Twinkling Stars 9-Patch

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Quiltobsession

Making the Twinkling Stars blocks is so much fun that I couldn’t resist putting 5 of them together in a 9-patch. This is the beginning of the quilt. At this rate, I may have it done before the World Series is over. The 9-patch blocks finish at 15″. I’m hand piecing it so far, but will probably add the sashing elements using the machine.

The back.

I spent a fair bit of time on the weekend printing shapes for a few quilts, including the rest of the pieces needed for Twinkling Stars. So far there are 20 of the little star blocks finished. All that’s left to do to have everything prepared for the quilt is to cut some white strips for the sashing units I’m going to use in between the 9-patch blocks.

The weather has been wonderfully mild for so late in September. Today we’re supposed to have a humidex reading of 29C. If the forecast is right though, we’ll have a high of only 9C on Friday. Big change, but typical of fall weather. I’m hoping we get a true Indian Summer in October.

Baxter seems to grow overnight. It was only a few days ago that he barely filled half his kitty bed. Now look at him!

He looks so angelic in this shot I couldn’t resist posting it.

And Then There Were 10

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Quiltobsession

Ten more sparkling twinkling stars, that is. I’ve found a stitching sequence that makes putting these stars together quick as can be.

Normally when I start making blocks, I have a vague idea of a layout but this time? This time the entire quilt top is planned, right down to the border. I have a feeling I may have the whole thing together by the time the baseball playoffs finish.

Baxter’s markings are showing up more and more each day. With the grey cloth as a backdrop, his lynx tips are really showing.

Twinkling Stars

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Quiltobsession

Starting a new quilt as the baseball playoffs are close to beginning seems to be something I do each year. Last year it was the pink and cream star quilt. This year it will be the twinkling stars. I think I choose stars as they’re easy to stitch while watching the games.

There are 10 colours I’m using for the spiky little stars. I have all the spiky long triangles and coloured squares printed and most of the half tumblers and large white squares. By the end of this week, all the shapes for this quilt will be printed, cut and ready to stitch. With any luck, the quilt top will be finished by the time the World Series is finished.

I finger press as I stitch and then, when I have a few done, give them a quick press with the iron.

Baxter close-ups. First a paw.

Then his face.

Twinkling Star

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Quiltobsession

There are a few of these twinkling stars already made that have been sitting for ages and which will be made into a small quilt. I decided to make one more last night just for fun, and because I’m playing with a design idea that would use this block, among others, in a starry quilt. The block is made using shapes from the Inklingo Tumbler collection and it finishes at 5″.

It’s simple to stitch and quick to press.

A comment was left the other day and a few follow-up e-mails exchanged that have led me down a fun path, reading about treadle sewing machines. I’ve often thought that would be a great way to machine quilt. The more I read, the more I think that it’s a great solution for me. Of course, it’s much easier said than done — finding one that’s in working condition and affordable and then sorting out how to get it here, as I think they are very heavy. I plan to do a lot more reading and research on the weekend.

We finally got some video of Baxter drinking. This is how he drinks all the time. He walks up to the water bowls, turns around, lies down and then reaches over his shoulder to drink. When he’s done one side of his face and neck are usually sopping wet. If we’re not in the kitchen, he meows to let us know he’s about to drink and then looks to make sure we’re paying attention. A friend who has seen this little video wrote and shared her theory, “I think Smudge told Baxter that drinking water is a performance art form. Baxter had to develop his own art, but it couldn’t be something mundane like standing in front of the bowl of water and lapping – it had to be unique.” I think she’s on to something!

Twinkling Stars

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Quiltobsession

This isn’t a new project. It’s something I’ve been playing with for ages using some of the shapes in the Tumbler collection. Stitching arcs for the Pickled Ladies quilt didn’t really appeal last night as I was battling a migraine, so I started organizing some of the things I have in varying stages of progress. That long skinny triangle from the Tumbler collection is something I love working with. I’ve made about a dozen of these blocks that finish at 5″ and am now pondering some setting ideas. I think I’ll probably make another dozen or so of them and then come up with a setting for a little quilt.

The back:

While I was going through some of the projects, I was able to identify a couple that require only another block or two or a setting plan in order to finish them. I may spend a little time on one of them this weekend and see if I can come up with a plan and finish it off rather quickly. Then again, I may just put it away and concentrate on more arcs for the Pickled Ladies. I also want to get another of the clamshell diamonds done and have picked out the clamshells for that.

Lester is continuing to improve. We’re thrilled with how quickly the antibiotics have started to do their job. He was playing with toys today, up on the windowsill for a while and, of course, resting.