Tutorial - Feathered Star

No I'm not doing the tutorial but I need to learn how to make the block for my Grandma's Best Blocks project so I'm sending you to One Piece at a Time http://erinrussek.typepad.com/  She has done a step by step tutorial that I think I might even be able to tackle :) She also has a short cut tut.
Fabric triangles and I are not best friends what with my "all thumbs" disposition for sewing small pieces together but I shall overcome !!!!!! I better had given all the triangles I have to make in my project :)

Bloggers Quilt Festival 9-16 October 2009

For a number of years I have been inspired by the book "Grandma's Best Full-Size Quilt Blocks - Pieces of the Past for Today's Quilter" by Better Homes and Gardens. I first saw the book in my mother-in-laws extensive quilt book collection and dropped hints like bricks to my DH for a copy. Lo and behold he got it for me, probably as a Christmas gift :)
On occasion I have made a few of the blocks. Recently I decided it was time to try making them all, which will take me a while because most of the blocks do not have patterns (see my side-bar). Having said that I have been able to find patterns for the more complex ones (for me anything that involves lots of triangles and curves.)
The plan is to make wall-hangings and the occasional sampler quilt.
The main block on this scrumptious wall hanging is called "Ohio Rose" and it's finish is an experiment. I am learning how to do three dimensional applique :) This is proving to be a whoooole lot of fun.
I totally loved making this project. It would look fabulous in my daughter's bedroom but I have very reluctantly parted with it already because it is a gift for someone else. Mmmmm, maybe I should make another one.
There is another more interesting part to this story but I cann't reveal it at the moment.
Any hoo dear people. Thanks for visiting, go grab a chair, a beverage of your choice, (maybe some pic-nic supplies) and click on Amy's parkcitygirl link in the sidebar. Then go do some fun blog hopping. You will not be disappointed.
Carol H.

Projects update - 25 September

I've been working on fabric postcards, a mini quilt for Postcard Pizzazz and blocks from the Grandma's "project". Scroll down to see the photos. (Just felt like doing them separately.)
There is another project I've been working on this week which is about finished. Just got to put the hangers on and a label on the back. It's for an event so the reveal will happen in a few weeks :)

GBFSQB - Shoo Fly

GBFSQB - Prairie Queen

GBFSQB - Signature Circles

GBFSQB - Ohio Rose

Project update - Bowtie - 1920 to 1950 section

Project update - Lattice - 1890 to 1920 section

Project update - Grandma's Best ......... blocks

Here's one of the 91/2" blocks from

"Grandma's Best Full Size Quilt Blocks" that I have already done - in two different color ways.

The block is called "Butterfly in Flight" and can be found in the 1920-1950 section.

I have a stack of the blue butterflies sewn down to the background block just waiting to have the embroidery finished. There is enough fabric left to do the borders. The iris butterfly is a one off for a gift to a family member.

I think it's fun to play around with different fabrics to see how they can change the look of a design. The iris fabric definitely gives a much softer, more feminine feel. The blue gives a more 30's style look.

I don't like how the antennae turned out so I may make some of the others curly and more gentle looking.

I think it would be fun to take the same pattern and do a sideways in flight look by narrowing the body down a bit, using one wing and adding legs as if it is landing on a flower.

Decisions, Decisions, decisions

A while ago I mentioned in one of my postings that I love "Grandma's Best Full-Size Quilt Blocks" by Better Homes and Gardens and that I want to make all of the blocks over a period of time.

As I was contemplating what to make as my main gift for the "I am a Stitchers Angel 2009" it struck me that this would be a good opportunity to use the book designs for some of my swaps.

I love the Ohio Rose design and I think it fits well with some of the requirements. I know the recipient's fabric preferences which will give it a bit of a different look.

Decisions, decisions, decisions 2

Now comes the hard part for the "In The Good 'Ol Summertime 2009" swap. I've picked out three designs. The Song Bird block is my favorite but I'll have to look at what summer type blossoms are out there. The deadline for this swap is September 21st and it has to be a minimum of 12"x12"

Decisions, decisions, decisions 3

This would be a fun one to do with summery theme fabrics, maybe from the beach.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 4

For this one I have an idea running through my mind to turn it round, make it into a flower using prairie points and add a butterfly.