Cotton Boll Block 4

Block four is complete! I picked this block to do thinking it would be a quick easy block.  Once I started it I started to worry about whether my placement of pieces would be exact enough to make the block symmetrical. Sometimes, I think quilter's are too close to their work.  On the other hand, I always feel it is good to continue on perfecting one's work.  While on a morning stroll in the garden one morning last week, I realized that no two leaves were exactly alike, so why was I fretting about perfection.  With good advice from some fellow quilters, I realized I need to let go of the perfection and enjoy the process.
So now that it is done, I can say I am happy with this block.  I have started block 5 which will be a single rose wreath. I must admit that working on an applique red and green quilt, is not boring since each block is so different. The one thing that really keeps me going is knowing that once completed it will be fun to hand quilt.

Block Three

I must say I have caught the needle turn applique bug! This block is called Currents and Coxcomb and  was designed by Janet Treen of Quiltsalott blog.  Her work is spectacular. She is working on a quilt with this block repeated on point with some wonderful trapunto on the alternate blocks that she designed, so inspirational.
This block was a joy to stitch, and I am thankful to Janet for sharing it with me.  With this one completed, I need to choose my next block.  I am torn between the oak leaf and acorn block and the cotton boll.  Living in Arkansas, cotton and oak trees are all around, so I guess either one is appropriate and will be in my finished red and green quilt.  

Block Two

Block two is complete! I love stitching the little birds on this one. Now to choose block number three. I think it will be a block that was designed by Quiltsalott a blogger I follow.  If you want to see some beautiful work check out her site. 

What's red and green?

Well, I have started my red and green quilt. Ever since I learned to needleturn applique, I have wanted to make a traditional red and green quilt.
I found a used book on Amazon called Red and Green An Applique Tradition by Jeana Kimball. The pattern features a large center block and it is surrounded by twelve smaller blocks.
I started collecting fabric for this quilt over the Christmas holiday when my husband and I visited my sister and her family in Rochester, Illinois.  I discovered a great quilt shop in Rochester called Peace & Applique Quilt Shop. If your ever in central Illinois you need to stop there. They have four rooms filled with gorgeous fabric, the variety was unbelievable.  Then we traveled on to Cookville, Tn to see my inlaws and of course I had to stop at Hancock's of Paducah to find a few more fabrics. So, after finishing my king size Double Irish Chain, I am finally starting my dream of making a red and green applique quilt.

This is the center block, although it is not completed.  I still have to add four pineapples and some swags. So far, I am enjoying the applique, and everything that goes along with learning a new technique. I find it a great way to quilt throughout the year since the summers are too hot down here in Arkansas to be under a quilt quilting. I am not sure how long it will take me to get all the blocks done, but I do know I am really looking forward to the journey.

Peony Quilt

This quilt started with my love for flowers. I had the whole side of the garage in our home in St Peters, Mo planted with peonies in this exact color.
So with a bit of piecing and some simple appliqued leaves these blocks were formed. The plain blocks will be quilted with feathered wreaths, so it will be very traditional. I will wait for fall to start this one, but it will be hard since this will be a fun one to quilt.

Tisket/Tasket

I finally finished the BOM after a year and four months. It was the first time I made a quilt with sashing. I really like the way it sets off the individual blocks. There is a block for each month of the year. This pattern came from the Bunny Hill website and was their BOM in2009.