Some of my first blocks

Some new followers have joined my blog since my contest - Thank You!! They are joining as I am - gasp! three quarters of the way through my Dear Jane Journey? Believe me I never thought I would get this far.

Some of you have complimented me on my blocks (thank you again) and said, these are so complex! So tiny! I could never do that! Well, it is a learning curve, and if you want to, you can do this. Look where I started. I had been quilting for some years, and had done some paper-piecing.

I started this journey/project in October 2007. I had Brenda's book, but no software, no rulers. I pieced a few blocks that looked simpler (i.e., bigger pieces) and then took a deep breath and started on a few applique blocks.

In the picture above are three of my early pieced blocks. The next row down shows (left) Five and Dime, my first attempt at melons, (middle) Jane's tears, my first try at reverse applique in a long long time, and (right) Tour de France, a somewhat later try at applique. It is those yellow melon points that make me laugh now. Not very pointy! I have also contributed a few blocks to Rosa Robichaud's Dear Jane "Bloopers" list of shame.
So, take heart. We all start somewhere, and get better.