I wonder what Her Puzzle was? (Old Maid's Puzzle #38)

I wonder what her puzzle was. I can't help but wonder if she was feeling a little down or depressed because of her marital status, doomed to a life of singleness. Maybe her life had no meaning or purpose maybe she always wanted to be a wife and mother, but couldn't. Maybe it's something different all together. Perhaps it was circumstances that left her not know what to do-  a close friend's death or some financial crisis. Who know really?. As I was doing some research I could not find a lot of information on the history of the block or the name behind it.  It seems to be a older pattern. It's a good one  for beginners. Here is the one that I did. I carried on the pink/red theme in this one. As you can see my seams are slightly off. I just didn't have the energy to redo them to make them match up.

 Bright pinks this time!

For whatever reason I love fabrics with birds. I just love this fabric with these lovebirds on them.

I like the greens sashing in this antique quilt. There are a bunch of other example of old Maid's puzzle. Just click on the picture for the website link. 

Here is a lovely two tone quilt.

Another vintage looking quilt. I like these block set on point.

 

 

The coloring on this quilt from the 1880s is quite wonderful. It  has American Indian/ southwest pattern look to it.

 Here's one more I promise it's the last one.  All these quilts are getting me inspired.

Also a friendly reminder to  read and abide by the terms and conditions of use on the pattern links. Thank y'all.

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Another lovely day (Cross Upon Cross #37)

 Today is such a lovely day, warm but still cool and windy. A perfect fall day in my opinion. Since October has come, fall  is very quickly hastening on, and leaves are dropping their leaves rather quickly.  I am really enjoying the breeze that comes in the window as I was sewing today. My sewing machine sits right in front of the upstairs bedroom window over looking the street below.  Sometimes I get visitors, like a little bird perching on the window curious what  the hum of the machine is. Today's visitor is a large fly, which was rather annoying as it was flying about the room. He is not welcomed.  On other days this summer I watched dragon flies fly around and squirrels flying  chasing each other across the street. And still other days I watch storm clouds roll in from the norther. If I was ever to move I think I would  defiantly place my sewing machine in front of the window.    I never know what I might see out my window.

Today I have moved on to page three of quilt pattern from Quilter's Cache.  (Special Thanks to Marcia Hohn, the owner of the website.) There are approximately 60 pages with 24 different blocks each, that at least 1440+ patterns.  If I did one a day faithfully it would take 1440 days or almost 4+ year. Whew... I have a long way to go to make up all these quilt patterns. and that's quilt a lot of quilts too! :o)  Today's block is a 15 inch block  called Cross upon Cross. I really like the look of this block. Just 4 of these and some borders would make a very lovely baby quilt. It seemed rather simple however it was a little on the fussy side. Let's just say my seam ripper came in  very handy use.  But eventually I got it right.  And it looks very christmasy! I'm  taking a break from my 12 inch pink/red block. Please excuse the little threads everywhere...   

This almost looks like snow falling. I like alternating colors on this quilt (which I DID NOT make, click the picture for the link)

Throwing in the wrench (Monkey Wrench #36)

Today is one of those days when things just don't seem to go right. I was working on a quilt for a custom order and I miss measured and now I have to buy new fabric all over again, setting me back a day. I can't go to the store till my husband comes home from work.  I had hope  to finish the quilt by Friday. But I am going to push to have it done by Monday.  To top it all off. I spilled some spoiled soup all over the counter this morning (I was cleaning out the refrigerator),woke up with a headache and a slight fever, and I didn't sleep well last night. Oh, well .. Maybe I should take to easy the rest of the day.  But a few good things have happened today:  a sparrow came to my window to say hello while I was cutting out fabric this morning, tweeted then flew away, and I  also finished 2 letters and they are ready to go out in the mail. Hopefully they will bring cheer to those receive them. Oh I almost forgot- my whole purpose in writing this blog, I did another quilt block. This one is called Monkey Wrench.

I always loved this quilt block. It has so many neat eye catching patterns to it. It looks complicated but is really not. I have finally decided to make a quilt for myself from this pattern. I've been saving and collecting certain fabric to make a quilt and I finally settled on the Monkey Wrench  pattern. So here's the Monkey Wrench I made to go along with the pink/red sampler quilt I'm making.  It is another 12 block but for what ever reason, I can't figure it out, mine turned out to be 11.25 unfinished. I just don't understand. I was careful and measured  my fabric just right and used the quarter inch seams. I don't like cutting thing that have a 7/8 of an inch measurement in them- gets a little tricky when using a rotary cutter. Despite everything it turned out well. The fabric is red with little white Fleur-de-lis design.

Monkey Wrench

Here's some examples Monkey Wrench quilts that I pulled off the internet. There is a lot of them. You'll see why I like it so much (hope you do too). This pattern is also called Snail's Tail. I especially like the cat one below.

Love the colors!

Here is a bright and bold scrappy quilt with stars.

Did I ever mention I love blue and white quilts.

A Family to call your own (Baby Bud #35)

 I wonder if anyone actually read my blog? Well I guess somebody does because the number of view keeps going up and up each week (at least in terms of the number of views).  Please do leave comment (s) or send me a private note.

My husband and I have been married for four years now. We do not have any children yet. I've always dreamed of being a mother someday.  I've always loved children, holding and rocking them, taking care of them, teaching them, showing love and so forth. It seems so natural to me. Over the years I have had many people tell me I would make the perfect mother. Every time I hold a baby or child it stirs up certain desires in me.  Unfortunately. Due to certain medical reasons I am not sure if I can have children or there's a very slim chance I still could conceive naturally.  Sometimes I wonder why can others so easily  get pregnant and I can't, even those with more serious health issues. Sometimes I feel like less of a woman and a failure to my husband who wants children too. Some days are better than others, and some days I feel really down. I don't understand God's plan in all of this. However, despite the down times I am trusting in God, because his plans are good and the best there is and way better than any plan man or woman can come up on his or her own. Today's block Baby Bud made me think of this topic.

Baby bud  the quilt block is very simple but can make some really wonderful designs.  Here's the one I made of pink and brown: I  just love this pink fabric I have about 4+ yards of it and I got it at a super bargain too, it was only about $2 a yard  (originally $9.99 a yard) at  Hancock Fabrics. It has a old timey, Civil war, feel to it. Though I need to find some coordinating fabric to go with it.  The brown calico piece in the middle I fished out of my scrap pile and is the only pieces if have of it.  

Click for the picture for the pattern link

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one pattern placement for this block I really like. Think I am going to make several baby quilts out of this pattern

This would be about 24 in square. Add a few borders and voila the perfect baby quilt

  

I just love this quilt! It has inspired me to make a yellow quilt next.  I like the prairie point edging on this one too.

Kings X (#34)

The letter X: X marks  spot in a pirate's treasure maps. X lets you know you are here.  X marks a answer on a test. X means do not enter, danger or caution.  X is apparently a punk rock band that formed in the late 1970s. X means multiplication, X is the 24 letter in the alphabet.  X is found between the letter Z and C on the keyboard. There are X-rays and there there  Generation X (those born after the baby boomers, my generation). X means the end of a conversation and related to it, X often marks the death of a character, or to sign papers instead of a signature.* Either way X is used to mark and signify something of noteworthy importance.

The question now is how then are you marked?  I am not referring to  necessarily a physical mark, though it could be. What defines or marks you, your character, your environment, your interests, your future, your past, your present, or what ever it might be? As Christian and follower of Christ I am a daughter of the KING. He place his mark on me (figuratively). It is a permanent mark that can never be taken away. I am glad of this mark becasue I am set apart. Leviticus  20:26 says: "Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine."

 So today's block is called the Kings X. I tried to do a little research on the history of the block and could not find very much information. From the examples I've seen of this quilt patter seem to be from 1900 and on. The block I did as you can see from picture below was done in rusty red colors and is another 12 inch block. It came together  rather quickly. I am pleased that my seams and points match up almost perfectly. Fairly soon I'll have enough red/pink blocks to make a quilt.

Click the picture for the pattern link,

Here's some other example of a Kings X quilt taken from the web. The pictures are also links to the website they are found on. The way these ones are made is slightly different than the one I made, which was reworked to make the pattern simplier.

Here is a beautiful antique blue and white Kings X quilt. It kind of has a dizzying effect on the eyes.

*Taken from the Wikipedia article on X

Friendship Block (#33)

More than half of my life ago (seems strange to say that) in my mid teens I came to know Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. A real relationship that was deep and personal had begun and it continuing to this day.  I had always grown up in the church and church and my friends in church were pretty much my life. My parents were actively involved in the church and often my brothers and I got roped into helping, even if it was at 5am on Easter morning.  So I had a good upbringing and nothing out of the normal happened, nothing traumatic. I was a good person, though very quiet and shy, and stayed out of trouble and did all my homework and chores without complaining ( well,  most of the time). Even with all the church involvement Awanas, Pioneer clubs, vacation Bible school, and so on, it all really didn't stick. I knew the facts and was sensitive to spiritual things but  hadn't made that heart connection until my mid-teens as I has mentioned before. It was being actively involved with youth group and  especially Young Life that in the Spring of 1995 one day I came to know that all that I was taught  and learned was really true- Jesus did really come to earth, die, and rose again just for me. He loves me so much! It was kind of like a light was suddenly turned on. Praise the LORD! And so I continue to this day to seek the LORD as I serve and worship Him. I've come along way since that quiet and shy person in my early years.

You are probably wondering what in the world does my personal testimony has to do with today's block Friendship block. It's not so much the name of the block that relates but what I embroidered on the inside. It says Isaiah 40:31- 

 "but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

During that Spring of 1995 I clearly remember one time one of our leaders saying for everyone to open their Bibles to Isaiah 40. And from there we sang the exact words from the Bible, especially from the later part of the chapter. I thought it was so cool that we used the bible as a hymnal/song book.  I still remember the tune too, and if you ask me I just might sing it to you one day. 

So without further ado, I present to you silly songs with Larry, oh wait no wrong thing.. haha.. I present to you today's quilt  block Friendship Block. I have done it in all reds and whites this time with a smattering of green and yellow in the plaid fabric.  As always click on the picture to go to the pattern link. Remember to abide the terms and conditions on the pattern link.

I didn't do so great on the embroidery on this, but it's still legible.

I chose to do a little bit different color placement then on the pattern that I linked to. As with any quilt block, play with he color placement. It often creates many different looks. 

Here's a  quilt that  has a neat idea. For the center block  use it to spell out a word or a message. In this quilt it's down the middle.  The letter blocks on the the same website as the pattern. And no I pulled this off the internet and didn't make it for my brother whoshares the same name.

And here's three quilts I recently finished. On the third one you can see some of the block from this blog in the quilt.

Pinwheel (Block #32)

Whirling right along... It is windy and a tad bit nippy here today. The one tree, a walnut tree, in our yard is already starting to dropping and the neighbor's tree across the street is starting to turn yellow.  I am really enjoying the cool  breeze coming in through the window. Time for hot chocolate and pumpkin spice things. Fall is here!

 So then the block of the day Pinwheel fits right in. As you can see from the design , it's not too hard to imagine a pinwheel spinning in the wind.  The pattern itself is another oldie but goodie and is a staple in most quilter's repertoire. It make  a fantastic baby quilt if done in pastel colors. This one I've done in a dusty pink floral print.  Seems I have a over abundance of red and pink scraps of fabric. I am thinking I might make a baby quilt once I get 9 or so different blocks make. This is a 12 inch block. As always click the picture for the pattern link.

 
Here's some interesting quilts I found online using the Pinwheel block. Click the picture to go to the website.

I like the use of pastel yellow, even with some of the bold colors in this quilt. This is quite a cheery quilt.

 

 

 

 

 

This quilt makes good use of the many pinwheel patterns out there. 

Here's a quilt done in what look like civil war prints. I like the homeyness of this one.