Tweet Tweet Row

I have most of this new row complete. Because I am making a smaller quilt, I have only 3 bird houses. The music and stars will be completed after I get the length of the row after we do the big star and adjust the length of this row. 

My Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with paper piecing. I love the crisp, sharp points and how the blocks are so beautiful when they are all put together. I hate working with the foundation paper being backward to the fabric, how long it takes to make each block (even if I do more than one at a time), how much thread it takes, and how much fabric I feel that I am wasting. But it all averages out when I get the block completed!!!

Here is the first "Fireworks Star" of the Americana Row Quilt

I have been planning to do an Americana for years. I have had fat quarters and dream squares in my stash for probably 10 years and now I am going to use it!!

2 more blocks received

The mailman brought my last 2 blocks today, from Moira and Trudie. They are beautiful, and now I can put the row together.
And Trudie sent a little gift along with the block. Cute coasters. Thanks Trudie. They will be put to good use!!

One more block received

My block from Lucy came today. It is beautiful. Thank you.
Getting started on the next row now.

Received another block

The mailman brought another block today, from Betty, in Oregon. THANKS!! I love it!  And congrats on your new great grandson, too. Hope you get to see him soon. SOOO enjoyed my trip to meet mine.

Blocks received

Got home from my trip today. and there were 3 beautiful blocks waiting for me, from Cathy, Phyllis, and Linda Th. They are all gorgeous and will match my colors beautifully. Thank you ladies!!

Have to show off the great grandson in the quilt that I made for him! He is now 3 weeks old, and I hated to leave and come home

Block Received

The mailman brought the cute block from Tracy from Idaho today. Excited to put this 3rd row together. It is just perfect. Thanks Tracy!

December blocks complete

I completed 10 blocks for the December Pin

wheel Flowers.

I will be keeping these first 3. They have some flaws and I don't want to send them on to someone else. I will remind you all to read the instructions carefully, at least twice, before you cut or sew. :-D

These next 7 I will trade.

These were fun and easy, as long as the directions are followed closely. Thanks again Deana, for your creativity!

Block Received

The mailman brought Marilyn's lovely block today. Such fun color combinations. Thank you Marilyn!

Blocks in the mail

Blocks # 4 & 5 are on their way to Iowa and Texas. They should be there by Thursday!

September and October rows

When I received the blocks from the September swap, I got blocks from #1 and #3 patterns. I wanted to have one of each, so made a #2 and a #4 to go with them, then sewed them together. Buttons will go where there are no knobs. (the #2 block I measured wrong and so had to add another strip to the top left, so it looks a little different than the original pattern. :-) ). The #3 block is a beautiful green, but it just does not show up well in the picture.

The October row is also missing the centers until the quilt is complete. Don't want to add them until it is quilted.

I am excited to get the November drawing and sharing done and the December instructions and blocks. Those will be added as the time comes. Now I have to decide what to put as spacers between the rows. Such a variety of colors will need some contemplation to choose what will enhance the blocks.

Block from Australia Has Arrived

My block from Jo arrived this morning, and it is just beautiful!! Thanks, Jo

Blocks received

The morning mail brought 2 beautiful blocks today. One from Betty and one from Denise. Thank you ladies. They really are beautiful!

I've been to the post office

Our long weekend is over and the post office was open today. I am happy to say I got there.
Moira, block 7 & Anne, block 8 are travelling over seas to you both. Please be patient but they will get there.
Now to get started on this months fun block.

Rotary Cutter Blocks

I received my block from Linda Te this morning. She must have caught a good trade wind, as it only took 48 hours from WV, to UT. It is beautiful. The pictures just don't look as good as the real thing. 
And my blocks (3, 4, 5, 6) are off to UT, OR, OH, & IN. They should all arrive by Friday or sooner. 

Rotary in Bloom

Have my blocks ready to post. I have made 5 blocks and will trade 4. The first one I will keep, and probably pick out the handle and re-applique it. It just doesn't look quite as good as the rest!
The other 4 I will be trading.

Another block received

Received block #34 from Denise today. It is just BEAUTIFUL. Thank you! One more to go and I can post a picture. Also about ready to post my Rotary Cutter blocks. They are FUN, FUN, FUN.

Blocks Received!

Today the mailman brought me 2 beautiful blocks. I received #6 from Felicity and & #24 from Lucy. The pictures definitely aren't as good as the actual blocks. The colors will go beautifully with the one I kept for myself. I will post pictures when I get the rest.

Hint for less bulk on handle.

As you work on the handle, press the seams for the top and the 1/2 square triangles at the bottom all toward the center. I really struggled with my first handle until I realized the problem!

Making sharp points.

A long time ago I learned this trick for making sharp points. I am using it on my Rotary flowers. All you need is a wooden skewer. GENTLY push the tip of the skewer against seam where the point will be. Don't push it too hard or it will go through the fabric and leave a hole.
Hope this helps someone.