Success!

Remember that block that had me going yesterday? The "wonky" compass block. Bless those of you who encouraged me with your comments to carry on. I did just that last night. I was home alone and it was quiet enough to give my brain some time to think. As mentioned in my last post, this block was pulled from the back of the fabric closet with high hopes. But I was working with no instructions as to how I was supposed to proceed with the corners- I had already pieced the four large squares and remembered something from the class (way back when) about lining up the round compass, marking, pinning, cutting. The actual steps?? Beats me. So being a smart, competent quilter -I just cut and pinned and hoped for the best. I wasn't getting it- or so I thought. Once I reverse appliqued the background, removed the horrid exam table paper the teacher swore by (never again- everyone else loved it, I had the worse time, it was too thin for my liking) and gave the piece a good pressing- well, goodness gracious! Not as bad as I thought it would be, and it actually laid flat! But alas. The RR center was to be 18" (finished) and I was only at 17". No fear- somewhere in the back of the closet was the baggie of left over fabrics- in no way was I going to make more than 1 of these puppies! My original intent was to border the compass with the darker fabric and bring it up to size. Simple...nice. But there in the bag was a stripe from a past Louis and Clark collection with a lovely border as well. It was creamy, pretty and I bet myself that if I used just the border I could do something spiffy! Rule of thumb...don't get overly excited before measuring how many inches you need and how many you have. I knew right off there wasn't enough to miter the corners. That was fine- I'd just make straight cuts. Attached top and bottom and loved it. Cut the other border off and oops...not enough! I was about 6 " shy. Now what- I had my heart set on doing this. Why of course...when in doubt, use corner stones. Every quilter's best friend in a pinch. With the new border, the dark corner stones to match the large compass points and a huge smile on my face- the RR center block is done! It is of course now 2" bigger than the requirements, but I think all will deal. How does it look?




I also am churning out friendship stars for a swap. We were given a focus fabric and let loose to make scrappy stars! Funny how we all put the focus in the center of our blocks so far....like minds I guess. My block is the gold star- the others are arriving day by day. I think this is going to look awesome when it is all put together.

And last but not least, I have been making my "Sylvia's Bridal Sampler" blocks. It was going to be a personal challenge between a quilting buddy and myself, but her life took on more stress than it should lately. I don't have the heart to add more, so I decided I'd just follow along and do the Block a Week Challenge set up at the sampler site. Those who are doing it are up to week 5. I'm just getting started, but got 4 of the 5 blocks done this afternoon. I've only gotten to take a photo of this week's block- H-8: Pinwheel. There are 140 something 6" blocks in the sampler based on the quilt in the book The Master Quilter. Everything for this one will come from my stash. I had fun opening my shaker cabinet and looking for large cuts of backgrounds- three to be exact. From there it was off to the dresser for Fat Quarters and Half-Yard cuts. I'm using the colorway from the original, but in my own personal taste...repros- what else! The suggested color for the pinwheel is red. Pink is the red family so....

Goodness it has been a productive day. I did have to stop momentarily for the frantic, I've lost a hermit crab long- distance phone call! Yes, Herm (or was it Herb?) one of my youngest DD's latest acquisitions was boldly exploring the large living space in the student house; she "turned her back for just one second" and he was gone! I tried to be very supportive, suppressing the urge to giggle more than I was giggling already. At least she is alone now, so no doctors or technicians to run in the door and stomp on poor Herm (or is it Herb?). He was discovered seconds later in a hole in the room's computer table. So as she ran to get a "utensil" from the kitchen to aide in getting crabby out of the hole I hung up the phone shaking my head and by the return call all was well. Never a dull moment here is there? I shutter to think what might happen when they all - DD, Herm and "brother" crab Herb arrive home from Kentucky the end of April. Mr. Goober Beagle may find himself a tasty treat or two.