A FLOWER BLOCK TUTORIAL (sort of)

 About two years ago Wayne Kollinger blogged about an Easy Way For You To Design A Tessellated Quilt.  I tried a block or two at the time, but really wasn’t as into piecing back then.  You can see my attempts here.  Wayne also talked about this new block and how different it looked when it was repeated or rotated.  I didn’t get it at the time, and put everything away.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Now, two years later when I was cleaning my sewing room, I saw this block sketched on several small pieces of paper.  When I shoved them together (see sketch at top) I came up with a block that looked like a flower and decided to give it a try, not realizing that Wayne had already shown us this block two years ago! 

Sometimes I feel such a dunce, but undaunted I had to make this block.  You can make it too.  I used 2 ½” squares.  Each square was made up of four light solid squares, two dark solid squares, and three ½ square triangles made up of the light and dark fabrics.

This is a diagram for you.  Once you have four of these small blocks made, you then sew the four together to make a 12 ½” unfinished block. 

Here it is, all laid out and ready to be sewn.  You will notice that I cut just one piece of fabric instead of three white background squares on the outside.  However, the rest is made up of the 2 1/2" squares.

Now the block is together.

Put a circle of fabric in the center and you have a big flower.  I can just see a multitude of these blocks spreading across a bed, can’t you?  Give it a try.  

Wayne is always doing interesting things.  The other day he paired the blocks Shoo Fly and Rolling Stone.  Or check out this one.

Wayne, thanks for your very interesting blog and challenging us to stretch our skills. 

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Bloomin Workshop has a tutorial for a random Sampler Gal Wagon Wheel.

PS:  I'm linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Addict today.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

YOU CAN MAKE THIS SECRET MONSTER

Some time ago I came across a blog that I had to link to because I wanted you to see something special at Buttons and Paint.  There you could see a Storage Monster.  This is a little secret storage unit that you can make for your child to store his/her secret stuff.  I fell in love with this cute monster and had to make one for my great grandchild.

So I searched for an empty container and finally selected an empty plastic container that formerly held Citrucel.  I chose this over an oatmeal box because I thought it would be sturdier.  (He is four years old and a boy...need I say more!)

Then I went on a search for this fabric that looked all loopy and hairy and cute like the one that Buttons and Paint used.  I found a car wash mitt that fit perfectly onto the plastic container.  I then sewed on felt ears and tongue and added some orange yarn for the hair.

I found some wiggly eyes which were a bear to attach, but I did it.  Then I unscrewed the lid and placed candy, pennies, and a small truck inside the “secret hiding place.”   I screwed the lid back on and when I saw my great grandson last week, I shook the container a bit when I gave it to him.   He was thrilled.  I’m not sure the four-year-old quite understood the concept of secret, but he sure had fun with it. 

Buttons and Paint  has lots of cute other ideas for you to make, so be sure and check them out.  This seems to be a blog with many authors, so thanks all of you for this darling idea.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Samelia’s Mum has a wonderful tutorial for a step-in-time quilt.  I love this quilt and think all you scrappy quilters will too.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

HAPPENING AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP

This is rather a random post today.  First of all I want to show you this cute block.  It is the Attic Window Quilt Shop’s block for the Quilters Road Trip which is being held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  You can get your Passport at the Shop for only $5.

New at the shop is Seam-Fix.  This is not just another seam ripper, but a very useful tool that saves you scads of time plucking out all those little bits of thread after you have ripped a seam.  You can watch this tool in action by watching this video here.  Remember to pick one up the next time you are in the Shop.

Check out this cute little quilt.  A new teacher will be teaching you how to make this quilt in a class called Scrap Therapy on Friday, May 24th.  From the title I bet the teacher will also be discussing scraps – how to use them, organize them, and make better use of your scraps.  Call the Shop to register and for further details.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: House of A La Mode has a tutorial for a cute mug rug.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll