Gretchen

  I don't know about you but I have enjoyed going through all of these blocks.  Some, I would have never picked to make and others I may have liked but would not have ever tried.  Even though the YouTube tutorials are all potholders, I have several ideas that I hope to pursue.
  Today's block is one of those that I liked but may not have tried.  It is Gretchen.  Here is a couple of hints.  Look at the block as 4 identical sections.  The center strips of each section is made similar to flying geese but it is longer then what you needed.  Center the triangle and sew to the side.  Then sew the two part to each other.  Square up to a 3 1/2" sq.

Gretchen

 

Cutting
  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.
    four  1 1/4" x 3 1/2" rect. 

  Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.
    four  1 1/4" x 3 1/2" rect.

Keep quilting,
  Terry
  

New Album

  The last few weeks I have been telling you about cleaning my sewing space and the UFO's that I have found.  Over the weekend I tackled another area.  I found 2 quilts that my mother had started (those I remember I had).  It was the 2 quilts that I found that I started that surprised me.  They were all cut but never sewn.  Thank goodness that the patterns were with them.  Instead of 2 quilts to finish, now I have 4.
  Today's block is New Album.  Yes, it is similar to Album but with small differences.

New Album

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for the center
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Light Medium fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Dark Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    six  1 1/2" sq.  2 are used in the corner of the center sq.

  Keep quilting,
    Terry 

Indian Puzzle

  As I sit here thinking, another soup night with the grandchildren is over.  I have forgotten how much work it took raising 4 kids.  The grandchildren keep me busy and we have fun but it is nice to send them home.  I have come to enjoy the quiet after the storm.
  Today's block is Indian Puzzle.  It has a little of everything in it.  The center is a square in a square, flying geese on the sides, squares and HST in the corners.

Indian Puzzle

Cutting
  Light fabric
    five  1 7/8" sq.  use 4 for HST and 1 for the center
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  use 4 for corners rest for flying geese

  Medium fabric
    four  1 7/8" sq.  for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for Sq. in a Sq.
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for flying geese

Enjoy,
  Terry 

Spinner

  Well, I finished my book, the quilter's mystery that my daughter gave me.  It was a nice, easy read who-done-it.  This is the kind of book that I enjoy for a change of pace.
  Another thing that I like, in quilting, is the pinwheel.  I like the movement that it creates in the quilt.  With that in mine, today's block has a pinwheel theme.  It is called Spinner.

Spinner

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    two  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    four  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

Have fun quilting,
  Terry

Merry Kite

  As I have been working with the different blocks, some of them I think would make some interesting quilts.  If I only had the time to make them all.  As the year proceeds, I will see how many of them get made.  I would like to see what you are coming up with using the blocks.
  Today's block is Merry Kite made from flying geese and squares.

Merry Kite

Cutting
  Light Fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese

  Light Medium fabric
    eight  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  eight for flying geese
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center

  Dark Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for outer corners

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.  for flying geese
    eight  1 1/2" sq.    

Jacob's Ladder

  Winter has really arrived.  We had a white Christmas, just a dusting.  Three of my children and their families made it for Christmas Eve.  It was wonderful to have them here.  My youngest, Nicholas is in school in New York.  He and his wife could not make it back so hubby and I will go visit him in a couple of weeks.  
  The cold has hit us hard.  We have been 20 to 30 degrees colder then normal.  Hopefully, it will warm up at least a little.
  Jacob's Ladder is the block of the day.  It is very simple with the HST and four-patches.

Jacob's Ladder

  Cutting
    Light fabric
      two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
      ten  1 1/2" sq.

    Medium fabric
      two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

    Dark fabric
      ten  1 1/2" sq.

Keep warm,
  Terry

Fancy

  Almost forgot to blog but as you see I did remember.  I spent the day making candy for Christmas.  This is something that I enjoy doing each year.  It is not good for the waistline but it is the holidays.
  Gentleman's Fancy is today's block.  It looks much like a square in a square.

Gentleman's Fancy

Cutting
  Light fabric
    three  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for 12 triangles

  Medium or Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for 4 triangles
    four  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for 8 triangles
    one  2 1/2" sq. for center

Take time to make something fun.
  Terry

Maple Leaf

  The snow has melted or maybe the wind has blown it away.  I forget how windy the fall can be.  The leaves have all moved to the next state.  So how appropriate that today's block is Ozark Maple Leaf.  Once again a great block of squares and HST.

Ozark Maple Leaf

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  2 1/2" sq.

    four  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    six  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric

    one  2 12" sq.

    two  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    three  1 1/2" sq. 

  Dark fabric

    one  2 1/2" sq.

    two  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST

    three  1 1/2" sq.

Enjoy the block,

  Terry 

It's Time

  My sister dropped off a beautiful poinsettia for me.  This tells me that it is time for me to get my decorating done.  I did change the quilt on my bed to my Christmas quilt.  Maybe tomorrow, it is Christmas tree decorating time.  We will see.  Until then, let's go to today's block--Steps to the Altar.

Steps to the Altar

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  2 1/2" x 3 1/2" rect.

    eight  1 1/2" sq.

    one  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  

  Light Medium fabric

    three  1 1/2" sq.

  

  Medium fabric

    one  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark Medium fabric

    five  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric

    one  2 1/2" sq.

    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once & use 1

Terry

    

Post Thanksgiving

  It is after Thanksgiving and I need to get back into a routine.  I have been very busy this week finishing other people's projects for Christmas.  This has caused me to neglect the things that I want to get done such as blogging and my own Christmas.  It is time to get organized.
  To the more important thing--another block.  To ease back into it, the block is Contrary Wife, a simple block with squares and HST.

Contrary Wife

Cutting

  Light and Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  use to make HST

  Medium fabric
    five  2 1/2" sq.

  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
  Terry

Quilting

  Have you picked your fabric, yet?  I am making my blocks from Northcott's Toscana line of blues and purples.  Also, using white solid as my light.
  Here is today's block.  It is Album Star.  The star points are made from flying geese.  I used the stitch and flip method.  You place the square in the corner of the rectangle and sew it diagonally.  Trim the extra off the corner and press.  You can check out the technique on youtube.com at Fabric Junction under making flying geese--3 different methods.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    four  2" sq.

  Medium or Dark fabric
    two  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    eight  2" sq.

Enjoy the block,
  Terry

Project Runway

  Just watch another episode of Project Runway.  I am not sure why I like the show unless it reminds me of when I sewed prom and wedding dresses.  I think it is more the awe that I feel to think of what they can design in a short amount of time.
  Today was another day of finishing old projects.  One more quilt ready to be quilted and another sewn together but not quite done.  I am not sure how many more projects are hidden in my sewing area.  It does feel good to clean a spot & get something finished.
  Let us proceed to today's block.  I picked London Roads for it's different look.  It looks like houses going in a circle or is it arrows going in a circle the other direction.  You decide.

Cutting

  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice
    two  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    one 2 1/2" sq.
    four  1" x 2 1/2" rectangles

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/3" sq. cut diagonally twice
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rectangles

That's all for now.
  Terry






    
    

MOVING ONWARD

  For me, if it is Wednesday, it is soup night with the grandkids.  Tonight, it was turkey noodle soup, crackers and monster cookies. With Grandma's help, we did homework.  Thank goodness, they are in elementary school.
  We have had a busy week following the grandkids activities.  Attending football games, cheerleading competition, and black belt testing has been tiring but lots of fun.  
  Now to the second most important topic.  Today's block--Arkansas Crossroads.  This is a simple block with 12 squares and 4 HST.

Cutting
  Medium Light #1, Medium Dark & Dark
    four  2" squares of each fabric
  Light & Medium Light #2
    two  2 3/8" squares  cut diagonally once to make HST or use your favorite method
  
  I have been working on some ideas to use the blocks besides the lap quilt that I am working on.  I hope to have them finalized shortly.
Until the next time,
  Terry

Another Soup Night

  Another soup night is over.  The grandbabies were over for chili and chocolate cookies. Fun and games was played by all until the parents came to pick them up.  It is wonderful to have them so close.
  Tomorrow I need to get everything ready to go to Pierre.  I will be teaching at a retreat this weekend.  I have to make sure that I am prepare for the class and truck show.  
  Today's block is made of half square triangles and 4-patches.
Here is Prairie Queen.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
    one  2 1/2" sq. for the center

  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
  Reminder  HST--half square triangle

  Prairie Queen is a block that I used in a lap quilt.  The size of blocks that I made were 9 1/2".  The light fabric was the same throughout the quilt.  The medium fabric was different in each block.
  Have fun.
    Terry

Busy Week

Greetings,
  It is late.  I was going to post earlier but I was busy long arm quilting.
  Here is today's block--Greek Cross.

Cutting
  Dark fabric  
    two  2 7/8" sq. for half sq. triangles
  Medium fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq. 
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for half sq. triangles
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
Use your favorite method to make your HST.
  Check out our tutorials on youtube at Fabric Junction.

Enjoy,
   Terry
   

Groundhog Day Sale!

Just a quick note that we will be having a Groundhog Day sale tomorrow.  2.5 inch strips will be 34 for $23.  This isn't public knowledge.  Well, it is now.  Make sure to check back tomorrow morning at 9:00 MT to access the sale on our website.  They will be under our Sale page.

In other news, Terry is back from Phoenix.  They had a great time and met lots of wonderful people.  I'm not so sure they are happy to be back in the land of snow, but we are very glad to see them.

We are working hard to get our calendar updated for you.  Check our Facebook page and our website for upcoming classes and events.

Have you ever seen our Rotary Palm Cutter?  Terry created it to help relieve fatigue on wrists and hands while cutting.  There is a YouTube tutorial you can watch to see how it works.  

If you like it, hop on over to our website or our Etsy store to purchase.  We think it's great!