut almost every piece for these blocks, both triangles and squares.  However, I did not pre-cut my squares into these units. 

I hope you will enjoy making one or more of these blocks!  Enjoy the season!

A Good Day for Chicken Tortilla Soup!

I have the day at home today so I am busy with all types of housewife-y things.  You’d think that I’d have a regular schedule for these activities but my work schedule varies so I end up catch as catch can.  As I rev up my machine quilting business I see the need for more deliberate scheduling on my part so I can get all my quilting done as well as my customers.  Thus, being home today meant cleaning, laundry, making homemade soup and banana bread; all things I could work on while I did a little sewing.  Throw the laundry in, get the bread in the oven, sew.  Start the soup, take the pictures, finish the last block, finish the soup.  And, so here I am, ready for dinner, and ready to post the August  block.  Yippee!   I think that means I’ll get to sew the borders on my Railroad Crossing quilt tonight. 

I thought I’d share a couple of other little things before I give out the instructions for the next block but, if you’re in a hurry, just scroll down and come back up here when you have a chance.  I took a workshop last Friday with Susan Cleveland called Piping Hot Binding.  It was wonderful!  Susan is the real deal.  She is the kind of person you’d want for a best friend.  Not only that, I think almost every single person in the class came really close to completing the project IN CLASS!  I’m about 90% done and that has never happened to me before.  I have about a dozen tubs of UFO’s from workshops I’ve taken.  But, this one I will finish, and soon.  Check her out.  And, if you get a chance to take one of her classes do so.

I also finished the graduation quilt for my niece and will bring it to her soon.  She starts college at the end of the month.  I’m glad I have some time to show it around a little bit before handing it off!  And, yes, those are super-sized Hexies.  I hope she loves it. 

Now for the August block.  It’s called Indian.  And, I also made a variation of it called Indian Star.  If you have in your layer cake a square with a motif you’d like to highlight then this block will do that for you.  There is a 4” finished square in the middle so you can fussy cut something for it if you want to.  I just used a pretty print.

Let's cut the pieces for it:

From the Light print cut
 (1) 4 1/2" square, fussy cut if desired
 (4)  2 7/8" squares
 (2)  2 1/2" squares
From the Dark print cut:
(4) 2 7/8" squares
(2) 2 1/2" squares

Next, using my Quick Quarter Tool by Quilter's Rule, I draw a diagonal cutting line and sewing lines on the wrong side of the 4 light squares.



 Pair each light square with a dark square of the same size and sew on the outside lines. Remember some of your pieces will have a pinked edge.  Here is how I line them up.  You can see the dark print showing beneath the pinked edge.

Here is a super close up of sewing just towards center of the drawn line.  If you have had trouble with your units coming out to small adjusting your seam allowance like this may help.  Doing this allows for the thickness of the thread.  Sometimes a tiny adjustment like this makes all the difference!



Cut them apart on the center line to yield 8 half square triangle units.  Open and press the seam allowance towards the darker fabric.  They should measure 2 1/2" square.  Trim, if needed. 

Lay out all the pieces like this:  Pay attention to the direction of the triangle units.  Dark is always next to light and vice versa. 

Sew the triangle units together in pairs.  They should each measure 4 1/2" by 2 1/2".  It's easy to let your seam allowance change and then you end up with your pieces ruffling or skewed.  Sew straight in and straight out of the seam. 

Add the squares to the top and bottom row pressing away from the center.  Sew triangle pairs on to the sides of the center square and press towards the center.   Three rows complete.   Now sew the top row onto the center row and press towards the center.  Repeat to sew the bottom row on.  Your block is complete!

Here are my other sizes and variations:             You can use a third print for the center square or, you can put a four-patch in the center and turn the triangle units to look like a star (you'll use the same number of triangles) or, you can make it scrappy and 4 different lights and 4 different darks for the triangles.  When I did this I cut the squares in half on the diagonal before sewing them so I could mix them up even more.  Just be gentle with the bias edge.

Four a 4" finished block:

The center square is cut at 2 1/2".  The corner squares (all dark this time) are cut at 1 1/2".  The squares for the triangle units are cut at 1 7/8".  If you want a four patch in the center instead of a plain square cut 2 light squares and 2 dark squares the same size as the corner squares 1 1/2". 

For a 2" finished block:

The center square is cut at 1 1/2".  The corner squares are cut at 1".  Cut the triangle squares (4) light and (4) dark at 1 1/2" and trim them up to 1".   (They're easier to work with if you start out a little bigger and trim them.)

Thanks for visiting!  Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Just in the Nick of Time!

The July Layer Cake Blocks are Here!  For any who have been following along I’m sorry it’s taken so long for me to get these posted.  But, if your summer has been busy or you’ve been out of town maybe you weren’t ready for them anyway.  But, before you think I’ve been slackin’ and just sittin’ around the pool sipping something icy cold and delicious that is far far far from the truth.  First off, I really don’t enjoy the HOT weather we’ve been having unless I were at the beach which I’m not.  So, I’ve been sewing and quilting A LOT, just not on these blocks.  My July list of completed projects includes quilting 7 quilt tops for others, sewing two dozen pillowcases (most for charity), completing a quilt top for a graduation gift before my niece heads off to college (that’s the next one to get pinned on my long-arm), and spending a week out in New York visiting my family, and work.   I’ve enjoyed it all and feel like I’m gaining control over my sewing room.  August should be busy too preparing my samples for the next round of classes I plan to teach.  Today’s block taken from one of the quilts I’m designing for a fall class.  It’s called:

Railroad Crossing 8” finished**:

Railroad Crossing-Layer Cake (left), pink and brown (right)

Choose 3 squares from your layer cake, one dark, one medium, and one light.

Pieces cut

From the 10” Dark (brown) square cut:

(1)    5 ¼”  square and cut it on BOTH diagonals to yield (4) dark side triangles

(2)    2 7/8” squares and cut them ONCE on the diagonal to yield (4) corner  triangles

From the Medium (tan) square cut:

(1)    3 ½” strip and from that cut (1) 3 ½” square and then trim the remainder to 3 3/8”.  I trimmed off the pinked edge.  Then cut (4) rectangles 1 ½” x 3 3/8”.

From the Light (blue) square cut: 

(2)    3 3/8” strips and from that cut (8) rectangles 1 ½” x 3 3/8”.

Block Layout

Use the picture to the left to lay out your block.  

Rectangle units pieced

To assemble, sew 2 light rectangles to either side of a medium rectangle making (4) units.  Press towards the light rectangles.

Pieced Rows

Take two of these units and sew them on to opposite sides of the 3 ½” square.  Make sure you are attaching the units along the side that's pieced!  Press towards the center square.  This is the center row.

Then, sew the large dark triangles to pieced units matching the edges; the points of the triangle should extend 3/8” above the pieced  unit.  Press away from the pieced unit.  This completes two more rows.   You now have 3 rows.  Do not attach the corner triangles just yet.

Sew the rows together matching and pinning seams in place.  Press towards the center row. 

Lastly, sew the 4 corners to the ends of the pieced rectangle units (not onto the side triangles, they won’t fit there!)  Press towards the corner pieces.   Done!

 **My blocks came out a little big.  You know how you’re usually told to sew with a scant ¼” seam?  You don’t want to do that with this size block.  I’m not really sure it’s meant to be made in an 8” finished size.  My 12” ones are much more accurate with what I call my “regular” seam allowance.

I did not make 4” or 2” blocks this time.  Instead I used my flannels to make 12” blocks! 

Here are the measurements for a 12” block:

From the Dark:

Cut (1) 7 ¼” square and cut it on BOTH diagonals to yield (4) dark side triangles

Cut (2) 3 7/8” squares and cut them ONCE on the diagonal to yield (4) corner triangles

From the Medium:

Cut (1) 4 ¾” center square

Cut (4) rectangles 1 7/8” x 4 ¾”

From the Light:

Cut (8) rectangles 1 7/8” x 4 ¾”

Follow the assembly instructions for the 8” block. 

Happy June Days to All!

June is one of my favorite months.  Most of the time I can have the windows open to enjoy the breeze. And, there's so much going on it's hard to know which way to turn.  I suspect you’re all super busy these days, too.  I had these blocks made about three weeks ago and only now am I getting them posted.   This month’s block is called

Windmill Square

 

The corner unit is a real good one to know; it shows up in lots of blocks and is a good unit when setting blocks on point.  So, let’s get started.  Here is the finished block:



Finished 8" block



For an 8” finished block you’ll need 3 layer cake squares, one light (blue floral), one medium (brown), and one dark (pink).  Cut the following pieces from your layer cake squares. 

From both the light and the dark cut a 5 ¼” square. Layer them right sides together and cut on both diagonals to yield four triangle pairs. (If you leave them together like this then it's quick to chain piece them.) 

Also cut from the light a 2 ½” strip and Subcut into (4) 2 ½” squares.

From the medium print cut (4) 2 7/8” squares and cut them in half once on the diagonal to yield 8 triangles. **If you have an easy angle ruler, use it! Instead, cut (2) 2 ½” strips, layer them so they can be cut at the same time and cut 8 triangles. (Oops, the brown triangles aren't pictured.)
There's always quite a bit left over...I'm working on that part but, if you like the block when you're done then go ahead and make another out of leftovers from any month.  :)

 
 
 
 
 
It might help to arrange all the cut pieces like this:
  (Again, I left the large blue and pink triangles together once I got the hang of it.)
 
 
  Sew the large blue and pink triangles together along the short edge.  Press towards the pink (dark).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Now let's make the corner units:  Start with the corner 2 1/2" square.  Align the half-square triangle as shown.  If you have cut them with the easy angle tool notice how the tip is already cut off and makes it easy to align the edges.  Sew the top edge with a 1/4" seam allowance.
 
Repeat for the other three corner units. (This is called chain piecing.  Do this whenever possible to make for quicker sewing.)
 
 

Press the seam away from the square.  Make sure the edge across the top is straight.

Position the second triangle.  Flip it over, right sides together with the lower edge of the square.  It will overlap the first triangle.  This is necessary so that when the unit is completed the seam allowance for the next seam remains.  (See the next picture.)

 

 









Corner unit complete





Sew the corner unit each to its own triangle pair forming four block quarters:



Four quarters complete

Sew them together in rows.  Press the top row to one side and press the bottom row in the opposite direction so the seams will nest nicely.  Sew the two rows together.  Finished!

Here is my pink and brown block: 

For this one I chose to use a fourth fabric for the corner squares.  To do that cut (4) squares at 2 1/2".  What do you think?  Do you like that option?  Options are always good.  Just when you think you have enough fabric for something.... you don't.  So, we need options...and everyone might just think you were so clever to do that when, in fact, you were feeling bad for running out of fabric. 

And, finally, here is the 4" version:

Here is what to cut for this little one:

From the light and the dark cut (1) 3 1/4" square and cut on BOTH diagonals.

Also from the light fabric (for the corner squares) cut (4) 1 1/2" squares.

From the medium cut (4) squares 1 7/8" and cut ONCE on the diagonal.  OR, use an easy angle tool and cut (2) 1 1/2" x 10" strips and cut 8 triangles.

Follow the instructions above to assemble the block. 

One last little tip:  If you like this block a lot and would like to see another wonderful possibility check out Lori’s blog Humble Quilts. As I was reading her blog I noticed a project she posted last year called Cheddar cheese and crackers. She used a variation of this block with an alternate block of a 16 patch. It’s fabulous! http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/cheddar-cheese-crackers-finale.html.

Since I’ve started posting these blocks each month it’s funny how I’ve come across quilts using them time and time again. I’ll try to direct you to where I’ve seen them but I bet the same thing will happen to you too!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the beautiful month of June.



Smaller Layer Cake Blocks

I promised I would give you the cutting info for the scaled-down version of the layer cake blocks.  I had posted the pictures of them earlier, and the assembly is the same. 

For a 4" Buckeye Beauty Block here's what you need to cut:

From the Cream (Background) print cut: 
(1) rectangle 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"  (this is slightly longer than needed but gives you room to straighten the edges)
(1) square 2 7/8" and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side
From the Brown (Dark) print cut:
(1) rectangle 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"
From the Pink (Medium) print:
(1) square 2 7/8"

Place the two rectangles right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam on one long edge.  Open and press to the dark fabric.  It should measure 2 1/2" x 6 1/2".  From this pieced unit cut (4) 1 1/2" segments along the length.  Use these four pieces to make 2 four patches.  They should measure 2 1/2" square.

Place the light square right sides together on top of the dark square.  Using the line that you drew as a guide stitch 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line.  Cut the units apart on the drawn line.  Open and press to the darker fabric.  These should also measure 2 1/2" square.

Now you have the four units you need to make the Buckeye Beauty block.  Assemble them like a four patch refering the picture in the previous post.

4" Cake Stand Block:

From the Cream (background) print cut:
(1) Square 2 7/8" and cut in half diagonally
(2) Rectangles 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
(2) Squares 1 7/8" and draw a diagonal line on each
(1) 1 1/2" Square

From Pink (medium) print cut:
(2) Squares 1 7/8"

From Brown (dark) print cut:
(1) 2 7/8" square and cut in half diagonally, using only one piece for this block, save the other
(1) 1 7/8" square and cut in half diagonally

Follow the assembly directions and placement picture from the previous post to make this delightfully cute block!

Now, I wonder if it would be even cuter as a 2" finished block...or is that just crazy talk?

The other two blocks I posted are from another project but are the same size.  I can't give you those measurements but I will continue to post two sizes for all the layer cake blocks.  So, here's the thing, in case you want to make more than 12 blocks total, there is plenty of fabric each month to make either two 8" blocks or one 8" and one 4"...you decide.  Remember I had a total of 14 groups of three fabrics so at some point I might even throw in a couple of extra blocks, either way you should have plenty of fabric.

New Pictures Added!

I added more pictures to my post about the Journal Covers so check it out.  I hope it helps!  They come out really nicely.  It takes me a long time to get these pictures ready and uploaded for you but I'm sure I'll get better so thanks for bearing with me!


 

I've also made some more blocks...little ones!  These are 4" finished versions of the larger Block of the Month blocks plus a couple more!  oooh, do you spy a new block?  It's called Cake Stand and I'll be posting the cutting directions for it soon.  Do you like them??

 

arrange your squares into sets of threes





Here's something that you might want to do with your layer cake squares while you're waiting for me to post the next set of directions.  Here are all of mine divided into sets of threes.  Now when you're ready to make the next block you can just grab a set you like and begin to cut! 

I've used the table for my long-arm machine to do this.  This table has come in so handy so many times.  I started with the brown (darkest) fabric, then added the medium value fabric and then found something lighter than the other two for the light fabric.  I moved them around until I was happy with all the groupings.  The fabrics in my layer cake were evenly divided as it turns out and I ended up with 14 groupings.  Each group will make at least 3 blocks.  So if you liked the Buckeye block and would like to make another one from the first three fabrics you chose then go ahead!  It always good to have more blocks!

I'll be back with you soon!





Layer Cake Block One: Buckeye Beauty

Here is the first block of the Layer Cake Challenge!  It's a classic block called Buckeye Beauty.  It's quite simple to construct, has lots of possible colorations and looks great whether you make one block or a whole quilt since it creates a secondary design.  If you are using 10" squares from a layer cake, choose three: a light (background), a medium and a medium dark.  I'm using pinks and browns on a cream background.  If you are using scraps that's ok too.  Most of us have lots of scraps we'd like to use up!   So choose your color scheme and go for it! 

Buckeye Beauty

8" finished block

From  Cream Background, cut one 2 1/2" strip (2 1/2" x 10") and one 5" square. 

From Brown, cut one 2 1/2" strip (2 1/2" x 10").

From Pink, cut one 5" square.

Layer the background strip right sides together on top of the brown strip and sew a 1/4" seam along the 10" edge.  Open and press toward the brown (dark) fabric.  It should measure exactly 4 1/2" wide and 10" long.  If it is too narrow then your seam allowance is too deep.  Correct it now.  If it is too wide then your seam allowance is too scant.  Take it apart and re-sew it using a slightly deeper seam.  A thread or two one way or the other can make all the difference.  Once your piece is the correct measurement, cut it crosswise into four pieces each measuring 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".   Make 2 four patches. 



2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

 

4 1/2" x 4 1/2", make 2

 

Now let's make the Half-Square Triangle units.  Layer the pink square and the Cream square right sides together.  Using a mechanical pencil, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner.  Stitch 1/4" away on both sides of the drawn line.  Cut them apart on the drawn line press towards the pink fabric.  Trim to a 4 1/2" square.

Now let's put it all together.  Sew one four patch to one half-square triangle unit to make the top half of the block and repeat for the bottom half paying attention to the first photo for placement of each unit.  Press towards the four patch.  Sew the top half to the bottom half; the pressed seams will nest together to give you good corners.  The block should measure 8 1/2".   Ta Da!  I hope you like it! 

Now I have a confession to make...it took me WAAAAY longer to figure out how to post these instructions than it did to Make the Block!!  I'm happy with the block but you'll have to let me know if you need more instructions.  I did my best, honest.  The techie part is the Hardest thing for me!

Year End Round Up & A Look At 2011

For my "almost" final stash report I have used almost half of what I bought this year.  Since there are still a few days left and a few more things to finish by Christmas and the end of the year the actual numbers may change a little bit but, I doubt the percentages will change very much.  Let's just say I could use Bonnie Hunter's new book, which promises to provide projects to use your stash, before it's release date of Jan 21.  Check out the cover at  http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2010/12/color-me-delighted.html.  I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't use more of what I've purchased so, there is challenge #1 for 2011.  I'd like to reverse those totals and use up twice as much as what I purchase.  I think I'll need a much smaller budget next year, too!  So, I'll continue to keep track of my stash and report on my progress occasionally. 

For my second challenge for 2011, I'd like to quilt one quilt per week on my long-arm.  Now that could be tough because I certainly don't piece that many tops in a year but I do have a plan.  I have enough tops to take care of January!!  And, I have several unfinished pieces and pieces of fabric which would look great with some neat fill patterns on them that I've been wanting to try.  So, this goal will run right along side my goal to do more freehand work.

Now that should be enough but, there's more!  Since I want to report on all these goings-on at least once a week and, so you have more reason to come back and visit, I'm also going to post instructions for a block made from layer cake (10") squares at least once a month.  By the end of the year we'll have at least 12 blocks and I'll have some setting ideas too.  The first block post will be early in the month but, I'm not sure what day yet.  So, get a layer cake or cut some 10" squares from your stash and stitch along!  I'll post more info asap.  Leave me a comment, let me know what you think!