Block #46 - Sarah

I just finished this block of the week challenge for the yahoo group. I am really excited because it is my first BOW I have finished in time, go me!

My First Two Blocks

Hello, I am Sarah and I just started my Nearly Insane quilt. I am using the shirting lines from Renee Nanneman called Isty Bits. There are several collections and I just bought them all because I couldn't decide.This is Block #1.


This is block #2 - I did this one first, but it didn't come out the right size. It is like 3/4 inch short, Oops.


This is my block #2 redo - This one is the right size. Amazing what a small error will cause in such a small block. I now always measure after each additional piece.

Block 98 - Tazzie

Block 98 is my latest triangle block. I'm loving using up the little pieces of fabric left over from my DJ quilt. I have had that scrap of purple fabric in my stash for at least 10 years!

I made this one because in one moment I'm thinking I'd like to put one corner of the quilt together. And then in the next moment I'm telling myself I should wait until I've made all the blocks before I allow myself that treat.

So, whatever I decide to do, I'm going to need this block at some point ... so I made it :-)

Block #68 - Ann

I look at this now that it's done and just think, Wow - this is really bright! But I think it will look fine in the larger quilt, because I have plenty of other bright colors that will work their way into this project.

Block 53 - Tazzie

I've made another block this weekend - the Nearly Insane Yahoo group challenge - Block 53.

The pale green fabric in the centre is another of my old DJ fabrics, and from the RJR Smithsonian collection. That really dates it - it must be at least 14 years old! I'm sure there are still older fabrics in my stash :-)

And the floral in the outside squares and triangles is the newest in my stash. Purchased on Friday, it's a Judie Rothermel reproduction.

Very happy with how my blocks are progressing - I've made 20 now, so that means I'm one fifth the way through the quilt!

Block 8 - Tazzie

Finally! I've finished making up my replacement Block 8. I prepared all the foundations and did all the stitching but for the blue triangles last weekend. Then I just ran out of time.

I had a lot of quilting to do during the week, so last night was my first chance to get another look at this block. And I have to say, I'm MUCH happier this time around, and in so many ways.

Firstly, I like the colours better - I felt the yellow I used around the outside of the other block was too heavy, and I like the blue in this block. Blue always lifts things, doesn't it?

I changed the orientation of the blue triangles to all face the same way. While I appreciate that in the book the way they're positioned it gets the lighter fabric on the outside all the way around, I didn't like what it did in the corners where the rows met.

This block is much less crooked than the first one, and although still not perfect, I'm definitely not making the block again.

And now on a different topic. I really enjoy working on the challenge blocks from the Nearly Insane Yahoo group. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in participating if I was to post a weekly challenge block on line here? I'm happy to set the challenges - I'll probably just choose a block each week (rather than set them all way ahead of time). And if there's a certain block you need a nudge to work on, let me know, and we can make that a challenge and work on it together. I'd like to think I might post some 'in progress' pictures to help with construction, but I won't make too many promises given that I'm going on vacation soon. So, are you interested? Let me know :-)

Block 91 - Tazzie

I'm so enjoying putting these NI blocks together that almost every other project has taken something of a back seat. I've wanted to put another triangle together, and because the book fell open to this page, it became my next victim :-)

I love the colours I've selected for this block - and though the quilts photographed in the book don't have much blue, I'm going to incorporate some more into mine. In fact, I think I'll ultimately use blue cornerstones too.

I'm going to have to get some more of that green fabric, I've used up a lot already, and I love it way too much to run out.

More soon! xox

Block 38 - Tazzie

This is my Block 38 - and it's the real NI Yahoo Group challenge block for this week. It was a typo on the database, but great news for me, because it meant I got two blocks made this week :-)

I've blurred the picture a little, but you can see it okay. In the corner squares I thought it would be fun to use Lynne's technique of inserting little pictures, so I found another strip of the Travels in Time fabric and fussy cut out some bits.

If I get time, I hope to have another go at Block 8 tomorrow. First I need to pin a quilt, and then it'll be all systems go!

Block #52 - Ann

This block is a testimony to the fact that I have no plan for this quilt, other than making blocks with fabrics I like. I've mixed fabrics from multiple decades into quite a hodge-podge of styles, not only in this block, but among the other blocks, too. But it sure is fun - I'm really enjoying making them.

Block 29 - Tazzie

I've just got it in under the wire. This is Block 29 - and it's this week's challenge block on the Nearly Insane Yahoo Group. Stitching time has been scarce for me this past week, so I'm going to try and make up for lost time on this long weekend.

I'm really pleased with how the block went together, and I've been able to use some favourite little scraps of fabric.

The white print is from the tiniest piece I had left over when making my 'Starstruck in Paducah' quilt. You know, there was so little of that fabric that I had to sew scraps together to make up some of the components of the blocks, and substitute some fabric also. I was being very frugal indeed. I think I may have around 2in square left. I'll find a home for it :-)

And the navy blue was a little piece from the strips that made up a scrap quilt I put together recently. I still have a chunk of it left, but it pleases me to use the tiny bits too.

I have three days left in which I'd like to pin two quilts, quilt one of those quilts, and if I get the chance, I'd like to have a go at remaking Block 8. I feel sure I can do a better job ... I just need to psyche myself up ...

Late Edit: There was an oops in the database, so this block isn't actually the challenge for this week. The challenge block is actually #38. I really hope to have it made in time for the deadline. If not, there's always next week!