AQB1 - for Vanessa

this is my block for Vanessa. she likes traditional star patterns. and said we could choose.just as i was about to cut alternating green and stripe points. i hesitated and fell in love with the green fabric. chartreuse and olive. worried i would end up with a plain star. i remembered the accent squares placed in between the points in this block.before you trim it looks like this. what a great place to do some fussy cutting.

AQB1 - for Dallas

this is my block for Dallas. her blog is For The Journey. the idea for her quilt came from a beautiful photograph she took of trees.luckily for us she put together a tutorial. i love everything about her quilt idea. although initially intimidated by the pattern. it's really easy. and i am very happy with my block.

AQB1 - for Tascha

this is my block for Tascha aka Natasha aka Hanies. her blog is here but most of her work is on Flickr here. in particular you must see her doll quilt here. i wasn't even part of the doll swap. but for a time i was hoping she was gonna send it to me.she asked for a 16-1/2 in. block that was more of a quilt. so i knew i had to make 2 in. blocks. and i knew i had to piece them first.i had already started cutting and making before i did the math.
8 x 8 = 64 x 3 = well it's just too many!

AQB1 - for Sara

these is my block for Sara at Just One More.just a quick string block she said. could it have been that simple. i resisted so much just sewing them together that i had to think about it for-ev-er.

other blocks can be found on Flickr.

Pizza Book Movie Fabrics

i don't eat cheese anymore as doctor says i have an allergy to milk products. i can have a bit of butter and some parmesan cheese. although i think i indulge in a bit more than a bit. good thing my favorite pizza establishment makes the best fresh tomato pie. add peppers and onions. it's yummy. the best times i have with my Mom are our regular dinners for pizza. tonight she felt like salad. so most of this is going home with me for t.v. eating.a few nights ago i went to a free screening with a friend who happens to love Julia Child and cookbooks. so a happy night out. Meryl Streep playing Julia Child was very good and very funny. if you don't go next month you should queue it in your flix list. my fav cookbook has been Clean Food. and the author has been a busy bee in preparation for a new publish of her first cookbook. this one will be available everywhere. i plan to give one away.i slightly hate to do the peaky thing but i really love what i made so since i know that you all love to be teased.... this will have to satisfy your curiosity. is anyone surprised that i put Sweet Red and Sweet Green together?August is my month in the quilting bee. if you don't know what that is. all you have to know is that i had to make 11 piles of fabric and put them in 11 envelopes. include instructions on my theme and vision. and send them on their way. and wait patiently as they magically and individually find their way back to my mailbox. apologies. "some" of my readers sometimes have no idea what i am talking about. not you guys. i'm referring to those adorable and supportive family readers. who never comment. but still know what you've been up to.i also had to make a 12th pile. for me. i get to play too.

AQB1 - for Barbara

our blocks will be combined with some swap-nine-patches.these are my blocks for Barbara at Crazy Lady Crafts.Michelle made this block using this large template after seeing Terry working on this quilt. go click on Michelle and Terry. lots of good stuff besides applecore templates. so. once i saw the fabrics that Barbara sent i wanted to try this too. so i ordered the large template. but turned out it was too big to make a 12-1/2 in block. then i found a medium template pattern. this Applecore pattern is also called Axehead or Double Hatchet. Michelle also linked to a pattern which includes the large template pattern. but if making a quilt i would recommend buying the acrylic template. there's not much budge-room when piecing these shapes. accurate cutting and lots of tiny pins. i should tell you that the medium template pattern actually made a 13-1/2 in. block. but i was able to tilt a bit and cut a very nice 12-1/2 in. block.now is there time to talk about the little block. of course there is. i knew i was going to make tiny-nine-patches to go with the swap-nine-patches that Barbara will be using to finish her quilt. i only had enough red to make four squares and i had not used any of the white and i only had a little strip of a green left after chopping up two greens that were sent and and then it was a bit boring so i added the yellow. why did i chop up two greens and then have to add some. well. you can't cut out an axehead shape and then change your mind and make it smaller. it won't let you.

AQB1 - for Jessica

our blocks will be stitched around this center medalion.here is my block for Jessica at J.M.B. - each of the four sections were made separately. it was supposed to fan out a bit more and not be so even but i kept cutting my pieces of equal size. black sashing makes this design more striking. but i did not want to cut it down. instructions memorized until i got home. that's right i did not buy that book either. this time browsing at JoAnn's. but you'll be proud of me. or not. for next month's block i found inspiration on a new-to-me-blog and purchased a new notion. the way it is is the way i was making it. but before i sewed the center seam together i realized that it could also come together like this.

AQB1 - for Chen

update - Chen has posted her completed quilt top here.this is my block for Chen at Mushyhed's Sweatshop. i went to Border's and sat in the quilt-section browsing through some fantastic books. i'm thinking about making another block. i'm also thinking about buying the book i found this in.and here it is on Flickr for AQB1. you can also check out Flickr for AQB2.

AQB1 - for Sarah Ch.

update - our blocks arranged differently.
our blocks gathered while decisions are made on how to connect.these are my blocks for Sarah at By Needle And Thread.i made the above block a month ago before i looked at the wonky tutorial. then i looked at the tutorial and was not absolutely sure that i was making what was asked for. after a month i still liked it. so i did not change it.i followed the tutorial to make this one.and here they are on Flickr.

AQB1 - for Sarah

update - Sarah put our blocks in a group pic here.this is my block for Sarah at Sarah's Corner.then i made another one.and here they are on Flickr.