Target In Sight

This is "F-11, On Target", an advanced-level block that I paper-pieced and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method for the quarter-circle shapes. The block name is appropriate since I seem to be on target for getting my center completed by the February 1st meeting of my DJ support group, the Laurel Janes.

I'm Sounding Like A Broken Record...

...but this is another easy one...

This is "H-11, Piercing Rays", an intermediate-level block. I didn't want to deal with set-in seams so I chose to applique it using the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch method. On to the next one...

A New Year, A New Block

Happy New Year to all my blogosphere friends! I hope that 2010 brings many enjoyable times to you and your loved ones!

This block just screamed for fussy cutting, so I found the perfect fabric for it. After looking through my old blog posts, I realized I did the same thing with this block more than a year ago.

This is "G-12, Gloriae", an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece and use the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method. This brings my total to 159 center blocks, with only 10 more of them to go! Then come the dreaded outside triangles...It's going to be quite a year.

More Trickery

This is "J-5, John Jacob's Windmill", an intermediate-level block for which I used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method.

Again I used stitching to make it look like there are seam lines on the background fabric. See Jane's original block below.

Back In The Swing Of Things

Another easy paper-pieced block...it looks like I forgot to clean off all the stray threads before I took the photo...

This is "K-6, Ann's Folly", an intermediate-level block. Number 153 for me...169 is in sight...

Perhaps I'll have time to make another block this weekend...No promises, though...

Getting Ready for Friday

Continuing with yesterday's subject of high school...

...this is "J-9, Maury High School", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method for the small melons (they look more like pumpkin seeds to me). Not perfect, but it gets me to 150 blocks completed!

I hope to get at least one more DJ block finished this week in time for my guild's Laurel Janes' mini-retreat on Friday and Saturday...

I've Been Neglectful

I haven't made a DJ block in almost a month...too busy making pillowcases and Christmas quilts that need to be finished by the time we leave on Nov 21st for our Thanksgiving trip to see family.

This is "I-10, Iris' Medallion", an advanced-level block that I chose to rotary cut and then used the raw-edge machine-buttonhole stitch to attach the triangles. Not perfect, but it will do. The photo makes the block look a bit wonky on the outer sides, but it's square in person.

Did You Miss Me?

My Dear Jane, were you feeling ignored this month?

It's been almost four weeks since I last posted a photo of a finished DJ block. Too much was going on in June around here. Things have settled down a bit, but I suspect there will be other projects that will delay things once in a while yet again. As a matter of fact, there are two quilts waiting to be quilted on my HQ16, both of which have a short deadline. And I need to make a couple of fabric postcards...and a pillowcase...and a bag...and...

Anyway, this is "I-4, Stability", an intermediate-level block that I paper pieced and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch to applique the center. Not perfect, but it will do.

All-Star

Sometimes when I finish a block like this, I feel like I've hit a home run. Again, I made this one with the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method. I cut the melons as one whole piece rather than four, so it made for easy placement. The stitching makes it look like they are four separate pieces.


This is "B-7, World Series", an intermediate-level applique block.

I Haven't Had a DJ Fix in a While

This block looks so much better in person. The melons are a nice pink, not too pale and not too bright...unfortunately, they are way too pale on the computer screen...

This is "C-6, Ashley's Aura", an intermediate-level block. Once again, I used my favorite applique method -- raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch. That made it very easy...

Fabric Choices

OK, after seeing my neighbor's DJ quilt top (check it out on my Jan 6 post), I'm in the mood again to get things going with my blocks.

This is "C-8 Hani's Crown", labeled by the software as an advanced-level block. I think I would call it intermediate, but I guess because of the strange angles, this may be a bit tricky. Mine is paper-pieced, but if you want to see a hand-pieced version that takes my breath away, check out this blogger's post here. While you're there, spend some time admiring the other blocks she has posted.

I wish I had thought more carefully about fabric choices before buying fabric for this quilt, because I've discovered that large prints don't work all that well. The pieces are so small that sometimes the contrast is lost. But since I want a large variety of fabrics in the quilt, I'll continue to use the large prints...(thankfully, most of my fabrics work just fine in the small blocks). I just need to be a bit more careful in choosing what goes with them.

Perfect for Winter

I thought I had already finished all of the easy paper-pieced blocks, but I recently found this one. It's "F-3 Snowball", labeled as an intermediate-level block in the software, but I think a beginner paper-piecer wouldn't have too much trouble with it. It took me longer to pick out the fabric than it did to make it!

The Y-Seams Bugged Me

This is "E-4 Buffalo Tree Hopper", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. This block requires more attention and care than the previous block I made, yet both are labeled intermediate. I wouldn't agree, but then, I didn't write the book/software... Although the pieces are not small, there are several set-in seams (also known as Y-seams) that take a little time to handle correctly. Mine are far from perfect, but I'm pleased with the results. I usually try to avoid set-in seams if at all possible. (see my post about this block).

Apparently, the buffalo tree hopper does exist in Pennsylvania. I made the block before I looked up what a buffalo tree hopper is; I should have reversed the colors on this one...
P.S. Sorry about the pun in the title...

Easy One

I thought I had already done all the easy paper-pieced blocks, but found this one yesterday. It only took me about half an hour, and that includes selecting the fabrics and ripping the paper off of the back. I'm not sure why the software labels it as an intermediate-level block. The name of the block is "L-7 Town Square". My adopted town of Wellsboro has a lovely square which is called The Green with a statue of Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (see the photo on the sidebar to my blog). The poem by Eugene Field is one of my favorites.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe---
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea---
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish---
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam---
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea---
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Gone For The Day

I'm off on a mini-retreat with 19 other quilt guild members today. We'll be sewing like mad from 9 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. I suppose we will find time to eat the pot-luck lunch that's planned.

In the meantime, here is "G-2 Mohawk Trail", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I don't really care for my fabric choices, but I can live with it. The block is really quite easy; just remember to print a mirror image if using the software. Otherwise, it won't look like Jane's.

One-Third Of The Way (Almost)

I'm not really in a mood to do much applique, so I'm afraid those blocks will mostly be left for last. For me, handwork usually requires that I sit in front of the TV and there really isn't anything on anymore that I am interested in. It's mostly garbage (although I do enjoy the occasional clever SNL political skit...). But I will have at least one block ready for applique in time for next Monday's Laurel Janes meeting.

Today's block is "K-8 Springbrook Park", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. This makes block 56, which means that I am just about at the one-third mark of DJ center blocks. Only 113 more to go...and then there are the triangles and corners...

The Early Bird Gets A Good Seat On The Bus

I will be spending tomorrow at the Quilting Around Chautauqua festival where there are supposed to be over 900 quilts on display from guilds all around the Chautauqua, NY area. The bus leaves at 5 AM (yikes!) and I hope to be home by 11 PM. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Thankfully, I'm not doing the driving.

There will be vendors, of course, but I'm going mostly because I love to see quilts in person. And I use quilt shows as an opportunity to get ideas about machine quilting...my camera will be full of photos by the time the day is done, I'm sure.

The Dear Jane block I finished today is "D-9 Uncle Richard", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I may be so exhausted after the bus trip that I may not have another block done for a while...

Sunday Block

This seems appropriate for a Sunday -- it is "D-5 Cathedral Window", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I wish they were all this easy, but I know there are a lot of tough ones coming up...

This almost looks like a stained-glass window, don't you think?

There Is Nothing Like Fresh Local Strawberries in June

June means strawberry season around here and here's some of what our garden has produced this year. Most of our berries probably go to the birds/slugs/chipmunks, etc, but at least they are kind enough to leave a few for us.

In honor of this time of year, I decided to make "H-3 Berry Baskets". Ideally I would have used red fabrics, but this block happens to fall in the dark blue row of my DJ design. Again, fairly straightforward paper piecing; the software labels this block as intermediate level.

In the Company of Women

Wow! What a wonderful day and evening it was yesterday at the first working meeting of my guild’s DJ group. The turnout was great -- at least 15 or 16 Janiacs in the afternoon and 8 in the evening. Some even stayed for both sessions. We spent the time oohing and aahing over each other’s blocks and getting tips on thread, hand piecing, paper piecing, life...

These are my first appliquéd blocks. “B-2 Sweet Tater Pie” and “E-10 Five & Dime”. I used gray silk thread since I needed to hide my stitches as much as possible (as you can see, I didn’t score 100% on that test). The silk thread was not as slippery as I had feared, but I did have to take care not to pull too tightly or the thread would break.

I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed getting together with my fellow quilters, some of whom I know well and others not so well. I was inspired by the exquisite work I saw displayed and came home energized to keep working on my blocks. To those who were there yesterday-- if you are reading this...thank you, thank you, thank you. I value your willingness to share skills, your appreciation of the beautiful things in life, and most of all, your friendship. No one forces you to attend gatherings like this, but you come anyway. What a joy it is to be in this company of women of the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild!