A-13, Starlight - Starbright

A-13, Starlight - Starbright (21 pieces).  I used Anina's tutorial again, which included learning how to do freezer paper foundation piecing.  It was complicated, but I'm really happy with the outcome.  The only way I differed in making this block was to machine applique the outer frame down to the center piece.  This meant that I had to applique the white sections first, then change thread and do the small black triangles.  (You can see the needle holes from the basting, but I think those will go away over time.)

How did I find time to do all this?  My in-laws were visiting, and Leah's grandma just couldn't get enough of her!  I got to do lots of pre-baby activities, including seeing a movie with my husband, knitting on the sock that's been languishing, and going out to a fancy dinner for our 6th wedding anniversary.  Many thanks to a patient grandma for this relaxing weekend!

Here's the DJ Tally:

64 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,215 pieces!

I-5, Maria's Majesty

Holy crap, it's a Dear Jane block!

I-5, Maria's Majesty (6 pieces). I haven't made one of these since August! I took some nap time yesterday to go through Anina's excellent instructions on this block, and managed to finish it in a day. I only differed from the instructions in two ways - I did the outside frame as a freezer paper template (the same as the melon shapes) instead of reverse applique, and I did that so I could machine applique the whole thing.

I'm thrilled with how this block turned out - the points met up perfectly. I'm equally happy with getting something accomplished on this project (or any project at all, really).

Here's the DJ Tally:

63 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,194 pieces!

A-12, Framed Fancy

A-12, Framed Fancy (41 pieces).  Last night was the meeting of my Dear Jane group, so even though I haven't touched this project since the beginning of July, I thought I ought to make a decent showing.  This block is entirely paper pieced, and would have been easy, if a little on the detailed side, if I hadn't sewn one of the sides of the center 9-patch going in the wrong direction.  Mis-directional flying geese!  A head-on collision!  What's worse: black thread, black fabric, and a 1.0 stitch length...there was much cursing and gnashing of the teeth.  But all's well that ends well, and here's the new DJ Tally:

62 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,188 pieces!

Two more blocks and I'll have completed Row A!

A-3 & A-10

The roll continues with A-3, Hunter's Moon (5 pieces). Another very simple block. I haven't decided whether I'm going to cut the background fabric out from behind the melons. What do you think?

A-10, Which Points West? (14 pieces). This one was far from simple. I actually followed the excellent step-by-step instructions on Anina's blog. She is just incredible, and her tutorials are fantastic! This is one I'll be very excited to show off at next month's DJ meeting.

The new DJ Tally:
61 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,147 pieces

H-9, Snowflake Melt

H-9, Snowflake Melt (20 pieces). The piecing on this one kind of got away from me. After the center pinwheel, I felt like I just kept adding to each side until it got big enough! The diamonds are machine-appliqued, and I kind of just eyeballed the placement. Still, who's on a roll? (I think it's me.)

The DJ Tally:
59 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,128 pieces

I-2, Kaye's Courtyard

I-2, Kaye's Courtyard (13 pieces). Not much to say about this one, except that I picked a nice simple block because that is the level of brainpower I'm functioning at this evening.

I had always read that pregnancy messed with your mind, but I was definitely not prepared for it. I've gotten to my car only to realize that my keys were several floors up in the building I'd just left. I've left my ID, then thought it was lost, had it replaced, then found the old one. What did pregnancy brain do to you? I need stories...

The DJ Tally:
58 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,108 pieces

I-1, B-4, and Baby

I haven't touched the Dear Jane project (or anything else, really) in about a month, but my DJ group met today and I was able to get a block done. Also, I have the one from last month's meeting, before all progress screeched to a halt.  (That first trimester really takes it out of you, huh?)

B-4, Chris's Soccer Field (21 pieces). I finished this one at the end of May, and never got around to posting it here!

I-1, Ralph & Nelda's Wedding (20 pieces). This one I started and finished today. It was nice to do something this afternoon besides nap, but it was especially nice to see all the ladies from my group and talk about techniques and progress on our projects. One of our members is doing her DJ entirely in batiks. Every block turns out so dazzling and crisp-looking.

So the DJ Tally is:
57 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,095 pieces!

And, because I really like you guys, here's a picture of the project I actually HAVE been working on. Thor, God of Thunder (11 weeks).



A brief explanation to head off the questions - no, we don't know gender yet.  We call him "him" because I find the term "it" repugnant and saying "he/she" is too cumbersome.  So we picked a fetal name, "Thor", and that is his name for now.  Cute, isn't he?

H-3, Berry Baskets

Today's block is H-3, "Berry Baskets" (24 pieces).  I was inspired by Karen's version of this block.  She does such a fantastic job setting up her blocks for photos - you should go see!  My favorite is B-5, Hot Cross Buns!

My DJ Total:
55 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,054 pieces

C-11, Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Today's block is C-11, "Soldiers and Sailors Monument" (6 pieces).  I kind of simplified this one, because the center section is supposed to be done in 4 parts.  Frankly, that didn't make sense to me.

Anywho, I know my posts have dropped way off, but this growing a baby thing is tiring business.  I took a 4-hour nap today!  I woke up in the middle, chastised myself for wasting the whole day, knit a row, then lay back down for another 2 hours!

Which brings us to the DJ Tally:
54 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,030 pieces

A-4, Courtney's Stethoscope

So today's block is A-4, "Courtney's Stethoscope" (23 pieces). I got all the way to the end before I realized my mistake. Below is the correct fabric placement:



Only the outer border is reversed, but it really makes a big difference in the look of it. I would normally tear this out and fix it, but I'm taking it as a learning opportunity. The lesson I'll learn here is, "Is there ever a better time to start weaning off your control issues and perfectionism than when you're 6 weeks pregnant?" I say no, this is a pretty dandy time.

The DJ Tally:
53 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,024 pieces

B-7, World Series

Today's block is B-7, "World Series" (10 pieces). Frankly, this pattern makes me think less of baseball and more of pie, but that might just be me. I followed Anina's guidance on this block, and am thrilled with the results (mostly). As you can see, the top right has been patched to complete the block. Since there's applique over it, so it's not very obvious, but still - regrets.

This puts my number of pieces to 1,001!
52 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
1,001 pieces!!!

And, as a special treat for Patrick, a couple pictures of Maggie trying to build a blanket fort on the corner of my sewing desk.

J-3, Rick's Volleyball Net

For commenter "Mum" - the kite is the corner unit in this quilt. The borders are made up of triangles, and the 4 corners are called kites.

Today's block is J-4, "Rick's Volleyball Net" (17 pieces).  Of all the blocks I've done, this one had the stupidest name.  To make it I appliqued the white quarter-circles on the black, paper-pieced the surrounding striped triangles, then put the whole she-bang together.  Snazzy, huh?

The DJ Tally:
51 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
991 pieces (that means the next one will put me over 1,000!)

K-8, Springbrook Park

Today's block is K-8, "Springbrook Park" (23 pieces).  As you can probably see, I shorted the fabric a little in that upper right hand corner.  I think the seam allowance will cover it, but I'm thinking about patching it just in case.

The DJ Tally:
50 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
974 pieces!

J-4, Adelaine's Apron Strings

Today's block is J-4, "Adelaine's Apron Strings" (7 pieces).  This red doesn't really conform to the rest, but it's such a pretty batik, I couldn't resist including it.  I would have liked those stripes to be a little straighter and less angled on the piece in the foreground, but that's just me...

The DJ Tally:
49 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
951 pieces!

C-3, Rayelle's Fence

Today's block is C-3, "Rayelle's Fence" (25 pieces).  Not perfect, but certainly finished!

Um, also, last week I found out that I'm having a baby!  So if my production rate flags, it's because I am just a wee bit sleepy these days...

The DJ Tally:
48 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
944 pieces

M-10, Simple Simon

M-10, "Simple Simon", has 9 pieces.  It is aptly named; so simple, in fact, that I made it between coffee and my shower this morning.  Time to get to work!

The DJ Tally:
47 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
919 pieces

D-10, Battlefield

This block is D-10, called "Battlefield", and has 42 pieces.  It's kind of a boring red fabric, but I'm still happy with how it turned out.  This brings the DJ Tally to:

46 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
910 pieces

I hope everybody had a great Mother's Day!  Here are some of my ranunculus - see, I got you flowers!  I hope your families took good care of you yesterday.

K-1, Crooked Creek

Today's block is K-1, "Crooked Creek" (27 pieces). This one is drafted funny.



Pictured above is Brenda Papadakis' draft of this block. See that top stripe? The focus fabric is made up of one piece, but in the bottom corresponding stripe it is made up of two. In the original Jane Stickle quilt, both of the horizontal focus pieces are done as two. I didn't see any reason not to have them unbroken, so I did them both as one.

Or maybe I'm getting too nitpicky...

The DJ Tally:
45 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
868 pieces total!

TR-2: Australian Pines

Oh, just when you think you know what to expect, Shnoodle busts out a triangle! What a twist!

This is TR-2 (top row, second from the left), "Australian Pines;" it has 20 pieces. Now if I can manage to finish a left side triangle, I'll have one on each side!

The DJ Tally:
44 blocks
3 triangles
0 kites
841 pieces total!

K-2: Grandpa's Chickens

Today we have block K-5, "Grandpa's Chickens." This one boasts the all-time high at 40 pieces! I think this showcases the best thing about paper piecing - precision. Each of these little pieces is about 5/8" square, and if this block hadn't been paper pieced there's no way I would have gotten this close with those corners. There are one or two wonky bits, but let's not focus on those!

I took a chance with this ladybug fabric, because it's more white than red, but hopefully it will work out in the grander scheme.

The DJ Tally:
44 blocks
2 triangles
0 kites
821 pieces total!