Papa's Star

I spent a lot of time sewing today, hours of it to make this, Papa's Star.

Keep in mind that this is a DJ block, 5 inches square, so that @!%# middle star is 1 inch square.  I figured that the only way to tackle it was paper piecing, but even then the pieces were too small to sew together.  It's hard to describe how I actually had to do it, but let me just say that I was glad there was no one else in the sewing room to hear what came out of my mouth!  As I've said earlier, I've saved the hardest ones for last, and this one definitely qualifies for that.  It's surely not perfect, but it's done!!  Yea for me!

A Deadline Finally Set

I'm getting really close to having all the blocks done for my DJ quilt top.  Today I completed 3, and I love the way they look.  Barring any unforeseen problems, I'll have all 169 done by the end of the month - maybe before.  I still have some really hard ones to do, but I tackled the one that I thought was the most difficult during the basketball playoffs over the weekend.  (My daughter is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, so you can guess which games we were watching. She even left early on Sunday so she could get home in time to watch.)  It took me the whole game, but I got the center of it done.  Unfortunately, the outer border is harder than the center.  We'll see how long it takes me to make that.

Anyway, here are the ones I finished today.

And this is what 150 of them look like all piled up.

So far there are 8 fine quilters in the Red White and Blue No Sew Block Swap.  If anyone is interested in joining this fine group, all the information is on my last post.

Red White and Blue No Sew Swap

It looks like we'll have enough folks to participate in the Red White and Blue No Sew Swap, so I've been working on some guidelines.  This is a great way to swap, because you will prepare only one type of block, but you don't need to sew them. That will be done by the recipients.


Sign ups will be open until March 19.   You may sign up by leaving me a comment on this post.

Each participant will choose a 12 inch star pattern from Quilters Cache. Please remember that we have all skill levels of quilters in the group, so look carefully at the difficulty level of the block. Pick a block that has 1 or 2 pins (denoting the difficulty level), no paper piecing, no applique, and is a traditional block design. The original designs are marked with a star, and the traditional designs say so at the bottom of the instruction page.


When you've chosen a star, let me know and I'll keep the group updated with those already picked.

Use good quality fabrics, and try not to introduce any color other than red, white and blue. 


Cut your fabrics accurately, and be sure to cut off the selvedge before you cut the pieces.  Remember....... the Supplies List on the last page of the block you chose is all the cutting you need to do.  If there is further cutting during the sewing process, each person will do the rest of the cutting on their own by following the instructions for the block.

To test your pieces, make up your own block to be sure that it fits together well.  When you're satisfied with your blocks, put each one in a baggie. Enclose a card with the name of the block so that the recipient will be able to look up the instructions.

Mail the baggies to me, along with a self addressed envelope with postage put on it in stamps, not a printed label. The deadline for me to receive your package is April 16. When I have received all of them, I will sort them and mail you a package containing one of each of the baggies.

For all of you who have contacted me about the swap, I will send you an email to confirm that you still want to participate.

New No Sew Block Swap

I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, and decided to check it out with all of you.  I loved the Green No Sew Block Swap, and I'd love to do another one.  I'm thinking that we have patriotic holidays coming, and I don't have a red, white and blue quilt.  Is anyone interested in doing a No Sew Red White and Blue block swap?  Also, there are so many star block patterns, and they would be perfect with these colors.  Just look at Quilters Cache and you'll find a couple of dozen star patterns.   If there's any interest, leave a comment and I'll put it together.  Also, if you'd like to do this swap but prefer not to do stars, tell me that also.  Nothing's set in stone, so we can still make some final decisions.

Gone Too Long

My gosh, I didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted.  I've really been busy sewing, and getting ready for my daughter to come home for a visit.  I love it when she comes home, but it always goes by so fast.  Before she came home, I spent a good bit of time preparing blocks that needed to be hand sewn, both DJ and SBS.  I've finished some, but I'm still struggling with others. So here's what I've finished this week.  These for Dear Jane.

And this for SBS.  I actually made more, but forgot to take a picture.

I also have a finish for  March.  It's small and it's a mistake, but it's a finish.  After reading Barb's post about those cute little thread catchers, I decided to try one.  I had read the tutorial and knew it wouldn't be difficult to make.  However, it is always nice to read the instructions again for such minor details as the measurments of the pieces.  So instead of pieces 2 1/2 by 7 1/2, I used pieces 4 by 9.  I knew pretty quickly that I was wrong, but when I finished it, I really liked the size.  It's a great size to sit on the arm of the couch where I sit, and its bottom is big enough to spread out (like other bottoms) and not fall off.  It holds a lot of threads, scraps and just trash.  I have much less mess to clean up at bedtime.

The Sun Is Back!

I can't believe it!  When I look outside at my yard, there is NO SNOW!!  Well, not in my yard, anyway.  The front of the houses across the street face north, so they still have some in their front yards.  Maybe I have some in my backyard, but from the house I can't see it, so it's not there, right??  I'm so sick of the stuff and seeing no snow is so great!  (Even if I know I really still have some in my yard.)

I got lots of sewing done today, but I'll show it later when I have the whole top put together.  So instead of sewing stuff, I'll show you some mail stuff.  I got 2 nice surprises today.  First was a square from a monthly swap I'm in.  It's Christmasy, so I can add it to the quilt top I'm trying to get together, in between the other projects I have going.  Anyway, it's a beautiful block and will look wonderful with the others I have.

The second was a giveaway I won from Barb.  She had a birthday giveaway, and since my birthday is in February, I was lucky enough to win.  Look at the beautiful kichen towel she sent.  It's such a lovely teapot with pretty little flowers.  In addition, she sent this cute little heart ornament.  Hearts have always reminded me of my birthday rather than Valentines Day. 

Thank you ladies for the nice squishy surprises!

Odd Blocks

I didn't realize it had been so many days since I posted anything, but I do have a couple of things to show you.  Since we're starting a new month, I decided I should try to get my monthly obligations out of the way early.  So, these two blocks are for a swap in which I have 2 swap partners.  We'll all get the same block, but in colors chosen by the sender.  These are the ones I made.

I have a couple of other blocks I need to make for this month, so I hope I can get them done within the next couple of days.

As I get closer to completing the blocks for the Dear Jane quilt, those that are left are either really difficult, or have a lot of applique, or both.  This one was almost completely applique, so I finished it while I watched NCIS last night.  Everyday I study one particular block which is very complicated and I have no idea how to tackle it.  Hopefully I can come up with a solution soon. 

Finally, just to continue making progress, I made this block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.   Boy, now that I look at it in the picture, the deep pink (I know, it looks orange) stripes aren't straight across from one another.  I need to check that out and see if it really is that wonky, or just the way the picture was taken.

I have made 3 trips to 2 quilt shops this week!  My reason for these dreadful chores was to get the fabric I need to complete my green and cream quilt.  That's what I'll be working on for the next few days.  Hope to have something to show you by the end of the week.  Oh my goodness, that's really soon!!