Monday, April 30, 2018

'Smoky Plum' Blocks, Grape Hyacinth, Sew Stitch Snap Share #25, Debbie Jeske's 'Grape Fizzy'


My 'Smoky Plum' sampler blocks, 12 1/2" when trimmed up, started last summer.

Quarter Circle block, I liked this one so I made two for this sampler.

Nine Patch block with a good example of smoky plum.
We visited a botanical garden last weekend, the grape hyacinth put on a fabulous show.

We saw historical pictures, antiques and records of early settler families here. 


Happy Monday and May 1st is tomorrow! 
We've had showers and sun trading off, typical spring weather, right?

I pulled out my 'Smoky Plum' sampler blocks from the Improv Piecing class I took last summer with Debbie Jeske teaching it at Gossipium Quilt Shop  in Issaquah, Wa.
I was working on the rail fence block last night and got fed up with it. I picked out seams and strips and left them in a pile imagining the worst. Then I went to bed.
This morning I got up and looked over the pile and did some rearranging. Then, sewed up strips into blocks and hey! not half bad after all. That goes to show that working when you're tired is not always a good thing.
I have one more block to make up and haven't decided yet what it will be, maybe a 'crazy' block.
There might be sashing between the blocks, still thinking on that. Got any ideas?

Did you notice, no orange!

We visited a local botanical garden, spring flowers were everywhere. There was a beautiful walk down to a stream, very refreshing. Grape hyacinth, rhododendron, and camellia were blooming, just to name a few.


Visit Debbie Feske at A Quilter's Table to see her 'Grape Fizzy' quilt. She made it for the 2018 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Ultra Violet Edition. Fun design and colors, don't miss it!

I'm also linking up with Sew Stitch Snap Share hosted by Linda @ Koka Quilts. It's a great opportunity to share and get inspired, stop in to see.
Thank you, Linda.

That's the news from the shire. Have a great week and I'll be by to visit!




8 comments:

Queeniepatch said...

I often find that I look at things totally differently after a night's sleep. So to me 'I'll sleep on it' is not only a white lie to say to a sales clerk when I want to get out of buying something, but also when I am working on my quilting/embroidery. Usually I find that I like things better after a good rest, but there are times when I know I have to rip it all up and start over again. The creative powers of sleep!!!
Smoky plum is looking good, even without orange!

Mystic Quilter said...

I do like the colours in your Smoky Plum blocK. Always good to see the grape hyacinths peeping up, Iove them.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Yes, I too like your colour palette in these blocks! Thanks for sharing with 'sew stitch snap SHARE'

Janie said...

Thank you Queenie.
Yes, even if I have to unpick I do a better job if I'm rested and not stressed out.

Janie said...

You're welcome, thanks Linda for hosting 'Sew Stitch Snap Share'.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

'They' (you know, the infamous 'they' that know it all) say that sleeping on things is a good idea, so you've proven their point! As for the sashing/no sashing question - my vote is to sash because I think it would make your blocks stand out more. Just my two cents!

Kaja said...

No orange, but this is a fabulous colour palette - I love it. I'm not much of a sasher, so probably wouldn't, but it will come down to the feel you are after.

Janie said...

Thank you Kaja.
You're right about keeping in mind 'the feel you're after.'
Focus is a good thing.