Tree Block: An Experiment

The recent vacation out west has given me an idea for a quilt I'd never previously had any interest in making. One lasting mental image (and there are lots!) of the trip is the seemingly never ending mountainsides full of cedars and pines. Wouldn't it be a really cool way to remember those impressive vistas if I were to make a quilt equally full of cedars and pines? Yeah, it sure would.

My first (and only, so far) tree block is the one you see above; I used a Lynette Jensen pattern, frequently my go-to source for easy block patterns. This particular block came from her book, At Home With Thimbleberries; the trees are used in the four corners of a Log Cabin quilt. 

 

The block measures 10.5 inches and was super simple to make, even with a fussier than preferred tree trunk component. 

After making that one block, I photographed it and then took it through an editing app to help me envision what I might end up with should I make more of these blocks.

Four blocks; same direction.

Four blocks; pointing to center.

That simple directional change results in an entirely different look, one that totally loses the trees.

Just for fun, I ran these two 4-block versions through once more to see what would happen. It's always surprising to see these versions.

16 blocks; same direction

16 blocks; pointed inward

Both versions have their merits, wouldn't you agree? If I were to decide to go with this block version, I would lean toward keeping them going in one direction and maybe consider adding a small sashing strip between blocks. Another possibility would be to place the blocks on point. Hmmm, I will keep this in mind.

That second 16-block option has a very striking look, but it is not one I am going for with this quilt. It created quite a fine design, though.

 Ahhh, the quilt design process! I love it!

I went to Pinterest to see what a search of pine tree quilts would elicit. Generic search terms work for stuff like this. I knew there was a name for the pine tree I had envisioned, but I was coming up blank. Yesterday at our quilting group, one of the girls said it - Tree of Life. Yes! (Thanks, Sheryll!) I now could do a more specific search.

The generic search offered  up this possibility which I like a lot. It is far from the look of the block I have made, but this is more of what I had in mind when I began thinking of making a tree quilt. Click the picture to go to the Pinterest link.

If I were to stay with the more traditional Tree of Life block, or my current Thimbleberries block, I might end up with something like this one. Again, click the picture to be taken to the Pinterest link.

This is a pattern by Edyta Sitar. I would use all versions of green in my trees to more accurately imitate the mountain views.  I like this on-point version, but gosh, look at all those half-square triangles. Oof. I would definitely bring out the triangle papers.

 

I have pulled lots of green fat quarters from my stash; next I need to dig for a suitable background. I am rearing to go on this quilt!

Either of these two Pinterest versions above would suit me to imitate tree-covered mountains, such as this one from my camera roll.

This picture could have been taken in any number of states - Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California - so many mountains, so many trees! According to the date on my picture, we were in Washington in the Cascade Mountains.

Back to the Pinterest search  - go there for any look you want! From modern to traditional, designed for any occasion or use, the variety is endless. Christmas quilts, table toppers, playfully wonky, and grizzly-bear-masculine.

Still in that design-choosing process! *smile*

Our oppressive heat wave has given way to a very pleasant day here in southern Ohio. I was actually chilly sipping coffee on the porch a bit ago. We needed this respite from the heat!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Frankfort Girls Block Swap

Three weeks ago when the Frankfort girls met here at my house, one of the group brought a new book she thought we'd all be interested in seeing. I think it was Terry. And she was right; we all drooled over the pretty quilts and individual blocks. The book is one many of you have probably seen: The 4" x 5" Quilt-Block Anthology: 182 Blocks for Reproduction Fabrics by Carol Hopkins and Linda M. Koenig, published by That Patchwork Place.

(Grabbed from Amazon.)

The authors include tips in the book for a block exchange, and we tossed around the idea of doing one in our group. The idea took hold, and next week when we meet we are to bring our fabric selections.

With that explanation, you will now know why I am pulling fabrics today from the dresser where I store all the fat quarters. Earlier I had something of an epiphany, and I was prompted to action.

For all the years I have been pinning pictures of quilts on Pinterest, one quilt that I would just love to make is one that is reminiscent of a faded, muted brown or gray quilt, with very little contrast or color. Here are some pictures taken from my pin-board, all similar to the one I have in mind.

With all that information, here are the 6 fabrics I have pulled from the depths of the stash. If any of you are seasoned veterans in fabric purchasing over the last 25 years or so, then you may recognize this hodge-podge of ancient beauties.

It will be interesting to see what results. I doubt we have a very tight deadline on this project, so you may not hear much more about this until the end of December. Oh, I may bring some intermittent updates, but I suspect it's likely going to be a long-term project. And a fun one, too.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

4-Patch Doll Quilt

 Look what I made on Thursday afternoon. I had no pattern; just made it up as I went. When one has plenty of fabric, pretty things can happen!

I found my inspiration on Pinterest. Many people view Pinterest as a great time-waster and I will admit to wasting many hours there, but it also has been a valuable source of inspiration for me time and time again. 

I'd pinned the quilt shown below ages ago, but it was making its way through another cycle of pinnings and it popped up in my feed. Click on the picture to go to the source. I love it every time I see it. So by gosh, I just went upstairs and made it.

 Selecting fabrics out of the stash was an adventure down memory lane, as many of the fabrics I chose have been used in previous projects. The 2-inch strips and the background fabric are shown above.

These fabrics became the setting blocks and the setting triangles. The pink has been in my stash for a very long time; the black is relatively new.

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

Mine is less subtle, but I still adore it. It was a very satisfying way to spend a Thursday afternoon.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Having A Little Fun

Do you spend way too much time on Pinterest? I'm afraid I do. It's just so darned inspiring, though. I get so many quilting ideas and crafting ideas and well, you know...

I actually made something I saw on Pinterest last night. Well, let me clarify. I saw it several nights ago; I made it last night. If you click this link you will see the block that inspired me. It originated at this site.

Here are the fabrics I pulled.

Twelve HSTs and four squares later, I had my block! Easy peasy, and so good looking!

Fun and fast. And a nice diversion from other stuff. I have not worked on the quilt I wrote about yesterday. Maybe tomorrow for that. I just wanted a little change of pace. This was just the ticket.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Chapstick Cozy

I showed you all the cute lipbalm carrier I made a few posts back. I had a follower ask about it, and if I would show how it's made.

Since I got the idea from Pinterest, I figured I should direct you to the source. Little Bit Funky is a blog that has several appealing ideas to check out. This is the link to the blog Little Bit Funky's  Chapstick Cozy. Here is the Pinterest link.

My version is made with a different sized D-ring. I did not have any 2-inch D-rings, so I used a round curtain rod ring. It looks a bit less polished, but will still serve its purpose. I checked my local Ben Franklin and they did not have much variety in the D-ring department, so I bought the 1-inch size. It, too, does not look as neat as the one made by Little Bit Funky. I will continue to look for the proper size and stock up when I find them. I can see me making lots of these to have on hand for emergency gifts or whenever a 'little something' would be a boost to someone. Here's a look at mine again. I would say I have made about 10 or 12 now.

So, do you find that when browsing Pinterest you find inspiration? I sure do. If I want an idea for dinner, I go to Pinterest. If I want an idea for a baby quilt, I go to Pinterest. If I want an idea for something fun to send for a holiday, I go to Pinterest.

Here are a few things I have recently done, just to show you how useful I find this incredible website.

We had a serious soap scum problem on our shower doors. Nothing DH used, would bust the crud. So I snooped around Pinterest and found this, called The BEST soap scum remover ever, and we mixed up a batch. It really is wonderful! Our shower doors look like new again! It is amazing. And yes, my DH does the bathrooms. He's pretty amazing, too. *wink and grin*

I needed a quick and easy brunch-type dish for when we have overnight guests. I found a recipe that has been my go-to for about a year now - Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring. So fast and easy, and perfect for when you have guests and don't want to spend all your time in the kitchen. In fact, I made it this morning, and we don't have company!! It's great with a cup of coffee. *mmmm*

Finally, I will show you a quilting-related Pin that inspired me to go straight to the sewing room and make the block. This is called Inverted Star, and whatever the reason, as soon as I saw it I wanted to make it. So I printed off the instructions and headed upstairs. It was loads of fun to make. This is the pic from Pinterest.

And here is the block I made. It became a pillow top, but I apparently did not take a picture of that finish. It was gifted to Sharon P. and it goes with the Great Granny pillow I gave her, also. Same fabrics, different designs, if you know what I mean.

It appears I have drifted in my topic for this blog. I began by simply offering the information on how to find the directions for the Chapstick Cozy, and I morphed into an expose' on how I use Pinterest for inspiration and problem-solving.

How do you use Pinterest? Have you found some "gems" that you really love?

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Some Progress

It has been a very quiet day around here. The kids are all gone off to their lives and DH and I are left here with a dog and a cat who don't require much attention. I will say, though, that as deer gun season began today, the dog is quite a basket case, as he is frightened of the sound of gunshots. And since we live in a very rural area where lots of hunters are out, we do hear a lot of gunshots.

So we let him come inside and hang out with us. He IS supposed to be an outdoor dog, though.

Progress on my handstitching blocks has been replaced with some machine sewing.

I grabbed some leftover Park Avenue fabric to make some side triangles. I now have to figure the math for the corner triangles. I am going to consult this tutorial I saw on Pinterest before I cut those.

http://reannalilydesigns.blogspot.com/2008/09/set-on-point-tutorial.html

This tutorial assumes the block in position 1 is a 12.5" block. My blocks are just a bit bigger than 6" square, so I will have to do some math. I think I can handle it.

I was pretty excited to go digging through the Kaffe Fassett tubs this afternoon in search of a fabric to set together my 9-patch blocks. This is what I came up with.

Does everyone consider all Westminster fabrics as Kaffe Fassett fabrics? I do. I know they have various designers, but I call them all KF fabrics, actually. Just my quirk? Maybe.

I also pulled out fabric to make the remaining 4 9-patch blocks. Then I will be on my way to having a nice little KF quilt top completion!

My thanks for November 26:
I am thankful for a forgiving, loving Lord who knows my needs better than I do.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

A Sweet Little Change Purse

Are you suffering from TPA? It's the newest epidemic spreading across the country, and my illness began last July. TPA, Total Pinterest Addiction, grabs the unsuspecting victim in its clutches and continues to lure her (or him) back for more and more and more.

 One of my favorite and often-used pinboards I've labeled 'Potential DIYs.' The number of ideas I've gathered there has grown so fast that there can't possibly be enough time to make/do all of them. It's sorta' like that stash of quilt fabric upstairs - more fabric there than time enough to make that many quilts.

That doesn't prevent me, nonetheless, from pinning more ideas to this board. And, every now and then, I get psyched to make some of the ideas, and today just happened to be one of those days. This is the beauty of Pinterest. I knew exactly where to look for a little gift item I need for an upcoming birthday. I really like the idea of giving a homemade gift, too, one that is nicer than ordinary. So this caught my eye, and I proceeded to buckle down and whip it up. What do you think?

I pictured it with my rotary cutter to give perspective on the size. The zipper opens into a pocket for change, or keys, or business cards, and the like.

Then, there's the snap-shut opening at the top.

I dismantled a carpenter's metal tape measure, and cut 5" lengths of the "tape" to use as the closures. The pattern called for tape that was 3/4" wide, but I could not find that in town, so I bought one that was 1/2" wide. Mine is probably not as strong as it would have been with the wider tape, but it still closes. Kinda' cool, actually!

It easily hold my Blackberry. In addition, it's roomy enough that I could insert a little notepad and more, if desired. I'm really pleased with the results. I'm taking it to book club tonight to get some feedback on it. I hope the girls there will give me honest critiques and suggestions on my little purse.

Added later: Requests have been made for the link to this pattern.

How's winter been where you live? Everyone here in Ohio has marveled about how mild ours has been. I can hear spring birds chirping in the backyard some mornings, and our crocuses, tulips and daffodils are all up and the crocuses are even blooming! This morning, a really strange thing happened in the woods to the east of our house. From safe in the confines of my quiet home, I could hear a loud cacophony - and when I went to investigate, I discovered that a huge flock of starlings had swooped in for a visit. I went out with the camera to try to get a picture of the swarm, but they were simply not interested in moving. They were, however, interested in noisemaking! Ohmygoodness!! What a racket! It was, indeed, quite a sight, one that I'll not soon forget. They did eventually move on, thankfully. I wouldn't want them taking up residence out there - the noise would be unbearable.

The picture probably doesn't adequately illustrate the incredible number of birds in these woods, and I sure wish I could share that racket with you! On second thought, be glad you can't hear it - no pretty songbirds here! Just noise - incessant noise!

The Frankfort quilty girls come here tomorrow morning! I ought to be running the sweeper and clearing away my sewing mess!

Happy Quilting, Friends!