Blocks 99, 100 and Two Bonus Blocks

I love love love block 99, Four Corner Spinwheel by Kimberly Einmo.  Spinwheels are just a bunch of flying geese which are pretty easy.  And I think the colors I picked work well together.  Pretty. Pretty. Pretty!

And I really like Block 100, Centered by Kate Spain. (mine is a bit off-centered) I was really afraid one of these last two blocks would be embroidery and I wouldn’t get it done in time to post.

The Splendid Sampler is holding a celebration for completing all 100 blocks.  They’re having a giveaway for fun quilting items and many of the designers are giving things away on their blogs.  I was hoping for another bonus block but none were listed. There is a mention that there will be bonus blocks randomly added in the future.

Here’s an important note,  The blocks are only available for free to download through February 19th.  So if you really want to make the Splendid Sampler, you’ll either need to download all of the blocks in the next two days, or buy the book The Splendid Sampler when it comes out. Supposed to start shipping sometime in April. The bonus blocks are staying online for free.

So let’s move on to the bonus blocks I did this week.

My first was Taste for Giving by Joan Ford.  Joan claims to be obsessed with canning so she created this block with two jars of jam.  I’m not into canning.  I cook, I clean, I sew, I design.  No canning.  So I decided to make a jar of blueberry jam and another of octopus.  Yum!  (I think I may have had a bit of a bad attitude the morning I picked out the fabric!)  There’s also an optional ruffle for the jar lids which I didn’t do.  To me that ruffle would just wrinkle every time I wash the quilt.  I’m also not into ironing–other than when I’m sewing!

One of the bonus projects offered was three paper-pieced Butterfly Charm Blocks from Craftsy.

Each was only 5 1/2″ so the Splendid Sampler designers said to just add a border around them to get to the 6 1/2″ size needed for this quilt.  I only needed one more bonus block to make my quota of 20 so I just did one of the butterflies–“Gidget”.  Rather than adding the border, I enlarged the pattern using the method that I did for the seven-pointed stars that I learned from SewHooked. It’s very clever and I keep a handy reference chart on my bulletin board.  This method of enlarging a pattern is seriously brilliant!

Here’s the seven-pointed stars I made in three different sizes.  I still haven’t decided what I’ll do with them but I do like looking at them.

I really like paper-piecing but pulling the paper out is tedious.  I also occasionally pull stitches out and have to resew.  I’ve just been using printer paper for my blocks but when I’m ready to do a whole quilt of paper-pieced blocks, I’ll be buying special paper that tears a little easier.  I love these butterflies and the stars so there is most likely a quilt coming up some day.  Just gotta get past this Splendid Sampler!

And, speaking of getting past, I’M DONE!  (with the blocks at least)

ALL 100 BLOCKS!

Twenty Bonus Blocks

120 BLOCKS. DONE!

It took me 38 weeks to get all 120 blocks done and I learned a lot of new skills.

When I came across the first patchwork block that had about 40 different fabrics, I was a little overwhelmed.  But after doing several of these, I don’t really mind working with those tiny bits and pieces. I now actually looked forward to those blocks. I still struggle with getting the seams lined up, though.

I love paper-piecing which I never would have tried if I wasn’t determined to do every one of these blocks.  And I only learned it because I bought a class from Craftsy.

I really hate English paper-piecing (epp) but I think it’s mostly because I don’t know how to do it. If I took a class, I might enjoy it. I actually love doing the hexies after I discovered the method that Modern Handcraft uses.  (I have a project that I just finished with hexies that I’ll share with you as soon as get the post written up.)

I took the time to learn how to embroider. And don’t hate it!

I kinda sorta wish I had learned how to do the “back-transfer” method of applique.  It was just so much easier to do the heat ‘n lite method.

Now, I just have to figure out how I’m putting them into the final quilt, add borders, baste, and quilt.

Could take me another 38 weeks!

Come back next Thursday, to see the progress!