Saturday, May 26, 2007

PRIMITIVE CHRISTMAS BLOCKS

Have you seen Cheri Saffiote's new Christmas book? It has tons of the cutest little primitive folkart blocks! (Notice all the bookmarks). I decided I wanted to prepare a bunch to take with me to Minnesota next week so I have some hand work to play with. So I started preparing the blocks, then in the evening I sat down and stitched them, totally defeating the purpose, but I couldn't stop myself! I don't have any idea how I am going to arrange them in a quilt. At this point I am just making a few of them for fun and I can figure the rest out later. There are so many patterns in this book that in order to print them all, they are printed small and you have to enlarge them 200% on a copy machine. I did that to a few, and some I decided to make smaller, so enlarged them at 175%. Some are so simple that you can just sketch them out in the size you want. They are all odd ball sizes, so they will need strips, etc. to pull it all together. But for now, I just laid them all on the floor for a photo. I have to tell you, the directions in this book puzzle me. It isn't very clear what the finished size of the blocks are supposed to be. When I add up the measurements for the pieced blocks they don't compute. I finally decided I would just determine the cutting sizes on my own so I was sure of what I would get. It would be really confusing for a beginner, but I am used to winging it, so it is OK. That funny little tree in the picture will have buttons sewn on, but not until after the quilting is done. Wow, do we know how to have fun or what?

13 comments:

Libby said...

I love that book. It never gets put on the shelf because I like it handy to flip through regulary.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I loaned mine to my friend last winter and she made all kinds of mug rugs with them! We all got mug rugs for xmas!

Jeanne said...

The blocks are very cute! I'll have to check out that book.

Anonymous said...

All your blocks are very cute !

Knot Garden said...

Very nice, especially the basket block. Love all basket designs:)

Susan said...

The blocks are wonderful. I just love each one more than the last. I can see why you couldn't resist doing them right away!

Carole said...

I have to get a copy of the book! The blocks are lovely! Thanks for sharing! Happy quilting!

Patti said...

Oh, I love your little blocks! I can see that book on the bookcase from where I'm sitting - I'll just have to get it out. I've had it at least a couple years and have leafed through it only once.

Quilting Kim said...

Oooh, Aaah... I just love the folksy look of those blocks. I think I feel the need to own that book.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

These are precious, so what are you taking now to Minnesota? ;) I love the look of these and will try and find the book here, thanks for the endorsement.

YankeeQuilter said...

I particularly like the little patriotic angel!

Mary Johnson said...

Your blocks are very cute - I've seen that book before but I've tried to stop buying applique books since I hardly ever do any.

Judy said...

Okay a book I will need to get!! I have Cehri's pattern and yes they do require a bit of figiting but worth the effort! They look fabulous!