bloc loc template

Straightening my sewing table, I found this little pile of pieces for my peaks and valley blocks or triangles in a square. I realized that I haven't sewn with these for awhile, and, I wanted to visit with them again. It looks like I was trying to make matches, and left them before I was finished.

 I am using a bloc loc template set that I bought awhile ago. more about the template here. I like using it, and the results are very accurate. The finished piece is 2 1/12 inches.

I sewed through a few of my kitted sets, trimmed, and combined them as webbed 9 patches

I used the webbed 9 patches as leader/enders for the next couple of days, and had stars made.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

oh scrap

main crush monday

bloc loc template

I have a drawer cart near my machine, and I sometimes just look down the labels of the drawers and, this time, I wanted to just make a couple of these star blocks using the bloc loc template set. It had been awhile. I don't work on these consistently. I think these are a fun diversion while I overcome what ever speed bump I have hit on my regular projects. It looks like I need to cut more of the light centers.

I started this block using a new bloc loc ruler. At the start, I cut, and cut, and cut scraps with the template. I had no idea what I was going to do with the blocks, so, I just cut.

I find I like the dark spikes the best. And, I like matching sets.

I am linking to:

creative compulsions

needle and thread Thursdays

Oh scrap

hazel's scraps

I'm afraid I have lost my ability to chat and sew. I pretty much have a determined to get through this face right now. Hubby is recovering, and needs a bit of attention, and, I am tired most of the time. It isn't easy "resting". I am grateful for the timing of his back surgery. It gives us something to do, while we are hearing the news. If his surgery had been any later, It wouldn't have happened. Elective surgeries have been cancelled.

I had a friend from guild give a scrap bag to me. It was full of strings and small pieces and a few larger chunks. She has some interesting fabrics. It has been a welcome distraction to sort through the pieces and pretend what I am going to do with them.

The pile in the upper right corner, are pieces for Bonnie Hunter's blossom time. Anything an odd size, I put in a pile for the spike and valley scrap quilt. The rest I have been sorting into strip sizes.

There were some pieces that were 1 1/4 inches wide and 5 inches long. I started sewing those into string strips. Anything less than 1 1/2 goes into a string bucket.

I am linking:

Monday Making

design wall monday 

oh scrap

spike and valley block

I am reorganizing my projects( always) that I keep in my sewing room. I keep long term ufos somewhere else, and like to keep on -going projects in my room for easy access. I still have last year's projects in the room, and hope to move them out to make room for what I am currently making.
Every time I am sure one needs to move, I am so tempted to drop everything else, and work on the old project "just" a little longer.
I started this block using a new bloc loc ruler. At the start, I cut, and cut, and cut scraps with the template. I had no idea what I was going to do with the blocks, so, I just cut.

They are so cute and fun. I quickly realized, I wanted to make the blocks with more matching pieces.
So, I at least needed to cut matching pieces. I made a few star blocks and then, I could let them wait for a better time.

ummm "just" a few more.....

I am linking to:

TGIFF

TGIFF different

Whoop Whoop

peacock party
oh scrap
from bolt to beauty

UFO busting

spikey template

Surprise, it is almost Christmas. We had the grandest time last night watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas specials on you tube. My favorite was - all is well with my soul - with Hugh Bonneville. It was deeply touching. I am so grateful for the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

I thought I would try an actual list for to do tuesday. It might be too organized for me.

To do Tuesday
1. cut new spikey pieces to go with what I have already cut. I have been sewing these as leaders and enders for sand castles quilt. I cut a bunch of them awhile ago to use a new block loc template, but, now that I am making them, I see I need more light outsides.

Before trimming

all trimmed

2. cut small shirt pieces into useable sizes.
3. Christmas hooray
4. Quilt one of my quilts

I am linking to:
to do tuesday

chameleon color linky
oh scrap

template fun

I grabbed a few spikey pieces to sew together using the bloc loc templates. They are small and will finish at 2 1/2 inches square. They are very cute and easy to do. I cut mine from small leftover scrap pieces. I need to cut the other pieces I need so that I can see a star together.

Usually, I avoid trimming down, if I can, but, with this template it is easy and I end up with a perfect block.

I used the florabunda blocks as leader/ender  as I was sewing. I made three from this floral fabric.

I am linking to:

to do tuesday

chameleon color linky

Oh scrap

templates

I've decided, the problem with templates, and why they stay in a drawer, is that they are not quilt patterns. And quilt patterns are so much easier to make. All the thinking has already been done, and my favorite part - the mindless sewing - is sooner. When I want to start something new, I look through my patterns and books, online, magazines, or what my friends are doing. I say ooo I like that one, and I am off to the races (quilting). But, I've noticed, a new tool or template interests me more than fabric anymore.
Like this new Block of the month

or this medallion quilt along at em's scrapbag

or the temecula church window quilt along

That is why I am challenging myself to open the drawer and use templates I own but don't use. What is in your drawer? hmmm?

I have no idea what to do with these adorable blocks. But I do like making them.

But, I am cutting them from every little scrap I find. At some point I will have to decide if I have a balance of light and darks, centers and points.

I am linking to:
Free Motion by the River

to do tuesday

chameleon color linky

Oh scrap

new template

I purchased this new little template set from Missouri star quilt. It is a bloc- loc set and it makes the cutest little 2 inch triangle in a square. I just had to try it.

The pieces are cut oversized, and then, using the regular part of the bloc- loc, trimmed to size. It works like a dream to trim it, just like all bloc -loc rulers. But each piece will have to be cut. It will use the smallest pieces of scrap,
But, it is ever so cute.

It will take a lot of pieces to make a quilt of any size, But, I am in no hurry.

I am linking to:

Free Motion by the River

to do tuesday

too cute tuesday

chameleon color linky

Oh scrap