Hello all.  Today we’re going under the sea!  The block is Fish Tales.

Fish Tales

This is a block with a lot of pieces. I’ve learned while doing this sampler that the best way to handle this is to lay the pieces out next to my sewing machine as if the block is already sewn.  Then, I pick up and sew the first two from each row, iron them and return them to their position. By doing this, I cut down on the number of times that I sew two blocks together incorrectly and have to take out the seam.  I’m sure none of you have ever done that!

When I first started this block, I just wasn’t sure I was going to like it so well, but when I laid it out next to my machine, I could really see the potential, and once it was done, I really liked it. I found this really cute white background fabric with little blue flowers that looks almost like water, and I’m pleased with the fish colors as well. I’m still sticking with my vow of using different values.

Well, tomorrow, we have 2 more blocks, and then another look at the design wall with 4 rows finished.  It looks amazing! Until then…

Kathy

Today’s Block is the Free Trade block.

Free Trade

This is a fun block!  I had these star fabrics from Moda and I was just waiting for a block that was a large enough format to show them off.  I love the idea of stars since Sarah is in the Air Force and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. This block went together quickly and easily as well.

Tomorrow we go under the sea!

Kathy

Hello all! I’m really excited about this block. It is called delectable mountains.

Delectable Mountains

Obviously, I have an afinity for the mountains, since I live and work at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and Sarah and I have frequently discussed that she can’t imagine living away from the mountains.

I had been saving this large print red fabric and had not found a place to use it. I was able to fussy cut it so that it looked really cool! Then I found the flower in the middle mixed in with this huge rose print. A lucky find, and a great addition. 

The next block is Free Trade. Until then…

Kathy

Hello all! I am showing you one of my all time favorite blocks today, the Log Cabin.

Log Cabin

I went a little off the pattern with this block.  The pattern calls for creams on one side of the block, but I was looking  for an excuse to use these light backgrounds with light and dark blue patterns, so I decided to use them instead. I also love the punch of red in the middle. So, a very fun block to design, and obviously, very  easy to make.

We also had a very positive call from Sarah. She has her first permanent assignment, which will start in January. She will not immediately be deployed overseas,  which is a huge relief to us, instead she will be headed to Fairchild Air Force Base outside of Spokane, WA.

Tomorrow, I have the Delectable Mountains block. Until then -

Kathy

Today I have 2 blocks for you.  The first one is the Bear’s Paw.

Bear's Paw

This is kind of amazing.  I found the star fabric for the paw hidden in my stash when I was looking through my old halloween fabric for a backing for a how-to project I was making.  I missed it when I was first picking out fabrics for this quilt because it was stuck in the wrong place! I then continued the star theme through the rest of the block.

Next is the Wild Geese block. I love the secondary pattern in the middle of the block.

Wild Geese

I started this block with the red swirl, contined with the cream swirl, and managed to continue the swirl theme throughout! A very cute block.

Tomorrow is the Log Cabin block.  See you then.

Kathy

Hello all. Today I’m sharing the Tree of Life block.  This one was so fun to make! I found a United States flag fabric in my stash and used that as the basis of the block.

Tree of Life

I really went out on a limb with this block. I figured either I was into this scrappy thing, or I needed medication! I actually used two striped light blue fabrics in the leaves, and I used a total of 6 fabrics (3 reds, and 3 blues) in the leaves in addition to the flag fabric. There is one seam up the middle that took a little curve, but it just makes the flag look like it is waving!

All in all, I’m very happy with this block. It came out just like I  wanted.

Tomorrow, I have a Bear’s Claw and some Wild Geese to share.

Until then,

Kathy

Well, here it is.  The first look at my design wall. I’m thinking it might be a little anticlimactic!

I’m still missing the economy blocks above Farmer’s Fields as well as Flying Geese on the right side of the 1st row and the left side of the 2nd row. I’m pleased with how things are flowing together. Especially since this is my first attempt at this type of thing. I think I am using light, medium, and dark values pretty well, although I constantly have to remind myself not to always use the dark values. I’m enjoying doing the different blocks that each have meaning and I think Sarah will enjoy having a quilt that has that type of meaning.

For Monday, the block is the Tree of Life. See you then!

Kathy

Hello all. Well, I took a break yesterday due to bad weather, but today I’m going to put up two blocks and then tomorrow I’m going to show you my design wall with the upper two rows mostly complete!

Rail Fence

This block was easy and fast and gave me an opportunity to use the alphabet fabric. Also, I was mindful of using different values. (It looks a little crooked, but that is just how it is hanging on the design wall.)

Flower Basket

I’m not sure why, but I really enjoyed this little block, even with the bias edges. Maybe it was just bright and fun and it just mixes so well with the rest of the quilt.

I have to say, I am enjoying this sampler very much. I have never done a sampler before and I have never done a scrap quilt before, so this is a double whammy for me! This pattern is easy to follow and good practice for my skills.

So, tomorrow you get to see it all together so far!

Until then -

Kathy

Well, today was not nearly as tearful as yesterday! Interestingly, my fabric choices were again affected by a phone call from Sarah.  She called and was missing home and it felt like she was my little girl again. I ended up choosing these sweet little girl prints.

It was a fun block to make and it looks great with the rest of the quilt. Tomorrow, I’ll share two smaller blocks and then on Thursday I’ll show you how the first two rows look on my design wall.  The quilt is really coming together!

My husband says that if Sarah doesn’t want it, he’ll keep it for himself. I’m busy looking for appropriate U.S. Air Force fabric for backing.  Wish me luck!

Kathy

Memories… This block was both the most fun and the hardest block to make (not the sewing, for my heart).

It started out great! I had a really positive phone call from Sarah. She was feeling great and had done well on a test. So I went in to my sewing room and chose this bright little flower for the center of this block and then found this cheerful red swirl from Timeless Treasures and then this perfect blue that was just the color of her eyes.

Then – I looked at the title of the block. Memories. And I looked around my sewing room (which was formerly Sarah’s bedroom) and I burst into tears. So, I love this block for the positive outlook with which it started, but it makes me  a little sad because of the name. I do think the block will be a great addition to the quilt.

Until tomorrow -

Kathy