I finished the pineapple block - twice

I don't know why the pictures are so dark - this is with a flash

I finished the pineapple block that I mentioned in my previous post.  It turned out so pretty.  I love the fabrics and the way the foliage wraps around it.  I decided to replace the cacti block that goes under the morning glories with the pineapple because it was so tall.  But, the measurements for the pineapple block just weren't quite right.  No problem, I'd just adjust the sashing when I put it all together.

So, I pinned it up on the design board and . . .  it's too big.

It's not in proportion with the other blocks.  It just grabs you by the throat and demands to be looked at.

I was quite discouraged.  I have been working on this project as my sanity project during this stay-at-home time and to have it not work out was more than I could cope with right now.  I decided to take a sabbatical.  I put everything away; the pattern, the fabric, the blocks, all of it went in the downstairs closet.  I turned off the light, I shut the door.

Well, I lasted two days and during that time I considered different options because I couldn't get it out of my head.  Monday I decided to get out the pineapple block from the pattern and try to adapt it to the size I need.

The results are below.

I have to admit two things.  It is a much better size for the rest of the quilt and I really really like the other foliage better.  But, for the size block I needed to cut, the spread-out foliage was a must to fill the space.

And this is how it looks with the rest of the blocks.  Much better.

I've already prepped the next block, the marigolds, so I'm pressing forward.

No Celebrating Mary Brown progress whatsoever.




You can skip the rest of the post if you're not eager to hear more virus news.

I just found out my sister has gone in to be tested for the virus, she has the symptoms.  There are 3 people in my life that I hoped could be spared from getting this disease because of their underlying problems.  She is one of them.  She's not gasping for breath at this point so that is positive.

What a "Alice in Wonderland" experience this whole thing is.  Nothing is like you expect, the days all blend together, and just when you think you might find a way out of the maze something else happens and blocks your exit.
Robin

Switching the pineapple block

I found this book by Linda Brannock.  It's called Miss Jump's Memories.  Anyway, I loved this pineapple on the front cover.  In fact, the pineapple block is the reason I bought the book.  There is a pineapple block in the Flowers quilt I am working on by Linda Brannock.  So I thought I would switch them and then I could use this delightful block pattern.

I finished two more blocks for this quilt.  So I am about halfway done with the blocks.

Excuse the threads

I made the Bromeliad Block.  The picture doesn't do this block justice.  The fabric used in the outside leaves sparkles and looks like Christmas lights.  It isn't metallic, it's just the play of the colors and printing.  The middle part is supposed to have dots too but nothing looked good so I left it blank.  And the block is not crooked, it's the photography.

I also made the Bluebells Block.  Again my blue is a little dark but it's what I had and it goes with the rest of the color scheme.

The following pictures are a little dark - sorry about that.

I've been thinking about the other blocks.  I'm not sold on the cacti block - I'll have to make a decision on that soon.  But, in the meantime, the book at the first of my post has other flower blocks in it and I'm considering using one of them instead.  There is the block above I love with that chintz pitcher/vase.

I think this is supposed to be a poinsettia.

I love this grouping.  I'm leaning toward using the one on the far right but the middle one would add some more blue to the quilt.

This one kind of makes me laugh.  It supposed to be a Gladiola.

I'm also considering making this quilt a little larger but adding more of the flower blocks.  But that all depends on how much I want to finish up this quilt and start something new.  You know how that goes, I'm sure.

 I need to prep the pineapple block today and then get busy. 

I'm having fun,
Robin

Blocks #3 and #4 of the Flowers Quilt

 I have finished 4 blocks for the Flowers quilt by Linda Brannock.  I am using my fabric scraps and trying to come up with blocks that sorta go together.  The Morning Glory block above should have had a lighter blue but this is what I ended up using.  And, the centers should probably have been yellow but that didn't look right either.

This quilt seems to really have a mind of it's own and it is displayed very well in the Cockscomb block below.

I used a gold fabric for the flowers that never seems to go with anything else.  It looked good with the green I had picked out and then I needed something that would match but also stand on it's own for the hearts.  I found this fabric by Minick & Simpson with embroidery on it.

Here are the four blocks together. (The jury is out.)  I need to repeat that pink from the dots and flower center in the 2nd block.  Maybe the 6th block, that will go under the cockscombs,  can use some pink somewhere.  I know once I get the HST sashing done it won't look as disjointed but it's hard to imagine at this point.

Can I just say, these are unusual flowers!  Just you wait, I'm doing the Bromeliad next.  The center of this plant below looks more like the block than any other picture I have found but the foliage is a lot different.

The menfolk are out in the cool weather  (39 degrees outside) and sunshine chipping and shredding.   I will be so grateful to see the big pile of prunings that has been under the apricot tree since last fall - gone.

I'm so anxious to see life get back to normal.  Probably no more that all those who have to work on the front lines and those who can't work at all.  My son above still has a job but things have slowed down to a halt so he's earning some money around here.

Today I'm going to try and catch up on the 'Beyond Baskets' SAL or BOM from Temecula Quilt Co.  It only has 12 blocks and 2 are sent each month.  I have five completed and so I'm  one behind.   I will probably get the next two in a week.

Stay busy for your peace of mind,
Stay safe for your health,
Robin

It is well

I heard a hymn Sunday morning that really touched me.  It was "It is Well with My Soul".  Words by Horatio G. Spafford and music by Philip P. Bliss


I found the video this morning, it is so peaceful.

Here is the link if you would like to listen to it and here is the link to the sheet music (which is public domain) if you'd like to follow along with the words.  The choir sang verses 1, 2, 3, and 6.

You'll feel better, I promise.
Robin

The Children's Corner Quilt

I decided to start a new quilt just to pass the time.  It is gentle applique for the most part.  I just wanted something that I didn't have to concentrate hard on, just a little relaxing stitching.  It is the Flowers quilt by Linda Brannock.

We have been "Sheltering in Place" for over 2 weeks now.  We don't have a lockdown order but we have been asked to stay home except for essentials.  It breaks my heart to hear about the hardship and sorrow that other's are going through in other parts of the country.

We are all coping the best way we know how;  I stitch, my SIL does some deep cleaning, a friend reads and reads, my husband is looking forward to some consistent good weather so he can garden. another friend spends her day checking in on everybody else by text, and my son and DIL are making their Halloween costumes.

Sorry this is kind of dark

I finished my Cheddarback quilt below.  And so, I had space on my design wall (Cheddarback was up there for over a year) to put my Alice Jane Blue (AKA Celebrating Mary Brown) blocks all together.  It's a little unconventional, I think.  I don't like the color of the map block.  It just doesn't go with the rest of the blocks.  I bought some different map fabric and am going to replace the original.

I decided early on that I wanted to make the quilt the same size as the original so I didn't add any extra sections.  I kind of like that quirky little row of 5" blocks on the bottom.

I didn't have any blue sprig material like the original to put between the sections of the quilt around the outside.  But I did have some pink that I like a lot.  I ended up putting it around the lily block in the center because I used too light of a background and it looked so washed out.

As I mentioned before I had this on the design wall for over a year and one day my youngest daughter was examining it.  She said, "this quilt reminds me of Debussy's The Children's Corner.  (She is a musician).  It is a quilt that should be on a child's bed.

 Isn't it interesting how we all see the same thing and interpret it from different perspectives?

You can listen  to The Children's Corner HERE

So now the  name of this quilt is The Children's Corner.

We got a late April Fool's joke over night.

It snowed and this is my apricot tree with blossoms all over it.

The poor daffodils along the fence are hanging their heads.  But, they are hearty, unlike the apricot blossoms and will recover just fine.

We brought some inside yesterday to brighten the room.

Stay safe,
Robin