Block 3 for BlockHeads3...It's my week!

Happy Wednesday!

Today it is my pleasure to share one of my blocks, block 3 Crown and Star for BlockHeads3! 

Please enjoy today's post, I have lots of tips for you! and lots of photos!

Before I begin, let me say thank you for visiting my blog! And thank you for being a BlockHead!!!

Please come back each week as I am planning a little something extra for you as we progress.

**Please read**

If everyone tries to download at the same time, there are SO many participating, that my blog will crash and so will the link...Patience, please. and come back. Blog will recover and all information will still be here.

SO, here is my Super tip of the day... 

Use the links I've provided below, and follow each one of our blogs by email. The blog post will be delivered to your inbox each Wednesday and other days when the designers blog.  No need to panic about getting your block at 8am.  Just a thought....

Crown and Star

I thoroughly enjoyed making this block, so much so, that I made it in 3 sizes!

Why 3 sizes? Why not? 

When you can't make up your mind...and you cut wrong and are simply in the mood to play...  

The oh so cute alphabet slate thingy was my mom's.  I had her name spelled out and it took forever to move Florence to the side and get Block 3 on the center line!! It's there but it is hard to see.

Whether you make a 12", 8", 6" or the tiny 4"block, the methods for construction
 will be exactly the same.

and a 3" goof....

Or is it a fine example of reversed fabric placement??? Hmm.

Nothing goes to waste around here.

After struggling over fabric selection(s), I spray starched the fabrics and pressed them well before cutting.  This one step is crucial especially with small blocks! Fabrics are a mix of Sarah's Story, available now, and Nancy's Needle, arriving in March.

After starching and pressing, I decided to make all flying geese units first.

The directions given are what I used for all but the 4" block and by the way, if you wish to make the 4" version, you will need to go to Lisa Bongean's blog for her measurements. Link is below.

Here are my tips for making Crown and Star....

1. Before cutting C, F, G and H, add 1/8" to the squares and, then cut into triangles as directed.

Sew as directed, then trim to the finished size you need for the size block you are making.

I personally LOVE Bloc_Loc rulers for flying geese trimming!

The 4" for example needs a 3/4" x 1 1/2" flying geese ruler.

6" block needs 1" x 2"

8" block needs 1 1/2" by 3"

12" block needs 2" x 4"

'Trim to' sizes are included in the pattern, if you don't have the flying geese rulers.  There are other rulers on the market, but this method is a favorite.

2.  Next, I cut out the remaining pieces. If you are not making a scrappy background as in my 8" block, cutting is a breeze.

Assemble center star as shown in the pattern.

3.  Make HSTs  as directed for F and G. Trim to size directed on the patten.

4.  Assemble your parts for the Crown.

Notice I'm showing 2 ways for assembly.

Above, works great for 6" block or larger.

For the 4" block, I found the assembly method below easier and more accurate.

Geese units like to curve and it's annoying. Just saying.

5.  Layout parts and sew units together.

Thought you might lie to see the back side of my parts.

I like to twist my seams at intersections and clip only if needed to reduce bulk.

Twist, flip, or spin...all the same technique.

Sorry about the different kinds of lighting in these photos! Yikes!

Sew sections together, twisting seam intersections as needed and pressing well. 

Click Here
to download Crown and Star pattern.

Hope you enjoy making my block!

and then there were 3...or 4 or 5! which one will I use!

or all?

Remember, I won't settle on my setting until most, if not all of the blocks are made.

Please visit all of our designers (links below)to see how they have made my block.  

I can't wait to see them!!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/

Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/

 Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog

  Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/

Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/

Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/

Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/

 Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/

Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/

Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog

 Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/

Moda BlockHeads 3 Week 2

Happy Wednesday!  It's Sherri McConnell's week and here is my version of her block, Sunshine Star.

I love this block  Easy, yet you need to think, just a little.  LOL  Select 4 fabrics and a background and you are set to sew.

I selected 3 prints from Sarah's Story and the red print is from Susanna's Scraps.  The background is from Nancy's Needle which arrives in March.  I know, no fair that I have advanced yardage.

A similar result can be made with Harriet's Handwork, and older line. That vine background is a little warmer, a little darker. I do like vines!

This week I have chosen a 6" version for Sunshine Star.

I love it.

To visit Sherri's blog for downloading the pattern and grabbing whatever tips Sherri may have for making this cutie, Click Here

No need to rush to Sherri's blog, last week Corey's blog crashed with everyone trying to download at the same time. If you get an error notice, be patient and try again. 

Thanks for following along!

And now there are 2!

Please visit the other designers listed below to see what they have made this week and check out all the photos in the Facebook group.

Until next time, which will be my week, Happy sewing!

~Betsy

Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
 Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
  Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
 Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
 Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/

And Sew We Begin...BlockHeads 3

Hi everyone, today's the day...BlockHeads 3!

Are you ready??

We have a few changes this year and are urging everyone to visit each designer each week. When you print your patterns from each designer's blog or website, you will notice 3-4 different sizes of blocks. You choose the size you wish to make...and you can change to a different size each week, if you like.  So many options! This year will be so much fun! Make the blocks in your favorite fabrics...I'm going to make a scrappy version using my Susanna's Scraps,  Sarah's Story and Nancy's Needle that is coming in March.  Enjoy this sewing journey. A few setting options may be available soon, but you don't have to use them. Some designers will be creating their own layouts also....ha ha, not me! I will wait until I see how things are shaping up. Don't wait on me.  I'll be inspired by the fabrics and want time to play with the blocks.  I can't wait to see what you all make.

Be sure to visit the Moda BlockHeads Facebook group for postings of blocks that members have made. 

Here is my version of Block 1

from Corey Yoder

Star Chain

I chose to make a 12" block, but it would be great in any size.

 Fabrics this time, are from Sarah's Story.

Thank you Corey!

Click Here for the link to Corey's blog and pattern and tips

I enjoyed making Star Chain, and I'm sure you will too!

Please visit all the designer's below to see their versions.

Thanks for visiting me!

Until next time

~Betsy

 Corey Yoder - https://corianderquilts.com/
Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
 Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
  Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
 Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
 Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/

Getting ready for next week...

Hi everyone!  Here we are one week away from the kickoff for BlockHeads 3.  Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and that you are ready to start making blocks!  

I have starter bundles ready to go.  First to be served, will be those who responded in December's post.  Here's what I need from you...an email address!  Once I have your email address I'll send you a PayPal invoice (request for payment) and Viola! You will receive your bundle as soon as possible. (I combined both assortments that I showed last month thanks to some advance yardage of Nancy's Needle)  I have a limited number as shown, but may be able to kit more with a few substitutions.

Betsy's starter bundle

52 fat  1/16 prints
9" x 11" pieces

 (3 1/4 yards total)

$48 including shipping in the US

I may have added a few special prints from Susanna's Scraps. ;)

I had a hard time narrowing down to just 52!

I love the assortment and can't wait to make the first blocks!

 Couldn't resist putting all these yummy chocolates on top.  They look good enough to eat, right??

Please let me know If you are still interested or if you are just now seeing my offer.

If you want to email me, my address in is the profile.

Mailings will be in USPS Priority envelope for a quick arrival, beginning Monday, Jan 13. I'll be away a few days until then, making BlockHeads blocks.

Look for fun Wednesdays ahead!!!

See you next week!

Betsy

BH3 designers:

Corey Yoder

Sherri McConnell

Betsy Chutchian

Jan Patek

Brigitte Heitland

Lisa Bongean

Lissa Alexander

Laurie Simpson

Vanessa Goertzen

Stacy Iest Hsu

Robin Pickens 

Janet Clare

Jen Kingwell

Joanna Figueroa

Announcement...BlockHeads 3 is coming

Good Monday morning!

I'm happy to announce, that next month in mid January, we will begin BlockHeads 3! Watch for more details and a few rule changes. More on the plan for a fun year of blocks to come.

Here is my quilt from last year's BH2.

Photo was taken then it went to be quilted and is currently hanging in Moda's lobby.

We designers haven't seen all the blocks yet, so I have little to tell other than it is going to be fun!!!

In BlockHeads 1 the 6 designers offered starter bundles and we are doing that again.  Below is a sampling of my palette and the fabrics that will come in my bundle.

I'll start with Sarah's Story, which is in shops now, and add a sprinkling of Susanna's Scraps. A second bundle will be available when Nancy's Needle arrives in the Spring.

Here are swatches of what I'm planning over 2 bundles, and by the time we get to April, I might add more, or not. I'm not sure the number yet. Fabrics will be cut in fat 1/16 (9"x11") pieces and will fit in a priority envelope for domestic delivery.

I'll get the details worked out, and will take orders then, after Christmas.

If my palette strikes your fancy, you can leave me a comment now. Number of bundles will be limited. I know it's a hard decision when you don't know where you are going.

Famous quote from my husband, "I don't know where I'm going, but follow me anyway!

I've been in an extreme time crunch and the holidays are in the way, LOL. Not really, but it's a juggling act to get the house decorated and make quilts and write patterns all at the same time. NO baking yet, but cookie making with my daughter and granddaughter is later this week.

Sarah's Story is here at my house, still in the boxes. I'm hoping if things go smoothly, for a couple of days, I can get to work on cutting this week.

be sure to follow me on Instagram @betsy_chutchian

for the latest news.

Here is the list of fabulous designers for BlockHeads3

Corey Yoder

Sherri McConnell

Brigitte Heitland

Betsy Chutchian

Jan Patek

Lisa Bongean

Lissa Alexander

Laurie Simpson

Vanessa Goertzen

Stacy Iest Hsu

Robin Pickens 

Janet Clare

Jen Kingwell

Joanna Figueroa

Hope you will join us on this great adventure in quiltmaking!

Enjoy the holiday season!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

and the winner is.....

I have absolutely LOVED reading all the comments about YOUR Thanksgiving (holiday) favorite mix it ups and the guesses as to my least favorite.

I'm a turkey girl, and this year Thanksgiving is on my birthday.  Since it happens every few years, it can be a wonderful celebration with family or a big mess and birthday is totally ignored.

I have never hosted Thanksgiving. But, I have hosted Christmas for 40 years. my first was at age 23. In our family, tradition has always been that the same menu be served for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

When I was a kid, because of my birthday being on Turkey Day, Mother didn't want to make a cake, only pies and asked what pie I would like....Chocolate Icebox.

So we have chocolate icebox pie at Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I've been incharge of the dressing for years....loving making it. Mixing the cornbread, onions, celery, broth and poultry seasoning remind me of Mom and my grandmother in our kitchen, both great cooks....and I cook like they did. The aroma on Thanksgiving morning...heavenly.

I will eat anything except pumpkin pie, even brussel sprouts (which we never have) and green bean casserole. Corn casserole is my husband's favorite, mom's recipe, and I prefer it at Thanksgiving. I LOVE cranberries! and make the cranberry sauce. After having my Aunt Lyda's one year, I never opened another can.

Some of you may follow me on Instagram and saw my Halloween posts, maybe you saw the one where I wrote the only pumpkin spice things I like are jack o' lanterns.

I think it was a texture thing as a kid, because I'm sure my grandmother's would have been fantastic...for everyone else.  LOL

This has been so much fun...Thankfully the random number generator, picked the winner....

Congratulations !!!

Deb

who wrote,

My fave is chopping up a cranberry fruit relish vs the canned cranberry sauce. I'm guessing yours is stuffing the turkey.

Deb, I'll email you.

Everyone remember, when entering a giveaway, please include an email.

Thank you ALL for entering.

Thank you Moda and Martingale for providing the items and to all the designers for their creations!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Mix It Up...Day 1 of a new blog hop and a Giveaway

Hi everyone!

 Welcome to Day 1 of a blog/social media hop for Martingale's newest compilation book, 

MIX IT UP.

 16 quilts from 16 designers. Compiled by Lissa Alexander.

Here is my quilt, Step it Up

...in the book

...with Cake Mix Recipe 8

...on the guest bed

 ...sideways, the way I think I will hang it.

For my quilt I used one Cake Mix Recipe 8 and a total of 26 - 10" squares of assorted cream prints  and a total of 26 - 10" squares of red, indigo, and brown prints from all my collections for Moda.

My best tip for sewing...put the light fabric on top under the cake mix paper.  After cutting the parts apart, press to the dark print with the paper on. 

This keeps your half square triangles nice and square. Then, remove the paper.

I really enjoyed selecting the fabrics for this quilt and equally enjoyed sewing the cream prints to the dark prints with the papers.  Arranging the rows was fun and I think you can see that substituting other colors or, including more colors would be just at good looking.  I will be using this quilt a lot throughout the year, as it fits in perfectly with my decorating scheme. I LOVE this quilt.

I hope you like  Step it Up and the others in the MIX IT UP book! Each and every one is wonderful, designed by very talented quilters.

Would you like a chance to win a prize from me and each of the participants?

Here is my Giveaway....

two Layer Cakes ( Sarah's Story and Bella Solids), one Cake Mix Recipe 8, 

and the Mix It Up book!

Here are the red, indigo and brown prints in Sarah's Story 

and golds and sky blues

Add more red, indigo and brown prints or, use all the colors in Sarah's Story. Add more lights to go with those in Sarah's Story or use the Layer Cake of Bella Solid. 

 Regardless of how you mix it, have fun with Step It Up!!!

Side note...Sarah's Story will be arriving in shops this Month.

If you would like a chance for my giveaway, shown above, please leave me a comment about your favorite thing to 'mix up' for a Thanksgiving get together or dinner, AND a guess as to what might be my least favorite....it's about that time to gather the recipes and start cooking.

Comments need to be made by Wednesday, November 5th at 10:00pm CST 

when my giveaway closes.

One lucky winner will be announced Thursday morning November 6th. 

Today, I am joined by Susan Ache @yardgirl60 and Martingale @martingaletpp  https://blog.shopmartingale.com/

Please visit Susan and Martingale to see what they are giving away.

Below is a complete listing of participants and the days they will post their quilts and giveaways.

Thank you for visiting and best of luck!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Monday- 11.4:
Susan Ache - @yardgrl60
Betsy Chutchian - @betsy_chutchian / http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Martingale - @martingaletpp / https://blog.shopmartingale.com/

Tuesday - 11.5:
Zen Chic-Brigitte - @zenchicmoda / https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
Laurie Simpson - @minickandsimpson / http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
Moda - @modafabrics / http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Wednesday - 11.6:
Kansas Troubles-Lynne - @lynnektq / http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/
Brenda Riddle - @brengr / https://brendariddle.blogspot.com/
Corey Yoder - @corianderquilts / http://corianderquilts.com/

Thursday - 11.7:
Bunny Hill-Anne - @bunnyhilldesigns / https://bunnyhillblog.com/
Lisa Bongean - @lisabongean / https://lisabongean.com/
Me & My Sister - @meandmysisterdesigns / https://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/
Sherri McConnell - @aquiltinglife / https://www.aquiltinglife.com/

Friday - 11.8:
Janet Clare - @janeteclare / http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
Pretty by Hand-Kristyne Czepuryk - @prettybyhand / http://prettybyhand.com/
Sweetwater - @sweetwaterfabrics / https://www.thesweetwaterco.com/the-sweetwater-blog/
American Jane-Sandy - @sandyklop /