Got Purple?

/ Friday 12 March 2010 /
I've been pretty quiet for a week, but not through inactivity.  I've been working on something Top Secret and I'll be able to show that to you sometime soon.  But I have also been busy trying to clear my slate of February bee blocks.  It's terrible to be so dilatory.  But I am making progress.
Maple Leaf Quilt Bee - February Block
First, here is Marianne's block for the Maple Leaf Quilting Bee.  She asked for a block that used a smaller, internal block modeled after Oh, Fransson's Map of the States block and edged in a dark grey.  Pretty, no?
Practice New York Beauty
Second, here is my practice block for Jennifer's New York Beauty.  Can words express how terrified I still am of this block? I seriously considered a slug of bourbon before I started this.   Jennifer sent us a link with many NYB patterns, and the one I made was the beginner block.  In fact, they numbered all their block patterns and this one is number 0.  They must figure that it's so simple that no one would want to make this one, beyond practicing your skills.  Ha.  Seriously, though, once I got started, it seemed to go fine.  I had my usual trouble of cutting my fabric way huge to make sure I cover the pieces properly, but I think I'm getting better with that.  And I sewed the curved bits together using NO PINS.  I read somewhere that when sewing curves, you only need to worry about lining up the half inch under the presser foot, and the rest of the seam can flop.  So I went slowly, made sure I set my machine to stop with the needle down, and used a stiletto to keep the edges together as they went under the presser foot.  Afterwards, I clipped the curve in a few places and it pressed flat nicely.  Not bad!  For a baby beginner block number 0!  On the strength of this block, which has haunted my dreams for the last month, I am posting in Amy's Sew-n-Tell Friday.  Tomorrow, I will replicate this - fingers crossed - with Jennifer's fabric.  If I revisit that decision about the bourbon, I may even move up to Block 1.  Stay tuned!
Now to the topic of today's post - I've signed up for a purple charm chain swap.  I need five people who want to accumulate 6" charm squares of purple fabric.  It is a chain-letter model, in which you receive a list of five names, to whom you send 2 six-inch squares of purple quilting fabric.  Then you add your name to the bottom of the list, lop off the top name on the list, and send it on to five others.  One ends up with 72 purple charms.  Sounds fun?  Come on, you know you love purple.  Say "yes!" in the comments and I'll contact you - or email me if your profile is set to no-reply.

32 comments:

{ ktquilts } on: 12 March 2010 at 08:25 said...

You can do it!!! No bourbon needed!! Great New York Beauty!!
Blessings,
KT

{ Dee } on: 12 March 2010 at 08:46 said...

Love the Map of the States block! Love, love, love!

The NYB looks terrific! I'm going to try the trick of not pinning. How does that work with the edges?

I can't wait to see how it turns out with the batiks! isn't it funny how what is said to be easy, isn't? I'm always looking for beginner's stuff, read the directions and totally get lost. Yours will be awesome and how many calories does Bourbon have? LOL

I will swap purpliness with you. Just make sure directions are clear and you're there to hold my hand through what I need to do! LOL

Have a great weekend!

{ Suzanna } on: 12 March 2010 at 09:04 said...

I agree with Dee; love that block you made for Marianne. It is fabulous!

{ Mary } on: 12 March 2010 at 09:06 said...

I really like block #1, and block #2 (or #0? he he he) is an impressive feat of sewing! Good luck with the "real" block!

{ Nima } on: 12 March 2010 at 09:22 said...

wow...awesome...i love the blocks..

visitng you from sew & tell

{ Cheryl Arkison } on: 12 March 2010 at 10:29 said...

Oh how I heart NYB.

{ Shanley } on: 12 March 2010 at 11:20 said...

Yes, I'll swap purples.

{ Pokey } on: 12 March 2010 at 11:25 said...

I am enjoying your liberal quilt blocks, the pinks and gray are a neat combo. I cannot believe how Perfect-! your NYB is, no, not doubting your ability, Lesly, I can't always be satisfied with pinwheel points, and this has narrower points, more points, and curves. WOW. You get kudos just for attempting this one!
:-}pokey

{ beth } on: 12 March 2010 at 11:28 said...

A new york beauty! I think I would be terrified of making one for a quilt bee! It's another story if I were making for myself! I worry about the simple log cabins I'm sending out to my bee partners. ;)

{ Diane } on: 12 March 2010 at 12:30 said...

These are both beautiful! You have done great work. That NYB is astonishing!

{ Nina Lise@Mrs Moen } on: 12 March 2010 at 13:20 said...

Both blocks are beautiful! The New York beauty block scares me too.-)

{ Sarcastic Quilter } on: 12 March 2010 at 13:21 said...

Great job and those NYB's aren't so bad. :D As a matter of fact, I think I used that same block as one of my PP Tutorials.

Have the bourbon and try block 1. I find drinking always helps me feel good about my quilting! -wink-

{ Live a Colorful Life } on: 12 March 2010 at 13:23 said...

Both blocks are great! I support the bourbon motivation and moving on to No. 1.

Also, I am not a HUGE fan of purple. But I like the idea of the purple and gray combo. However, I have a lot of purple fabric. Go figure....so I'll swap purple with you!

{ Rene' } on: 12 March 2010 at 13:36 said...

Lesly, both blocks are great. I love the gray mixed in with the pink for the first block. You did an amazing job with the NY Beauty. I would have needed bourbon for Block 0! Happy Friday!

{ jlk } on: 12 March 2010 at 14:26 said...

Level 0 looks pretty fantastic to me!

{ Catherine } on: 12 March 2010 at 14:54 said...

Love the Map of the states block especially the dark grey fraaming it. Well done with your NYB block, looks great! You'll be a pro in no time!

{ QuiltyBee } on: 12 March 2010 at 15:44 said...

You are indeed brave--and look how well it turned out. Good luck with the purples :)

{ SueWis } on: 12 March 2010 at 15:54 said...

Your practice block turned out perfectly! You are brave with the no pins, holy cow.

{ Kristen } on: 12 March 2010 at 17:58 said...

Love it! Great job on those curves.

{ Deborah } on: 12 March 2010 at 18:37 said...

Both of these look great!

{ Leslie } on: 12 March 2010 at 19:48 said...

these blocks are so pretty....your NY beauty is amazing!!! looks like you have nothing to fear

{ Jeni Baker } on: 12 March 2010 at 20:13 said...

Love that block! So cute!

{ Vicki @ DottyJane } on: 12 March 2010 at 20:27 said...

Wow! Great job on both blocks! I need to read up on NYB and see what I'm missing:) Great curved piecing.

{ Leslie - she sews and scraps } on: 12 March 2010 at 22:18 said...

WOW! Love your blocks! especially teh first one, love those colors. You have a great eye for color!

{ Karen } on: 12 March 2010 at 22:18 said...

Great blocks! I hear you about the New York Beauty block. I haven't got passed the terror and attempted one yet. I just seriously admire those that do.

{ amylouwhosews } on: 12 March 2010 at 23:39 said...

both great! Those curved seams are a little tricky, but manageable!

{ pinksuedeshoe } on: 13 March 2010 at 00:46 said...

Your NYB turned out great, love that little paisley. Good luck! (Eat chocolate instead of bourbon, works every time :o)

{ Quiltpiecer } on: 13 March 2010 at 01:06 said...

I agree that both blocks are gorgeous! The NYB intimidates me! But it is beautiful! Some day I'll gather up my courage and try it.

{ Thelma } on: 13 March 2010 at 07:08 said...

Congratulations on your practice block 0, you tell a good tale! Good luck with the real thing, but if a swig of bourbon makes it more fun I say go for it.

I also like your NYB!

{ wishes, true and kind } on: 13 March 2010 at 09:30 said...

I am terrified of the NY Beauty block, too. Your practice block looks great, and I am going to redo the block I made using an easier pattern. The one I chose had four curves rather than two. Too many curves for me at this point.

{ Ivory Spring } on: 19 March 2010 at 23:03 said...

I love the border fabric in your first picture...

Thanks for visiting my sew and tell, and leaving the kind comment.

{ Karen } on: 26 March 2010 at 08:05 said...

Did you need bourbon for block #2?

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