Can You Believe it? 366 Blocks Completed!!!

As I sit down to write this tonight it is very quiet in my house, the boys are working on Pinewood Derby cars which is what they were doing a year ago when I started this whole project.  I should probably start by telling you exactly why I started this project in the first place.

In 2000, I was pregnant and on flat on my back bed rest for six full months.  During that time I purchased through the mail this...

I would flip through that calendar day after day looking at each block and dreaming of one day making all of them.  I thought that once I was off of bed rest I could think about doing it.  HA!  Having a first baby with colic, there was not much sewing going on.  Fast forward 11 years.  My son was now becoming much more independent and I was feeling a little (a lot) lost.  I knew I needed something to help me get over this not feeling needed feeling.  I have friends around me who enjoy quilting, knitting, cross stitching almost as much as I do, but I thought maybe there would be others who would enjoy watching this project develop too.  After going back and forth on whether I could accomplish it or not my husband finally asked, "What are you going to lose if you don't do it?  Will anyone really notice if you quit in April, I doubt it, but you might really feel great if you get to December and finish it."  Okay, so he kind of ticked me off with the who is going to notice comment, but he got me wondering if I could do it or not.  So I started January 1 with this....

Now I made up my rules, I wanted it posted each evening before midnight (which did not always happen), I wanted to make a block each day, and I wanted them to be made out of the same fabric line so that I could use any block and it would coordinate with any other block at the end of the year.  That being said, three fat quarter packs will not make every block in this calendar, and I maybe should have chosen a line that was not discontinued before I ever even started.  By about the end of February I knew I was in trouble with the fabric.  I started looking and ordering Toy Box II fabric by Sara Morgan from any online shop I could find.  Thank goodness I had the foresight to purchase a whole bolt of one fabric from a shop I visited early in March.  I cannot even tell you how many times I would order any amount I could find, and I wish I had ordered more.  But that is something else I have learned during this whole process...planning ahead, even a little, is a good thing.

Now, I had tried sorting the blocks by size many times on paper, and I had tried to figure out how much fabric I would need, but with no fabric requirements listed at all, it was going to be interesting to see if I could make it.  I have used more than one bolt of background fabric and even that is getting hard to find.

Something else I never planned on was my husband being diagnosed in April with a very rapidly growing malignant melanoma and within days of being diagnosed he was in surgery having half of his ear removed.  That was a day I really wondered if I should continue...that is until he told me I had better get home and get my block made.  Did I cry while I made it, you bet I did...was it the best block I ever made, no, but it helped me get through a night that was painful and horrible and for a short time I had to think about something else.  There have also been days when we have come home from oncology appointments and I've run for the sewing room to make my block.  I guess just making something with my hands that had some beauty rather than the ugly of cancer was healing.  It also gave me a place to go to cry and pray.

A year has passed and there are now 366 quilt blocks in my pile.  I'm so excited about it I could jump up and down and dance with delight.  For once in my life I finished a project I started and it required a lot of discipline to do it.  I have a list of projects that I want to work on that is a mile long, and I have these blocks here that all need to be made into quilts.  I am half tempted to just start putting them together and get a finished quilt, but it took me this long to get them all pieced, and I want to enjoy making something beautiful with them (even the ones that are not my favorites).  I have not decided yet what my project for this next year is going to be, but I still have a few hours before I actually have to do that.

Thank you so much for all of your page views, comments, and emails this past year, you gave me more encouragement than you will ever know!  This is number 366 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Hour Glass

Funny how the closer I get to the end of a project the easier it is to work on it earlier in the day. :)  I had no problem getting to the sewing room by about 10:30 a.m. and having this block finished by 10:45.  Kind of sounds silly now, but wow does it feel good to be this close.

Another 9-inch block for the stack.  I actually was awake until about 3:30 this morning thinking of possible layouts for some of these blocks.  I know I can get at least five large bed sized quilts out of them all, and then the wall hangings.  I would love to start pulling blocks and seeing just how they can be used.  Of course the topic of conversation today has been, "now what are you going to do with them all?"  Although there is still a lot of work to these blocks getting them all "put together," a lot of the work is already done, and it doesn't seem so impossible with that part behind me.  Of course there is always the question of sashing (pieced or plain), borders (pieced or plain), one-color quilts, two-color quilts, or every color quilts, how big or small do you go, do you stay with one size block or mix them up.  See why I couldn't sleep last night?!  Oh yes, I almost forgot, this is number 365 of 366!!!!!!

Stash Report....

Used this week:  0
Used year to date:  10 yards
Added to this week:  10.5 yards
Added to year to date: 118.0 yards
Net used for 2012:  -107.50  

So it has been since OCTOBER that I did a stash report and to be honest I just gave up on it and started buying fabric at a crazy rapid rate, throwing all caution to the wind and just purchasing whatever I wanted (I'm kidding, but I'm trying to see if you are still reading at this point).  It was just too boring not ever putting anything in the "used column."  I know I have used at least 16 yards of background fabric alone on my blocks this year, but since I am not counting it until it is a finished quilt, it isn't added.  So, I am here and now saying that I am going to use up a LOT of fabric in 2013, and I am going to keep track very carefully of what comes in and what is used.  I am not saying that I will not purchase any fabric, but if you know of any good deals between tonight and tomorrow, let me know. :)  You can see what the others have listed for their stash reports here...or join us in 2013 if you want to keep track of yours too.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Resolutions

It seems at the beginning of a new year we are all looking to make a resolution or resolutions that will make improvements in our quality of life, health, wealth, general well being, or setting a goal that was maybe before unachievable.  Over the last few days I've been thinking about making one or two resolutions for 2013, but have not quite decided yet in which direction to go.  I still have a few days to think about it, thankfully.

I would normally never have chosen to make this block, but because of a resolution I made at the beginning of this year I am.  Templates were involved once again, and I think I would have preferred it had the points been in a different placement.  Although this maybe would not have been my first choice for a block to make, I'm glad I did because not only did I learn something while making it, I expanded my horizons, and isn't that what resolutions really are all about? This is number 364 of 366 and this is a 13-1/2 inch block.  Happy Stitching!  --Kristen

Three Steps

Three steps and three more blocks to go.  I received a Kindle this Christmas and tonight I realized I can watch "The Quilt Show" with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims while I sew...which was really exciting until I had to do some unsewing.  I thought I wanted to be able to "watch" TV while sewing, but really I like listening to TV.  This was such a good program I think I'm going to have to watch it again as it was all about machine applique.

Every quilt and every quilt project is a journey.  Some are short trips and some are long and take you a lot of different places.  Not all quilts are started and completed before other things get in the way and they are set aside.  I have learned so much this year not only about my quilting and the parts of it I really enjoy, I'm not so fond of, and things I look forward to trying, but I also learned a lot about me as a person.  As I looked back today at the 363 blocks I realized how each one is special in its own way, be it very complicated or simple, I took the time to construct it and I am so excited to see what it can become in the future.  This is number 363 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Balance

Balance is such a perfect name for this block.  It has a little bit of everything, and it all goes perfectly together.  These pieces are large and they sew up quickly.

When I first started this project I was not fond at all of the 15-inch blocks, but now I actually enjoy them.  By the time you finish one block you have a good portion of a quilt made, or it could even be a one-block wall hanging with some borders.  This is number 362 of 366.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Providence

I hope you had all a wonderful Christmas.  We had a wonderful couple of days which ended horribly with me getting the stomach flu...thus my not posting a block last night, and as a matter of fact this block is for the date of December 26.  All I can say is, I sure hope you don't get what I had.

This is such a pretty block, and I did not even see the flower in the middle until once again photographing it.  This is number 361 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Star of Bethlehem

This block will always remind me of Christmas.  I know I have worked on hand projects before on Christmas, but I cannot remember actually sitting down to the sewing machine on Christmas Day, that is until today.  It was a nice way to end a wonderful day, and I really enjoyed piecing this block.

Sometimes the closer a person gets to the end of a project the only things left to do are the not so fun things.  I have to say the last couple of days have been enjoyable, and by no means were the worst blocks left for the end of the year.  I'm glad for that fact as it inspires me to think ahead to the new year. Rather than being tired of this, I'm excited to see just what I can do with all of these blocks.  This is number 360 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Nine Patch Variation

A small block with few pieces that made me realize the beauty in its simplicity.  It is a day that this year needs simplicity for me, and I'm so very grateful for it.

The possibilities are endless with this block between placement and color choices.  I know I will come back to this one again some day.  This is number 359 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  May you have a blessed Christmas filled with happiness and peace.  Thank you for being here for me, you bring me such joy just by visiting!  Merry Christmas and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Christmas Cracker

We are now 359 blocks into this project and tonight as I started to photograph this block my son says, "Wow Mom, hard block.  There are three strips and four triangles."  I just smiled.  The smile was not for the fact that it was an easy block, it was because he can see what goes into the making of the block, and that just makes me so happy.

For some of you it is already Christmas Eve, and probably well into the day.  I have some shopping to do tomorrow and some gifts to wrap.  We will spend the evening attending a church service and then just the three of us at home.  We have been fighting off a flu bug and I do not really care to share it with others, but we have also spent some quiet time together which we really needed to do.  I will be sewing my block tomorrow at some point also.  This is number 359 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!
--Kristen

Rising Star

Today has been one of those work on Christmas odds and ends while watching fun holiday shows.  We have laughed and sang along with the movies and even watched the kind of frightening Santa Claus 3 with Tim Allen.  We haven't seen Christmas Vacation yet, but Home Alone has been on the list.  I love that during this time of year we all as a family will stop and watch a movie that brings back memories from Christmas' past.

This is a favorite block of mine.  It is a 12-inch block and is number 357 of 366.  I hope that you are getting to spend some time with your loved ones making your own Christmas memories.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Christmas Basket

I'm getting excited to see how many basket blocks I have made.  I know there have been a few because most of them have an appliqued handle.  I'm guessing there is one for each season at least...but I will have to go through them all and see just what I have in another 10 days.

This is number 356 of 366 and it is an 8-inch block.  The countdown begins now.  Hard to believe I am this close.  When I finish in a little over a week I will let you know exactly why I started this project in the first place.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Fireside Visitor

We ended up with seven inches of snow and last night before it all started my son decided he should probably tell me his cast was kind of broken.  The clinic called back this morning and said I needed to bring him in...during the blizzard.  Yes I bundled both of us up and we headed in to orthopedics.  My son said it was the best car ride of his life.  I guess there is something fun about his mother driving through drifts half way up the car door.  I'm also sure he will always remember the day they removed his cast.  He has a splint now and he is very happy.

You know sometimes it just amazes me how I don't see the whole picture until I post it here.  I have seen arrows in this block, I've seen rail fences and hour glass sections, and now I see two crackers on either side of the block.  I did get my block made a little early today and we did not get to play Monopoly.  We do have all next week during Christmas break to hopefully get a good game or two in.  This is number 355 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Silent Star

For the last couple of days we have been hearing about this big snowstorm that is supposed to be coming.  They had the dates, how many inches of snow were coming, and how bad the winds were going to be.  At first it was going to miss us, then they said 2-4 inches, and now today we are in the blizzard warning.  I was one of those kids who got snowed in at grandma's for three days on the farm a couple of times.  Those were blizzards.  Being out in the middle of no where and being able to hear the wind howl at night was something.  We would play games and color and listen to stories while we waited for the storm to clear and the snow plow to come by so we could go home again.  It is fun for me to watch my son get as excited as I used to about a possible snow day off of school.

Today's block reminds me of the sun after the storm.  It is a 9-inch block and is number 354 of 366.  We have warm quilts ready for snuggling under while we watch movies, the monopoly game is ready to play, and we even got new winter boots so we can play outside in the snow...that is if we actually get that forecasted blizzard.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Starry Path

I was not crazy about this block before I made it.  Now that it is finished I think it is okay.

I do like pinwheels and I'm thinking if I get the right placement in a quilt for it I will really probably like it a lot better.  This is number 353 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Star of Hope

Tonight as I was heading to the sewing room I was asked just how many blocks are left.  I thought for a minute, did a little counting on my fingers, and then replied "14."  My husband gave me a smile and then to my surprise he said "I think we need to go out and celebrate in about 14 days."  My husband and son have been very supportive through this whole journey.  They have come running when there were yells of frustration and shouts of joy.  In the morning they will ask to see some of these blocks and other times actually stop playing a video game to glance at my creation.  One thing I've come to realize, I actually think they've enjoyed this too...and I'd like to think it isn't because it has kept me out of their hair for a while each evening.

Tonight the block is another star.  My stacks of fabric are getting smaller and smaller and I'm using up the smallest bits of fabric that are left.  The fabric combinations may become interesting these last few days, but there again a little excitement is put back into this project.  This is number 352 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  I'm off to try to decide just where we are going to do our celebrating.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Eight Hands Around And The Winner

Today's block has two stars instead of just one.  I must be getting used to making this type of star as it really only took about 20 minutes to sew this together.  I spent the other two hours in my sewing room cleaning.  There always comes a point where enough is too much and I was there.  Of course now that it is all cleaned and organized again all I want to do is go back down there and sew.  Tomorrow...

I'm almost tempted to make this one size bigger again so there are three stars in it...or maybe not.  I will have to think about that one.  This is number 351 of 366 and it is a 12 inch block.  I can hardly believe there are only 15 days left in this year.  There will be a lot going on in those last 15 days of 2012, but I will still be sewing after all the family get togethers, church services, and relaxing.  Something has happened in the last 351 days, it seems making a block a day has become a habit I look forward to each evening.  It is my down time and as I reflect on the day I am making something beautiful (most of them) and useful and it gives me something to look forward to in the coming year.  I can hardly wait to start putting all these blocks together into quilts.

Now for the winner of the fat quarter pack.   Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Piecing is my favorite so that's what I do! Thanks for a great giveaway.  

I have sent an email Deb.  I am always sad to see the giveaways end as I love reading all of your comments.  I guess that means I need to have more giveaways!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Puss In The Corner

This is why I save those little scraps that I sometimes think aren't worth saving...I used nothing but leftovers to make this block.  It reminds me of spring and summer, and imagine some flowing white curtains with a nice breeze....nice to dream about as it is a rainy mess here now.

This is number 350 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  I will be announcing the winner of the fat quarter bundle later today as I am still going through the comments.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Twinkling Star And I Lied

I lied the other evening.  I said that there were no more applique blocks and no more templates would be used...I used two templates tonight.  When I flipped through the remaining blocks I honestly did not realize this block used templates.  I did realize it quickly today when I started working on this.  Even though it used templates, and I just shutter to say this, I love this block.

I will say right here and now that I will be making a bed sized quilt using this pattern and it will be soon.  I love it and even with the two templates used it was not that bad, nor did it take that long.  So I apologize for lying, but I'm actually really glad that it was over something like this block.  This is number 349 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Bright Star

The days are winding down and I'm starting to really hope that some deliveries are made here soon otherwise Christmas may be a little sparse as far as gifts go.  And then there is the wrapping.  I'm not going to worry about it or think about it until next Friday night...or maybe Thursday.  At any rate there will be no stress here...just making of the blocks.

This is a different block, I'm not sure I see the star, but I think it will grow on me.  As I was working on it it made me think of the song "We Three Kings of Orient Are" and the words "Star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to your perfect light."  This is number 348 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block. Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Tennessee Pine

No more applique or pine trees for the rest of the year, and yes I did a quick flip through just to make sure.  These half-square triangles were not made the way I like to do them, they were made with squares cut into four triangles and then sewn together which makes for a whole lot of bias sewing.  

I like this one, and I definitely think it looks like a pine tree. :)  This is number 347 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy 12-12-12 and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Proud Pine

This is definitely a different tree block.  I am not quite sure what to think about it yet....

Maybe the best way to place it in a quilt is on point.  Or, I just got an idea...hmmm...I need to think about this.  Don't you hate it when you get an idea too late at night to do anything about it? :)  This is number 346 of 366 (only 20 left!!!) and it is a 12-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Advent Wreath

The block for today was not an advent wreath, it was a Menorah.  As I am not Jewish I honestly would not have had a use for it.  I do have many friends who are Jewish, but I'm not sure they would have enjoyed receiving a single block.  So today I decided to do something different.

I made an advent wreath block.  I did use some of the same measurements for the candles, but the flames are different sizes than the Menorah, and the Menorah used the dreaded template for all nine candles.  It isn't perfect, there is probably a lot more I could have done with it and still plan to do with it, but it was fun to draw it out and sew it up.  This is number 345 of 366.

Here is the calendar block for today (see those template flames).  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Here Comes Santa Claus and the Winners

I have sent emails to the winners of the Ott Lights, so make sure to check yours to see if you are the winner.  If I do not hear back by Tuesday, I will be choosing different names.  Thank you all for the wonderful comments.  It seems we are all looking for more time to spend on our projects...even if it is on the run.

There are a lot of tiny, tiny pieces for this one.  I chose the blue background as it kind of looks like snow falling.  This is a 6-inch block and it is number 344 of 366.  We had quite the day with all the snow and now the kids are all hoping for a snow day tomorrow (or at least a late start).  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Blog Hop Party With Giveaways!

Quilting Gallery is celebrating their 5th birthday and what a fun way to celebrate with a blog hop and giveaways.  There are tons of giveaways with this blog hop so make sure you check them out here.













We had a wonderful snowy day here in Minnesota so I of course spent it doing some finishing work.  There is nothing like being cozy and warm inside while huge white snowflakes are falling outside.

My first project for today was to take the Angelsong block (number 312) and make it into an ornament for our Christmas tree.  I added the year to it, a 3/4-inch border, quilted it, added a hanging ribbon, stuffed it, and hung it on the tree.  And although I doubt I will ever forget that I made it in 2012, it is always nice to remember the year an ornament was finished, as it seems the older I get the faster the years fly by.

I then decided to quilt my Drop quilt.  This time I did not use my BSR,  I just turned the speed up on my machine so I could quilt the way I have in the past.  It was fun to compare the two as I just quilted a larger quilt using the BSR.  I think for smaller quilts I will definitely not us it as I can get smaller stitches and go fast.  The bigger quilts I think are definitely for the BESR, especially when there is so much more fabric to work with.

Now for the giveaway...I will be giving away the two fat quarter bundles shown above.  One is Parrot Flock and the other Seagull Flock by Thomas Knauer for Andover Fabrics.  After laying these out I was wishing I had purchased another one for me.  To enter the giveaway leave me a comment letting me know what you would work on if you had one entire uninterrupted day to do nothing but work on a project.  Would you piece, quilt, or work on a binding.  Would you applique or embroider something or do something entirely different?  For a second chance, as always, leave me a comment stating you are a follower or a new follower.  This giveaway will be open until Monday, December 15 at 7 p.m.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Christmas Wreath

So, I'm a little late this evening...seems a whole day of a basketball tournament wore me out more than I expected.  I think next time I had better get to bed a whole lot earlier that I did last night.  We are supposed to be getting some SNOW tonight so maybe that will make for a stay at home day tomorrow.  :)

This fun block is the perfect place for this button I found in my stash the other day while working on another project...yes, I have a button stash too (gasp imagine that).  If I get that stay at home day tomorrow I'm hoping to get this made into a little wall hanging or pillow.  It all depends on how I feel once I get some borders on it.  This is number 343 of 366 and it is a 7 x 11-inch block.  We are now as a family counting down the block numbers.  This has been so much fun this year, especially when the whole family has been into it.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Star Crossed Christmas

This is one fun block and I am really liking it.  Other than the fact that it is a star, I love the use of color in it.  I changed the placement of the red and green from what the calendar had (basically I switched the two and added pink).  It looks completely different and totally me. :)

This is number 342 of 366 and it is an odd sized block at 13-1/2 inches.  Do you have all your holiday plans in place, gifts bought and wrapped so you are able to enjoy the season?  I'm enjoying the season and I'm probably going to be very busy right around the 22nd.  All activities end then and school will be out for the holiday just in time for me to go shopping (along with 2 million other people).  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Ribbon Block

This was a fun block to piece.  I was not really excited about it until I started to see it come together, and I think most of that was wondering if I would get the colors right or not.

I've got great plans for this one, and I really hope they work out.  Sometimes my great ideas do not pan out, but we will see.  This is number 341 of 366 and it is a big block at 14 inches.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Angelsong

I looked at this calendar page all day long today and I just could not make her the way she was shown.  In my book angels are supposed to be pretty...probably all those old movies I watch gave me that idea.

The block is small and I know exactly what I want to use it for, it just needed something...

So I gave her some hair.  I gave her a little flip on the ends of her hair to remind me of how my mom wore her hair back in the 60's.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have a small amount of time to make her into a Christmas ornament and hang this singing angel on the tree.  This is number 340 of 366 and it is a 5-1/2 by 6-1/2 inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Friendship Star And Giveaway Day (Week)

Have you been to the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day posts?  Oh are there some great prizes to be had.  I've been ready for this for weeks and then last night it just got too last so here I am today, all ready to join in the fun.

Today's block is a star so it is near and dear to my heart (of course).  About half way through piecing it I realized I had made something similar to it before, although it was an entire quilt.  If you leave the corner triangles off it becomes a hexagon...and the perfect table topper.

This is number 339 of 366 blocks (I have been working my way through the 365 Quilt Blocks a Year Calendar this year and am so close to being finished I can hardly stand it!)  This is a 12-inch block.

Now for the giveaway.  This time of year I end up bringing my projects with me as I tend to spend a lot of time waiting at basketball practices, in between games and other activities my son participates in, and it gets dark so quickly it makes my stitching time short.  I found these Ott Lights a few years ago and they are perfect to take along in your bag.  They are actually compact enough you can fit it in your purse.  There is also a clip on the back so you can hang it from your purse or even your coat.  Anyway, I love mine and would love to share one with two different winners.

I have also found they work great in poorly lit areas at home.  To enter leave me a comment telling me where you stitch when you wait, the car, a hallway, steps, the great outdoors, or maybe at your kitchen table.  If you are already a follower or a new follower leave me a second comment stating that for another chance to win.  I will use the random number generator to choose the winners on December 8 at 5 p.m CST, and I will ship internationally.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Christmas Tree

It is time for the Christmas tree, but the weather is still not cooperating.  We had 60 degree Fahrenheit temps today...which is insane in December in Minnesota.  I did enjoy the fact that I had errands to run and did not need to wear a big coat though.  :)

This is number 338 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  This tree was not as intense as last night's tree was.  I also had a great discovery today.  Have you ever had something that you wanted to put in a safe place so it did not get lost and then you lose it because it was such a safe place to put it?  That happened with my Quilter's fabric calculator.  I have looked every where for it, and I finally found it which makes perfect sense because I put it in my safe spot last year right before I started this project.  Now I can use it to start deciding what to do with all these blocks.  I'd say it is perfect timing.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Tree of Life

I was not planning on being up this late and I was not planning on unsewing this block three times, but as always, it tends to be worth it.  Of course tomorrow night when I'm extremely tired I may have a different opinion.

This is number 337 of 366 and it is a 12-inch block.  Because I was not completely paying attention I had to sew a Y seam...and it was not that difficult to my surprise.  It seems my main problem was getting the green triangles to go in the right direction.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Pine Tree

It is a new month and it is the last month of the year.  It does not seem like December yet because normally we have had at least one snow storm by now.  Unfortunately,  it is just brown and weird outside.  People have Christmas lights on their houses and decorations up, but for some reason it just does not seem like December until we shovel some snow.

I love tree blocks and not just because they are made up of half-square triangles.  There is something fun about them.  This is number 336 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  I am finished so early this evening with my block I think I am going to head back down to the sewing room to see if I can finish something.  I am kind of in the mood to do some mindless sewing...like four patches or flying geese.  Before I can start that though I will need to do some cutting first.  A never endless list of options, now to just decide where to start.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Drop and Log Cabin

All year I've tried to finish the Schnibbles projects for the parade and only one other month have I actually had a project almost completed.  I decided Monday to try again.  I was just sure Carrie Nelson's Little Bites Drop project could possibly be finished by the last day of the month.

I decided to make Drop No. 3 which is definitely smaller (mine is 8 x 9-1/2 inches), and with some Christmas fabric it looks to be a favorite.  There is a rhyme and reason to my setting of the blocks, they are diagonal by the outside triangles.  I really enjoyed making this, and I cannot wait to get it quilted.

I had mentioned earlier this year that I had never made a log cabin block before.  Guess what?  I'm loving them.  For some reason even though I have to do a lot of pressing in between, I just love adding the next piece.  This is number 335 of 366 and it is a 9-inch block.   Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Harvest Basket

First of all, I need to thank those of you who were kind enough to share a story about another mother who let a broken bone go...you made me smile and realize that there is hope for me as a mother. :)  My son has the brightest yellow cast you can imagine.  He is already back at basketball practice and is taking it all in stride.  I'm sure this is one of those times we will talk about years from now at Thanksgiving and hopefully laugh about. 

This is one of the last baskets for the year and it is a bit different than most.  I feel like I cheated as I machine appliqued the handle, but then I remembered that trying new techniques is not always a bad thing.  This is number 334 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.

I never know where I will find Benny and today he was a little too quiet even for him. When I found him I had to take a picture.  This bag has a quilting project in it, and evidently he thought it was the perfect spot for a nap.  It almost looks like I could take him shopping in this bag.  Have a wonderful evening and Happy Stitching!!  

--Kristen

Four Knaves

Tonight's block was a fun one to piece and it makes a whole lot more sense than last night's block did.  I still see no 9-patches in that one, and I have been looking at it all day trying to figure it out.  I have finally given up.

I would love to make a large quilt with this block some day as I find it so interesting that looking at it now I see a cross around the outside of the block or an X when it is on point.  As I was piecing this I only saw all the triangles.  It is fun to notice the big picture after working so hard on the little parts.  This is number 333 of 366 and it is a 10-inch block.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Leavenworth Nine Patch

This block makes absolutely no sense to me at all.  You know me and my 9-patches, and I am just not seeing it here.  Oh well, I am not going to dwell on it tonight. :)

This is number 332 of 366 and it is a 10-1/2 inch block.  I sat and cried at the sewing machine tonight as I pieced this block..have you ever done that?  I think it is a good thing I had this to work on as I needed somewhere to go to cry it all out.  We found out my son has a broken arm today, and I am not as upset about that as I am that he broke it a week ago.  He never complained that it hurt and he never said anything until last night.  He gets a cast tomorrow and it should be interesting to see what color he comes home with.  He thought maybe a candy cane cast would be good for this time of year.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen