I took GREAT liberties and went far astray from Elly's final poinsettia pattern. I was inspired by her initial sketch, where the petals weren't symmetrical. I didn't want the holly because I didn't want it to appear to Christmassy. So I went with one larger asymmetrical poinsettia, with notches in the petals and leaves so that they resembled the real one I had for Christmas.
On the other block, designed by Barbara Dieges, I was a good little girl and tried to follow the directions. :)
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has the pictures.
Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia
That is funny. I don't consider holly to be a Christmas thing since there have been holly bushes in the yard at nearly every place I've lived. However, I feel that poinsettias absolutely scream Christmas. Debra in VA See my quilts at:
They are just gorgeous, Carole. That January one is simply out of this world. I love it - and still with your special colours. I'm with all those who can hardly bear to wait to see this quilt arranged. I'm not hassling you to finish it! but just to get the blocks placed together. . In message , Carole-Retired and Loving It writes
Lovely! I did the January one this morning, but left off the small leaf and bud. Just too crowded at 4.5". Still contemplating the poinsettia. Roberta in D
"Carole-Retired and Loving It" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...
Roberta, this baby is going to get as much anticipating as Carole's! (and others I'm sure). I'm glad you're up to date. I haven't tried to include this year's in my 'list', but I still love the idea.
Debra, Caron, and Karen, thanks for the compliments! I'm also anxious to get this quilt put together. I may have to offer a block-arrangement contest on RCTQ because I don't have a clue as to which blocks should go where! Usually when I arrange a sampler quilt, no matter how happy I am with the result, my daughter (who doesn't quilt at all) always has a different idea about how the blocks should have been placed. On the two t-shirt quilts I've made for her, I've insisted that she do the block arrangement!!
Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia
Some tips on arranging the blocks- from what I've read, and it seems to hold true, your eye will go to the center of the quilt and then the four corners. Start with those areas with a balance of all complicated blocks, or all applique, or all the brightest or most eye-catching blocks or blocks based on the 9 patch, etc.- find a common denominator. Then start filling in the sides- look for balance- have lighter colored blocks or simpler blocks, etc. opposite each other on the diagonal or group them in the center of the row between the corners. Be careful to not bunch up similar blocks in complexity, color, backgrounds, etc.- scatter them around. If some blocks are heavy on one color, that could be your basis for surrounding them with another lighter/darker color. Taking a photo of each layout helps, too.... both to remember the layout and compare them to each other and to get an overall view and see what seems to be out of place- much like using a reducing glass.
Then decide if you need some type of 'divider' between the blocks- like sachings. There are innumerable ways to sach the blocks from plain long strips (be sure to mark the placement of the blocks on the strip so the blocks will line up properly!) to cornerstones that are whole, pieced (small
9-patch, hourglass or a tiny New York beauty that is PFP), or appliqued with a heart or star or flower.... or even applique the entire length of each saching with a vine and leaves that can stop with a cornerstone or continue the whole length of the saching.
If you want to use a single piece of fabric for the sachings, you can spread out the fabric and lay the blocks on it- try different widths- maybe a one inch space is more complimentary than a three inch space. You can easily find what fabric will look good or overwhelm the blocks without doing any cutting. You can surround each block with a strip or two like a log cabin- or an uneven log cabin with wedge shaped strips. You can use an attic window type frame on each block or between the blocks. You can use a checkerboard effect in the saching for simpler applique blocks or a row of flying geese. The blocks can be laid out in vertical or horizontal rows with a strip of fabric to divide the rows from each other.
Have fun and good luck! And you only have to please yourself- not us or your daughter. VBG
Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.
"Carole-Retired and Loving It" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...
Leslie, I'm definitely going to print this for reference! Thanks.
I already know there will be sashings, because I've made those and the cornerstones. Here's what they look like. (I do everything backwards. I made the borders and sashings first! I figured them out mathematically for what the quilt is SUPPOSED to measure and will make the quilt fit to them. It usually works. :))
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If I make all the blocks, I will have extras so I can pick and choose which blocks I want in the actual quilt and the others will get used somehow, as pillowshams or something. The layout I have planned only needs 30 blocks to make the quilt the right size.
I can guarantee that there will NOT be anyth>Carole-
Thanks, Sharon and Amy. I do like batiks -- I just wish fabric weren't so expensive!!! (I know we're lucky in the U.S. compared to other countries, though.)
Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia
Since this is supposed to be a Christmas gift for them next Christmas, I'll be lucky if it's even finished on time to give it to them. :)
I live "out in the sticks" and it's a major deal for me to get to a place where there's a quilt show of any kind. The nearest place to buy fabric other than the small selection at Wal-Mart is a 40 minute drive...and I HATE to drive. I avoid it as much as possible.
So, the chances are very slim to none that I'd ever try to enter this quilt in a show. I'll just be happy if my brother and his wife like it.
I MUCHLY appreciate all your nice comments, however!!!!
Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia
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