Nearly Insane Blocks # 8 & 14

Whew! Block # 8 was a mission, but I thought I may as well tackle it now, rather then leave it. I am piecing my blocks in the diagonal order, so the dreaded # 8 was next on the list. I have noticed its a bit wonky top right corner so I may have to tweak it!!



The next block # 14


Must get back to the kitchen and make some Apricot & Coconut Balls in time for Saturday. We have our Family Christmas Celebration a week before, so all the adult kids and the kiddies can go to their other respective parents/grandparents on Christmas day. The MIL ( me) doesn’t seem to get Christmas day, but thats O.K. as we go to the Italian side of the family for our traditional Christmas fare!

Bye for now
Sue

Nearly Insane Blocks 7 and 77

Block 7 and Block 77. They look so different. There are little apples around the square in the square and what looked to me like Christmas lights in the Chrome Yellow in B7

Love Block 77Those Greens and Double pinks with a little Chrome yellow as a Zing

Wish I could say I was getting more sewing done! Plan on baking another fruit cake tomorrow. The Hazelnut one and other Christmassy things. Have a Great Week All Cheers Lynne

Block 43 - Tazzie

Here is my block 43. I'm so glad to have this one done, though it wasn't as tough as I anticipated. I used a little spray starch to help stabilise bias edges - love me some Mary Ellen's Best Press!

I really don't think I'm ready for block 44 yet - it really looks tough, so I'll tackle something else in the meantime I think :-)

I nearly Forgot To Add These Blocks

After looking at all the lovely blocks from every-one I noticed although I had added some to my blog susannasquilts I had forgotten to add them to the Nearly Insane Blog, so here goes.

Block # 3   Block # 5             Block # 10

 

and Block # 11

  They certainly are addictive and once my Christmas gifty stuff is made I will get back to them in the holidays.

The lovely thing about after Christmas is that DH closes the office for 4 whole weeks. Wippee!! 4 weeks of no office work /phones.

Cheers for now

Sue

Block #48 - Ann

I've had a pretty rough week, but found this block very satisfying and quick. No agonizing over fabric or color choices, just a quick dig through the bin, and presto! One more block done.

Block 4 and 53

 
Block 4 Has a Bee in the Centre
 
Block 53
I rather like this one. Totally different but still a star. The next block I need to do is Block 7 which just by chance happens to be another star and then the dreaded Block 8 which I have successfully avoided since the beginning when it was issued as a challenge. I have been making this quilt since November 2008. There was a while when it was on the backburner but now I am enjoying it with renewed enthusiasm.
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.
Cheers Lynne

Blocks 85, 25 & 45 - Tazzie

I've been a busy bee this weekend working on my NI blocks.

First was block 85 - using some 'new to me' cheddar fabric. Even though the blocks are often drawn up differently, I mostly change the orientation of the triangles to give the blocks a little more symmetry.

And here's block 25. Another odd looking one for sure. I don't mind if I never see half inch finished HST's again :-)

My personal challenge - block 45. It looked like the easier of the three 'lone star' style blocks in the book. I guess it wasn't too hard, just fiddly - but I can now confidently say that I'm not looking forward to block 44 in the least!

If I be a good girl and get my chores done today, I'll allow myself some more time in the sewing room this afternoon. It'd be so nice to get some more checked off the list :-)

Nearly Insane Block 48

 
I have finished one of the blocks for the week :-)
Fussy cut the red and the black edge is fussy-cut from the same fabric. The black star and the gorgoeus yellow are fabrics I bought form the Quilted Crow while we were in Tasmania on our second honeymoon.
This quilt will be a journey of many memories. I am having fun. Cheers Lynne

Blocks 83 & 39 - Tazzie

Here is block 83 - I just finished it this evening. I really love putting flying geese units together, so this block was blissful :-)

And here is block 39, finished on Sunday evening. I have only the tiniest pieces of the yellow left. It's a Smithsonian print from a REALLY long time ago. Donna from CA kindly gifted me with a piece, so I've been treating it like gold dust!

Block 40 A Little of the Adelaide Collection Lynne

Block 40 Features fabric I wanted to use from the Adelaide Collection (Bird in the centre and the 4 corners) Adelaide is where I live and I thought it most appropriate now that this gorgeous range just come out thanks to
the Lovely Michele Hill and Jason Yenter.
Just so love the Serpentine too. I have to confess I did not even look at the way the block was presented in the book this time. Nor did I plan this block apart from really wanting to use the birds in the middle and they only just fit and the cornerstones of gorgeous from the Adelaide collection . Influenced only slightly by recently acquiring the gorgeous serpentine. The rest of the block I just let talk to me as I went along :-)

Block 2 (my personal weekly challenge as I need to make a few to fill the gaps so that I can start to sash my blocks) features a sewing machine. Fabric again thanks to
Jan from  Bemused. I was lucky to win this fabric last year. The 'L' came from the same FQ.
Remember the blocks are set on point so the sewing machine another squeeze fitted just but I am pleased with it. The cornerstones are straight it is just that I photograph on a board and cannot pin the flat so the edge is angled up
Looking forward to next weeks challenge on the Nearly Insane Yahoo group . My Personal Challenge for next week will be block 4. If I tell you all I will have to make sure I finish it or should I say both.
Cheers Lynne

Block 84 - Tazzie

Here is my block 84 - quite an easy one really - so I was surprised I hadn't tackled it earlier. The light floral fabric is one of my favourites - love those Civil War Dressing Gown prints.

Blocks 26 & 36 - Tazzie

Two more blocks checked off my list over the weekend.

Block 26, very easy to make with simple rotary cutting and piecing. I'm so low on the leafy fabric in the outer triangles. I'll have to try and find some more :-)

I don't mind confessing that I find a couple of the blocks in this quilt are a little ugly - and this block is one of them. And it probably doesn't help that the brown fabric I used isn't too attractive either. But it's made now, and I've started sewing the row together, so it's staying!

I hope I can stay motivated to make these little blocks, I missed them so!

Nearly Insane Block 1

Nearly Insane Block 1  (33 pieces)This is the 49th Block I have made.
Taryn that is your little spinning top in the centre. I have not made Block 2 yet so that might have to be the next one. Wish I could say I got lots of sewing done this weekend but I did manage a few hours so that was nice.
Cheers Lynne

Blocks 24 & 81 - Tazzie

I've been so inspired seeing the NI Yahoo Group blocks being posted, as well as the lovely work that we're seeing here, that I finally got my act together and stitched up a couple of blocks.

This is block 24 that I just finished this evening. The brick red fabric in the flying geese units came from a Moda scrap bag, what a lucky find! And the print with the shells I have had for the very longest time - probably ten years. It's a favourite.

And here is block 81 which I finished during the week. It's fun seeing the gaps closing in my list of completed blocks. I think my finished total is 67 now.

Block #38 - Ann

Not a great color combination, but luckily it will be just one of many blocks in a very busy quilt. Since I'm not using any particular theme or style of fabrics, this will truly be a scrappy quilt.

Nearly Insane Block 6 and 76

 
Block 6 was the Challenger for the week. Could not resist putting the L in the centre. Thankyou to Jan of Bemused. This was part of the fabric that I won on her blog last year. It fits perfectly. I know the wattle is not repro but it is so perfect.

This is Block 76 and has been in the making for weeks. Somehow on the backburner while I was distracted by Blind Mans Fancy (which I was still working on today) and my Little Bears Paws. The block is square just not photographed square. I have now made 49 blocks and am Half way :-) Will need to find some self discipline and get back to regularly making them won’t I.
Have a great week all Cheers Lynne

Block #26 - Ann

I really love the colors in this block. I started with the corner triangles circles print, then picked other fabrics to complement it. No cutting mishaps this time, but with two weeks of vacation (and the week to catch up after vacation) it took me a long time to finish it.

AWOL

Just a quick note to let you all know that I haven't fallen from the earth! My work commitments have been crazy lately and I haven't had much time for stitching. Promise I'll be back with some NI content soon.

Has anyone been working on their blocks? Wanna share?? *s*

Block 19 - Tazzie

Here is my block 19. I made it a little differently to the one in the book, instead of cutting out individual squares, I made the ones that were adjacent and the same colour into rectangles. Hmmm ... did that make any sense? Well, I'm sure the picture tells the story :-)

Sixty four blocks checked off the list, it really feels like I'm getting somewhere now!

Block #9 - Ann

I started this block way back in May. I had all but two of the outer sawteeth sections attachedd, when I trimmed off the orange on the seam line instead of 1/4" away. Rats! I had to take off and remake two orange borders and two sawteeth sections, and then put it all back together again. During that time I also had to make a baby quilt and finish a couple others. And I've still got two more baby quilts to finish so Nearly Insane progress will continue to be slow.

Block 42 - Tazzie

Because I was on a bit of a NI roll last night, I decided to tackle a block that looks a little scary in the book - block 42.

It wasn't really hard at all, certainly not compared to some of the other blocks we've had to face. There are a couple of points I'm tempted to fiddle with, but I'm not convinced I can get them much better, so it's probably best to leave them alone.

I think I have two more blocks to make and I can add the next row to the quilt. This project is really growing!

Blocks 20 & 30 - Tazzie

My goodness I was glad over the past 24 hours to have a little time to work on my Nearly Insane blocks - my own stitching time has been scarce lately.

This is my block 20 - I have skipped over 19 (I'm not sure why) and gone directly to this one. The little green triangles in the centre were cut-offs from the braids I pieced the other day. Feels so virtuous to use such tiny scraps.

And here is block 30. I really enjoyed this one. The pink is a Dear Jane print, and this is it's first appearance in my quilt. I will definitely use it again, it's very cute. I think my block count is 62 now. Slowly, slowly I'm getting there.

Has anyone else been working on their blocks? Don't be shy, we'd love to see them!

Block 94 - Tazzie

Just a quickie post tonight - here is my block 94, I made it up this evening :-)

Yay for my last triangle block. I'm not sure about my colour selection tonight, must be the Krispy Kreme doughnut I had earlier - I'm on a little bit of a sugar rush maybe. I'm sure in the big scheme of the quilt, this block will look entirely wonderful.

Here's hoping I can get a couple more blocks made during the next week or so - I have my fingers crossed :-)

Block 86 - Tazzie

Finally! At last I've had the opportunity to put a NI block together, it seems like it has been such a long time.

This one is block 86, and not a tricky one at all. I only have one more triangle block to make now. Here's hoping I can get back on track and get some more blocks made up soon.

And just a quick housekeeping note. I know I haven't mentioned this in the past, but I was kind of hoping it would be self evident. Since we all have our own blogs, I'd really prefer it if this blog could be limited to NI posts. I'd really appreciate it, thanks :-)

Travel

Antiquing Saturday I found two postcards from my husband's granddaddy's motor court in Sumter! What a score; we are thrilled. He had nineteen cabins

and a restaurant and gas station.

Granddaddy Evans was quite an entrepreneur. Not only was he a truck farmer who grew vegetables at his farm in Providence, SC and sold them in Cola at the Farmer's Market but he had a country store next to his house. Then he started this motor court in Sumter. And I recently learned he owned a barber shop in Orangeburg, SC (and he wasn't even a barber).

Granddaddy did all this and put four kids through college (all became teachers) during the Depression.

I have always wanted to stay in one of these cabin style motor courts.

Have any of you? Do you even want to?

For Kimberly and Mary Bailey.....I did buy other post cards and will be posting them on the blog in days to come :) I told the dealer I like the ones with writing on them; he does not. :)

Any body else out there with old post cards?

I am going to my brother's for a few days this week....see ya when I get back!

Nearly Insane Blocks 1 & 2 - Susannasquilts

At long last the start of my Nearly Insane Blocks. I have managed to make Blocks 1 & 2.
Not too good on the photography so I have scanned them. I Paper Foundation Pieced them, and still managed to get them a little off.. then remembered the great tip from Liz Lois in the book, was to treat each section as a mini quilt and measure as you go. I cut the last border a little larger, then cut it down to measure the exact size needed.
Must get off this computer and make another one!!
Cheers
Sue

Antique Quilts Etc...

What do quilters do with their "spare" time? Let's see.....

Watch Fons & Porter's tv show, For the Love of Quilting....

Read quilt blogs for ideas, encouragement, inspiration......

I just checked in at http://www.stellarubinantiques.com/ to see some awesome antique quilts, gorgeous jewelry and other art works.

I am always amazed at the antique quilts found by other quilters at antique malls etc... The ones I find are usually of the recent polyester (a quilting no no) variety, are torn, or worn, and way overpriced.

So far the only antique quilts I own are from my mother's attic and I don't know their provenance :( Mother's mother was a "seamstress" so I can only hope she made at least one of these quilts. They are very well done. The pictures at the top show them.

The tiny scrap on the little side table between the two red wing chairs is one I bought at an antique mall. Tiny and cheap!

Yesterday, girlfriend Rita, aka Lucy, came over for a day of sewing and catching up. I'll show you all the gifts she brought back for me from her trip to West Va. in my next post.

Meanwhile I am off to McLeod Farms Peach Festival in McBee. Our quilt guild was asked to do some quilting to show the folks who come by. I will be embroidering the second block for my catalicious quilt. It is to be a Christmas gift for a cat loving non quilting friend.

What do you do in your "Spare Time"?

Block 87 - Tazzie

After such a tricky block, here is an easy one. This is block 87 - and very simple to just rotary cut and piece.

This is 58th block I've made, so it means I have 40 more to go now. Wow, they're really adding up.

And in fabulous news, we have two new contributors to our Blog. Donna and Sue - welcome to you both. I very much look forward to seeing your NI progress.

I should have plenty of sewing time on my hands shortly - as of this weekend my kids are on school holidays for two weeks - and I am fortunate not to work during school holidays. I'll be Mum's taxi for sure, but I know I'll find time in the sewing room!

Block 18 - Tazzie

Can you imagine how thrilled I am to finally finish this block? It was tackled in spurts over four days. Honestly, it was too fiddly just to crank it out all at once - all 229 pieces.

You can see the little pins all around the place - I had to pin it to my ironing board once again to get it to stay flat enough to photograph.

I'm not sure which block I'll work on next, but which ever it is, it'll feel like a breeze after this one!

(Almost There) Block 18 - Tazzie

Here's where I'm up to with my block 18 - it's currently sized 5 1/2" square. I just have the final round of half square triangles etc. to add all around the edge. It'll add another inch to the finished size of the block - and add 84 to the count of pieces in the block.

I had to pin the block to my ironing board to get it to sit flat as there are so many seams in the back. I can't even imagine what it will be like to quilt!

Really though, this block isn't hard as such - it's just really tedious, and I seem to remember Barbara having the same sentiment. Each row has so many pieces making up such a small section that they seem to take forever. And something I did notice is that in the line drawing, some of the triangles are facing the wrong way, even compared to the block the author made up. I've attempted to remedy this in my block.

Hopefully I'll have this block finished by the end of today - red and green half square triangles and yellow squares await!

(Start of) Block 18 - Tazzie

I've just started block 18 - and here's where I'm up to. I'll need some real fortitude to tackle the rest of it - this is where the fun will begin. I'll keep you posted.

And in other news - a big welcome to our newest member - Kathryn (kcaie). I hope you have fun on your NI journey, and look forward to you sharing your blocks with us.

Block 79 - Tazzie

Finally I've been able to put another block together. This one is block 79.

I have been on a deadline with my Turning Four-T quilt, so all other projects had to be put on the back burner. It was really hard not to pick up the NI blocks, but time really wasn't on my side.

Because it had been a little while since I worked on one of these blocks, I chose a relatively easy one - and there aren't too many of those left any more.

To put my next row together, I need to make up block 18. I am nervous about it, so wish me luck people! :-)

Oops!

Hi there to Kathryn who posted a comment recently about joining the NI Fans blog. Your comment has come up with no email address so I'm not able to get in touch with you personally. If you would like to email me, I can send you the permissions to join the blog. Look forward to hearing from you!
Tazzie
:-)

Block 28 & 96 - Tazzie

Sadly for me, this past week I still have not had the opportunity to stitch on my NI blocks - I'm on a deadline, and attention must be paid! I'm missing these tiny blocks like mad, but fortunately I have found two I have neglected to blog about, so I can share them with you now.

Here is block 28. From what I recall, it was quite a fiddly one to put together. I think I foundation pieced it in certain sections, and simply rotary cut and pieced other sections.

The green fabric is one of the fq's I purchased while in the USA, and the red was from Donna's scrap bag. Good times!
And this is block 96. Many pieces from Donna's scrap bag once again. The coral coloured fabric is an oldie but a goodie - it was a left over from my Dear Jane quilt. I have no idea how it came into my stash, I would hazard a guess that Linda sent it to me. She's responsible for most of my reproduction fabrics of old.

Hopefully it won't be long before I can get back into the NI piecing. I'll check back in soon. xox

Block 88 & 97 - Tazzie

Here are two blocks I made recently (but not in the past week) and for whatever reason didn't get around to posting.

This is block 88 - a very cute one with a little needle turn applique thrown in for good measure. It will be interesting to see if there is enough contrast between the light fabric and the sashing strips. I won't be changing the block in any case :-)

And this is block 97 - it's a nice easy one. I just love that seashell fabric. I've had it for a very long time, it's from the Ann Robinson collection, and must be at least 10 years old - probably more. I see that Patchwork Rose has used it in a couple of her blocks too. Super fun!

We seem to have lost a couple of girls along the way here. I definitely know life can get in the way and stitching can take a back seat. Please check in and let us know how you're doing. Thinking of you! xox