Circles and stuff

I have successfully made 16 different circles and joined them together. 

They need bordering on the left and bottom, but then I'll be ready for the big border.  I love these blocks, and enjoyed the challenge of drafting and completing each one.  So much so, that I've started another quilt! 

Looks a bit dreary here, but in better light it looks pretty.  Quite a challenge for me, as I don't normally do pastels, but so far, it's fun. 

Since I have shamelessly stolen Jen Kingwell's idea of circles, I thought I ought to support her business by at least buying one of her books.  I chose 'Quilt Lovely' which has some lovely designs in it.  I couldn't resist raiding my stack of log cabin blocks to make these hearts. 

They are made from two log cabin blocks and two courthouse steps and with 1.5" logs, come out at 14". Great size for a Linus 9-patch!  The only snag is the red centres of the courthouse steps.  They keep reminding me of the the 'I think we need bigger buns!' bit in Calendar Girls!  I think if I make some more blocks with different coloured centres, and mix them in, it will look better! 

A full circle!

I have now completed all sixteen circle blocks.  I have to admit that the whole inspiration came from Jen Kingwell's Circle Games, with some blocks drafted from a photo of her quilt, and others from known blocks (eg. Utah, which is a named block which I drafted with great difficulty!) and blocks from other sources. 

Here it is, so far.  Each block will have sashing on two sides, then I will complete the sashing round the edge.  I was a bit concerned that the sashing overwhelmed the blocks, but I think it'll be completely in your face and that will be fine. 

This block was a lot of trouble.  I made the New York Beauty on the outside and it was too small!  So I starched and ironed it with vigour.  That made it bigger - too big!  All the points were gone!  I couldn't face paper piecing another, so washed it and let it dry hoping it would relax back into a better size.  I was delighted to find it did!  This time I had to add a little bit onto one of the rays (top right in case you didn't spot it!) but a bit of tweaking got it together.  I think the pink striped fabric looks great.  

This one is lovely too, and was very easy.  I can't remember where I saw this, but it looks great.  I want to use the blocks as my quilt class for next year, but don't want people to be scared of either the design or the wacky colours, so I'm contemplating making a smaller version with the easiest blocks, in a more restrained palette.  Don't know how I'll get on with that!