May Block

May's Block, which I called Earth Poetry, is the traditional block Cock's Comb. My vision for the Earth blocks are to look solid and sturdy to represent the abundance of growth on our amazing planet. Four different green batiks represent the multitude of growing greens of spring.

This block tiles nicely with lots of secondary patterns, as you can see in the quilt below.

As I played with different rotations of the blocks, I started to see the quilt radiating out from the center. So I played with colors to quickly show a different option for coloring a single block quilt.

April Block

Crossing Seas is a paper-pieced block. The following are some pictures to illustrate the instructions in your instruction handout. These photos are just a guide. Refer to your handout for complete instructions.

Begin by placing fabric A and B on the blank side of the foundation pattern as shown. When you hold the foundation to the light, the A square should completely cover the center #1 space. Pin B in place so that when it is flipped it completely covers space #2, including an extra 1/4" extending past the space.

 After you flip and sew the line between 1 and 2, fold the foundation pattern back out of the way and use your rotary cutter and ruler to trim the excess fabric away. Be careful not to cut the paper foundation.

Press that B triangle. (Don't chop off the corners like I did when cropping this photo! Haha!)

When you become comfortable with the technique, you can place and sew two triangles at one time. Way more efficient! Just be sure to be accurate with your positioning.

First round of triangles complete.

The start of the second round (C triangles).

Placement of the D & E triangles is really critical. Your triangles are oversized to help, but you still want to take your time and double-check with your positioning pins along the sewing line before you sew.

And Ta Da! The completed Crossing Seas block for you to enjoy!

March Block

Changing Nature reflects the brilliant beauty of Fire. While it can be a destructive force, the very act of destruction can lead to rejuvenation. The same forest fire that lays waste to a natural habitat, chasing woodland animals from their homes, can also serve to regenerate the area by removing low growth and dead trees, germinating seeds, creating a better habitat for animals, and returning minerals to the soil. It depends on your perspective.  

Brilliant warm colors--purple, pink, orange, and gold--sparkle like the facets of a crysal's fire.

January and February 2012 Block of the Month

For Elemental Alchemy, we will be making three sized blocks: 8", 10", and 12". The blocks will get more complex as they get bigger. For January-April, we will be making 8" blocks for each of the four elements.

January began with Air and appropriately enough the block is called Wild Air. Periwinkles and cornflowers and hyacinth colors twirl and swirl in this 8" block.



The depths of February's winter called me to design a block for Earth. How could I resist using a multitude of greens during this colorless time of the year. (There is a subtle beauty to the winter landscape in the Pennsylvania countryside, but by the end of February I am longing for green shoots.)

2011 Block of the Month

Ta da! Here's the culmination of 2011's Impressions of Monet. The top picture shows almost the entire quilt. The bottom picture gives a better sense of the colors.