February Block

February's block is constructed from four Log Cabin corners.

You can use these basic Log Cabin corner blocks to create a beautiful, woven-looking quilt. You just need to make two types of blocks that differ in value.

This block starts with a light square and gets progressively darker.


This block starts with a dark center and gets progressively lighter.

When you combine both blocks in an on-point, alternate-block setting, you create a quilt that has a woven appearance like this. It's quick and simple and so very much fun!


If you make a quilt based on this idea, please bring it and share with the rest of the Block of the Month friends!

January Block of the Month

We're celebrating the start of another Block of the Month! For 2011, I've been inspired by Claude Monet's Nympheas painting at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. We'll be using a Hoffman Bali Pop as the basis for the twelve blocks. So each month, I'll post a picture of the pieced block that you can use as a reference as you piece your block.

January Block

As I was playing with the block in Electric Quilt, I came up with a fun design based on that block that I wanted to share with you. I took January's block and used a dark contrasting fabric for all the middle stairstep pieces. You can see how that changes the overall look of the block, making it stronger and more dynamic.

So then I made a reverse (mirror image) of the same block, in which the stairstep moves in the opposite direction. When you have asymmetrical blocks like this one, you can often come up with interesting designs by playing with the block and its reverse.

I then took both blocks and alternated them in an on-point setting. Then I rotated the blocks and came up with this dynamic design. It's fun! And shows how even the simplest block can serve as the beginning of an interesting design!

Ordinary Superpower

What's your superpower? No, I'm not talking about invisibility, or flying, or telekinesis, or the ability to shoot plasma blasts from your hand. (Although that would be so totally cool!) I mean those mundane, everyday superpowers that enable you to always find a parking spot even if it's raining and crowded, or always nab the last pair of shoes in your color and size. You know, a situation where you are always lucky or an uncanny ability you have that people find kind of freaky.

My brother's superpower is the ability to estimate accurate amounts for anything. He can pick up a stack of newspapers and tell you exactly how many there are. Or tell you how many ounces are left in a cup. Or how many karats there are in a diamond. Or how much someone weighs, which is probably something he should keep to himself!

My superpower is knowing how to estimate space and volume. This comes in really handy on Thanksgiving. I have the uncanny knack of picking just the right-sized container to store leftover gravy so that it comes right to the brim without slopping over. I also am really good at packing cars so every last suitcase, bookbag, and cooler fits efficiently.

But my ordinary superpower is probably most helpful at the shop. As you know, our shop is pretty cozy, but we also have lots of great stuff in there. But for some reason we always want to be able to squeeze in a little bit more.

So every summer, before the big brown UPS truck pulls up and delivers our fall goodies, we take a fresh look at our shop and figure out ways to reclaim just a few more inches here and a little more space there so we can cram in just a little more merchandise. This is usually a big process that involves taking everything off the shelves, moving them around a little, then putting everything back.

Just this week, Cynthia and I moved almost every single bolt of fabric and almost every single fabric shelf. We only had to move things a few inches this way and a foot or so that way, but those subtle changes have made a big difference in the look and feel of the shop. It feels more open now, it's easier to get around, and it offers way more room for shopping and classes.

We're still have a few things to do over the next month or so, but we're feeling ready for fall. Bring on that big brown truck--we can handle it!