Block #81 - Ann

I haven't had much time for quilting lately, but finally finished this block. I even sort of followed the colors in the book, a little bit. And left my basting stitches in.

Block #21

Block #20

I enjoyed this one but am cross about the middle fourpatch. I should have selected a randomly spotted fabric so that it didn't matter about the direction. Instead I chose one with lines of spots and then was not careful enough about the direction. The fourpatch is actually accurate but the 'leaning' of the spots makes it look wobbly. Oh well, another one that nobody will notice in the final quilt without a magnifying glass...

Block 12 - Tazzie

This is my block 12 - I made it up on the Wednesday before I left. It's another of the blocks that has a symmetry issue, but I like it regardless. Especially the sixteen patch in the middle - I'm quite happy with my points :-)

Today is the day a bunch of us are flying over to Paducah for the quilt show. This will be one of the quilting highlights for me.

I have grand plans to find more yellow, green and red fabric while I'm here - they're colours I lack in my stash. Of course, I'm open to bringing many other fabrics and quilt related items home with me too.

This is the last block I prepared in advance, so I'll now have to wait until I get home before I can post any more. Can't wait to see my hubby and babies - see you all after the 28th.

Block 78 - Tazzie

Here's one of those desperately easy ones - block 78. I think I made this one up after a hard day of quilting, and I needed something simple to occupy me.

Hard to imagine this block and block 18 existing in the same quilt don't you think?

According to my schedule, at this time I'm due to be visiting Lake Berryessa with Linda and Jerry. I've never been before, so I'm sure I'll be loving it!

Block #19

Block 11 - Tazzie

Another very cute one - block 11. I made this one just before Easter, watching a cute movie with Miss Amy.

I really wanted to foundation piece it all, but puzzled over it for a little while. Then I realised that if I made up the four patch in the centre first, positioned it carefully, then I could foundation piece the balance of the block. Mind bending!

While you're reading this, according to my schedule, Linda and I are visiting with our wonderful friend Donna in Fulsom CA. I know we'll be having a blast together!

Block 9 - Tazzie

Here is my block 9 - and I love it! I think it may be the fabrics I've used (love that bright green), and definitely the symmetry :-)

I was nervous about making the pinwheel in the centre, but I ended up foundation piecing most of it, and I'm thrilled with how it came out.

At the time you're reading this, I will already be in the USA, probably only for a few hours. I'd say we'll be either already at, or on the way to Grover Beach.

I'll check back in soon!

Block #18 (229 pieces)

At last, it's done. I have a few things to say about this one!

Firstly, if you start it, finish it - don't leave it for five months half done because you won't want to come back to it - ask me how I know. It is not the most difficult block in the quilt technically but the huge number of pieces just makes it so incredibly repetitive and slow to progress.

Secondly, because of the number of little triangles, it doesn't seem possible to get the colours to go symmetrically so you end up with 'odd' bits in the pattern. I did not copy hers exactly because I didn't like two consecutive sides of flying geese and then different patterns on the other two sides so I tried to make all the triangles go the way I wanted - foolish wilfulness! I've still ended up with a pattern that doesn't quite work. There are also a couple of mistakes which I will correct before I put the quilt together. If it were another block, I would just leave the errors but not this one - after all this trouble it has got to be right in the end.

Thirdly, it struck me that if I had put together 229 larger pieces I would have a complete quilt top and not a 6 inch square, which is a strange feeling.

And lastly, I just want to say that I've been seriously wondering about Salinda Rupp and her motivation for doing this. What was she thinking of? We are doing this because we see the construction of her quilt as a challenge and that's where I'm getting my satisfaction (and it looks good). But she did this for herself. When you are on the umpteenth tiny triangle and matching all those points and seams, you can't help asking yourself if this woman was seriously bored and deliberately setting herself challenges or did she have so much time on her hands that she had to make everything complicated? It wasn't just the look of it because there are already other blocks that look similar. Maybe she had a competitive friend who was making a similar one and they egged each other on to greater complexity but the other quilt is lost. Who knows, but I certainly couldn't help myself reaching back through the years to try and understand her.

Have fun in the US, Tazzie!

Block 7 - Tazzie

Here is my block 7. I'm having fun cramming as many different fabrics into each block as I can. Using up scraps left over from my DJ quilt is great - each piece has memories for me. And using my new fabrics is wonderful too :-)

I've made a few blocks over the past week or so. I'll set them up to post over the first week while I'm away. I haven't made enough to last for my whole vacation. I don't think I'll be taking my book with me to make any while I'm away either.

I'd like to make up block 12 before I go. When that one is done I'll have made up blocks 1 through 14 as well as all the other random blocks.

And while I think of it, please send your encouragement and thoughts to our good friend Barbara. We haven't heard from her in a little while because she's battling with block number 18 - it's a real toughie. I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts Barbara, you can do it!! xox

Block 40 - Tazzie

Here is my Block 40, which is the NI Yahoo Group challenge block for this week. I enjoyed making this one, it was really quite easy and went together quickly.

I'm aiming to put a block together tonight before I head to bed, let's see if I get it done :-)

Only one week now before I head off to visit with my wonderful friends in the USA. I wonder how my DH and kids will survive without me? Probably very well, but I know I'll miss them very much!