Drafting The Framed Star

The Carousel Quilt Guild each year at Christmas chooses a focus fabric and gives a fat quarter to each member of the guild.  The members then are asked to make two 12.5" blocks including the focus fabric.  The names of those participating go into the pot with the lucky name drawn being the winner of all blocks.  The winner is then asked to have blocks assembled into a top by Christmas of the following year.  Fun times.  Fun quilts.

This year the request was made for blocks to be some type of star block.  With this in mind, I decided to try my hand at drafting a block.  Yesterday, with graph paper, ruler, and colored pencils in hand I set out to do just that.  Draft my own block.

 

The Framed Star

The math followed.  Needing my block to be 12.5" I had to determine how big to make my units.  Squares, Quarter Squares, Half Squares all require different math.  Some one color, some two colors and some three colors.  Some turned this way, some turned that way.  Wow... can I do this?  Will it work?

Taking shape

With fabrics chosen and units cut, the assembly begins.

The Framed Star

My first attempt at drafting my own block is deemed a success!!  I am well pleased with the outcome.  And it measures 12.5"!!  Perfect.  I might try this again.

Another Grandson in my future

November 2, 2019, was a very important day.  The day confirmed I am getting another Grandson.  Although Ryan and Taylor have been dating for a while.  I will let the pictures explain.  

 Ryan takes a knee

Here's the ring

The Happy Couple

Oh, yes!  She said Yes!!  Congratulations Ryan and Taylor!  We wish you a lifetime of happiness!  Yep, another grandson!!

Winter Arrives???

November 1, 2019 

and we are in the 30's down south.  That's cold for this mama.  I tip my hat to those of you who live where it really gets cold... I could never survive there!

This picture makes me remember warmer days.  I love how the bird is framed with a heart.  Some photography accidents are quiet lovely.  I'd love to say I planned it, but actually the heart was formed by an opening between the trees in the background.  Could I repeat?  Probably not!

Quilt Along with Dena

I recently participated in a Sew Along with Dena Wilkins, who is an Ambassador with Island Batik.  This project turned out great.  Dena's instructions and presentation was outstanding!  If you ever have a chance to participate in one of her classes, do it!!

Barrett's Baby Quilt

Simple squares.  Nothing fancy.

Just a straight line grid chosen for the quilting, but love how it makes it look!  

QuiltTalk Quilt

Some quilts, make that most quilts have a story that goes with them, often that story is never presented.  The year my mom died, I was a member of an internet quilting community called QuiltTalk.  The members of this community were from all corners of the earth.  Upon hearing that my mom had passed, a joint effort to present me with a comfort quilt was put into motion.  Members made a signed Friendship Star block.  These blocks were collected and assembled into a top.  Thinking that I would like to quilt this myself, the top, wool batting from Australia, and hand dyed fabric for the backing from Canada arrived at my house!  Totally shocked, I was extremely touched by the caring of this community of quilters.  I felt the love!  But this quilt did not get quilted for many years.  To make a long story short, today I sleep under the love of this quilt every night.  Thanks to my friend, Bridget Hill from Lexington, KY, this one was finally quilted.  Such a special quilt and story!

Another Quilt, Another Story

This quilt got it's start as part of another internet connection.  The same QuiltTalk community.  Several members decided to do a Row x Row Swap.  A theme was selected, mine was "garden", I made the first row of blocks, the heart blocks made with the focus fabric, a flowered print.  This row of blocks and additional focus fabric was then sent to the next person, who in turn made a row of blocks consistent with the garden theme and used some of the focus fabric.  And so it goes.  When the last person is done with their row, the whole package is then sent back to the original person.  

When I received all of the rows back, I proceeded to assemble rows into a top.  But it just didn't work.  I would get it out.... and put it up.  Just couldn't make myself complete it.  Then one day, like a light bulb moment, I took it all apart then reassembled only this time I added sashing and corner stones.  What a difference that made.  Now I absolutely loved this quilt!  Borders were added to grow it a bit.

My daughter, Karen, loved it as much as I did.  Today it resides with her.

Again, friend, Bridget Hill of Lexington, KY did an awesome job with the quilting.

The day has warmed a bit, think I'll go sew....  until next time!!