31 July 2018

Aaargh...


I don't know if I'm happy with myself right at this moment. I just paid for and am downloading Microsoft Word.

I didn't think I'd stoop this low anymore.

I went two years without Microsoft at home, and I've been doing pretty darned well. Until now. I have to do some editing and formatting that just doesn't work in Apache OpenOffice. It doesn't work in Google Docs.

The only way I can survive this project is via Word. Ugh. I did not want to have to do this. I feel as if I've surrendered, and Microsoft won.

I didn't want a Word subscription, and I do not want Microsoft monitoring me. I do not want auto updates at all. Ever.

It isn't cheap. I could subscribe for $70 per year and get the entire Office suite, which I do not want and do not need. To download just Word and not have auto updates is $130. Ouch. Older versions of Word (unsupported and without auto updates or subscriptions) are upwards of $200.

Lizard told me to go ahead and get the latest version of Word after we discussed options.

I still don't know that I like this. But it's nearly a done deal now, and Microsoft is once again a part of my non-work world.

30 July 2018

Snowflake Monday


My first thought when I saw this week's pineapple block by Jan Patek in the Moda Blockheads 2 piece-along was pineapples don't really fit in with snowflakes. But then I thought I could make a traditional pineapple block. That would use up so many tiny snowflake fabric scraps!


One of the other participants came up with the very same idea, which I thought was awesome. Great minds think alike!


Then Corey Yoder came up with an awesome alternate block, and I thought I might be able to turn that one into an eight-pointer, which would fit my snowflake theme a little better, and then someone else beat me to the punch! And then another did it in her own way, too!



Shannon Lewis Cogswell's Pineapple Block

I love Hawaiian quilting. I have even done a pineapple blossom!



Hawaiian Punch Pineapple Blossom Block Detail

Well, someone else thought of Hawaiian quilting, too!


I was crocheting yet another butterfly on the train when I realized I have butterflies on one of my quilt blocks, so why not a pineapple???

No one else in the Blockheads group has come up with this idea so far!!! The final snowflake, which took six sometimes frustrating attempts, came out an inch bigger than I wanted, but I still think it's a pretty awesome snowflake.


My gosh, it has been SO much fun to watch the different blocks this week. There are some incredibly talented and creative minds in the Blockheads! I'm so excited to be working on this project with them!
















You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 7 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Pineapple Blossom Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (popcorn stitch made), ch 13, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 3, * 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 13, sl st in 10th ch from hook, ch 3,; repeat from * 4 times; ch 3, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn st to form 6th ch 6 sp of Round, ch 3, 1trtr in top of tr just made to form 6th ch 9 loop of Round. Pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 6 dc over post of trtr directly below, * ch 5, 7 dc in next ch 9 loop; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * [1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 6 times, 1 dc in next dc, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 1, 1 dc in same ch (V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc and last ch 1 of final repeat; 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th V-st of Round.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 1, [1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 5] 6 times, ch 1, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 2, 2 dc in same V-st (shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 2 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th shell V-st of Round.

Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 2, [1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 5 times, ch 2, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 2, 2 dc in same V-st (shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 2 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th shell V-st of Round.

Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 3, [1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 4 times, ch 3, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 3, 2 dc in same V-st (shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th shell V-st of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 7: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 4, [1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 3 times, ch 4, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 3, 2 dc in same V-st (shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th shell V-st of Round.

Round 8: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 5, [1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 2 times, ch 5, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 3, 2 dc in same V-st (shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th shell V-st of Round

Round 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 5, [1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 3 times, ch 5, 2 dc in top of next V-st, ch 3, 2 dc in same V-st (fat shell V-st made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th fat shell V-st of Round

Round 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of dc directly below, * 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 5 ch, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, ch 5, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, (pineapple crown made) ch 1, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, sk next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 5 ch, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.




Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.

26 July 2018

Butterfly Block


Last week's Moda Blockheads pattern did not accommodate a crocheted snowflake, and I really wanted to include this week's snowflake in my quilt, so I designed a block to fit the flake.

I thought it might be fun to share the pattern, my first pieced block instructions. Hold on to your snowflakes! This could be a rough ride...

My Blockheads quilt is made from scraps, except for the Kona Royal I'm including in each block to help tie the blocks together. I incorporated a lot of my flying geese scraps from the Impact block a couple of weeks ago to make this block. I fussy cut a couple of the scraps to make sure a snowflake was inside the block measurement instead of in the too-tiny-to-use scrap pile.


Yes, one day I will join all these tiny strips together and crochet with them, so they aren't actually trash.

Block finishes at 12.5 inches. Use quarter-inch seams throughout.

You will need:

1 8-inch or smaller crochet motif for appliqué (optional)
(A) 1 8 1/2x8 1/2-inch square
(B) 2 1 5/8x8 5/8-inch strips
(C) 2 1 5.8x10 7/8-inch strips
(D) 4 1 5/8x4 5/8-inch rectangles(Kona Royal for me)
(E) 4 1 5/8x4 5/8-inch rectangles
(F) 4 1.5/8x3 5/8-inch rectangles

Instructions

Appliqué motif to Block A, if desired.

appliquéd

My grandmother always taught me the back has to be as tidy as the front, even if it's not going to show.


Stitch Strips B to the top and bottom of Block A. Press seams flat.


Stitch Strips C to the sides of Block A. Press seams flat. Trim block to 10.5 inches square.


Stitch a Block E to each end of a Block D two times to create 2 E Strips. Press seams flat.

Stitch a Block F to each end of a Block D two times to create 2 F Strips. Press seams flat.


Stitch a Strip F to both the top and bottom of Block A. Press seams flat.


Stitch a Strip E to each of the sides of Block A. Press seams flat. Trim block to 12.5 inches square.


If you do make one of these blocks, I'd love to see it! Share on Instagram or Flicker with the hashtag #butterfly block!


Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.

23 July 2018

Snowflake Monday


I finally finished making owls from every color of thread I hand-dyed last year! And now, I'm free to try butterflies!

"Butterflies are free to fly, fly away..."


Yes, I've been a wee bit happy busy!


I don't know yet if I will make a butterfly of every single color in my hand-dyed stash, but I'm planning at least three butterfly snowflakes. Who knows what else I will come up with during this new winged journey! (I am planning to make a heart-winged dragonfly from every color...)

Today's butterfly motif initially was inspired by free patterns all over the internet... the thick, heavy yarn butterfly you craft by making a granny square-type motif, then folding it in half and twisting a pipe cleaner over it to form the butterfly's body and antennae. I made one last year from thread, and it was cute, but I kept thinking that's an awful lot of thread. Plus, the doubled wings make for a rather beefy motif, not necessarily suitable for inclusion on a lightweight, airy snowflake.


I played with the pattern a bit last year during Ride the Rockies until I came up with my own two-dimensional version. After finishing this year's owls, I took up the butterfly challenge to perfect today's snowflake pattern.


There are moments when I think perhaps it might be super cool to go ahead and make a butterfly from each color of thread in my collection. Can you imagine the baby mobile I could create??? But then it's time to get off the train, or go back to work after lunch, and spending another two or three months making butterflies takes away just a bit of the freedom aspect.

I guess it depends on how fast I grow bored with making the same thing over and over and over again. I never grew bored of making the owls. (And I never stop running out of ideas for how to use all those cute little owls!) Sometimes after making too many of something, I say I'll never make another __________ (fill in the blank) as long as I live, and so far, the only things I've stuck to my vow on are the tiny sloths and the felt Dickinson band costumes with hundreds of buttonholes for Christmas lights to be poked through for the Christmas Parade of Lights.


Okay, so maybe I don't hate sloths after all…


This week's Moda Blockheads quilt block isn't crocheted snowflake-friendly, but that sure didn't stop me from appliquéing a butterfly flake to my own improvised quilt block...


You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and/or butterflies you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 8 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in two or more colors, size 7 crochet hook, three butterfly motifs, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Butterfly Motif Instructions (Make 3.)

Make magic ring.

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 3, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * 4 times; turn. Pull magic ring tight.

Row 2: [In next ch 3 sp work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, ch 3, 3 dc; in next ch 3 sp work 3 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 dc] 2 times; turn.

Row 3: In next ch 3 sp work 3 dc, 1 tr, 1 dtr, 1 trtr, ch 3, sl st in top of trtr just worked, 2 trtr, 2 dtr, 2 tr, 3 dc; 1 sc in next gap between 3/dc shells, in next ch 3 sp work 6 dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked, 6 dc; 1 sc between next 2 sc, in next ch 3 sp work 6 dc, ch 3, sl st in top of dc just worked, 6 dc; 1 sc in next gap between 3/dc shells, in next ch 3 sp work 3 dc, 2 tr, 2 dtr, 2 trtr, ch 3, sl st in top of trtr just made, 1 trtr, 1 dtr, 1 tr, 3 dc; sl st to magic ring, 1 sc around middle of butterfly, between wings, to form body; bind off. Tie starting tail and ending tail in knot and trim as antennae.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.


Butterfly Pyramid Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (beginning popcorn stitch made), [ch 5, 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made)] 2 times; ch 2, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn st to form 3rd ch 5 sp of Round. Pull magic ring tight.

Round 2: Beginning popcorn stitch over post of tr directly below, [ch 3, popcorn st in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, popcorn st in same ch 5 sp] 2 times; ch 3, popcorn st in starting ch 5 sp, ch 1, 1 dc in top of starting popcorn to form 6th ch 3 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 tr), * 1 sc in bottom right picot of butterfly motif, ch 5, 1 tr in sc between top and bottom of wing, ch 5, 1 dc in top of 2nd dtr in top of wing, ch 5, 1 dc in top right butterfly wing picot, ch 3, 1 dc in same picot, ch 5, sk next 2 st, 1 dc in next tr, ch 5, sk over to next tr on left wing and work 1 dc in that tr, ch 5, 1 dc in top left butterfly wing picot, ch 3, 1 dc in same picot, ch 5, sk next 2 trtr, 1 dc in next dtr, ch 5, 1 tr in sc between top and bottom of wing, ch 5, 1 sc in bottom left picot of butterfly motif, 1 tr in next ch 3 sp of flake, ch 3, 1 tr in next ch 3 sp; repeat from * around 2 times, omitting last ch 3 and last tr of final repeat, ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form 3rd ch 3 sp between trs.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), * sk next ch 5 sp, 1 tr in next tr, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in middle ch of next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same ch, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next dc, ch 5, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 tr in next tr, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 tr in next ch 3 sp between butterflies; repeat from * around 2 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 4.

Round 5: Ch 15 (counts as 1 tr and * ch 11), 1 dc in 6th ch from hook and in next ch, 1 hd in each of next 2 ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 ch (long spoke tip made), 1 tr in same ch as sl st (or in same middle tr between butterflies on repeats), [1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5] 2 times, [1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3] 2 times, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 8, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch, 1 sc in same ch 3 sp (short spoke tip made), ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch 3 sp, ch 5, [1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3] 2 times, 1 dc in same ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, [ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp] 2 times, 1 tr in middle tr of next 3 tr between butterflies; repeat from * around 2 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in 4th ch of starting ch 15.

Round 6: * Working up long spoke tip in bottoms of each st, 1 sc in each of next 6 st, in next ch 5 tip work [1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc], working back down long spoke tip, 1 sc in each of next 6 st, sl st in next tr, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, in next ch 3 sp work [1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc], in next ch 3 sp work [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc], in next ch 3 sp work [1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc], ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, sl st in next sc, working up short spoke tip in bottoms of each st, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, in next ch 5 tip work [1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc], working back down long spoke tip, 1 sc in each of next 3 st, sl st in next sc, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, in next ch 3 sp work [1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc], in next ch 3 sp work [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc], in next ch 3 sp work [1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc], ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, sl st in next tr; repeat from * around 2 times; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.














Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.

19 July 2018

Quilter's Block


Some writers suffer through what they call Writer's Block. They can't think of anything to write. They might be in the middle of a project, and they can't think of what to write next. They have hit the creative wall.

I think I went through a little bit of Quilter's Block the first few months of 2018 after trying to crank out so many quilts for Christmas the last couple of years. I started this year sort of listless, not only with nothing on the immediate needs-to-be-finished-right-away platter, but also rather sluggish and lethargic as far as WIP goals. I had a list. I set a goal each quarter, but no Christmas quilts for (my) grandkids need to be delivered this year. I've been sort of lost in quilting space.

The Moda Blockheads 2 challenge apparently was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing again. There is no set requirement to finish a block every single week, but I'm trying to stay caught up just for me, and because it's fun, and I'm beginning to really enjoy quilting again. Even on my own self-imposed deadline.


The first couple of blocks were fun, and I enjoyed designing, making and appliquéing a snowflake for the first block.


The second block presented my first "where will the snowflake appliqué go" challenge, but I dutifully followed the pattern like an obedient servant but made an additional non-Blockhead block big enough to insert a crocheted snowflake.


The third block had a small center big enough for a small snowflake. One more time, I worked my way through the pattern without putting my own spin on it.


Block 4 had room for another small snowflake, and I'd even designed and written the patterns for two small snowflakes for the next time I need a small flake. Yet the block was 12 inches. I took my own detour and had so much fun doing it, I think I'm truly addicted to quilting once again.


Block 5, Impact, presented an interesting dilemma. My biggest goal in taking on the Moda Blockheads 2 challenge was to use up solid blue and snowflake scraps going back as many as 15-20 years. The Impact Block, at 24 inches, included five 8.5-inch segments, and none of my scraps were big enough. I got really creative on this one and drafted my own corner segments (with paper and wooden school ruler) in order to keep to the scrap pile instead of raiding the stash or, heaven forbid, buying new.


My initial concept was to make the geese dark to light to increase the block's Impact. I went a little crazy while cutting and made sure to cut a flying geese rectangle from each of the snowflake scraps in my scrap box. There were tons of extras. I'm thinking flying geese will come up again sometime in the next year, and my rectangles will already be cut.


I had to dig into my stash for the center 8.5-inch segment, and I went ahead and sliced up some 2.5-inch strips for the geese triangles while I was at it. I had some of the Trento Cosmos in my scraps, but none big enough for that center block. I decided rather than cut up the 5-inch block and 5x10-inch rectangle in the scraps, I should use stash so I could use up those larger scraps later in another block with those size requirements.

The jelly roll strips I cut to make the geese left me with yet another stack of triangles that initially left me somewhat frustrated because I joined this challenge to use up scraps, not to make tons more scraps. I'd just recently finished stitching together more than 500 triangles leftover from other projects the last few years, and this single Moda Blockhead pattern left me with 72 more triangles, counting only the Trento, and the new triangle scraps are not big enough to use in my first scrappy triangle project. GRRRRR!


While awaiting the release of the sixth Blockheads pattern, I tried to find triangle ideas that might allow me to quickly and efficiently use up my newest stacks of triangle scraps. I came across Bonnie Hunter's Bonus HST method for the first time ever, and her technique is a life-changer for me. From this point forward, I will always slice my geese squares at least a quarter inch bigger than the pattern calls for so I can assemble my HSTs as I go instead of allowing the triangles to pile up for years and years and years.


My first Path Through the Woods HST was a total bust because I forgot to turn the snowflake scraps upside down in order to sew right sides together. Thank heavens for seam rippers!


My first HST left me dancing on air! PERFECT points!


I was able to incorporate a leftover from my WIP Christmas tree skirt panel in one of the Path Through the Woods corners.




After I finished piecing Path Through the Woods, I wondered if I should break up the corner whites. I'd lose the gorgeous panel snowflake if I did, but dark blue triangles or squares on each corner looked so tempting...






The squares in the corners looked so appealing to me, I didn't even mind frogging those stitches and assembling then reattaching new corner triangles.

I posed the question to the Moda Blockheads 2 group on Facebook. (I posted the question on the #modablockheads group on Instagram, too, but got only likes, no comments.) Most of the Facebook comments favored leaving the block as is, and Delys Magill coined a hashtag I may have to adopt as my new mantra... #SaveTheSnowflake!


I appliquéd my Glacier Gorge Snowflake that had taken me a whole week to complete because I accidentally left a round out of one attempt and put one too many spokes on another, and my block was done. I am going to save up the triangle and square corner adaptation ideas for a future block, I hope.


This week's block is a small no-brainer with no room for a crocheted snowflake, but it's still meaningful to me because the first block I ever pieced in my life, what feels like hundreds of years ago, was a windmill block. I incorporated more of that tree skirt panel because the clippings are rather unorthodox in shape and size, and I was fairly sure I could fit the small triangles into some fussy cut snowflakes. I may not have a crocheted snowflake on this week's block, but I've got a pair of pastel snowflakes right where I want them!


I'm really enjoying brushing up on my skills as I do these blocks each week, and I'm planning a special sashing for my blocks, which I think I'll quilt as I go, although we're already seven blocks into the project as of yesterday. I've got some catching up to do if I want to stay up-to-date! If I piece my snowflake scraps together into improv block-sized fabric, that might be the coolest backing I could do. I've got the perfect centerpiece for the backing of the 24-inch Impact block. It comes from that same tree skirt panel. I couldn't very well discard it, now could I?!?


Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.
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