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Thursday, January 30, 2014

My Second Retreat Project and... Squirrel!

Hi Everyone,

(By now I hope that everyone gets that "Squirrel!" reference.  It comes from the movie Up and came about when the dog, Dug, would be talking away about something and suddenly his attention would shift to thinking he saw a squirrel.  It is the classic "I got distracted" line.)

Anyway, I'll get to the squirrel later--first I want to share my second project from retreat.  A couple weeks ago, I got an email from a quilting friend with a link to one of the Missouri Star Quilt Shop Tutorials on Youtube.  Have you ever watched any of these or tried any?  I've watched many, but haven't tried one until I saw this one.


Oh my goodness, but these blocks looked like fun.  AND THEY ARE!  As it was, I had marked a Jo Morton quilt from her Banner Day book that I wanted to make, and it contained churn dash blocks, so I decided to make it, but use these pinwheel churn dash blocks instead.  I made 4 HSTs that I trimmed to 3.25" so that when I sewed them into a pinwheel block, the resulting block measured exactly 6 inches.  I cut them into 2" segments and when I finished, the blocks finished at 4.5"



The blocks are so cute and so much fun to make!



The next step was to set them on point.

And then border the completed top.  (And make sure to photograph my toes, too.  Oh--that reminds me of a great hint for retreats--take your slippers!)

Here is a closeup of the border fabrics.  I have a pretty extensive Patriotic fabric collection (I know--that surprises you!) but some of them are tricky to use because of the color or pattern.  I've had both the flag stripe and the eagle fabrics for quite a while but they never seem to fit in any other project.  I began this project with them to finally get a chance to play with them.  

I have plans to revisit those churn dash pinwheel blocks, though.  They are addictive.

Squirrel!

Yesterday, out of the blue, I clicked on the Temecula Quilt Co's blogpost and promptly fell in love!  I was smitten.  They had a free pattern for the most wonderful Valentine Quilt.  Before I knew it, I was making the cutest little hearts ever.  Does that ever happen to you?  You have absolutely no idea you want to make a quilt and then you see a pattern and you can't get into your sewing room fast enough?   I expect I'll be working more on it today.  Yesterday was a treat!  We woke up to 6" of snow and the news that everything was closed down--including the Army--so my husband got to stay home all day!  Today there is a two hour delay for him and the schools are still closed.  I was supposed to have a meeting today but now I have the whole day free to play with hearts!

I'll be back next time with the last retreat project.  It was more challenging that the others.

Have a great day!
JoAnne




14 comments:

  1. Missouri Star has a lot of great tutes/patterns. I have seen quilts popping up with this block and love them. How industrious of you to math it out into a smaller block. Love the setting and your border fabric is terrific.

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  2. What an awesome technique! I'm all for saving time and finding an easier way! Thanks.

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  3. I'll have to watch the video later 'cause I love churn dash (perfect little quilt for those fabrics, BTW), but I did see Temecula's quilt--so cute! I actually toyed with the idea of making it, but who was I kidding? I am already behind on Lori's SAL and I hadn't made my Barbara Brackman BOM yet--and Mom's birthday is Sunday and I haven't started her gift yet. Can't wait to see your little heart quilt!

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  4. I watch Missouri Quilts EVERYDAY and have a couple of her CDs from Craftsy ... Jenny is a doll and makes things seem so easy at times. LOVE the heart quilt on Temecula's website ... like you I'm intrigued to make it ... even a small one. It's sitting on my sewing table to put together! Enjoy your "snow day"!! Linda

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  5. Wowzers! That's an amazing technique for these blocks - thanks for sharing it with us! I can totally relate to being easily distracted by new projects - happens to me all the time! LOL

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  6. Love your churn dash pinwheels and you've chosen the perfect borders for this project! It's looking g-o-o-d GOOD!

    I did see the TQC heart quilt.... and would love to make a table runner or topper like that... but it would require ordering fabric since the LQS doesn't carry historic fabrics. Yes, I know... I could use something else but I really LIKE the heart quilt as is.

    As for your "squirrel".... I had ADOLAB (the new acronym for ADHD), which means: attention deficit oh! Look! A butterfly...

    :D

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  7. I have a question regarding the directions. After you said it made a 6" block you cut them into 2" segments to make a 4.5" block. I don't get it. Then again, I have a headache.

    The squirrel reference is an every day occurrence for me!

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  8. I can't see the tutorial, but it's probably because I'm using my iPad. I love, love, love the hearts! I may not have time to make it this year, but definitely next year. Thanks for telling us about it. I'm happy about the extra Schnibble time. I was just about to stop reading blogs and put on the borders.

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  9. Oh, I also love the Squirrel reference. We say that all the time. My boys love Up. Such a sweet movie. Thanks for making me laugh :-)

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  10. Your little churn dash pinwheel blocks are really cute, and I like the borders. Good job!

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  11. Those churn dash blocks are adorable! I'm trying to resist the Temecula hearts, but they are pretty cute and I have a lot of reds in my stash.....yeesh--I'm doomed!

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  12. I laughed out loud when I read your title. We use Squirrel!! at the office all the time. I love those chrun dash blocks! So cute. :-)

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  13. Your churn dash/pinwheel blocks are amazing! What a wonderful quilt...the border is perfect! The Temecula heart quilt is out of this world...I'm saving the pattern.

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  14. Fabulous tutorial.Thanks for the link!!

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