paintmejudy

Good morning, and here we go, racing toward the finish line.

First, from your remaining background fabric, cut four 3” squares for the corners.

Next, pick a color for the center star. I chose a yellow, and will use a different yellow for each of the 12 blocks I will be making. If you have used a very pale yellow for one of the sections, and it doesn't show up very well, you might try laying the pieces on bright white or a different dark than you used in the blocks, even black if you want drama, and see how it shows up. If you were daring and used black for the snowballed corners, and use black for the star – the colors will look like they are floating. Just a thought.

Cut eight 2-1/2” squares and one 4-1/2” square of this fabric.

Look at the photo, and with the yellow squares, mimic the angle of the snowball on those larger rectangles, the 2-1/5 x 4-1/5" ones. Snowball these corners the same as you did on Monday. Your blocks should look like mine.

Layout your block as shown, watching your layout. I had put one of the corners together wrong, and didn’t realize it until I looked at the picture the other day. Easy to fix at this stage. Usually I find my mistake as I am getting ready to sandwich and quilt it. You can see that now those little pieces have become a simple 9-patch.

Sew these 9 sections together, and voila! You have a 12-1/2” block.

As I had told you, I am making a child’s quilt and this is what I have finished so far. I will add sashing, but not sure yet what color.

Bet I’ll see lots of beautiful blocks by the time I get home around 2:30. I will be leaving the house about 9:30 for a fun day, a quilter’s meeting and then lunch with a friend.

So, what do you think of this little block? I love it, and hope you do too. And what are your thoughts on the express mystery? If I come across a different block, anyone want to have another 3 or 4 clue quick block?

Now, just a note to mark your calendar – Mystery #16 will start on January 7th, something new to start the new year off with a bang. I have drafted the pattern, and pretty sure which fabrics I am going to use – but that may change tomorrow. I’ve already changed my mind twice. It will be something larger than I have been doing lately, not a runner or table topper. Well, it could be a large wall hanging.

AngeliaNR

Very pretty!

I believe you said this is a traditional block--does it have a name? I'm also wondering the same thing about the block in #14.

Thanks for taking the time to do this for us, Judy.

kwiltkrazy

wow--------that is fantastic. Great block, great mystery. Thanks Judy

tlambing

OMG! So cute! This is just adorable. Thanks so much Judy. Know I have another project to take on the retreat

paintmejudy

sorry - I saw it as Christmas Star on quiltviews.com, I think it was. But there are dozens of patterns called Christmas Star, aren't there?

AngeliaNR

Great one for a mystery--no idea how it will look until the last clue!

Bluebonnets

Oh my Judy, that's adorable! Thank you for another incredible ride!

paintmejudy

JustJan was the one who showed me this block for #14, maybe she remembers the name.

whitepine

A real mystery. Thanks Judy, for all your time and fun.

kwiltkrazy

I love this block, it is very pretty, and a lot of fun. You kept the mystery up. It was a mystery, I had no clue(pun intended)