STARTING A FIRE

This is mostly a quilting and sewing blog, where does starting a fire come in.  A cold spring day with rain says start a fire.  We are very fortunate to have both a fire place and wood stove (which has a flat top I can cook on).  

 

 

Today is opening day for the Cardinals.  It is a cold  drizzle which makes the house feel damp.  So far I don't think it is has topped 45.  It's the perfect day for a fire.  Which is what this blog is about.  The wood is on the damp side and will be hard to start by regular methods.   I don't use tons of news paper for starting my fires.  I have made my own fire starters. 

 

I like to use candles for atmosphere, occasionally we need them because the electric has met wind and ice storms.  The nubbins left over along with the scraps from my quilting make great fire starters.  I save a couple of metal cans when I make pineapple upside down cake for melting these nubbins in.  I wait till I have a fire going.  I don't need to waste electric melting the nubbins.

 

I have 100% cotton scraps of fabric and batting in an aluminum disposable roaster pan (these are saved from take out orders).  They will be recycled after this step.  When the nubbins are melted just pour them over the scraps.  They don't have to be saturated, a little wax goes along way. 

 

These are left to cool and then they are placed in a kitty litter bucket to save for a rainy day. 

 

My fire has heated up the stove, the kettle for adding humidity to the air is already boiling.  The porcelain coffee pot with well water in it, is almost ready for its Earl Grey tea bag.  I am ready for the tea!  I have a little box oven that sits on top of the stove and it will bake our potatoes for supper. 

 

May your life be warmed by the quilts you make and the fires you start with your scraps.

 

Another hint for those fabric scraps, use the selvages for tying up your plants in the garden. (I had enough coals 15 minutes ago that I toasted my treat.  I love marshmallows, they can't be burned though.)

 

If you sew, please peruse my blog.  I have a very easy mystery quilt which a beginner with limited sewing skills can make.  I am also participating in an online Block of the month.  I am blogging about each block and its construction.

 

The following are the links to the mystery I am hosting for the Piecemakers Quilt Guild

 

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html


Clue 2:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
Clue 3:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

Clue 4:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mystery-in-making-clue-4.html
Clue 5:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-mystery-in-making-clue-5.html

This is the information where you will find

the Block of the month.
This alphabet BOM is a twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

 

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

 

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-p-is-for-pennsylvania.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

 

 

 



BLOCK OF THE MONTH: O IS FOR OCTAGON AND TWIST

I haven't dropped out and I didn't let my blocks slide into the UFO pile.  I actually finished these on time last month, but Life got in the way.  I didn't have time to blog about them.  I headed to Denver, My mother was very ill. 

 

OCTAGON AND TWIST

This is a very intriguing block.  It was easy to imagine it as a quilt in a different color scheme.  I do believe a quilt using this block will be on my to do list. I know I will make a couple of samples in fabrics and colors I love to audition the block.  BTW I find playing with the paisleys is like being given lemons and making lemonade.  They are starting to grow on me. 

I went to take the pictures of the blocks and discovered I had already sent my swap partner her block so I won't be able to show it to you (Unless she sends me a picture of it)

 

I love Wahoo or Eureka moments.  This edit is one I am so glad to do.  I went to our "journey" site and realized I did have a pic of the swap partners block.  I just hadn't filed it in my quilt project folder.  Her block is on the left.  I  enjoy working with the fabrics I chose for her block

 

This is my primary paisleys.  I still am not enthralled with the colors but the are growing on me.  I find myself with each block trying to find a more attractive way of using them together. 

 

When working on this block be very careful with direction of the Partial seam Units with the snowball blocks. 

 

My second paisley color combo is turning out to be a winner I am enjoying using these "dated" fabrics.  Most of them do not seem to be as heavy a fabric as the burgundy and blue Paisleys.  Remember I am only using paisleys from my stash and most of these are at least 40 years old.  The light one in this block I know I purchased about 2000, maybe even earlier.  The newest paisley in my collection was a Hoffman challenge fabric which I never used for that purpose, but did have designs to use it for that.  Instead it is now in it's own quilt I participated in one of Bonnie hunters mysteries.  These are the blogs for that:

 

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-street-mystery-step-one.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/easy-street-im-almost-there.html

 

Sorry to say it is almost a UFO.  It is sitting out where I can see it so I will have thoughts to finish it into at least a "flimsy". 

 

Right now my time has been devoted to this BOM and the mystery I am hosting for guild.  You can find that on my blog too.  If you would like you can play along here:

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html


Clue 2:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
Clue 3:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

Clue 4:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mystery-in-making-clue-4.html
Clue 5:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-mystery-in-making-clue-5.html

See you next month with Q. 
I can't imagine what Dorothy will present to us.

This alphabet BOM is a twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

 

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-p-is-for-pennsylvania.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

BLOCK OF THE MONTH: P IS FOR PENNSYLVANIA

This block is very comfortable  to complete.  You already have the skills needed used in other blocks you've completed on the journey.

Just recently in "New York Beauty" you did the 3.5 inch bar unit., and also the half square triangle unit.

In "Independence Square"  you had experience in constructing "the 9 patch Unit". 

This block will be a breeze as long as you press.  Follow her pressing directions and you should complete your block toute suite.  Pressing each step allows the block to lie flat and your seams crisp.

Looking at my version of "Pennsylvania"  you will notice I strayed into the box.  I used a third fabric for the 9 patch.  I wish I had done it on the other two blocks I made.  I like the focal point it makes.

This is my green paisley version with the standard center.  I really like the third fabric addition in my first block.

Below is the version I made for my swap partner.

See you next month, in the meantime I will get those pictures taken of the six blocks I was behind (they are completed, I am all caught up)  and post my "Octagon and Twist" Blog.

A twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. So far I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

 

 Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/block-of-month-o-is-for-octagon-and.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/block-of-month-n-is-for-new-york-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

I 'm hosting a mystery quilt for my guild. 

This is the link for instructions for the  mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING: CLUE #5

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING:
CLUE #5

PIECEMAKERS GUILD 2013/2014 MYSTERY QUILT

A mystery quilt in 5 installments

Finished small Quilt 57” sq. with borders

Small quilt without borders 45 ½” sq.

Larger quilt, 64 ½” sq. without borders)

Thank you for participating in this mystery. I hope it will be fun, easy, and educational.  Beginners should be comfortable working on it.  Quilting Newbie’s may need a little help.  If you understand how to sew a quarter inch, and a scant quarter inch you should do fine.  If you have just found this clue and need the introduction to this mystery you can find it here:
 

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html
Clue 2:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
Clue 3:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

Clue 4:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mystery-in-making-clue-4.html 

CLUE FIVE

TOP ASSEMBLY AND BORDERS

 This is the moment you decide whether you are going to make the larger quilt or stop here and border your blocks.   Join your blocks, and then make your decision.  The following diagrams are how to assemble your units.

You have 4 groups of pre-made units. There will be a back slash or a forward slash behind each Unit's number.  This is the direction you should place your blocks.  (The units with a diagonal design on them)

ROW ONE AND ROW FIVE (Make 2)

                    4/        3/        1        3\       4\

ROW TWO AND ROW FOUR (Make 2)

                   3/         1        2         1       3\ 

ROW THREE (Make One)

                    1        2         1         2       1

When you finish making each row you will be ready to arrange the rows into your top.

The rows 5 and 4 are turned upside down.  When you lay out your rows you will see a definite on-point setting. 

Now you can decide if you want to add the generic borders or if you would like to do another round of 9" blocks.  The blocks will be more of the Units you have already made.  They will form another on-point perimeter. 

             

INNER BORDER

 For your inner border you will need the “C” Fabric.  It is the fabric I mentioned you might wait till the quilt top is assembled to choose.  Remember borders are frames. 
You want to highlight your work.   This is a pizazz moment. 
It may be a small area but it can do a lot for the quilt.

FABRIC “C”: cut (5) 2 inch X WOF strips for your inner border 

NOTE: When measuring for the length of your border strip, measure through the middle of your quilt top.  Do not measure each end of the quilt top.  This will help your quilt to stay squared. It will make the ends the same measurement as the middle.  

When I sew the strips to the opposite ends of the quilt top I pin!  I pin each end of the strip to the top.  Then I pin in the middle.  Then I lay it out on a flat surface and see if the strip is running short with the top having too much fabric for the strip.  If there is too much fabric in the top to fit the strip, find the center of each section of the top and the center of each section of the strip.  I pin these centers together. Attach the border strip to the top with the top on the bottom.  The feed dogs help ease the fabric in.

If it is the border strip which is too generous, then sew with the strip next to the feed dogs.  It will ease the excess in. (don't forget to pin and distribute the fullness evenly.

After you have attached the border strips on both ends of the top it is time to press.  Press the border strips away from the body of the quilt. (BTW, set your seam before you press your strip back.  It relaxes the stitches and takes out any puckering.)

It is time to measure again.  You want to measure across the middle again.  You will have the strips on this measurement.  You can not just add 3 ½ inches to your total.  (It may come out to that but you can’t trust it unless you measure it.)    Everyone’s ¼ inch can vary.    You use the same procedure you used to attach the strips on either end of the top.  Please don’t forget to press. (If you don't press your measurements may be off because the top does not lie flat.) 

HINT:  If your top is longer than a WOF strip and you need to add length to it you might want to consider mitering when you join the two strips.  In my opinion a mitered strip’s joint shows up less on the strip.

OUTER BORDER

FABRIC “A”:  Use the (6) 5” WOF Strips you cut in “Clue #1.”

You follow the same measuring and cutting rules that were discussed in the inner border instructions.

Thank you for participating in this mystery.  It has been a pleasure to plant the clues for you.

other blog sites by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs.

Please do not copy without permission

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING: CLUE # 4

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING:

CLUE #4

PIECEMAKERS GUILD 2013/2014 MYSTERY QUILT

A mystery quilt in 5-6 installments (6 if you do the larger quilt)

Finished small Quilt 57” sq. with borders

Small quilt without borders 45 ½” sq.

Larger quilt, 64 ½” sq. without borders)

Thank you for participating in this mystery. I hope it will be fun, easy, and educational.  Beginners should be comfortable working on it.  Quilting Newbie’s may need a little help.  If you understand how to sew a quarter inch, and a scant quarter inch you should do fine.  If you have just found this clue and need the introduction to this mystery you can find it here:

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html
Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html
Clue 2:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html
Clue 3:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-mystery-in-making-clue-3.html

Clue 5:  https://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-mystery-in-making-clue-5.html

CLUE # 4 

THE BIASED BLOCK

No fabric cutting this month.  We’ll be using units already cut.
Read through the instructions before you begin.  Use accurate ¼ inches constructing this Unit.

1.  Cut each of the 4 remaining Fabric “E” 5.5 inch squares in half,

diagonally, making a total of 8 Triangles.

2.  Sew the triangles to adjacent sides of (4) Fabric “A” 5 inch squares (cut in Clue # 1).  When pressing open, be careful not to stretch the bias edges.

On the left you see the Unit that is above, pressed open.  This is the first triangle added

Above  is the unit with the second triangle added and with the unit pressed open.  You will have made a larger triangle.  (You will notice I did leave some selvage on the edge of one of the fabric pieces.  When you are working from the stash and it is slim pickings, you use every scrap.  I even pieced pieces in some areas to have enough fabric for the piece, literally a patchwork.)

3. Trim the long edge of the resulting triangle.  Making sure you leave ¼ inch beyond the point of the “A” square. {Where the two small triangles cross each other}.    You will be trimming the tabs off.

If you look close, A line on the ruler was used to square with the "A" square.  The edge of the ruler is 1/4 inch from the from the point of the "A" square.

4.  Place the unit made in STEP 3,  Right Sides together, with the large Fabric “F” triangles made in CLUE 3. Stitch on the long side of the triangles. Line up the bias edges of the triangles, Do not line up from the square corners.

Notice in the picture on the right, the Fabric "F" triangle is peeking out from behind the pieced triangle. The edge to be aligned is the biased edge of the unit. 

DON’T STRETCH THE BIAS EDGES WHEN STITCHING 

HINT:  You’ll be sewing on the bias edges. Put the solid fabric on the bottom and the pieced unit on the top.  Don’t pull on your fabric, guide it.  

5.  Press unit open towards the “F” Fabric triangle.  Picture on the right is the pressed open finished Unit. 

6.  Trim your four units to 9 ½ inches.  Label Clue 4 and set aside for next month.

HINT:  When squaring up and trimming

use the bias seam for a guide.

This is the last of the units.  When you finish these you will be ready to assemble your quilt next month.

  

NEXT MONTH: ASSEMBLY, BORDERS

and LARGER QUILT, INSTRUCTIONS

Other blog sites by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs.

Please do not copy without permission

BLOCK OF THE MONTH: N IS FOR NEW YORK STAR

I'm current with my blocks and it's 14 months into the project.  I can't believe I have not let life get in the way.  I will admit I was delinquent in December and January.  I have found having a partner does help keep me on track.  She is counting on receiving her blocks.   I look forward to having the couple of hours once a month where I have to sit down to the machine.

 

BTW, the blocks don't take a couple of hours.  It takes me that long because I am making 3 versions of the blocks.  It can be a punishment for me if I don't fulfill my obligation each month.  I have to play catch-up big time.

 

I especially enjoyed making the New York Star.  It is a very appropriate block for me.  Our son is in the Navy.  I don't know if it was designed during a war period, or maybe during a Forth of July celebration, but for me it evokes a patriotic image.

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/2013/08/buttons.html

 

I was especially pleased to see how it showcases the paisleys I picked for myself.  If you haven't read about my constants I will say they are my least favorite fabrics.  Mind you I have seen paisleys I dearly love but these were from the "dark ages".  I collected them from who knows where.  The only thing they had in common besides the paisley pattern is they were all 100% cottons. 

 

I can see this block as corner stones for a Quilt of Valor quilt.  

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilt-of-valor.html

You would put the star in opposite corners on the block for each of your quilt's corners.

 

The pattern would make a great table runner.  Or change the dimensions and you've a place mat.

 

I was equally pleased with how the block pattern looked with my friends color palette.  I think this block pattern would go with any colors or styles of fabrics.

 

I'm really liking the fabrics I picked for my friend.   I can't wait to see them all together in a quilt.  

 

Doing the Block of the month has given me new inspiration.  I find myself thinking about how I would use each of the blocks, and with what fabrics they would look best in. 

 

The only reason I started the block of the month was to get rid of the paisleys in my stash.  The different block patterns make me have to use the paisleys to their best advantage.  I have made a rule for myself  to try not to use any other fabrics in the construction of the blocks.   I have a transgression from the beginning on my blue/burgundy paisleys.  The red I chose for a third color was the perfect red and I didn't have any red paisley that worked.

This is my alternate rendition with another color way in paisleys.  I didn't decide till later in the trip to make these.  My decision was made when I realized I could  not integrate these colors with the other paisleys.  It would be too scrappy for my tastes. 

 

Which is another side of me.  If I do scrappy it has to be controlled scrappy.  I can't reach into a paper bag of dark fabrics and pull out a piece of fabric and then reach into another a light bag of fabrics and pull out another fabric and sew them together.  If the colors seem to clash I have to throw them back.  Yes, I have been told that in the end everything will look fabulous.  I agree, every scrap quilt I have seen is fabulous.  It's just I can't do it.

This is about as scrappy as I have gotten:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/two-bits-dont-make-dollar.html

 

This alphabet BOM is a twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

 

I need to go back and make the first 6 blocks for the blue/green paisley color series. 

I am saving that duty for a snowed in day.  Missouri seems to be getting her fill of those this year.

 

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

I 'm hosting a mystery quilt for my guild. 

This is the link for instructions for the  mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission