*star sampler* block 8

As promised here is block 8!  This one is super simple but a little tedious.  Here is the cutting list for this block:

From your SOLID:

• 4 - 4 1/2" squares
• 8 - 2 1/2" squares

From PRINT 1 (mine is the yellow w/ green feathers):

• 1 - 4 1/2" square

From PRINT 2 (mine is the white-ish color):

• 8 - 2 1/2" squares

From PRINT 3 (mine is the green w/ pink feathers):

• 4 - 4 1/2" squares

Start by drawing a diagonal line on the back of each of your 2 1/2" squares.  I'm only showing you my white because you can barely see the black line on the back of my brown solid.

Now, take one of your PRINT 3 and add a square of your PRINT 2 to one of the corners and sew on the drawn line, **repeat the next 4 steps for each of the four print 3 squares**:

Now, cut 1/4" away from your sewn line to create your seam allowance.

Repeat the previous 2 steps on the other corner:

Your square should now look like this:

Now, repeat the above 4 steps to the other side with your solid, once finished it should look like this and have FOUR squares like this:

Layout your blocks like the finished block below:

guess what??  the white squares and the green feathers were originally cuts I made that were wrong from earlier blocks, so this is a good way to use some scraps :)

star sampler quilt along update

I haven't abandoned you, I PROMISE!!!

Life happens to everyone and I'm no exception.  Still trying to strike a balance between newly single mom, new job, and doing all that comes along with it.  See, being in EMS you have to be part of a certain system that your employer is in and well, I have to switch systems to one other than the one where I was put in when I graduated.  That means learning new standing orders and policies and procedures. 

So please bear with me as I settle into my many new roles :)

i promised pictures!

And here they are!  I finished my Figgy Pudding Christmas quilt, 2 pillows (well soon to be anyways) to match, a soon to be finished potholder, my quilt for Doll Quilt Swap 9, and got back 3 swaps! 

We'll start with the quilt, all wonderful glorious Figgy Pudding!  This pattern is from Green Fairy Quilts and is super simple! 

Here is the backing on the quilt, I pieced it because I didn't buy enough of the damask which is what I wanted the entire back to be but it ended up working out well!

The next two are soon to be pillows to match the quilt.  My version of a ticker tape and then one made using a turnover.

For this one instead of pinning all the pieces down because there are some really small pieces I just ironed on a piece of wonder under on the reverse side and tacked them down that way.  I wanted to use every little scrap of this fabric that I could!

This is the one made with a turnover:

I didn't exactly want my pillows (well they'll be covers) to crinkle up in the wash so I pre-shrunk the batting, we shall see how it works!

This is my quilt for my doll quilt swap partner!  She's been incredibly difficult to pin down because she's been super quiet!  The binding is a faux piped binding using this awesome tutorial.  I absolutely LOVE this quilt!  I hope my partner does too.

Now onto the awesome swaps!  This one arrived first and is the mod bento box swap from Jessica at give it a go, I did get a duplicate square but it's ok because I sent 17 quarters so I can stick the duplicate on the back, on the fence about joining round 2, only because I'll be in the middle of a move.

Next to arrive was the Modern Siggy Swap 2 hosted by the wonderful Julie at jaybird quilts.  LOVE all the fabrics used!

And last, but not least, to arrive was Modern Siggy Swap 1 hosted by Rachel @ ps i quilt.  I sent these back in February!  So happy to have them home :)

So did I make up for my bad blogging?  I know I have to get the next star block up and will work on that tomorrow. 

i've been a bad blogger!

Eee-gads!  I've had very few posts recently!  It's not that I don't have anything to talk about or show you because I do, I've just been SOOOOO busy lately I haven't had the time to really blog.  Hopefully this week I'll get to show off a quilt and what will be a pillow.  I also just started a new job so I have orientation all this week.  Good thing is I only have to work 3 days a week and that's FULL time!  Must have time for quilting!

*star sampler* block 7

This week's block is very easy and a little bit different than the traditional style flying geese star block.  From your SOLID (mine is brown)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares**4 - 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch rectangles
From PRINT 1 (mine is the green)1 - 6 1/2 inch square  From PRINT 2 (mine is the hot pink)8 - 3 1/2 inch squares *this is a duplicate layer cake sq)  From PRINT 3 (mine is the white fleur de lis & yellow)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares (I did 2 of each & used scraps)  From PRINT 4 (mine is aqua fleur de lis in the photo)4 - 3 1/2 inch squares**  **- you only need ONE set of these fabrics, these are the corners, if you scroll down further you can find the different layouts, I chose to go w/ my solid over the aqua fleur de lis.

Start by drawing a diagonal line on the back of each of your PRINT 3.  

Take your PRINT 1 and start by taking one of your PRINT 3 and attach it to the corner of PRINT 1.

Sew on your drawn line, then trim 1/4" away from your sewn line.  Press your seam however you choose.

You need to repeat that for each of the 4 corners.  This is what your center piece should look like:

Now we're going to make the flying geese units.  Take your PRINT 2 and draw a diagonal line on the back of each square.  (let's pretend I have a photo :p)
Take a square of PRINT 2 and place it on top of your SOLID rectangle so the drawn line goes from top center to bottom corner.  Stitch on your sewn line, do this 4 times.

Now whack off the excess by cutting 1/4" away from your seam.  Do this to all four pieces then press.

Now lather, rinse, repeat to the other side. Here comes the color options for the corners.  I chose the solid in my final block but here were the options.

I didn't care for the print.  If you want to save a layer cake square use your solid.  There is enough detail in the center block that you don't need the print in the corners.  
This is my final block!

*star sampler* block 6

I really hate doing this but I was not having good luck with my machine when I went to make this weeks block. I didn't post last week because of the holiday, but this weeks block is the maverick, or wonky, star!

I'm going to direct you to the tutorial at The Silly BooDilly for instructions. This is an EXCELLENT way to use up scraps and miss cuts you may have! Instructions are for a 12 1/2 inch block like we've been making.

Some inspiration
1. Wonky Stars, 2. Wonky stars, 3. wonky star practice run, 4. Wonky Star, 5. brown wonky star, 6. my 3rd wonky star for Blossom, 7. orange wonky star, 8. April Pretty in Pink Bee - Wonky stars, 9. pink wonky star

CSN $50 gift card winner!

Random.org picked lucky 37!!!  Carmen I passed your email to CSN so be on the lookout!

pickles & bacon patterns!

I'm very excited to announce pickles & bacon patterns!!!!!!  The first one I'm releasing is called Peaks and Valleys.  This one is made using 2 jelly rolls, one print and one solid.  It's very easy to make larger if you so desire.  This pattern is VERY simple for beginners and after washing it is approx 47x50 inches.    

 As you can see I made a scrappy binding with some jelly roll strips, I think it enhances the scrappy look!  All fabric is from Moda, the print is Half Moon and the white is just a white jelly roll!

Pattern is available in my Etsy shop.

$50 CSN gift card giveaway!

CSN is giving away a $50 gift certificate to use at one of their 200 stores!  You can find just about anything in their shops from dining room sets to great kitchen items to awesome home decor and stylish baby gear.  They have some seriously awesome stuff, I doubt the lucky winner will have any difficulty spending that $50!  Open to residents of the US and Canada.  Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment!  
• Become a follower for an additional entry (or tell me you stalk follow me already!)

The giveaway will close on July 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm CST.  Random number generator will be enslaved to choose our lucky winner!  Please leave your email address in your comment so I can pass it on to the wonderful people at CSN.  If you don't want to leave it be ready to claim your prize within 48 hours or I will pick another winner.  Good luck and happy shopping!