*star sampler* block 3

Better late than never!!  My memory card and computer decided to play nice finally :)  Enjoy!!

Block 3 is here!  And this one is super easy!  You can use a duplicate square but no real need to, I only did because the Plume layer cake has plenty of duplicates.  Another tip I want to pass along is to save your scraps!!  There will be times you can get additional cuts out of your left overs!  For this block you will need the following:

From your SOLID:

• 6 - 3 7/8 inch squares

From Print 1 (mine is the feathers):

• 4 - 3 7/8 inch squares 

From Print 2 (mine is the pink):

• 6 - 3 7/8 inch squares

**If you decide to use 3 prints (and your solid) cut 3 - 3 7/8 inch squares from your print 2 and your print 3,  you will follow all of the same cutting and sewing instructions, however, I will show you where to place each different fabric.

Once you have cut all your fabrics mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on ALL solid pieces and on 2 of your print 2 fabrics.  (If using 3 prints total, you will mark a line on one of your print 2 and one of your print 3)

Once you have done that you are going to pair up all of your squares.  Start off by sewing one of print 1 and one of print two, stitch 1/4" on either side of the line you drew.  If using 3 prints total, you will sew one of print 1 and one of print 2 together, and one of print 1 and one of print 3 together.

Now do the same thing pairing up the rest with a solid and stitching in the same way. 

Take out your rotary cutter, ruler, and mat.  Cut on the line you drew on every piece.

You will now have a bunch of triangles:

Now, press 'em all to the dark side *insert evil laugh*

If using only 3 fabrics you will have 4 squares of solid and print 1, 4 squares of print 1 and print 2, and 8 squares of print 2 and solid.  If you are using 4 fabrics you will have the following, 4 squares of print 2 and solid, 4 squares of print 1 and solid, 2 squares of print 2 and print 3, 4 squares of print 3 and solid, and 2 of print 2 and print 1.  **Use this photo for reference if using 4 fabrics** ignore the #s sprouting from the block.  The squares w/ a box around them is for 3 fabrics, and the others are for the 4 fabric variety.  This is also the block layout using 4 fabrics!

If using 3 fabrics this is your block layout!

Stitch it all together alternating which way you press your seams in the rows and your finished result should resemble this:

about block 3

Ok, I had planned on posting block 3 today but my computer isn't reading my memory card all of a sudden!  I have all the photos done and tutorial written I just can't match photos w/ words at the moment.

hushabye quilts

I finally finished my hushabye quilts!  They're about 37" square and backed with Kona Chocolate.  I machine stitched the binding just so they can get some good use with a sturdy edge.  I have no clue what the binding fabric is, I bought it pre-made from Joanns.

I also won this purse from the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day over at Crafty Mama Creations.  It is truly an awesome purse!  Thank you Kelci!  I love it!  It's HUGE, which I adore, it's so bright and vibrant and best of all it's Nicey Jane!  Go check out her Etsy shop.  The quality is amazing too, it's very sturdy and well made.

when it rains, it pours

Oy vey! What a day yesterday was! First it was crappy and rainy all day, then I went to leave to take back our Shrek glasses & dinner for the kids, well, my blasted car decided to vapor lock :mad: Some choice words were said then I gave up, for a few mins. Unloaded the kids went out once to try and start it no luck. Came back in for a few mins, then back out. Only this time I slipped on the stairs outside and landed square on my ass. I can't sit, or if I manage to get comfortable I can't get up. So I've been laying around on my left side because my righ hurts more. Not to mention the bruise the size of China on my ass too.

Oh and I should mention I did the same thing this time last year, same shoes, same wet stairs.

I also can't yell. Who knew that when you yelled your ass was involved. Now I know. So don't break your butt. It hurts.

*star sampler* block 2

So because I'm a total ditz I sewed up block 3 this week instead of the block I had planned for this week. So we flop them :p This block is AWESOME! You will need the following cuts:

From your solid or another print:

-4 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles
-1 5 1/4 inch square cut diagonally twice
-1 4 1/2 inch square

From Print 1:

-4 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles
-4 2 1/2 inch squares

From Print 2:

-2 4 7/8 inch squares each cut diagonally once

From Print 3:

-1 5 1/4 inch square cut diagonally twice
-8 2 1/2 inch squares


(please ignore the white squares, I cut those by mistake :p)

On the back of each 2 1/2 inch square draw a diagonal line from corner to corner, you will be stitching on this line in the next step.


Now, take a square of print 1 and place it right sides together with a rectangle of your solid. A tip to keep it straight & consistent, put the square on the right side with the line you drew running from the bottom right corner to the center of the rectangle. Stitch on this line. Make 4 of these.


Do the same thing but putting the square of print 3 with the rectangle of print one. Stitch in the same manner as above, make 4 of these.


Just set these aside for now because we need to trim them and we'll do all the trimming at once.

Now, take your triangles of print 2 and place a square of your print 3 on the bottom corner with your drawn line on the back running parallel to the bias edge of the triangle. Make 4 of these.


Since all of our pieces that need to be trimmed are now done we'll trim them! Take your ruler and place your ruler like so:


Your ruler should have a hard line on the stitched seam with the edge of your ruler marking your cut line. Cut at the edge of the ruler and this will give you your 1/4" seam. REPEAT THIS ON ALL 12 PIECES!! Press your seams open or toward the dark side.

Now, take your triangles of solid and print 3 and stitch together. When you put them together if you have your solid on top and stitch down the right side you won't become one with your seam ripper. :) When you're done, press all seams to the dark side or open.


Now, take the rectangles from way up top and stitch together like the picture shows. For reference my print 3 is the brown fleur de lis. Make 4 of these.


In this step you will need the 2 different triangles you made. Stitch them like this and press to the dark side.


Now, arrange your rows like this, press each rows seams in opposite directions so they nest nicely when you attach the rows.


Your final product should look a little similar to this:


and I just spotted a goof of mine, the upper right hand corner is turned the wrong way

life just got a little off balance

The husband and I are divorcing. We had a very ugly, ugly day yesterday and it did not end well. His alcoholism has come full circle and he now has to face the consequences of his often 1 bottle of Jack a nite habits. As of now I'm taking life day by day, moment by moment. Going to try and potty train my son (we're all prepared with an Elmo potty seat and Elmo undies), finish up all my swaps and sewing obligations, and enjoy the summer with my kiddos. My night ended up decent last nite by watching the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. That was pure awesome!

This is the start of a new life for me and my kids. I can't wait to see what life has is store for me now! People normally take the word divorce very hard, to me it's a sigh of relief.

Have no worries, I still plan on keeping up with all of my obligations, right now expect no changes. I will continue to keep in contact with everyone and keep y'all updated! I love my readers :) My world may have been shaken up but I'm here to stay.

lawn sculptors

I did mention that I would tell the story of the riding lawn mower. Well, my dad got mad at my brother because he only cut the front yard so he started cutting it. Then my dad let my daughter help him.



Well, he failed to suggest to her that she follow the lines that he had already started. Instead she did this:


And this:


And this:


So she earned the title of lawn sculptor!