Sunday, November 6, 2016

A milestone reached...72 completed LITTLE TREASURES blocks...







The 18 blocks pictured above are the LAST of the 72 (total) LITTLE TREASURES blocks; original blocks that I drafted and hand appliqued to amuse myself and stay sane over the last sixteen months.  The finished size of each block is 6-inches square.

I started making these 6-inch blocks over a year ago for a project that was leaning in another direction.  That project, "Repro Madness," was to be a swap project that would contain blocks made by me and two of my Michigan friends.  I started making 6-inch hand applique blocks designed by Lori Smith of From My Heart to Your Hands designs to put together with pieced and embroidered blocks from my friends.

The three of us chose Reproduction fabrics and got to work.  After I made five blocks using Lori's designs, I started drafting my own blocks, all the time making 3 of each design for a while, one for each of us.

As my project got more ambitious in my head, it became clear to me that I was now working on two different projects...the swap project and what was turning into a medallion quilt featuring an original center larger block surrounded by a collection of tiny appliqued blocks on scrappy backgrounds.

Here are close-ups of the last 18 blocks.  It has been really challenging keeping to the Reproduction fabric palette, but since that is what I started with I decided to persevere...

This is "Flutter By"...


"Fairy Friend"...


"High Flying"...


"In Transit"...


"Counting Sheep"...


"Fall Oak"...


"When Pigs Fly"...


"Bee Happy"...


"Hovering Hummer"...


"A Splash of Citrus"...


"Thread to Go"...


"Greet the Morn"...


"Bashful Bird"...


"L-O-V-E"...


"Hiding in Pines"...


"Zinnia Bouquet"...


"Balancing Act"...


and (finally!), "Just Ducky"...


I started drafting and stitching all of these blocks, not really knowing where I was going.  What I did know was that having the blocks ready to stitch was great therapy for me as I tried to meet the challenges of moving into my parents' home in another state and dealing with the fall out.

They were easy to prep and sew before I got the quilt cave re-established.

As some of you became interested in the designs and requested patterns, I started gathering them into bundles of nine blocks as I went along and offered the first five pattern bundles on my web site (Animals, Flowers 1, Flowers 2, Misc 1, and Fruit-Veg 1).  

I finally determined that seventy-two blocks was the total number that I needed for the quilt in my head, so I finished out the remaining three bundles (Misc 2, Pets 1, and Winged Things 1).

All patterns are available now, both as a digital download and as patterns sent by snail mail, from my online store.  Click here to go there.

Here are the bundles that are now available:

Animals (1)...


Flowers (1)...


Flowers (2)...


Fruits-Veg (1)...


Misc (1)...


Misc (2)...


Pets (1)...


I have added 3 free BONUS blocks in the Pets (1) Bundle...they are not pictured in the thumbnail print because I gave the finished blocks away!  Here are the pictures and they will also appear in the Photo Gallery on my web store...

Labrador Loyalty...



Short on Loyalty...

Sweet and Low...


Winged Things (1)...


I am now at the point where I can figure out my arrangement of these 72 blocks around my central medallion...that will be both fun and a little scary!


I have been hand stitching my first of four final hand appliqued borders for my anniversary quilt.  It is going a little slow, but I am certainly enjoying it!  Here is a peek...


The other three borders are drawn but not prepped.  I wanted to finish the first one and sew it to the body of the quilt to make sure I don't need to change the balance of the remaining three borders.  

My "Afternoon Delight" is a little ignored right now as I try to push these other two projects toward completion.  I am also drafting and doing the computer work for additional Baltimore Rhapsody music blocks...banjo, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, church organ, handbells, saxophones and blocks containing more music clefs, notes and symbols.  Thank you for your patience!

In stitches,
Teresa   :o)

19 comments:

  1. The blocks are all beautiful, but I like the animals the best. I keep trying to imagine them mixed in with all the elegant fruits and flowers!

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  2. Soooooo cute! This was a treat first thing this morning. LOVE THESE!

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  3. "In Transit" and "Thread to Go" put a smile on myself this morning. I love them all. You having been designing and appliquing like crazy. Thank you so much for sharing. Every project you make is a masterpiece.

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  4. Love all your blocks - you do such beautiful work!! And you get so much done

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  5. Wonderful photos of all the blocks you designed.

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  6. I have to say that in general I do not care for the "reproduction pallet" of colors. You actually manage to make it look bright and happy.

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  7. Oh my goodness you are a brilliant designer! I looked at each of these blocks and enjoyed all the details you created! Whenever this quilt is in a show, I'm going to see it and I don't care where in the world it is!

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  8. I love your blocks - wonderful!! There are so many delightful details to enjoy. You also have an amazing stash of brighter repros! What an incredible quilt this is going to be!

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  9. My virus checker (McAfee) warned me away from your online shop. I thought you'd like to know. It didn't say what the problem was. Love your designs.

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  10. You have such a talent for designing beautiful and fun blocks. The 'Balancing Act' made me smile!

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  11. Your designs are wonderful and your applique is amazing!!!! I can see how these were good stress relievers during your move. Now I can't wait to see the finished setting!!

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  12. Awesome! Thanks for sharing your well-designed sweet blocks.

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  13. Good gracious! These blocks are amazing! I counted 61 pieces in the Zinnia Bouquet alone! How do you do it? It isn't just your lovely applique stitch and your designs that keeps us enthralled, it is also your magnificent color sense. Thanks for all the eye candy and inspiration!

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  14. I continue to marvel at your skill. Just thinking about how small the pieces are in each block leaves me in awe. I love your flower designs, but I couldn't manage them at this point, so I'll just have to admire them.

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  15. I simply cannot wait to see this quilt completed. You blow me away.

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  16. You have overwhelmed me with your gorgeous handwork. These blocks gives me the goose bumps ! I cannot wait to see them all stitched together.

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  17. You are a wonderful designer! And an inspiration as a human being...thanks for sharing.

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  18. I love your amusing, charming little blocks. They have so much imaginative, cheerfulness, and fun in them. They also show your usual perfect applique technique, color and layout. WOW!

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