Welcome to the Quiltmaker 100 Block Blog Tour. Â Although we had a block in the magazine we almost missed out on the tour. For those of you who don’t know I was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Â Sometime in the last couple months an email must have come telling us about the tour and I must not have seen it…so didn’t sign up for it. Â Then earlier this week I started wondering why I hadn’t heard anything about it only to find out it was starting. Â Luckily the gals at Quiltmaker squeezed us in.
Here’s our block:
This was designed by me on one of those days I was in a hurry racing a deadline…loosely translated I forgot all about submitting something and the deadline was the next day. Â Well coming up with an “original block” isn’t always easy. Â Before we’ve thought we had something only to page through a quilt block book and see what we thought was an “original block” as something that was “original” 100 years ago! Â Then we’d be back at he drawing board.
I told Kelli we didn’t have time to mess around and whatever we came up with had to “be original” the first time…no second tries this time around. Â I told her our best bet was to string piece at least part of the block.
Although the directions in Quiltmaker’s 100 Block issue tell you to paper piece the star points, we actually didn’t. Â We did it like this….
I started out with 4 1/2″ and 3 1/2″ squares.
I put the 3 1/2″ square onto the fabric and sewed on the diagonal  Then sewed 3/8″ for that line.  I like having bonus triangles…Then I trimmed the corner off between the two sewn lines.
I pressed to get one bonus triangle and the start of my star points.
I did the same for the next side.
I pressed and my blocks now look like this. Â I ended up with bonus pieces again…but forgot them in the photo.
Next I graduated down a size. Â I put 2 1/2″ squares on the corners and sewed twice along the diagonal as shown.
I did it to both sides and pressed. Â I ended up with this and the bonus triangles.
Next I graduated down a size. Â I put 1 1/2″ squares on the corners and sewed ONCE along the diagonal as shown. Â Then I trimmed.
That’s how I got my star points. Â To create my star blocks. Â How cool is that?? Â It looks like paper piecing but doesn’t have to be.
Right now I am working on a baby quilt. Â This is how far I currently am…three stars in on the 16 stars I am going to make. Â Right now, plans are that the bonus triangles I get from sewing the 2 1/2″ blocks on will be pressed and sewn together. Â They will make a “sashing” between the blocks.
The half square triangles I get from sewing the 3 1/2″ block on will be pressed and they will make a border around the whole quilt….that’s the plan. Â But plans can change. Â I did mix things up a bit by using a scrappy inside to the block and but using all different “whites” for the background.
I’ll be working on this over the next month as time allows. Â I’m hoping to get it finished by the end of the month…we’ll see. Â A blog reader gifted me a HUGE bag of 2 1/2″ squares and they’ve been going into these blocks. Â It’s fun working scrappy….my favorite mode.
If you’d rather make the block paper pieced style, the magazine has the template for that.
They have lots of great giveaways going on in conjunction with the blog hop over at Quiltmaker’s blog. Â Find them all here. Â There is also a complete listing of other blogs who are showing off their block with many hosting their own giveaways.
We are hosting one here…actually two.
The first name drawn will get a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Block Volume #13.
The second name drawn will get a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Block Volume #13 AND a copy of our quilt book Country Girl Modern….Haven’t seen out book??  We’re pretty proud of it….
You can read more about it here.
To enter to win simply leave a comment telling us how you found out blog. Â We’ll pick a winner next week on Tuesday.
I found your blog a year ago but don’t remember where. Since I live in Nebraska, I enjoy reading about your life and adventures in Iowa.
lLove your block
I’ve been following your blog for quite awhile. I am not sure how I originally found it.
I found you via the link on Quiltmakers blog. Fun block! Thanks for sharing the giveaway!
I follow you on FB, probably from another hop. Sorry to hear about your illness, Hope all goes well next week. You are in my prayers.
Blog hop. Thanks for the great block and the tutorial!
Love your block! Stars are my favorite. I found your blog on the Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks hop. Thanks for the great giveaway.
This time I followed the link on the Quilty Pleasures blog..Take care of yourself. Kathy in colo
I really like your string pieced star and your technique looks very fun and easy. Hope all goes well with your thyroid. I had mine removed Feb. 2015 due to thyroid cancer. FYI if you have to do radioactive iodine treatment, suck on lemon drops several times a day for several weeks. The RI damaged my saliva glands, but I am told that doesn’t happen to everyone.
Great block – thanks for the tutorial.
Oh, I almost forgot…I found you from the Quilty Pleasures blog
Just love your block..stars are a favorite. Found you via Quiltmaker.’s 100 block blog.
Thanks for the giveaway. I think I found your blog through Bonnie Hunter’s blog. In any case, I’ve been reading for quite a while.
Love your block so colorful. I have been reading your blog for so long I don’t remember how I found you. It may have been via Patchwork Times and seeing what you were working on that made me look. Anyway, I always enjoy reading about what goes on in your world. Keeping you in my T&P.
Always love reading your blog and seeing what you come up with next. Love this block
Have loved your blog for a while. I probably found you through patchwork times. Thanks for the giveaway.
I found you through the blog hop. I like how your points are in a scrappy fashion, and your technique is fascinating. I pray that your treatment plan gives you a new lease on life.
I found your blog when I was looking for examples of Bonnie Hunter quilts. That has been over a year ago.
I honestly don’t remember how I found your blog. Maybe from a previous QM blog tour? Anyway, I enjoy reading what you’re up to.
I definitely like stars, and controlled scrappy works for this one!
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
I’ve been following you so long I can’t remember how I found you. I really am getting old you know.
Love your block! Thanks for showing us how it’s made. I love using my scraps so your block is perfect! Congratulations on having your block included in Vol. 13. I’m a new follower via BlogLovin.
Thanks for a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this issue. I already have your book and I love it. I’ve been reading your blog for so long that I don’t remember how I found you. I am going to guess that I saw you on either Patchwork Times or Quiltville.
Hi, I found you years ago through Bonnie Hunter’s blog when she had a list of those she followed. I watch in amazement at the number of quilts you produce and your generosity with them. Last year my only daughter went to live and work in Salt Lake City and I was lucky enough to visit her last Christmas..I had a lovely time especially when the parcel of fabrics from Whittles arrived at her house for me!
Regards from warm and sunny England (it will rain later).
So long ago I can’t remember but probably through Bonnie Hunter’s blog or possibly Judy Laquadeira@s
Fun block! I’ve followed your blog for a few years. I don’t remember how I found it!
Great block! I like that it’s not paper pieced! I’ve been following you for quite a while but I can’t remember how I found you. Thanks for the chance to win!
I think I found your blog through Bonnie Hunter’s blog, and I’m so glad I did. I really enjoy it. Keep up the good work and I hope you’re feeling 100% very soon!
I think I first found your blog last year on the Quiltmaker Giveaway via Bonnie Hunter’s blog. What a cool way to connect to other bloggers!
I like your block especially the scrappyness. I always enjoy reading your blog with the conversations about quilting and life.
I love the way you constructed the block. What a great alternative to paper piecing, and you have bonus triangles! I have been rolling you for quite a while and don’t remember how I found your web site, but I love everything you do.
Thank you for the fun block! I like to do string piecing and appreciate you showing your design process! This will definitely be going on my “to do” list!
You have a great blog – found it through Quiltmaker :)
I don’t remember how I found you, maybe in a blog hop. I have followed you for a long while and enjoy every minute. Thanks for showing how you made you block and I sure could use that with my stash.
Jo, I’ve been following your blog for so long that I’ve forgotten how I found it. You are an inspiration to all of your readers!
I found your blog several years ago. There was a mention of you and your book on Bonnie Hunter’s blog. I checked out your blog and have been visiting ever since.
I found your blog on the Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks website. Congratulations on getting your block published and thank you for sharing how your made your block. I appreciate the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
Oh, Jo, I have been reading your blog so long, and usually in my inbox, that I cannot remember when I started reading it, or how I initially found it! Thanks for the chance to win your book!
I absolutely love scrappy blocks. this one is incredible!
I can’t remember for sure, but I believe it was through Patchwork Times.
I believe I found you through a blog hop. I’m certainly glad I did
I hope things are going well with your health. I found your blog though the block hop.
I’m lucky enough to have my prized possession of a signed copy of your book, but I would love a free copy of the 100 block book even if I don’t know how to paper piece yet, but hope to know how sometime in the future. Thanks also for to Audio Book information! I plan to have my Granddaughter help me get rolling on that . I love driving and listening to an Audio Book so sewing and listening has got to be even better!
Thank You for all the help and insights on everything on all that you do. My prayers are also with you and your family during these are times. God Bless you all.
Jeri
I found you through the Quiltmaker blog. A very bright and cheerful star block.
It has been so long, I am not sure where I “first” found you – Maybe from Confessions of a fabric addict – I enjoy all your adventures – the house, the dogs, the child care kids, the recipes, your health and of course, the quilts! Thank you for this opportunity. Your technique for piecing this block is very clever :)
Your block rocks. I love scrappy. I have been following your blog for several years but don’t know how I originally found it. It could be when I watched with interest while you were making Perkiomen Daydreams because I have also started this project. May you have great success through you health journey.
I love scrappy blocks. Your quilt is going to be awesome. I came to your blog from the daily update at the Quiltmaker blog! Glad I did.
I found your blog a couple of years ago. Can’t remember how tho. but I am glad I found it. You and your family are an inspiration. Have followed your building of your new home, pups and your lovely family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily while you go through your cancer treatments.
I have been following your blog for a couple of years – maybe more – I have a saved email from July 2014. Love your stuff and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this block. It is so totally like something I love to do – Guess that I will be checking out my stash. Thanks for a great block, a fun blog to follow – prayers going out your way.
I found you by the blog hop, but will definitely be returning soon!
I think I found you originally through blog hop. I really enjoy your blog and love this block. Thanks for the share.
My friend recommended this blog to me! :)
I found the blog through a google search that brought up one of your tutorials. Probably a binding tutorial but I can’t remember any more. Now I read everyday so I’m so happy I found you!
The more I think about it, I think it was actually a batting blog post that I found.
Love your star block! Can’t wait to see the finished quilt.
Don’t remember how I found you but, sure am glad I did! You make us feel like family or a close neighbor.
Love your block. Just got into string piecing. Thanks for sharing.
I have been following your blog for so long that I don’t remember how I found you!