039.Blueberries for Sal - aka K-9, Scout's Honor

027.C-7, Megan's Mountain Laurel

Closing in on the final few diamonds... this one is a "diamond/X" which means it has both a diamond and an "X" motif, so it will be one of the four blocks that intersect the giant diamond with the giant X in my design.

Somehow I ended up fussy cutting the main fabric. What have I gotten myself into? oy.

Absolutely insane, this one... it was extra fun trying to get those little diamond points to match up.

More fussy cutting fun? I know, I'm doing it to  myself...

Another beautiful print from Judie Rothermel...

026.Caitlin Royse - aka L-11, Caitlin's Rose

So there's a story to the name of this one. It was originally named "Caitlin's Rose." Just so happens one of my BFFs has a lovely daughter by the name of Caitlin Royse. So there you go. Caitlin, if you're googling yourself and you find this and I haven't yet asked permission, I apologize. But your name should be in lights, kid.

Actually started this one with a different fabric but realized I had the center fussy-cut 45 degrees off. I thought the center/top was a straight edge instead of a point. Anyway, error number 412 so far. :  / Also I decided the two fabrics I pulled were maybe NOT design line siblings and were both quite busy and dark and I needed a light next to the dark to keep the visual impact of the diamond dark. Anyhoo... Will hopefully finish this up tonight. I had really wanted to plow through this and another today but I got waylaid in Preperatoria - an exciting windfall... see above (PrepiFestivus!.)   : )

Fussy cutting fun. Do I detect sarcasm? But it's turning out well so far.

025.Judie, Judie, Judie - aka D-13, Field of Dreams

Might need to use this Sturbridge Village Collection II (one of my favorite lines) for a blank triangle rather than this - but we'll see. It's an easy one although with the fussy cutting it still took me awhile. Note to self: study up on fussy cutting tricks and techniques.

love this great shirting by Pam Buda.

One of my all time faves. Sturbridge Village II by Judie
Rothermel. Wish I would NOT have noticed the registration
was out of whack...

022.Seesters - aka I-2, Kaye's Courtyard

This one was a little bit of a challenge fussy-cutting the ladies into the four corners. Not perfect but kind of cool. I'm calling this one Seesters as a tribute to sisters, sisters-in-law, sisters-by-choice, and sisters in our communities of interest. That sounds real formal but I just mean the women you have a lot in common with whom you cherish having in your life.

fuuuuuddddggggeeee.

This Fons & Porter seam ripper is not recommended usage.
1) the cap doesn't stay on. 2) it's so ergonomically chubby, it's hard to store
3) since it's round and heavy, it has a tendency to roll off my sewing desk
and put holes in my feet. I need a new seam ripper stat!

020.Sarah Kenton Loves Jim - aka J-2, Picture Perfect

This one was surprisingly quick, even with some fussy cutting... Watching good ole' Remains of the Day... I'm not sure why I ever doubted their feelings. It's obvious Miss Kenton loved Mr. Stephens with all her heart.

Judie Rothermel on the background and the inside of the squares. Not sure about the fabric framing the squares - maybe Jo Morton.

This block is partially reversed value-wise. Debated but went with this breakdown in the end. The fussy cutting was a challenge but it turned out pretty well.




  

018.Betty's Blue Skies - aka A-12, Framed Fancy

Betty's Blue Skies

still a little confused on when to/when not to
remove paper-piecing paper on back...

017.Arietty's Got a Case of the Cabin Fever - aka A-9, Cabin Fever

Arietty's Got a Case of the Cabin Fever

So anyway, I was in my happy tree working on another blue diamond late last night. It's hard to explain just how motivating it is to have a blog to come to with updates on the project (not that anyone's really listening) - but there's some illusion of accountability. Hard to describe - but since it's working maybe I shouldn't pay it too much attention. Avert my eyes. Just keep on keepin on. dododododooo.

Recap:  - so happy with the results. 45 pieces?? wow. I am trying to remember to add extra fabric to the outside edges so there's enough to trim down to 5" but I shorted the sides on this one a bit. Still within the seam allowance though. The other technical note is that I've tried to use the "pin trick" where you locate where the intersections need to meet in order to have the corners meet. I have not been having great luck with it. Seemed like when I inserted the pin all the way in it shifted the fabric and when I left the ends of the pin loose it still didn't really hold it in place. This time, I put the pin in and then holding the fabric very tightly, inserted the end in perpendicular to the seam, positioned the fabric under the needle about .25" from the intersection, took a stitch or two with the hand wheel (not the foot pedal) then eased the pin out a bit. Then sewed through the intersection to about .25 beyond and then picked up and did the opposite side, then the middle, then the whole thing from end to end. And whoo hoo - as you can see it worked (this time). But obviously that's very labor-intensive ... I guess I just got lucky with the diamond's intersections - kind of forgot to check for those.

I wonder if anyone else making this quilt has set a limit for themselves - a tolerance for imperfection - like if it's less than a 1/16" off let it go - or whatever... Seems like an eighth is too much for such a small block but I do have a few of those anyway. Sometimes 1/32" seems too large. Just depends on the block I guess. This one exceeded my expectations (even thought it's still not perfect) so I'll just focus on that. 45 pieces! Go, self!

almost done - just needs the outer edges...

Stumbled on the 1997 movie "The Borrowers" with Jim Broadbent and John Goodman. After thoroughly haaaating the recent anime inspired "Arietty," this was a genuine treat. Now, I was not much of a reader when I was a kid, but the Borrowers - with their miniature, ingeniously improvised tools and red blotter carpeting - always captured my imagination. The production design (Gemma Jackson) was a-mayyyyy-zing! Eye candy from end to end. Delightful bonus tidbit: she was also the production designer for Bridget Jones' Diary. So, who's the one who really makes every detail so brilliant and perfect? Art director? Production designer? the uncredited slave-team under her? Anyway, it was great.

Since Arietty's got so much spunk, and loves pretty little things, I dedicate this block to her. Arietty: here's to you, little sister. May you always find a way to escape your cabin fever and enjoy the finer things in life and high-speed adventures 'til the end of your days.

Arietty has a bad case of cabin fever!

interesting cloud formations the last few days. pretty.

Lighter blue fabric: #5686 from "Alexandria," Jo Morton/Andover.
Darker fabric: #1037-0120 from "Paula Barnes Basics," (Bonnie Blue), Paula Barnes, Marcus Brothers.
Background fabric: #24381-1 or -2 from "Vintage Muslins," Windham.

016.LulaMae from Tulip, Texas - aka G-9, Mary's Journey

LulaMae from Tulip, Texas & cat.

015.Miss Minnie Fay - aka B-4, Chris's Soccer Field

Reworked the colors with two lights and a blue being the central piece so it would read as a "light diamond." A little confusing, but i think it works... Was watching "Hello, Dolly" when I sewed this and as a tribute to Minnie Fay's light blue dress, I named it after her.

many many many edges to trim...

Pine Tree Lodge (#4028) by Judie Rothermel - love this line.