I learned something about myself, today

I think that the only way to figure out what you like doing is to try a bunch of different techniques and eliminate those that aren't a pleasure to do. Which seems to be exactly what you are doing. Personally I can't do anything too regular - somehow I get an uncontrollable itch to change the pattern or fabric or whatever. I guess you have an "itch' in the opposite direction!

Allison in Montreal

I learned lots of things today. (1) if you turn the ironing board upside-down to put it on the cutting table so you can clean the floor, chances are good that you can knock out at least one overhead lightbulb. (2) a stiff brush works better than anything else to scrub snips and threads from the design wall, and ... (3) the best way to kill a spider is with a soft slipper. Polly

"KJ" We could ALL have a very good time visiting you Polly! But we might not get

Those are about the same as the "rules" I have for arranging YBR blocks.

Julia in MN

Your brain must be reeling with all this new information. It must be time for a nap.

LOL. How I love you, Kathyl. Indeed yes my brain is reeling but I do think all of us need to share what we have learned. Polly

"KJ" Your brain must be reeling with all this new information. It must be

Well, John, there's nothing wrong with having a comfort zone. i tried to get out of mine several times; with MaryKay, with a new job, with a new husband, even in quilting classes. All i can say is "I love my comfort zone". and now have none of the above mentioned anymore. and i have found my niche and am happy.

enjoy your comfort zone. you earned it.

amy in CNY

Yep! Those are the 'rules'/guidelines I used as well. I found I was still overthinking. I think by putting the blocks in 3 bags, and pulling one at a time, I will just add blocks till I get a full row. Each block I pull will be added to the row on whatever side and in whatever combo fits best according to the above. Then the rows will be sewn together however they fit. And then I will FORGET ABOUT what might be a 'better' arrangement. "Too bad!", I will say, "they are already sewn".

And we all appreciate you sharing your new knowledge. That way when we do it anyway, we can't say no one told us. So the spider was whacked with a slipper, eh? But I bet he smelled good with all the lemon oil and talcum power on him!

Shoot! Now I have to go buy a soft slipper. I killed two spiders over the last two days, but I must have been doing it the hard way!

Howdy!

Re: (1) ... er.. we call that "batting practice" (baseball not required)

also learned: cleared space acts like a magnet

... any spray chemical will take care of the spider (& her attached babies) without getting ick on the slipper

... the s-i-l who looks behind the curtains should go ahead & clean out the spiders webs she finds there (if it doesn't bother me, I don't bother it)

... keep the s-i-l who says, "It's all c> I learned lots of things today.

John, that split-9-patch can turn out really nice! Try this: 4 squares focus fabric. 4 squares very light fabric 1 sq. dark fabric. Sewn together: focus light focus light dark light focus light focus

Sew together, then cut down the center & across the center. Then turn the upper left & lower right pieced squares 180* (so that what was the outer corner becomes the corner pointing to the center.) (LEAVE the upper right/lower left where they are)

Sew the 4 blocks back together again. The lights form kind of a chain-effect from one finished block to another. Try a couple squares with just three fabrics and see if you like it.

I've got the lights and darks picked for my next quilt, but need a focus fabric I like -- haven't found it yet, but I keep looking! ME-Judy

Thank you so much Polly. I couldn't figure out what all that bulb glass was doing in my sewing room, no matter how often I cleaned. It was so dark in hee also. Now I will be able to cure that problem by turning the cutting table upside down when I clean as the legs are shorter. I also will stop killing those spiders by swatting the ironing board at them. You have been so very helpful. I am so glad I belong to this group. You can learn so much here.

John ( I think)

Hehehehe

Thank you for the feedback, I panicked there for a moment, about my having to change to a new husband, and what that might mean to my relationship with my wife. Glad I finally figured out, that it wasn't absolutely necessary for me, to achieve happiness. I also wouldn't be a very good salesman for Mary Kay so that would have been a non starter also. (;>{})

John

John

=2E..........wise guy...........

and you would be a great MaryKay Representative!! you could do anything if you set your mind and time to it!! now, i know your wife would be glad you dont have a new husband, i know i am!! you're better of with her!!! and we like it that your here with us.

amy in CNY