All of these blocks are just beautiful! You're all making me look bad! I haven't started yet. I only have the one block for Annmarie and I have yet to photograph it.

I've been so busy with work. I'm home today with three transcripts (350 pages) I have to get out. (The job takes a serious toll on my sewing time.) :wink:

But, I'm looking forward to the Fourth of July. I'll have some time. I'll get to make blocks I've never made before.

I obssess about points and pinwheels make me crazy. If they're not perfect, I go MAD.

:lol:

But the block with the cat piece is intriguing. I can't wait to make that one. I've got just the thing ...

Well don't forget our start date isn't until July 15th, so nobody should feel behind! :D

That being said I redid DAMayer's block just like I said I would and here's the photo of the new block. It's dinos!

Great looking blocks barsbus and elizabeth!!!!!!
That is right swap does not officially start until the 15th of this month.

I love it, I love it, I love it. I am so excited about the challenge.

I remember those days. Lots of work but worth every moment when you open up a jar of home canned fruit or veggies in the winter. How is your DH? All mended by now? When the kids were still home we put in at least 1 acre of garden and we also had a small family orchard and a milk cow, plus chickens and pigs. Now I have two tomato plants and got the first ripe tomato yesterday, Ummmm nothing like a home grown tomato.

[quote=Elizabeth A.]Well don't forget our start date isn't until July 15th, so nobody should feel behind! :D



I started early because I wanted to be sure to get all of them done. Never know how tied up I am going to be playing Nancy Nurse with both my DH and mother's health issues. I am a procrastinator when I get interupted, it is always hard for me to restart. But I am on a roll now. LOL. Besides it is addictive once I make a block, I want to make another. I am not used to piecing by machine, usually do everything by hand so this is a real challenge for me and I am going to have to buy a new seam ripper soon. LOL I do a lot of nine patchs for our guild's communtiy quilts but the half squares and flying geese are challenging.

I'm looking forward to paper piece but I can't remember if our group has any or not. If not, maybe next time.

Oh yes DA Mayer it is our group (#2), it's the called Hunter's star and let me see... It's for Dreamxer.

I'm glad you like the block. I had a bit of trouble with the matching colors, but that orange and yellow made it work perfectly (just yellow or just orange wasn't making it with the purple of the dino)

Barbsbus I understand completely. I like to wrap one thing up before beginning another. I didn't used to do it that way and nothing got done, one project at a time works better for me! :D

A few more finished. I am still waiting on fabric I ordered for Cordeila's Bambury Cross Block.

Last one of the day...

Those are all really neat. I love your color combinations.

Quiltwoman. those are great. You are almost done!!!!

Quiltwoman, thank you, thank you! That block is wonderful, I love it. I have a problem doing scrappy myself (too control oriented or as my DH calls it just plain Anal :oops: )...This quilt is gonna be great! All the blocks you've done are fabulous!

My DH is getting along much much better. He got his staples out yesterday..all 80 of them. Yuck! ANyway, that made him feel better and I got to go to the quilt store since we were in the city. That made ME feel better..so see..it all worked out good :D

Tomatoes are coming in now and fresh bi-color corn just now started. Yummy! I have to make pickles tomorrow..so still no sewing :cry:

Quilt woman your block are beautiful!!! You do a wonderful job!! You should be proud of yourself.

Sandpat I am glad your husband is doing better. Home made pickles sounds so good! As a kid my Mom used to make bread and butter pickles!

Loretta--the scrappy star is Annie's choice from quilterscache. The other star is pieced star from quilterscache.

Sandpat--I must have had 10 different tries at this block. Scrappy IS hard to me. Glad you like it. So glad your dh is doing well.
How do you make your pickles? I have 2 kitchen countertops FULL of cucumbers and more coming.

Thanks beachlady and Dazzle. It has been fun. I have put off working on my ugly stinker and now, it's time to get it done and OUTTA HERE...

Thanks Barb. :D

Great blocks Quiltwoman!!!
Had a nice time chatting with you earlier today,
Thanks for all you devoted time to our swap!!!!!!

Me too Bebe.
Thanks for the help on the "stinker". I'm in the process of "mulling it over".
I have had fun. THANKS again for organizing it all.

quiltwoman - nice job on my block....I can't wait to get all of these blocks it will be so much fun.....

Oh, no! I was afraid someone would have to buy fabric.

I like that yellow you used in that last block :wink:

Your pinwheels are PERFECT!

You made them both different too.

I can't wait to work on a couple of those blocks this weekend. Since so many folks are running a little ahead of schedule, I'll catch up.

Oh, I go the really hard way.. :lol: I buy the package in the grocery called Bread & Butter pickles. You just add vinegar and sugar and cut up your cucs. . jar them, then water bath processing. I haven't made any in years. We don't eat that many...I thought I would make some to give as gifts. I hate for anyone visiting our house to leave empty handed.

Love bread and butter pickles - will be over soon!!!! Was near Middleton in March.

Mareliba, here is the No Name Block #2, I promised to have done soon! You have a good eye, I was a bit concerned about this one, but I think it turned out just great. http://bp2.blogger.com/_q_ISANhSeTs/...20/Noname2.jpg

Beautil Elizabeth!! Love the colors.

Beautiful block Elizabeth, I love the colors too!

Ya'll just head on over here...I'm sure I can find something laying around for you to leave with! For you guys...it could be FQ's instead of pickles:mrgreen: Or...maybe you like pickles better :D

Somewhere around here I have my Grandmother's recipe for freezer pickles and I'd take those pickles over fat quarters any day! But only if they were those pickles!

Thank you, I really liked that gold color, infact I paid extra to have it just for that block, and it's been great to work with it. I think I used it in someone elses block too. but I'm not remembering.... OH! GooseCreek for Deb! Truly a good combination as picked by maribella, I'm so glad I clarified with her on which colors where.

I need some help. This is the No Name Block #2 for Marianne. It turned out to be 12 1/2 inches, but I lost some of the points. I think I messed up when i sewed on the blocks in the corners of the green squares. The blocks kept coming out too small, so I redid them making adjustments. Can someone give me some tips on how to do this part?

Don't worry Marianne. I intend to redo this block. :) If you don't like that color green, let me know, and I'll try another shade.

Debbie

Eliz. that block you made turned out beautiful!!!
Puzwhiz maybe cut blocks 1/8 in bigger than needed and then cut down so you will not loose your points!!!

ladies all your blocks are beauitful ,im thinking of saving some money and not buy more fabrics and instead invest in a good camera to beable to show pictures and learn to post ,great job girls if i ever open a quilt company you,r all hirded to work for me nellie lol :D :D :D

Okay, Bebe gave me a tip. After drawing the diagonal line on the 2 1/2 in. block, sew onto the corner of the 4 1/2 in. block, but sew on the inside of the line, not on the line. It worked!! Yea!! Here is the test sample I did. Now I feel better about the block and I can redo it. Thanks, Bebe. You da bomb!!

Debbie
:D

Puzwiz, glad to here Bebe was able to help you. That's one great thing about our little challenge!

What a great compliment Nellie!

Glad it worked for you Puzwhiz!!!! Okay now make the block and post it okay???????

LOL I'm almost done. My hip starting bothering me, so I quit for the night. It'll be done tomorrow. Yea!

I hate to be the village idiot, but I made a block today and I followed all the instructions and it came out 12 inches.

So, then I tried to add half an inch to the cuttings, but in patterns with half square triangles, I ran into major problems.

I added a border around the one square I did, but I think I'm going to have to redo it.

The other block I attempted, the bear tracks, was a disaster. I'm afraid I'm not much good at this stuff. I don't know how to sew these blocks so they'll be 12.5 inches and I thoroughly messed up when I tried.

What are you all doing to get 12.5 inches on 12 blocks?????

Cordelia, I have made 5 of the blocks and have a 6th in production and they all came out 12.5 inches. I am very careful with the 1/4" seam and so far all has worked fine. That is my only suggestion.

Cordelia, I've been in the same boat as you. I made the butterfly block and once it was too small and the next time...too big. So I'm thinking that I will be much more careful about the 1/4" on my next attempt. I think that maybe I'll cut each block 1/8" larger than necessary, then cut them down as I go. I also think I'll measure each component before I sew all those suckers together. My seam ripper gets enough of a workout. But...this is great for me since I'll learn how to be better. :wink:

That's the first thing my mom said, check your 1/4 inch seams. I measured them, they were 1/4 inch seams.

I followed the directions, measured them, 12 inch block.

The site said a block is 12 inches, that's what I ended up with.

I just may have to put 1/2 inch borders around my blocks if I can't get them to 12.5 inches. I don't know what else to do.

Has anyone made the Housewife block yet, for ccbear? I have it cut out and it looked simple enough, but I'm having trouble getting it together.
HELP!......lol

Cordelia,
A few ideas that might help.

On a scrap piece of fabric, sew what you think your 1/4 seam is. Then measure it. You want a scant 1/4 because when you press your seam open, you lose a little on each side. That little bit can compound over time.

If you have some scrap blocks, try this. Cut them to 4 inches. Then w/ a pencil and your handy dandy ruler, mark your 1/4 seams. Sew on the inside of your drawn line. Press and measure and see if you can get a 12.5 inch row.

Clear as mud?

Doo you press each section as you do them? This makes a big difference for me. It is amazing how much bigger the pieces are after they are pressed. I also try to sew 1 thread much from the quarter line. Just a smiggen makes abig difference. I also have a worn out seam ripper. LOL Good thing they are not too expensive.