Here's to Arkansas!
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I created an album on here so I could post all the pictures together.

You can click on the link at the bottom of this message to see all of my blocks so far if you'd like to.

Wow Newbee, you got caught up fast. Great Work. here are my 4 blocks.

I have light backgrounds and dark backgrounds. My plan is to make 2 lap quilts... one with light and the other dark. But... I won't know for sure till they are all done.

I see we've decided to post all 4 blocks at the end of the months, but...I've been working on Alaska for 2 days. (Not slow really, just busy with a bazillion things) And I'm so happy with Alaska for a couple of reasons. So I can't stand to wait until I finish the next two states. I promise I will catch up though. I just did a lot of fussy positioning, although I know it's not perfect, it is 100% better then my Alabama. And I've discovered how to make paper piecing work for me. I sew it backwards? With the paper UP. I position the material with a light, then place it under the foot paper side up because I can see the line through the paper and it's perfect! I'll get caught up now that I have the hang of it and post pics properly next time. ;)

My next reason I am excited about my Alaska, I saw some of you talking about marking blocks somehow. Well, while I was visiting DD in Florida we found the most fun "state" fabric. I grabbed some intending to use it to back my stars. Then I thought what if I fussy cut each state off the print and fussied it again in a corner of my block. I actually love it and I think it will be so fun on each block. However...if y'all hate it, I can redo that part. So I posted a close up for you to see.

My last pic is my scrap pile from trimming after each seam. I know there has been talk about piece size and waste, so I thought I'd show you my trims. I cut according to her sizes, plus I add 1/4 inch. I did that because Alabama came up a tad small and I don't want that to happen again. The extra 1/4" was just enough.

I just love all y'alls stars. Such talent. This is so fun. Thanks Diva for starting this group. <3

Excellent SheriR! You may as well tell us where you found that fabric. Puleeeease?!?

California Music
 

How about this one for California - especially in January...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0UcQDUR-fU

I am a newbie to quilting and paper piecing. When I first paper pieced, I tried to cut the pieces as small as possible to fit the area rather than following the instructions in the pattern. I thought this was a way to be frugal and save fabric, but quickly learned that I would often have to recut because of sizing issues and restitch for the same reasons. Clearly, my efforts at frugality were costing more in errors and effort than I was saving. (I do still save my scraps for crazy little stitchings...) I also follow the Doak method of assembly line and chain piecing as I have found it is quicker than completing each section individually. Not as much quick gratification seeing a section completed quickly, but much faster as a whole, IMHO. I do round up my cuts to the nearest larger inch, 1/2" or 3/4" now - none of that silly 3/8" or 5/8" business for me - who can even see those little lines? I have found that having a bit extra for the background portions of the blocks gives me a bit of 'fudge' room when triming.

A girl after my own heart, lol. I also round up from those 8ths. Really like the idea of posting our months blocks as a group. My pieces are all ready to start sewing for this week's block. Have sock knitting class today, so may not get to sew very much. Have a happy day, all.

Absolutely perfect! Thanks!!

Sherri, we are still posting pics of blocks every week. Just posting an extra pic the last week of the month to show all the blocks for that month together. Heavens, we can't wait all month to see your pretty block.

Moonwork, love your fussy cut flowers in Arkansas and also like your album idea. Didn't even know we had that option.

SheriR, can't wait to see more from your "state" fabric. Great idea.

LDB, music is perfect for January!! Loved those Mamas and Papas.