Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy New Year 2012!

May 2012 bring you much happiness and good health!

I've caught up with the Civil War blocks, at least with blocks that I want to piece.  I've omitted blocks with  applique, curves, Y Seams, templates and very tricky calculations.  I can't manage those and honestly I prefer not to!

#44 Union
#45 Port and Starboard
#47 Dixie tea
#46 Apple Tree
#51 New York
#50 Grapes of Wrath
#49 Yankee Puzzle
#48 West Virginia
#52 Christmas Star
#41 Red White & Blue (Paper pieced)
I did not make Block 41 initially and when I went over the comments on the CW Flickr Group, there was a link to make the star using paper piecing.  As I was telling Merilyn that my earlier paper piecing efforts leaves much to be desired!  This star looks easy enough ... NOT!  I had a terrible headache twisting my mind :)  I watched the TQS video of Carol Doak again to GET it ... even then I made mistakes.  Boy did I sweat over this baby!

I must confess that not all my blocks are 8-1/2" square, well some are but most aren't :(  But since I firmed up my thoughts on settings it's not too much of a do or die situation anymore.  I intend to sash every block with either black and light tan.  Alternating the blocks on the quilt top.  It's all in my mind right now.  I've even got the fabrics already and their drying on the clothes horse right this minute.  It will be a 6 x 8 blocks setting with 10-1/2" square each block (after sashing) which makes it 60" x 80".  Not sure about the borders yet but that decision can come later.

I will be re-doing some of the blocks some were pieced badly, some did not have a good colour combos so there's still some work to do. Here they are all together on my Flickr set.

Some fabric stashing was done too and there were some anxious moments during the Christmas rush.  A sewing book I ordered from Abe Books is not here yet, it's been almost a month :(  But for those that arrived I am relieved.

Plaids for Jan Patek's  'Lincoln's Platform' quilt that I have plans for
The 2 bottom left fabrics are for sashing the CW blocks
I've been thinking of making a red and white quilt this year and I bought these 1 yd cuts of an old Judie Rothermel fabric line called Quaker Quilts.  My idea was the Ocean Waves quilt.  But that has all changed.  After reading Lori's blog this morning she mentions about the Just Takes 2 mystery quilt.  And yes I am sold!





For a table topper I have plans for.  I know ... I am BIG on plans ...

When Gail Wilson was having her Christmas sale, I figured there's no time like the present to get the outstanding items I needed to make the Lottie doll ... and other dolls!  I asked Gail if she sold courage too.  She said that I've got to go and see the Wizard of Oz for that!  So here's to courage and maybe a doll in 2012?!


8 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:45 pm

    Those reds are fab, and that CW star block is pieced perfection.
    JessW.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Barbara your CW blocks looks wonderful, you have been a busy girl lately, and I love your FPP star, where did you say you found that pattern? It's great!
    Yes, I've been thinking about a red/white quilt too for this New Year, but I was wondering if there will be any applique blocks in the the 'Just Takes 2' project! I have checked it out and am nearly tempted.....
    or I might just do my own! Going up to Brisbane this coming week, so I might see what they have up there in the red repros before I make a final decision!
    Love that Blueberry Crumb cake fabric too, gorgeous blues!!!
    Looks like you'll be busy in 2012!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10:33 pm

    Your Civil War blocks are some of the prettiest I've seen. I made all of them, but I have to admit there are several I would never make again - just not that attractive or interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Come up for breath Barbara, you have been extremely busy. The results are fabulous. I can almost hear your mind ticking ahead to all the new projects that you have planned. That's the hard part of internet/blogging. Trying to stay focused on finishing something and ignoring the temptation to jump into one of the wonderful new projects on offer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness- so many projects lined up already!? I lvoe the red fabrci you bought. I made all my red and white blocks yesterday! I loko forward to seeing yours.
    The CW blocks you made are wonderful!! I don't see one bad one at all!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those blocks are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your blocks look great! I kept saying to myself, 'that's my favorite' and then I'd scroll to the next one, and that became my favorite... they're all wonderful!

    Love all the stashing--you go girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life.

    Happy New year2012

    ReplyDelete