Let's Make A Block Disappear

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.

~Lin Yutang

We made it home safely Monday afternoon.  The roads were dry and the drivers were mostly sane.  My only disappointment was our stop in Temecula.  I had previously checked the store hours for The Wool Lady and, yes, they were open Mondays.  Much to my disappointment, when we arrived there was a note on the door that stated "We will be closed this Monday".  Boo for me!  On well, I guess that just gives me another reason to head south and visit the in-laws again.  We had a very relaxing and enjoyable time with my SIL and BIL.  We ate too much wonderful food, watched two good movies - True Grit and Temple Grandin, played some Wii and just enjoyed each other's company.  You couldn't have asked for more :)

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

March

March is National Craft Month! What a terrific reason to celebrate!  National Craft Month was created nearly a decade ago by the Craft and Hobby Association to spotlight the fact that over half of US homes have crafting going on in them. Since its inception in 1994, however, crafters have really embraced the month as a chance to try new crafts, share their crafting with others, and acknowledge the significance that crafting has in our lives. According to Jenny Barnett Rohrs of the popular craft blog, Craft Test Dummies, "Whether it's documenting our lives with scrapbooking, strengthening intergenerational bonds by teaching our children and grandchildren knitting and crochet, or using our crafting time as therapy, National Craft Month is our chance to speak up for the crafts we love and be proud of the crafts we have created."  There is really no better time to let your artistic talent shine.  Celebrate by sewing for charity, teach a craft class, learn a new craft, or start your holiday projects.  Go forth and celebrate!!

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MAIL

After not having mail delivery for 3 days, this is what was delivered to my door.  Lots of squishy packages and a big box too.  Some of it was purchases I had made.  Some of it was blocks from swaps or fabrics for Bees.  There were even a couple of winnings I had forgotten about.  I will share with you more during the week.

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DISAPPEARING 4-PATCH TUTORIAL

Yesterday I made a block that was fun and easy and thought that maybe you could use some of both to start out your month.  How about a quick tutorial for an 8.5 inch block (raw edge to raw edge)? 

First you will need to cut four 5 inch blocks.  I used a white on white and a red print.  Cut two of each color.  Sew these blocks together in the normal 4-Patch formation using a scant 1/4 inch seam.  Press the seams toward the darker fabric.

Next, with your block on a small cutting mat so that you can turn the block without disturbing it, make a cut 1 inch from the center seam.

Rotating the mat, you will make 3 more cuts measuring 1 inch from the center seam for each cut.

Next rotate only the center outside sections 180 degrees as shown in the photo below.

Sew the sections together into three strips as I have done in the photo below.  Make sure in your center section that the seams align.  For the center strip press the seams away from the center.  For the top and bottom strips, press the seams toward the center.

Sew the three sections together matching seams. Press seams away from the center.

And there you have it.....the Disappearing 4-Patch block.  Now wasn't that easy?  Can't you see several uses for this great block?  This block looks way more complicated than it really is.  I made this block for Block Lotto this month.

Here is another one that I made using different prints.  The theme colors for this month's Block Lotto is red and white.

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A BEE BLOCK

Yesterday I also was able to make one of the Let's Bee Together blocks for this month's hostess, Robyn.

Robyn sent out gorgeous oriental fabric and left the block design up to us.  You can't really tell from the picture but all of the gold you see is actually very shiny.  I sure hope Robyn likes what I created with her fabric.  This block is called Album Variation and finishes out at 12 inches. 

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TODAY'S GOAL

I will finish my March mini quilt for the larger metal hanger I have.

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GIVEAWAYS

The Root Connection is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Quilt Fiesta by Cheryl Lynch.  Sujata will announce the winner on March 6th.

Vignette in Stitching is having a giveaway.  You could win a bundle of 15 fat Quarters from 'Where the Wind Blows'.  This giveaway will end March 10th at 10 am QLD time.

The Fat Quarter Shop's The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could by the lucky winner of a copy of Modern Basics by Amy Ellis.  This giveaway ends Thursday, March 3, at midnight CST.

Cut To Pieces is having a Fresh Squeezed Fabric giveaway.  You could win a $40 gift certificate to this wonderful etsy shop.  Once again I do not know when this giveaway will end.

Quiltsbycheri is having a March primitive giveaway.  Cheri is giving away a wonderful little prim quilt.  She will draw the winner on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th.

Pleasant Home is having a GO! Baby giveaway.  You could be the lucky winner of a GO! Baby and 3 dies just for entering a comment about being a grandparent.  Sadly, there is no deadline stated.

I almost missed this giveaway over at Why Knot?  Wendy is giving away three darling hand made buckets, each with a charm pack in it.  But hurry, this ends tonight at midnight!!

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FINAL THOUGHT

It felt really good to sit at the sewing machine today.  It was a productive day without too much use of the seam ripper.  Of course, I can never have a full day of sewing without using that indispensable tool unless I'm doing hand sewing only - lol!  I think starting the day with a clear head helped.  Getting totally away from the sewing machine might have actually helped, too.  Who would have thought?  I have several more swap and bee blocks to make for this month.  I had to make a chart with each one listed just to make sure I will not forget a single one.  I have already been able to cross off four things on that list and it is only the 2nd.  The month is starting well, I can only hope it continues that way.

Once you choose hope, any thing's possible.
~Christopher Reeve

Today is Tuesday, make it crafty!!