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Saturday, January 30, 2021

Monthly Mini and Pam Buda projects

My January monthly mini is made of Old Italian blocks (sometimes called X blocks). I think I first was introduced to this easy construction method on Barbara Black's blog here.  I used her directions that call for 5" charm squares, with blocks finishing at 3". That makes this finish at 15"x18". Will link up with Wendy at The Constant Quilter blog when her Monthly Mini post goes up.

I had received a gift of a lovely charm pack a few weeks ago. I pulled several squares from it, and a few more squares from a couple of other charm packs I had on hand. I ended up cutting six more blocks from my scrap baskets, trying to get a good variety of styles and colors. I chose a couple of Barbara Brackman grey/blues for the binding. I wanted it to look like a "make do" scrap quilt where I didn't have enough of one fabric for the binding (even though I did). But you can tell I wasn't real brave about it or I would have used two fabrics that didn't look so much alike.

Oh, it was hard for me to resist continually rearranging the blocks to avoid like colors being next to each other. I am so proud of myself for leaving the two brightest blue blocks touching each other at their corners, and leaving a cluster of 3 red Xs next to a red block. It doesn't even bother me. (*twitch*twitch*)

I don't know if you can tell from either photo that I just quilted in every single, stinkin' ditch. That is only 49 passes across this little quilt to get the diagonal lines and the lines between the blocks.

And yes, in case you are wondering, I have not yet stained my mini quilt display rack. Eventually...

 

I have the first row made of my "Every Little Bit" quilt, designed by Pam Buda (in magazine found here), along with 2 rows of sashing. I know I won't always be able to get a row made in a month, but I am grateful when I can find enough sewing time to make this kind of progress. These are 6" finished blocks and there are 52 different fabrics in each block.

I realized that the two projects on my design wall are each designed by Pam Buda. I attended a retreat 7 years ago where she was the featured teacher. One of the days was spent working on the Settler's Puzzle quilt (on the right). 

It is designed as a 2 color quilt. I went rogue and cut mine in 3 colors, but after the retreat it spent a LOT of time in the closet. Two years ago I pulled it out and determined I would finish the blocks, which I did. A few months ago I pulled it back out and was working on the borders. I just had to do it--I HAD to add a fourth color, and I cut a dark green border. If I have enough, I may bind it in the same dark green. I really stall on borders, so I am leaving this on the wall until I force myself to get the borders attached.

I can't even think of a way to close this post. Mom isn't doing well and I am emotionally spent. So there you have it.

Until next time, be kind and generous in your attitude toward others--even those with whom you disagree.

Janet O.

Full moon rising over the Bear River Range of mountains on Thursday. The photo is a tad blurry, but it is a lovely view.

36 comments:

  1. HI Janet!! Your mini is so cute...stinking cute, even with all those passes to stitch in the ditch!! I have always loved your Settler's puzzle quilt...so much fun. I get stuck on borders too...what is it? Not sure, but I do love your quilt! You and your mom are on my prayer list, always...I keep it in my calendar, so I look at it every day.

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  2. Your mini quilt is so beautiful. I love mini quilts.

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  3. Your quilt is spectacular as usual. And quite brave of you to let it be itself. And the Settlers Puzzle looks great. So sorry to hear of your Mother not doing well. Peter1,5:7. You have certainly been a diligent and loving daughter through these last year's. Prayers for both of you.

    Dotti in CT

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  4. As always another mini beauty! Like that rack too. Prayers for your mother, a virtual hug and prescription for continued stitching therapy for you.

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  5. You have beautiful views where you live. I love the mini. Lol on twitch, twitch!!

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  6. Beautiful, beautiful beautiful.

    So sorry to hear of your Mom. Do take care of yourself. Big hugs!

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  7. I love the mini and the quilt rack! Do you have the dementions handy? My hubster is a wood worker and I'd love to have one for my minis.

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  8. Oh, oh, oh, now I want to make another one of these babies! They are So Much Fun! Proud you let them go where they wanted.

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  9. Your mini is adorable. I do the same thing moving blocks around so similar blocks are not next to each other. It's hard to stop.
    Sorry your Mom is not doing well. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs

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  10. lovely view indeed....and green border just right i think...added colors gave it a boost....and your minis are always eye candy!

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  11. Sending hugs, strength and warmth to you and your mom! Thank you for sharing the X mini. Someday, I hope to do a big version of this pattern gritting through the block placement just like you.

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  12. Oh that picture is beautiful! I tried a shot of Wolf Moon the other night. It wasn't very good with my phone but I was thrilled to see it at all with the heavy cloud cover. I took the dogs out and the clouds parted for me to get a peek :-) Your mini is so gorgeous. I love the fabrics and simpler design...though I know those small pieces aren't simple ;-)
    You and your mom continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. This stage of life has so many difficult changes and challenges. Praying for comfort and strength for both of you.

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  13. First, our prayers for both you and your mom. We both know how emotionally draining it is to watch a loved one decline. I love your new mini, the Old Italian block is one of my favorites, it seems like they always have a special glow.

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  14. Your mini is awesome. The colors and fabric choices are wonderful and all that quilting!!! Some quilts just need to rest after being worked on. Settler's Puzzle will get done when it gets done. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and your family.

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  15. Beautiful quilts! Now I have to go back through my APQ magazines to find that quilt! Will be praying for your mother.

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  16. What a delightful little quilt. The sewing is spectacular with matching all those seams! Sorry to hear your mom's not doing well.

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  17. Such precision piecing! Your mini is so appealing and I love the way you arranged the fabrics. I usually spend way too much time on that step and find myself shuffling colors/blocks constantly :) Your Pam Buda quilts are fantastic. Way too many pieces in that 6" block for me but I love the way it looks! I'm thinking of you and your mom and hope things improve soon.

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  18. Your mini quilt is gorgeous!

    Best wishes to you and your mother.

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  19. That’s a very sweet mini! Love it. Great full moon pic.

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  20. What a sweet little mini!! I love churn dash blocks and have a whole quilt of little churn dashes on my to do list. Praying for your mom and you.

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  21. I always love your minis Janet & you have such a wonderful way of putting colours & fabrics together. I could never achieve all that you do & those teeny tiny squares too. I am so sorry to read of your Mum not doing so well - we worry over our Mums & it can be so draining. Sending Prayers for you both Janet. xx

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  22. Oh first of all, prayers for your Mom and for you as you travel difficult waters as a caregiver. Your mini is another beauty. It does look old fashioned and "make do". That is a *lot* of in the ditch quilting for sure. The minis displayed together are so pretty and that's a really nice way to display them.

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  23. I'll start with the end. I think it is perfect.
    What a lovely moonrise photo over the range.
    Just lovely and I wish I could stay in that peaceful state.

    I want to drop everything and make a little X quilt. It is adorable and your mix of colors are wonderful. I think the arrangement is great and I love when different colors end up next to like colors or unlike colors. So fun to study.
    Your Pam Buda project blocks are just great too.
    I'm sorry to hear your mom and I'm sending you loving thoughts and prayers.

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  24. Oh Janet, I am so sorry to hear that your Mom isn't doing well. These are the hardest times and they are made even more difficult when a loved one is sick. I am sending hugs. On a positive note, your mini is simply fantastic! It is one of my favorite patterns and yours is beyond perfection. I love that those 3 red blocks are near each other. It makes it look more antique! And your Pam Buda quilts are beyond gorgeous. I am in awe of those tiny Turn Dash blocks with ALL those tiny pieces! Hoping your week ahead will be an easier one. Hugs!

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  25. Nice to be able to have a cute finish. Looks like February has a finish close at hand. A new month means I will Blog again, too. Praying for your Mom, Hugs for you my friend!!

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  26. Your little blocks are tiny gems--such an adorable mini! I have been wanting to make that Pam Buda quilt for ages--blue and white though--lol! I know it's hard to see your loved ones struggling--I wish you strength. Take care!

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  27. So sorry to hear about your mom. Sending hugs and prayers to both of you.

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  28. I think this month's mini might be my favourite yet. thanks for the link to the post about how to make them. You scrappy churn dashes are turning out just as charming as I expected. Good luck with the borders on the "two color" quilt :) I slow down at borders as well. I'm sorry your mother's health has declined. Prayers for you and your family. Take care of yourself.

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  29. Thank you sew much for the link to the tutorial! I love that quilt block! And I love your tiny version of that quilt! Oh, nice big quilt waiting for borders, you made it so much more interesting by adding more colors!

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  30. you do make amazing mini quilts......I like the other quilt with 3 colours in it.....looks good........
    sending you big hugs........its not good when we have family unwell......

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  31. Your Old Italian quilt is delightful, Janet. It IS hard to stop playing and rearranging and leave blocks where our eyes don't see perfection. I'm proud of you!
    I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I was thinking of you and her today hoping for better news. These are hard times. I'll include you, her, and your family in my prayers.

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  32. Your stitching on this piece is simply immaculate but I would expect nothing less from the Rogue quilter. Lovely lovely finish. My Mother is in long term care now...ups and downs, emotional either way. Not easy I know.

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  33. I'll keep you in my thoughts. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.

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  34. Those crosses--a block I have never done and now must do.

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  35. Every piece you showed in this post is delightful. I have that X block pinned up above my cutting table, but have yet to produce one block. I love the Pam Buda row you have started.

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  36. Hi Janet, been many long months since I lasted posted you. I too was so busy making face masks that I really got burned out doing them. I reached 421 which was a lot for me. Went through making three different patterns and deciding the one I liked the best. I hope we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.. Hubby and I both received our 2 shots. Still locked up in the house (LOL)

    Sandi is now working on small size quilts and hoping to become a master as you are. She sure has a great eye for mixing colors (didn't get that from me). I don't do much quilting because of Arthur but still happy.
    I know this isn't the right place for this conversation but been thinking about you for sometime.
    Sending prayers for your mom and hugs to you.
    Your quilting is still #1 on all your mini quilts.

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