A Start

I have a start to my four-patch blocks.  I have some "twosie" done.

 I love sitting down to the machine with a goal in mind.  I hope to have these well on the way to being the number I need by the time the next step is introduced.

Too Quiet

It's too quiet right now.  My son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren have left.  I miss the sounds of the kids fighting, of running up and down the hall and the laughter.  But it is a good time to get busy with Step One of the "Easy Street" mystery quilt.  I have been cutting strips to make my four-patch blocks.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but I'm using a dark brown for the "background" fabric and lots of beige/cream prints for the other side.  This is in place of Bonnie's gray and the black and white prints.


Introduction:  Gather fabrics.  (done).
Step One: 194 four-patch blocks. (0).

Lots to Share

I have lots to share with you!  First, these are my fabrics for Bonnie K Hunter's new mystery quilt "Easy Street".

I decided to go with Autumn colors as I have wanted to make an Autumn quilt for some time.  I've been collecting fabrics and I decided that this is the pattern I'm going to do it in.  I love the color choices Bonnie used, but I just don't have that in my stash.  And as much as I would love to go buy new fabric, I decided I wanted to make the Autumn quilt now.  I want a new quilt for my bed by next Thanksgiving.

My other project that I've been working on is an Advent Calendar.  This one is for a co-worker.  I'm loving how it's coming along.  I don't have a pattern, but have seen some on Pinterest that are similar.  The first few numbers:

I'm off now to stitch some more numbers and to cut strips for the first clue of the mystery quilt, "Easy Street."

Wonky Log Cabin Blocks

My wonky log cabin blocks are done!

I took my blocks outside since the sun was still shining, but the light didn't really show them off at this angle.

So I took a picture standing on one of the chairs.  You can see the blocks better now.

These blocks are part of a quilt being put together through The Quilting Gallery.  You can go here to sign up to make some blocks or to be a Team Leader and put the blocks together.  Anything you can do, even one block will help.  THANKS!

Wonky Log Cabin Blocks

I got a good start on my wonky log cabin blocks tonight.

I'm using fabric from my string bin, so we'll see how they go.  If I'm not happy with them once they're done, I might redo them in a more contained color combination.  But they are fun to do.  Very easy and fast!

Quilt Day

Tomorrow is Quilt Day for Quilts From The Bluffs.  And we're going to join everyone in the big effort, Hurricane Sandy Quilt Relief.

We are signed up to be a Team Leader through Quilting Gallery and I signed up to do some blocks.  The tutorial for the blocks is now on the Quilting Gallery site.  Please consider making a couple of blocks for such a worthy cause.

As for tomorrow, we will work on our quilts to send to eQuilter, a part of the 5,000 quilts needed.

A Finish

I finished my paint chip challenge for my Quilt Guild.  I'm really happy with the way it came out.

The pattern was in this publication: "Modern Patchwork.   It was a special issue, but I hope it becomes a regular publication.  I would subscribe to it.  Lots of great ideas! 

I have to share a picture I took this weekend from my laundry room window.  I haven't ever seen a buck this big around here before.  And it was just like he was posing for me.

Easy Four-Patch Blocks

I'm working on a quilt, "Four-Patch Plaid" from "Nickel Quilts" by Pat Speth and Charlene Thode.  I thought I would show to the super easy way they have you make four-patch blocks.

First you start out with two 5 inch blocks:

Place them right sides together and sew a 1/4 inch seam on two sides.

Cut the square in half, using the stitching side to the outside.

Then press open to the darker fabric.  Using 2 different halves, pin together butting the seams together.

I like to pin.:-)

After you have sewed the pinned edges, cut in half again.  

 You have 2 four-patch blocks made!  Love how easy this is.  And it works great as a "Leader and Ender."