Pumpkin Block Exchange

Here are pictures of the pumpkin blocks I received from our friendship exchange. As you can see, they are all different and varied. I like the exchanges where each participant chooses their own design. Our theme was pumpkins (no jack-o-lanterns) in a 10 inch finished size with fall colors. In the picture below, the pumpkin on the right side on the top row is a view of the pumpkin from above. I think it is difficult to see that in this photo. You see the pumpkin from the top with a leaf and part of the vine. I thought this was a great design idea. I also think the white pumpkin is very original, too.

The two smaller blocks on the top row of this last photo are the Chop Suey blocks. We were all amazed at how much time was needed to finish these blocks. They look so simple, but they took more time than any of us allotted for the block. First you made a strata that needed to measure at least 5.5 inches. Next you cut the wedges, then sewed three wedges together. The last step was to cut down the three wedges to a 5.5 inch square.

The pumpkin on the bottom right of this last photo has lots of leaves that have glittering pieces on the netting. The quilter embellished her pumpkins with these leaves. I was with her at a LAFS gathering when she sewed these sparkling leaves onto the blocks. It was so much fun watching her happy face and her big smile as she placed more and more leaves on the pumpkins. It does not show well in the photo here, but the leaves are made of different colors of netting. The light from my flash bounced off the sparkly things and makes the photo unclear with reflections.

I went to quilt retreat last weekend from Friday through Sunday. The block exchange happened on Sunday at retreat. I forgot to take my camera this time so there are no other pictures of finished projects. Although, most of us were working on our blocks for the exchange, so not too many other things were finished. There were four quilters working on other projects. Two of them had finished all their blocks before they came to the retreat (the GOOD girls). The other two quilters were not participating in this exchange and they worked on their own projects. On Friday, I was working on the last of my Chop Suey blocks. I finished them Friday evening. One of the quilters had a plastic template made from the dimensions given to us for the wedge, and she lent that template to me to cut my wedges. I had made a freezer paper template, and thought I was so clever when I thought of that! But she was much more clever and had a plastic template made of the wedge. That template made cutting the wedges so much faster. All the other quilters who were still working on their Chop Suey blocks used that template. We all thanked her for her bright idea that made the cutting go so much faster. I will remember that when I have another template needed to use for cutting. A trip to Tap Plastics for a plastic template will be the trick from now on, for sure! What a great idea! It is amazing the things we learn when we get together and sew!

On Saturday I cut ties and applied binding on a community quilt that I found underneath a pile of quilts in my "other room". I don't remember how long I have had it, but I decided it should be finished since the Community Quilts Coordinator made a call for any unfinished quilts to be finished and turned in before the end of the year.

I also worked on a quilt that I have wanted to make for a friend. I have had the jelly roll for over a year, but have not taken the time to make her quilt. I took the jelly roll with me and the fabric I had bought to complete the quilt. Well, when I had cut up the jelly roll strips, I discovered the fabric that I had brought for the rest of the quilt was not the correct fabric for that particular jelly roll design. Fortunately, I had also brought with me a BOM project from last year. It is a darling quilt using some Mary Engelbreit fabric. I picked up my BOM each month, but did not get any of them sewn. I have taken it with me to two different retreats, and did not get any sewing done on it until last weekend. I finished four of the twelve blocks, so at least I have it started. I really like these blocks, so now I am anxious to finish the rest of the blocks. I have several other things I want to get done before Christmas, so I may not have time to work on them again until January.

I will try to get a picture posted of the community quilt I finished, and also pictures of the BOM blocks I finished. Until then..... Happy Quilting