A TISKET, A TASKET, A NOVEMBER BUNNY HILL BASKET!

I don't know why I can't get started and then when I get started, I can't stop!  I stitched the whole block last night after procrastinating about starting it for about 2 weeks.  I had the whole thing ready for stitching that long before I got to it!?
Why is that?  After I start, it is like one stitch leads to another and if I stop I will forget where to go from here!  It was all working last night-------so---------------------------------------------I stayed up until 2 am.  Sid was working nights and Clark was gone to the hunting lease and it was just me and my needle and thread.  I had a blast and I know some of you just don't get it, but it is just my thang!! LOL
Here is the finished November block.  I am so sorry that next month is the finale.  I will not have a special basket block to look forward to each month.  I will have to search out another one but I doubt that it will be as enjoyable to me as this one has been.  Don't forget to visit Flickr group to see all the many versions of the same block-- each as different as children are different.
I wish each of you a project next year that you love as much as I have loved this one.-------m

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!!

A few posts ago, I reported that I had been prompted to be a pattern tester for Marsha McCloskey and her new book on Feathered Stars.  That I did and worked on it during retreat at Alford Inn.  This was my report to Marsha in the form of an email:
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha--this is what I have been muttering under my breath for the last two days. LOL Also I have begun to drool uncontrolably, I have a twitch in my left eye and all I can seem to say is 1 9/16th---1 9/16th---1 9/16th.

I am just kidding. I have been working on my Feathered Star Block for the last two days at a quilting retreat in Van Alstyne, Texas. It is in an 1880 home with an inhouse Quilt Shop and have really enjoyed myself. I have attached a picture of my block.
I did not find any measurement mistakes anywhere. There is a typo error on the page starting Star Points: Paralleograms---7th line from the top--in () included should by including.
I had trouble rotary cutting the Paralleograms, but have to admit that I didn't read your instructions before hand, thinking that I already knew how to do it. I didn't. It is so important to read instructions. I suggest you put this plainly at the beginning of your book in bold letters! LOL
I did not have a ruler with 1/16 measurements. This was a real problem. I rotary cut the pieces then used the templates to measure them. This worked great. I seemed to be right on, and the block sewed together just fine. I think it would be a great idea to put a sticker on the front of the book suggesting that the quilter purchasing the book buy your new ruler and the point trimmer. They are not a MUST, but a really big HELP! I started to order them and wait until I got them to make the block, but my retreat was really a perfect time to get all of the testing done, so I didn't.
On the diagram/chart page beginning with Feather Star with 25 Patch Center. There are two pieces in the block labeled with S4. A square listed in the chart is S4 and in the Bias-strip Piecing box the 1 9/16 inch x 1 9/16th inch half square is also S4. I suggest you change the letter/number of the half square in the box and on the star diagram.
One more little thing I will mention is that I marked the placement (P1 and RP1) of the paralleograms all the way around the star diagram just to keep me from gettin confused and making a mistake. Also where the pieces looked like they were the same, but are not. You may not want to change this, thinking ones who need this done can do it themselves.
I did not trim the pieces as I did not have a point turner.
Thanks for this opportunity. If I can help you in any other way, please let me know.
Molly

I received Mrs. McCloskey's newsletter and she now has pics up of most of the blocks that were tested.  Mine is included!  Go visit take a look at all the beautiful blocks.  The name of the book is "RIGHT ON"  Feathered Star Quilt Blocks II, The Best of the Grid Based Stars. More Really Hard Blocks that Take a Long Time to Make.

Go HERE to see my block on her site.  It is called a

Feather Star

or click the title of this post for the page where all the blocks are listed.  Enjoy and don't be afraid to tackle a Feathered Star.  They have a bad rap.  They are doable.  If you can stitch with 1/4 in seam consistantly, you can make any block.  Later Gators.

Until Next Time---Molly

What's Up, Anyway!!

An update on progress. --Last weekend was a quilting weekend where I gathered with friends and sewed until my shoulders ached more than usual!!  My sides also ached from laughing so hard.  You've been there--you know what I mean!!
My antique reproduction quilt blocks got put together and a Flying Geese border put on.  I got into the mode of making Flying Geese and just went with it.  I was chugging along really good and decided to put some together and see how many more I needed.  Guess what?  I had enough for all 4 sides with some left over--how may more, you ask?   76 MORE!!  This cannot be! (Yes, this is one reason for the laughing). Yes, I will be adding more flying Geese to this quilt simply because they are made!!  Have you ever done this before? 
Here is the quilt as it is on my design wall awaiting a little more designing.  The corners must be made and attached.  I am thinking of adding some more stars to the corners or plain ones to show off some fantastic quilting, but definately more Flying Geese.  DEFINATELY!

Another accomplishment is a pincushion caddy.  Darling, huh?  My friend, Kathy and I each made one of these, hers completely different from mine using brighter fabrics.  Go over to Humble Quilter and hopefully talk her into showing it to you!

I am baby sitting today, but at naptime, I started my November Bunny Hill, A Tiskit, A Tasket block.  I love getting along this far with block because then "The Stitching Begins".  Love, Love, Love that part!  Better Go,  the baby is awake and needs his lunch.  More from the retreat later into the weekend.  This is just a preview.