Janice McC

Sorting packages has begun and have run up against some blocks that are too small. I’ve already contacted the maker and those whose blocks are most affected.

I want to remind everyone that I sample everyone’s blocks, randomly pulling three blocks from each group to check for size. If all three are 12-1/2 inches or reasonably close, I move on to the next package. When I find problems, I start examining more from that package to see how widespread the issue is. Do I miss some that are off-sized using the “pull three blocks” system? Yes, it happens. But when I find a couple that are too small, even too large, I often find more.

I rely on each and everyone of you to police yourselves and measure, measure, measure. Thank you to those of you who measure consistently. You know who you are! Thank you, you help save my sanity, trust me.

So, I hope this will not delay the return of your blocks, at least not for long. I’m still waiting for 3 more packages and I’m not due to ship until week after next. Let’s hope this will be resolved quickly.

ibex94

My package is ready to go to you tomorrow. I do have tales to tell! Thank you all for letting me try new things with your beautiful fabrics! I've just returned to New Orleans and will be prepping my photos to finish my show of your blocks. Too much fun! My advice to all of you, don't wait until the last month to get started on the blocks. Everything that could go wrong, in my case, does go wrong when trying new patterns for the first time.

ibex94

I was raised in New Orleans. Bought the family home when my husband and I moved there with our young family. I started working at my alma mater, University of New Orleans. DH got a promotion and moved to his new job area with the kids and me but I had just signed a contract with UNO so had to keep teaching. Then Katrina happened. 2005. I couldn't leave New Orleans in its time of need. Insurance money and grants helped to repair house and long story short I am still working for UNO. House in New Orleans got rented to family for the longest time. I may have to retire as the enrollment cliff arrives (not so many students going to college anymore). My kids are grown. Grandkids are in MS. Hubby and I are happy to have a place to go in New Orleans and happy to play with grandkids in MS. We are trying to decide if we are going to rent or sell the place in New Orleans now. It's hard for me to let go of the family homestead but this not seeing my husband all week long is not making me happy. If I am still working next semester, my schedule is Mon - Thursday so I can stay in MS longer than just a couple nights like I have done all this fall. The house is paid off in New Orleans so no mortgage but the insurance is outrageous.

BTW, we jacked the house 10 feet up into the air to try to avoid future flooding episodes. I need an elevator :-). I also have a treadle sewing machine that I need to bring here specifically to be able to sew when we lose electricity. I just don't want to carry it up the stairs. It's heavy!!

Janice McC

Good morning, Squirrels! It’s a fine morning again. I need to take a good, long walk to check out my knee. I don’t think PT is working as nothing will fix a meniscus tear. Oh, well, the process isn’t over and patience is not my forte.

Ibex, it must be terribly hard to be between two places, going back and forth. I hope you and DH come to a decision about the family home you’ll both be content with. I understand the pull of grandchildren and wanting to be near them. Wishing you the best.

More blocks due in today!

terriamn

All2 pieces and HAV great blocks for your finish.

Ibex looks like lots of decisions in your future. We played around with the idea of moving for about 5 years, he was ready I wasn’t. After being in my house for 44 years I was pretty settled in and established. Then the Minneapolis riots and Floyd was killed, a man who didn’t deserve to be killed by a policeman. But certainly shouldn’t have been touted as a good man That was the defining moment for me, we left the city and headed to the lake and my grandkids were sent to their Aunt’s in Wisconsin. Hope you can make your decision and welcome your future with open arms

Saw this happy pumpkin and couldn’t resist it. What is the attraction with me and pumpkins all of a sudden?

mjpEncinitas

I didn’t include my usual note with my blocks. I want to thank everyone as I dipped my toe into the water again for the booms. I ended up having a lot of fun with these blocks. I realized I really enjoyed cutting out the appliqués on our van trip and quilting in the hotel room while my husband was going to a music conference. I worked out in the middle of the day so it wouldn’t be too many hours sitting and set up the ironing board away from the sewing machine. I had two full days of sewing with very few interruptions. . We even brought our big fridge/freezer chest up and I ate all my meals in the room. I got so much done and even made two extra blocks when I wasn’t happy with my first ones. I have to admit it was an organizational feat to bring everything I needed!

The blocks everyone made for me are beautiful. I’m going to make three or four table runners to gift to people. I’ve decided not to piece any bigger quilts until I get my UFOs done!

ibex94

Terriamn -- love that pumpkin and the runner it is on is beautiful, too. How very seasonal. And thank you for the hope that one day I will be able to make a decision on the housing situation. Whatever happens, it will be an adventure, I'm sure.

MJP it sounds like the joy of Booming is back in your corner! Yay!! I have nothing but UFOs at this point.

ibex94

Now that my blocks are on their way to Janice, I thought I would share the last of my creations. The first is my single color themed block for Janice and I picked blue. I used a patchworksquare.com pattern called Key Lime Pie. I played with a few different colors and decided my scrappy blue option played best together. Along the way I misdesigned one of the corners with two dark squares next to one another. It jumped out at me in the picture I took so out came the seam ripper so I could fix it. It looks much better now!

As I was running out of time I decided that my Big Bang quilt block could not be the paper pieced block I wanted to do (I am still going to try to make it and if it works, I'll send it when done) and settled for a Churn Dash block that I am calling a Pioneer Butter Churn block in honor of Amy and her pioneer love. The atom fabric is for Sheldon.

Sewbizgirl gets a churn dash block, too. I am posting two pictures for you. The final version being sent has an appliqued block in the center to minimize the black fabric in the middle. However, you may prefer the wide open space to do some fancy quilting with. The version without the applique is here to help you decide which you prefer without having to remove the flower.

ibex94

Annaquilts I made you a variation of the Gingham block for your second block. (Regretfully, I did not embroider any eyes on your scarecrow. I ran out of time!!)

All2Pieces I found that the Variable Star pattern (quilter's cache.com) was great for your beautiful hummingbird fabric.

Have4boys your beautiful fabric yielded a very pink Turkey Giblets and one of Carol Doak's stars called "Expanding Star" from her Victorian Fantasy Sampler book.

ibex94

Terriamn I did a Twisting Burr for you with one of your beautiful fabrics. And the second is a Churn Dash, beautifully showcasing that great fabric.

Cheesehead, the block I was trying to make for you didn't work out. Ultimately, I had to disassemble it and create something so I could get all the blocks mailed and you get a block I've named something along the lines of Time waits for no one with hour glasses that will play nicely with the spools you already have from all 2 pieces. The block I really wanted to make for you was taken apart about a thousand times trying to come up with points that allowed for a 1/4" seam. I still don't know what was wrong with what I was doing.

Lstew2212 I cannot remember the name of this block variation but I love the way it plays with your fabric. I saw a pattern in my 1000 blocks book and changed it up just a touch to give me a block that kept the focus on your fabric.