Jars of Love

I saw the Jars of Love pattern on the internet a few months ago, and I have wanted to make it ever since.

It was designed for the Valentine Quilt Block Series at Thermoweb.

I decided that if I were ever going to make this sweet little block, then I would just have to take the time and do it.

So I did.

A view of the back…just to show that it is all machine appliqued:

Machine quilted and bound!

Jars of Love Designed by Carla Henton – Creatin’ in the Sticks

Queen Charlottes’s Crown Quilt Block

So Scrappy and The Academic Quilter are co-hosting the RSC18 Squared Away Sampler project.  September’s block is the Queen Charlotte’s Crown quilt block.

This block is easily drawn with a 5 x 5 grid.

I found this block difficult to visualize, so I decided to play with it.  I haven’t used any alternative blocks in any of the following designs, nor have I played a lot with value, so there is room for plenty more creativity!

Here is the block set side by side in a straight set:

I think I like this block after all!

Here is how it looks set with sashing:

Still a straight set, but rotating alternate blocks:

Moving value around:

Queen Charlotte’s Crown blocks set side by side in an on point setting:

The ‘lattice’ really shows up in this layout; it would be fun to play more with the value.

And with sashing:

Still an on point setting, but rotating some of the blocks:

By the time I finished playing, I had enough designs for a couple of blog posts.  Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted my project file.

Oops.

Train Quilt Block

Some time ago, I thought it would be great practice for me to work my way through drawing the blocks found in Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Blocks A Year.  The calendar was published in 1999.  I don’t know that I have had it that long, but I’ve certainly had it a very long time.

Obviously, I don’t work a block a day, but I’ve worked (I should say played) my way through quite a few blocks.  You can find them by clicking on the Quilt Blocks tab in my header.

And I have learned, and gained confidence, in using grids to draw blocks, as well as experimenting in quilt design.

The following block is simply named Train in Nancy’s calendar.

Train is easily drawn using an 8 x 8 grid.

I think this block is a great little block for children’s quilts!

Or perhaps use just one block and a track border for a fun little pillow for a child.

Magnolia Bud Quilt Block Part 2

I finally made the time to play with the Magnolia Bud quilt block on point. Truthfully, it was hard to get motivated because I wasn’t interested in this block. Turns out that I had fun with it. I may revisit it with some other blocks, such as a basket block, or two, sometime in the future.

You can find examples of the Magnolia Bud block in a straight set by clicking here, or hover over the Quilt Blocks tab in the header and click on M – R.

Here is the Magnolia Bud set on point:

Sweet, but maybe too boring for some of us.

When the blocks are rotated, stars come out to play:

Add some color and play with value:

That may be a bit too flashy for some of us, but that’s okay.  We can keep playing anyway.

Let’s rotate some more:

Ummmm…not my thing, but maybe appealing for some of you.

What if we added four patches to the Magnolia Bud block?

I like the subtle background interest that created.  Do you?

How does it look if we add an accent color to the four patch?

Let’s simplify and see if we like that better:

I like it!

Maybe you won’t like your first try at quilt design.  Maybe you won’t like your second, or third either.  Maybe you’ll like the fourth try.  Don’t stop there; your fifth, or tenth, might be the best (or worst) yet.

Just have fun!  Don’t take it all too seriously.  Do this for you…not the Quilt Police!

Twinkling Star Quilt Block

I really like this week’s choice, Twinkling Star, from Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Quilt Blocks A Year.

I drew it from a 3.5 x 5 x 3.5 grid.

Even though I really like this quilt block, I had a difficult time getting inspired and original with it.  I don’t know why. 

Here is how Twinkling Stars looks set side by side in a straight setting:

I find it boring.

I’ve altered the block a bit and set the new block, along with a low contrast traditional block, and the Twinkling Star in a new straight set design:

Now I’m not so bored with it.

Another design, but I think the red stars overwhelm Twinkling Star:

It might be worth exploring if I changed the size of those red stars.

What if I darken the color and alternate Twinkling Star with a different traditional block?

I like it!

Next, I tried mixing in a chain block.

My low contrast might be too low contrast.  I’m influenced by my friend Judy, the Virtual Quilter.  She uses a low contrast technique frequently for her backgrounds, and I like how it looks.

Have a blessed happy new year full of wonderful times of creativity!