In A Quandary

Remember how I mentioned last time that I did not do well following directions? For example the first block I put together was block B and you might also remember that I altered the pattern to better fit what I did. Anyway...the above block is my block B. (Horrible picture, way too much sunlight, I really need to take a class on how to use my camera, or be more willing to take another picture when I see how they turned out....) Back to my primary quandary, I like the block B pretty well. It is a happy block that makes me smile.

So then I moved on to tackle block A. To begin with, I did not like that mini-pieced star center so I substituted additional applique--those little centers are very cute. Then I worked out the inner star and so far so good. Next came the outer border and I almost choked when I started counting how many of those red, pink, red formations I was looking at. Honestly I finished one little section and it felt like I should be completely finished with the square. Note to self: Some quilts are really a pain to do. If all my quilting was like this...this might just be all of my quilting. The block A finally completed.


Still, as I look at how cute the blocks are and back to the pattern and count four of block B (the easy one) no problem; and only five of block A (lets see that is one down, so four to go times four of those blasted red, pink, red border combinations...that is 16) Can I really commit to finishing 16 more of those? Wait! I actually have one more that I put together with the first four, so no we are talking 15..hmmmm....maybe.

Then I put the two alternating blocks together and I hesitate. I am not sure I like it. It seems SO busy. What do you think?

Honestly, I think this is going to take some consideration. For all that work, I should LOVE it, Don't you think? I just don't know what to think. maybe I am going to have to alter the pattern again to give my eyes some resting space. I am open to ideas.

Still Hooked on Bliss

Recently I decided to overcome my fear of applique and so I grabbed a handful of left- over Bliss. I figured if anything could help me through this daunting task, Bliss would help. My latest quilting magazine fed my courage with a number of tips from the pros, step by step instructions, and even a pattern. I gathered myself and started my first ever attempt at applique and come up with this:

So much fun that I made a few more.

Why stop when there is plenty of Bliss left-overs and free scrap to work with?

Now it was back to the magazine--what should I do with this little bouquet? The original pattern was a little different, but I am all about making it "my way". So after a few pages of graph paper figuring, I determined a way I could make a variation on the original pattern with the samples I was working with. However, I was not ready to stop appliqueing, so I changed the pattern adaptation a bit more to allow for more applique.

These will be the centers of the "alternating" square, which was originally to be completely pieced. Probably when I complete this "pattern" it will not resemble the original inspiration. But I already love it!

Maybe next time I will follow directions.

...or maybe not.