Nicholas' Diamond

Paper-pieced. Here are the sub-units, laid out in position. Keep track of what goes where!

And the final triangle, looking a little skewed because I always leave some extra fabric at the base, just in case the size is a wee small. Also, my latest applique attempt, four leaf clover. Trust me, readers, you need to use the reverse applique technique with this one. Oh yes, and don't use cheap black thread to baste your pieces in place. Traces of black may be transferred to your white fabric. Hopefully no one will get get close enough to see it.

viridian 118 blocks, 38 triangles!

G-11 (Decisions, Decisions)

First off: a big shout-out to Rosa R., who showed on her blog how she pieced the diamonds and the background. (Smacking forehead) Why didn't I think of that? Now I can do G-11 and similar blocks, like J-1 Josepha's Jonquil etc.

For this, I use the EQ software to print out the block outline on paper-piecing paper. Then, I add pencil lines to the diamond shapes to make a piece-able sub-block. And number the pieces too to keep me on track. Sorry, forgot to take a pic of this step. I'll try to remember this when I do J-1.

Viridian

M-9 Fan Dance

I paper pieced this block. If you have the Dear Jane software published by Electric Quilt, the default paper piecing order is different than this. I regrouped the pieces into the setting above. No matter how you slice this, you will have eight points coming together in the center, that will have to be lined up carefully. Note I renumbered the paper piecing order so that the seam allowances will 'nest' nicely, instead of being doubled up, and difficult to sew.

Here are the four main sections.

Here are my finished blocks for the two quilts I am making. The points don't exactly meet but they are close enough for me!

I purchased these fabrics from Reproductionfabrics.com.

viridian

1800's Christmas Jane 118, 38, 1, 3642

Pretty in Pink Jane 91, 31, 0, 2851

Miniature Madness! 53, 0, 0, 762

Vintage thingy Thursday - Norma Shearer

What? You don't know Norma Shearer? No, I wasn't around for her movies either, but read her IMDb entry. The photo above is of a homemade scrapbook, put together lovingly by someone in the 1930's, with her favorite female movie stars. I purchased this from an ebay seller in Ohio. Images are cut from magazine, not newspapers. Hollywood doesn't do glamour like this anymore. Enjoy.

I'm participating in Vintage thingy Thursday hosted by Coloradolady! I thought I was up early this AM but at least 23 bloggers beat me!

Viridian

I'm trying twitter....

Well, we'll see how this social networking thing works out. Maybe this middle aged lady can catch up with the young ones. You can follow my twittering at viridian61.

Special blocks for a special quilt

I am part of small group of Dear Jane quilters who are embarked on a long-term project to create a quilt of 4.5" blocks (inspired by the Dear Jane quilt), for President Obama. This is the "Yes we can" quilt project. Let me quote from our yahoo group website:

"This group is dedicated to the project of building a quilt to present to Mr. & Mrs. Obama to commemorate the election and inauguration of our country's first African-American president. Our quilt is inspired by the famous "Dear Jane" quilt, but it is not going to be a DJ replica. We are sticking with the 4.5" finished block size, but what each block looks like depends entirely on its creator. We are using a specific background fabric and civil war reproduction fabric. "

Our first deadline of the first set of blocks is coming up quickly, therefore I hopped to it this weekend.
Are you interested in joining? Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yeswecanjane/ and join and send a message to the moderator. Membership does require approval.

What I did not buy this weekend

http://www.lifeintheshortlane.com/

I am going to a conference later this week, associated with my work. The last session ends in the afternoon, and I needed a place to stay for one night, before catching my coach flight back home.

Don't be too sad followers, I will be in Prague, Czech Republic, city of Golden Spires. And plane fares and hotel costs are a steal.

I DID NOT reserve a room at the The Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) which is the highest rated hotel in Trip Advisor for Prague, and the Czech Republic.

"The Golden Well Hotel is a luxury Prague boutique hotel enjoying one of the best locations in the city. The Golden Well Hotel offers a superb choice of luxury Prague accommodation with 17 rooms and 2 suites all reflecting the building's rich heritage and providing our guests with incomparable views, luxurious accommodation, exceptional service and exclusive amenities. The Golden Well Hotel, our luxury Prague hotel is located below the walls of the Prague Castle and surrounded by the Castle rose gardens in the quaint Mala Strana or the "Little Quarter" of Prague. Close to the Prague Castle and the Czech Parliament we are just a short walk away from some of Prague's most impressive sights, including the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, the Royal Gardens, the St. Nicholas Church and the Old Town Square. Guests of The Golden Well Hotel are privileged in the summer months to use the Emperor's private entrance that leads directly to the gardens of the Prague Castle. Wander up the cobbled, traffic-free streets to The Golden Well, clinging to the wall in the shadow of Prague Castle, and you will uncover one of the city's best kept secrets."

"Our elegant U Zlate Studne restaurant (At the Golden Well) offers guests a choice between the intimate main dining room, which seats 26 guests, or the rooftop terrace which is able to seat 38 people. You can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Prague while relaxing by the classic Czech or innovative international cuisine."

All this would cost me (or you) $277 - $320 a night, this summer. Seriously, not bad for what you get. Maybe on an anniversary trip, it sounds so romantic.

Now where to stay? I'm cheap, but middle-aged, so I don't want to stay in a dump. I also DID NOT reserve a room at the 2-star Hotel Fortuna Luna, which at $53 a night provided some previous travelers with blood stained sheets (see Trip Advisor!)

So, with the advice of a friend I am in a 4 star hotel in the Old Town, near to everything, but on a quiet street - so they say. Trip Advisor members liked it too - the Hotel Paris. At $150 - $190 a night (more for suites etc.) it's 'good value' as my mom would say.

Viridian

Vintage Thingie Thurs.

A vintage quilt: How old does something have to be to be ‘vintage’? I believe for autos it is twenty years. If this applies to quilts, then this one may qualify.
Back to my favorite thrift store, but there is not much except this, made of non-traditional fabric, including polyester blends and a little double knit. [When will quilts with double knit fabrics become collectible? Now there’s a question.] Constructed in the strippy style, there is no filler and the back is pieced from different pieces of cotton flannel fabric. I know the piece in the center is from an old flannel sheet, because I can see where the top edging has been undone to add a few more inches of fabric. This was made by a thrifty person. Tied with poly yarn at regular intervals, and the edges are machine-sewn. Made in the 70’s or 80’s perhaps?

I purchased this as throw to keep in the hall closet near the living room. I have stocked that closet with Polartec –style blankets that are so soft and cuddly, but 3 in a row have ended up on my son’s bed. I guess because they are soft and cuddly. I think this will stay in the closet, to be used when I am taking a quick nap on the couch. I like it. It is plain but not ugly, clean and in good shape.

Check out other vintage things at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/!

Note added later: This is ONE quilt - the front and the back are shown. Yes the flannel is cozy!