Questions and Answers

Question: What causes dust bunnies?

Answer: Working on blocks like "B-12 Starflower" all week!

Well, I didn't really work on this block continuously, but it did take quite a bit of my free time this week.

It is a beginner-level block that I chose to reverse applique...my current preferred method for applique work.

But no matter how frustrating I find some of these DJ blocks to be, I still prefer working on them to cleaning house! Don't we all?

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.

Orthodox Christmas

Today is Christmas for the Eastern Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar rather than the more-commonly used Gregorian calendar. (see my post from Dec 19 for more info on the calendars)

This day is often confused with Epiphany, which was celebrated yesterday, January 6th, by Christian churches that follow the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox Christmas has nothing to do with that date -- Epiphany on the Julian calendar will be on January 19th.

When I was growing up, I considered myself to be quite a lucky child because I had 2 Christmases. My family celebrated December 25th as the "fun" Christmas with Santa, presents, etc. (they didn't want me to feel left out from the rest of my friends who were celebrating then). The religious and "serious" Christmas came on January 7th, which meant going to church and food and family (and some presents again...yippee!). My parents even insisted that I stay home from school on that day (it was always interesting trying to explain to the teachers why my Christmas was different than everyone else's...)

My son was baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church and my husband (who grew up as a Lutheran) and I have continued the tradition of celebrating 2 Christmases. Our tree and decorations don't come down until after the 7th and our son still gets a present or two today.

So to all my fellow Orthodox Christians who celebrate today...Merry Christmas!

I plan to celebrate by making another Dear Jane block...maybe a photo tomorrow!

Inspiration

Yesterday was the monthly gathering of my guild's Dear Jane group, and wow, this is what we were treated to when one of the members walked in with a folded quilt top in her hands.

Angie (second from left in the photo)will most likely be the first Dear Jane goddess of our group -- as you can tell from these pictures, she has all 169 of the center blocks sewn together.

These pictures do not do the quilt justice. It is stunning in person...I can't wait until she adds the outer triangles and finishes it with hand quilting.

This is why I continue to attend gatherings like this...the energy and passion of my fellow quilters is contagious. And everyone in the group is willing to share tips, ideas, frustrations, etc. I often hear of groups like this being called "stitch and bitch" sessions, but I would definitely never, ever label them that way. At least not with the quilters I know.

After seeing the progress Angie has made on her quilt, I am determined to keep going with mine...it's going a bit slowly because I'm working on a block that has some applique on it...maybe I'll quickly work on a paper-pieced block instead...stay tuned...

Is It Spring Yet?

No, I'm not really tired of snow yet...it is still January. But in March, I know I'll be ready for spring.

Here's something to remind me of spring...it's a small wallhanging I made in mid-2004 after learning how to English paper-piece from a friend in my guild. The hexagons were hand-stitched together to form the flowers and then I appliqued them to the blocks. I did a little free-motion quilting on my sewing machine using monofilament thread.

It is thanks to fellow quilters like this friend (Happy Early Birthday, Mary Jane!) that I have been able to improve my skills as a quilter over the last 10 years. The support, encouragement, and inspiration that I've received from other quilters is priceless. And applique is no longer a four-letter word for me...

Resolution -- Don't Be A Chicken

I hope everyone is off to a good start with 2009!

Before I forget, I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog from the Whirl Into Winter Quilt Blog Giveaway...and those who commented for a chance to win my giveaway. If you missed it, see my post from January 1st. You have until early morning on January 15th to enter.

This is "J-7 Chicken Tracks", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece. I'm trying hard not to chicken out of working on an applique block...I hope to get one finished during my monthly Laurel Janes gathering on Monday.

This is #86.

A New Year and A New Giveaway

The winner of my giveaway is Beth! Check my post dated January 15th for more info.

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone!

You don't really want to spend the day watching football, do you? I have a better idea...

Join me in the Whirl Into Winter Quilt Blog Giveaway. There are approximately 60 wonderful bloggers hosting awesome giveaways on their blogs.

Because I've been the winner of a few giveaways myself (and because this is fun), I'm participating in this giveaway. This is the prize -- a quilt kit for the John Flynn Wheel of Mystery Quilt. It includes pre-cut pieces of Benartex batiks and the instructions for making a 40" x 50" inch quilt.

To be eligible for my giveaway, you must comment on this post by 8 AM Eastern time on January 15th. You do not need to have a blog to comment. If you post a link to my giveaway on your blog, add a second comment telling me that you've done it and you'll get a second entry. Be sure your profile or comment includes an email address -- I need a way to contact you if you win. If I don't have an email address for you, your entry will be disqualified.

I will ship internationally, so everyone who sees this and chooses to comment is eligible. I will use a random number generator to pick a winner on the morning of January 15th.

Good luck and thanks for participating. Best wishes for a good 2009!