I Think I Can, I Think I Can

While I was up at Rae Ann's cabin I did get a few things accomplished besides admiring what everyone else was working on.
I participate in 2 Block of The Month programs, and brought them out first to be worked on.
My biggest challenge has been to stay current with the Just Takes 2 BOM's.
I love, love, love these blocks, but they are more work than I realized when I signed up.
There are already 18 blocks from the last two months alone.
I feel like the little train who went chugging up the hill repeating I think I can,
I think I can! I think I can!

I was grateful for cabin time without the everyday interuptions, where I could take my time making these 5 blocks.
Three of them were paper pieced, the pinwheels were sewn traditionally, and the Turkey Tracks block even had a little applique.
I must admit, I am enjoying paper piecing more and more.

FYI: Just Takes 2 are replicating many of the blocks from the Infinite Variety quilt show sponsored by The American Folk Art Museum in Manhatten last March.

February Just Takes 2 Blocks

The patterns for the February blocks from Just Takes 2 were up last week, but it took me a few days to get to them.
For the first of the month, there are just 2 blocks.
They mentioned that we should try and keep up, because the 2nd half of the month blocks will be more challenging.

Block #12
Finished size 12 1/2" X 12 1/2"

Even though these are traditional blocks, they are instructing us to paper piece them.
I've never paper pieced a block this size, but with a little practice I can tell my skill level is increasing.

On a positive note, with paper piecing the seams always match up clean and crisp, and the paper keeps the bias edges from stretching.

At first I considered making the flying geese block with a ruler, the way I've always made them.
But then I got on board, and decided to try it their way with paper piecing.

I have to admit they turned out very accurate.

I am pulling reds from my scrap pile, so the blocks will have a variety of fabrics.

Just Takes 2 January Blocks/ Part 2

The instructions for Part 2 of the January blocks from the Just Takes 2 Quilt Along are now available.

I've finished the first 4.

Block 7
*remember: these blocks are from the Infinite Variety quilts.

Block 8

Normally, this would look like an easy block to rotary cut and sew traditionally.
I thought it was interesting that the instructions for Block 8 were to paper piece.
One of the reasons I like signing up for BOM patterns is to increase my quilting skills, so I followed the given instructions.
I like how paper piecing makes for such accurate points and sections.

Block 9

Block 10
The instructions for Block 10 directed us to foundation piece using freezer paper templates.
That seemed like a lot of extra work to me, so I paper pieced this block also.
Easy to do and it came together quickly.
Block 11 is the traditional school house block, but it's not my style, so I will be finding another substitute at a future date.

Just Takes 2 January Blocks

As of yesterday, January 1st, Just Takes 2 made available their first set of January blocks.
I was excited to see what this Mystery quilt will look like, and downloaded the patterns right away.

I had a little time last night and worked on the 5 of the blocks.

Block #1 involves easy applique. I noticed this block comes from Dear Jane, which makes sense with Brenda Papadakis as one of the coordinators of this Quilt Along.

Block #2 traditional Churn Dash

Block #3 traditional Square in A Square.
There are optional embroidery designs available for a small fee, but I'm going to leave mine clear for now.

All of the blocks are 6 1/2" except for block #4 that finishes at 12 1/2"

Block #5

Block #6 are appliqued hearts.
Not really my taste. (sorry Gay and Brenda)
I'm being a little rebellious already and will substitute this one with another 6 1/2" block (yet to be determined).

The good news is I'm having fun already!
I really like the crispness of the red against the white, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this quilt will turn out.
For these blocks I used a solid red, but in the future I plan on pulling from my red scraps. The background will be a consistent Kona White.