Wednesday, November 9, 2022

More block progress

 Hi everyone, and welcome to the dark part of fall, transitioning into winter, otherwise known as the season that shall not be named. We turned our clocks back for Daylight Saving Time this past weekend, and it has thrown me all off. I kind of enjoy the light in the morning, but coming home in the dark is a real bummer. Makes me feel like I worked a whole lot longer than I did.

Thankfully, it has been warm and sunny for the most part so far this week, and it made for some pretty pictures of the blocks I've been working on. Here are my blocks for the Solstice Sampler:


I think those are very pretty! Who knew it would turn out so well with those woodsy fabrics? I'm not so sure about the picture of the center fabrics in the block on the right, but it looks really good in person.


This is the block with half-rectangle triangles, and I messed up a bit on the trimming so I lost some points on those big triangles. Nobody criticize, because I'm happy with it. To be fair, the directions were different from anything else I've ever seen, but I think I've done all right. I love the blue, too. I think it belongs in every block.


The other block is a plaid block, and it was super-easy. I might change those skinny center pieces, but it depends on how motivated I feel. Hint: my motivation is currently quite low.


And there are all four of my Solstice blocks. I just got the pattern for the fifth one, and it has paper piecing, but it looks easy enough if I can make a decision about the colors. None of these blocks was as difficult as they look, and if they look fun to you, you can still jump in and get all the patterns right HERE.


I also was digging through the closet (I have to stop doing that) to get ready for my over-Thanksgiving project and I found this bunch of blocks. I have 16 more blocks cut, but not stitched, and I'm torn about making the remaining blocks or just putting these finished blocks into a table topper-size quilt and creating a border of some type with the cut pieces. Maybe I'll make a few more blocks and decide. These are 12-inch blocks, so I could probably put together a few more blocks and make a decent-sized baby quilt if I wanted to. But see above: motivation is low.

So there we are-- making some progress and finding all sorts of weird stuff. Some day there will be nothing in the closet but things I'm currently working on, but today is not that day. And tomorrow won't be, either!


Above is what I think will be the last rose of the season, even though I see a couple more small buds. The weather is supposed to change, and I'm pretty sure this plant will be dormant by next week. But this last rose certainly is cheery, isn't it? Have a good week, everyone!

Sharing at Midweek Makers.

10 comments:

Kate said...

Your blocks for the Solstice Sampler are gorgeous! You did a great job with fabric selection and piecing. I always have a harder time getting into the sewing room after work when it's dark when I get home. It just seems to sap your energy.

piecefulwendy said...

Your Solstice blocks are pretty in those fabrics! Fun to find some blocks already done; that's kind of like a bonus, right? I'm sure you'll come up with a fun finish for them. I'm not very keen on the time change or this gloomy weather either. Yesterday when it was 2:30 I thought it was 4!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Your Solstice Sampler blocks are wonderful! I love the variety and the way you've used the colors to keep that diversity in harmony. And that lovely rose . . . our last gardenia blooms have faded and our weather changes dramatically this weekend so all of the plants will tuck in for the cold season. As to your low motivation - I feel your challenge. My solution is to add more lights and read rom-coms and watch silly holiday movies (streaming) in the evenings. (I would turn the four blue/white blocks into a smallish topper and call it a day or else pack up those blocks with the cut parts and offer them up to someone who is excited by them.). Sending hugs.

Sara said...

The Solstice Sampler blocks are gorgeous. So are those blue ones you found. I've been digging lately too, and keep finding things I've forgotten about. That's scary!

Bernie Kringel said...

I love the woodsy colors of those batiks - that quilt will be gorgeous Mari.
Enjoy that last rose of the season - we are headed for winter!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those are beautiful blocks, Mari - so intricate! I'm glad they're keeping you sewing even if your motivation is low. I feel very similar to you about the time of year - love the earlier sunrise, but not so much the earlier dark. Beautiful rose, too! Isn't it a lift to the spirits to see flowers still blooming?

Sandra Walker said...

We are just back from a lovely, spectacular walk at the marina in Leamington along Lake Erie's shore. I walked barefoot on the beach, even dabbled my toes in the surprisingly not very cold water. Ahhh. Loving this gentle fall after the cold spring we had! Your rose is gorgeous, I can almost smell it through the screen! As for gorgeous those blocks, Mari!! I may just have to pop over and get them... talk about 'digging through the closet' -- reading blogs so often sends me more squirrels to chase! Oh, and I'm with you on the DST, ugh, just leave it as it is now already.

Susie H said...

Your Solstice blocks are very pretty. I had to look really hard to see the cut-off triangle points. What a gorgeous rose! Hope it smells as pretty as it looks!

Kathleen said...

I love the solstice blocks and the transparency effect you are getting from those fabrics! I was thinking those blocks could be set on point. You could even piece the setting triangles with strips so it borders it in a fun way. Good luck with it, and maybe one day it will tell you what you need to do with them - they are quite pretty!

Tammy said...

I LOVE your Solstice Sampler blocks! I love the unique blocks and the colours you picked to work with. The colours are perfect for those blocks. Might have to jump online and check out the Solstice Sampler!