Here’s the proof that I can screw up even the easiest block.  Or maybe it’s just an example of how easily distracted I am. 🙂 Whether this was a dyslexic thing or a distracted by the holidays thing, it happened. And I laughed so hard at myself when it did.  And then I took a picture, because it really is so unbelievable. So now you know why I am always asking you all to go to the at-a-glance page to make sure I haven’t goofed...

Calling all Robineers! I’m starting up a new round of the Cotton Robin and I’m wondering who might want to join in for the 2014 event? We would probably have the first block due around February 1 or so… “Rules” will be pretty much the same, I think, but I’m happy to listen to suggestions. New players are welcome if they have some swapping history and enough experience to work without a pattern! Details and...

Do you see what I see? When I saw Victoria Findley Wolfe’s blog post about her quilt, Quilter’s Cairns–it’s in the February issue of APQ–I immediately saw how you could do something very similar, starting with a stack of scrappy Stripes blocks.

There is a very old Art Buchwald column in which he explains Thanksgiving to the French. I have fond memories of reading it each year in the International Herald Tribune when I lived in France, several decades ago.  You can read the whole thing here, but near the end he concludes: And so, on the fourth Thursday in November, American families sit down at a large table brimming with tasty dishes and, for the only time during the year, eat better...

It seems we have enough interest (and quilters with spare blocks from the Block Lotto) to move forward with this idea.   Thanks to Julie for suggesting it. Here’s what I’m thinking: Quilters can enter up to 12 blocks, made for the Block Lotto at any time in it’s history, for chances in the drawing.  As usual, they may contribute blocks, but opt out of the drawing–I know that not everyone loves working with blocks in various...

I just made a bird block and I think it is just too cute! I blogged about it on my blog at http://littlejewelquilts.blogspot.ca/2013/11/scrap-happy-saturday_23.html. Pop on by if you are interested in reading about it. I would love for you to...

It’s Julie’s fault … when I read her sent-and-received blog post earlier today, I thought it was a great idea. Do you have orphan lotto blocks–well made, but not entered in the lotto because maybe they were a test block or had size issues or made from fabrics that didn’t quite follow the guidelines … or maybe at the time you didn’t think they were good enough. The blocks should be made from this block lotto,...

  I’ve been working on my simple medallion idea.  Here are the handles for some of my banded basket blocks.  My plan is to stitch them by hand while I watch television tonight. I have enjoyed reading the comments about your bias appliqué experience–I hope anyone sitting on the fence about trying the block because of those handles has been reading them, too. Here are two that might inspire you: Cathy L said that she, “didn’t...

I have been “asleep”! Yesterday I woke up and posted my two blocks for Jude. Enjoy. A lovely, warm and sunny November Saturday on the eastcoast of Norway. Bithalon on TV  and The Storm HILDE on her way in the west and north!

I have been thinking about making a small quilt using this month’s basket block, but filling and/or adding to the baskets … and that’s how this little idea began. If you’ve been around long enough, you might remember this little pillow project, using our liberated basket block.  I quilted in some leafy vines coming out of the baskets and added lots and lots of yo yos.  At the time, one of my goals was to use up pink...

I came back from Houston with a lot of photos and I will probably be blogging about them on my Sophie Junction blog eventually, but these two were special, because they were made by a couple of quilters from our little community. Both were in exhibits that seemed to make everyone smile.

In the directions, the fabric for the top of the band is cut wider (1 inch) and then trimmed to 1/2 inch after it sewn to the basket unit, for a finished width of 1/4 inch. If you prefer, you could start with a skinnier strip, 3/4 inch by 6 1/2 inches, but I really do think you end up with a more even result if you cut wider and then trim it after it’s sewn on the basket side. If your blocks come out too tall, it could be that you forgot...