Tuesday, September 10, 2019

My Favorite Quilt Block Blog Hop

Welcome to my day.  This hop is hosted by Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks.

**Please note, contest is now closed.  Random.org picked comment 21, and I've notified the winner.  Thanks again for commenting and reading!  


Welcome to day 2 on My Favorite Quilt Block blog hop!

It's so hard to pick a favorite thing.  My favorite color?  Purple, blue and fuchsia.  Favorite ice cream?  Triopolitan Chocolate, which is by Turkey Hill: dark chocolate, chocolate with mini chocolate chips, and chocolate with fudge swirl.  That's only if we don't have Tillamook Mudslide, or Turkey Hill Candy Box.  Favorite quilt block??  Who can choose?  I made a Double Windmill block and it's a great one, with a great secondary design.  See my post here   It was a favorite while I was working on it, and it's now on Vanna, the Handiquilter Amara long arm, almost done.  

I love lots of blocks.  But a favorite??  Who can pick just one?  So, I didn't.  I picked 2.  And it's been on my list to make for quite a few years.  More than 5, at least, and I haven't done it yet, until now.  Yes, last minute, but it's a block. 

I LOVE star blocks.  All kinds of star blocks.  They are fun to make and provide quite a punch in a quilt.  I also love Log Cabin blocks.  They have a light and a dark side and can do so much in a design.  Plus they are pretty easy, just keep sewing strips on.  The block I picked is called Orion's Star, and the book is by Eleanor Burns and Quilt in a Day.  

Have I mentioned I love Quilt in a Day?  All of their designs are great.  Fast, easy, accurate, lots of examples, and my favorite way to make flying geese, half square triangle units, and more.  My first official quilting class was their Log Cabin, way back in the early 1990s.  There was a little quilt shop near my new home, and I wanted to make quilts for our beds.  


Anyway, back to the design, and the more recent past.  I was working with friends who owned a fabric store, Bernie and Paul Enright.  They had this great collection, that I thought would look great in this quilt, and my notes in the book pertain to this fabric.  When they retired and closed, I took some of these to sell in my Etsy shop, because I always wanted to make this quilt in these colors.  So, I finally have my first block done (and some of the fabric is still available in my shop.)  Bernie and Paul call it their retirement fun fund.  It's an older collection by Marcus called Heartland.  I loved the vintage look and the flowers.  I mixed it with some other fabrics from my stash (I may change out one when I do the rest of the blocks, and replace it on this one, not sure it works.)

 I love the quilt colors on the back cover!  So elegant.

And the blue and yellow ones are gorgeous.  These are a few of the layouts available if you make enough blocks.  I really like the curved look, but it's not curvy, the the effect of the star in the center and how it's placed on the layout.  So cool!  I do have some blue and yellow fabric from Island Batik that I may use for this.  It's a Strip pack, with 2 1/2" strips, which is what this book uses.  When a design is a favorite, you can't make just one, right?  

Please follow along on the hop to see the other great inspiration.  Here's a link to yesterday and today's, plus the rest of the week.  And if you leave a comment for me, about your favorite block, and follow my blog by email or Bloglovin, I'll enter you to get a little prize from me.  It's probably going to be an assortment of Fat Quarters from Island Batik, but I'll surprise you.  Please be in the US, or be willing to cover the difference in shipping to you, and make sure I can contact you.  
Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you find some inspiration, and have some fun.  

Monday, September 9th


Tuesday, September 10th


Wednesday, September 11th


Thursday, September 12th



Friday, September 13th

Maryellen

56 comments:

Turid said...

This combo of two blocks is great. And I know, our favorite blocks vary from time to time. Have a nice day! Greetings from Norway.

Danice G said...

Yeah, it is difficult to choose just one block. Stars are always pretty and useful.

Elizabeth said...

I love any star block, but I also like log cabins.

Stitchin At Home said...

Star blocks are my favourite block and combined with log cabins make a lovely block.

Elizabeth Coughlin said...

Great combo of a star and log cabin blocks!

tink's mom said...

That's a very cool block. I might have to give it a try. I like that when looking at one block it depends on how you focus on it depends on which block you see but in a quilt the stars pop.

Carol Swift said...

You had me laughing at favorite ice creams...who can choose just one! LOL Combining a star and log cabin created a beautiful block and I love your color choices. Thanks for sharing!

GranChris said...

I love stars but a Granny Square is always my favorite.

Christine said...

Beautiful block! It would make a very nice Christmas quilt.

Karrin Hurd said...

Great block! I love basket blocks, but also love star blocks. Thanks so much for sharing!

For the love of geese said...

You have me craving chocolate but I will have to settle for oatmeal cookies. I love your stars.

QuiltShopGal said...

I didn't know you were such a chocolate fan. Me too! I had also forgotten about this block. I love it and you've inspired me to add it to my bucket list to make a quilt with it. #CreativeGoodness

Calicojoan said...

Great blocks! Eleanor has sure inspired a lot of us. She is a treasure trove for quilters!

Brandy said...

I also love star blocks, and Tillamook Mudslide! I have only ever made one log cahin quilt, which I gifted to a friend for her wedding, and hadn't felt inclined to make another until now, you put a star in it and now I'm intrigued again... thanks for sharing!

ShirleyC said...

I really like your combination! Gives me something to think about!

Carla said...

Oh, yes, I do love this block. It really is s great mash up of the two. Chocolate is my favorite ice cream if there is no mint chocolate chip.

barbara woods said...

Love that block, thanks for the interspersion

Diantha said...

I like your star combined with log cabin!
It's hard to choose a favorite block. I like various types of star blocks - maybe the Sawtooth star might be my current favorite.

wendy said...

Love that block! I made that quilt years ago and gifted it to someone. Hope she appreciates it still cause I wish I had kept it.LOL

Charlene McCain said...

Great choice of blocks! This will be a beautiful quilt! I remember watching and learning from Eleanor when she had her television program. Thanks for sharing!

Sewgirl said...

I love your star log cabin block! Log cabin is my favorite block. I follow via Bloglovin and am a US resident!

Susan said...

That's a great combination. I like those fabrics, so soft, but a good contrast between the two sides. Thanks for the inspiration.

Sharon Aurora said...

I don't have a favorite block. There are so many fun blocks. I love your combo block.

Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com said...

I really don't have a favorite block. I guess I pay more attention to the entire quilt than the individual block. I do like your block.

MissPat said...

I love star blocks, but must confess that in 30 years of quilting I have never made a log cabin except for a single small Christmas ornament. I'm about to rectify that though for our quilt groups next challenge.
Pat

Farm Quilter said...

Log Cabin is my current favorite block. Love your star in the middle! Following you via email. Thanks for putting up the list of blogs from yesterday!!

Nancy D said...

Love feathered star the most. I follow you under a different email for newsletter and bloglovin.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

This was the last quilt/pattern that my Aunt made and I quilted up for her. Just so classy.

Kathy E. said...

Orion's Star is one I haven't heard of before, but I sure love it! It looks intricate and makes such a statement! Great choice!

Scrapatches said...

I love log cabin blocks and I love star blocks. This is a wonderful way to combine the two. Thanks for inspiring and sharing in the hop ... :) Pat

vivoaks said...

Orion's Star is a great choice!! Eleanor Burns is originally from this area, so every year she or her sister do a program at the Harmony PA museum. I've attended several of their programs and they're always fun. Eleanor is really funny, and you never see that on any of her tv shows. Her sister is great, as well, so it's always a treat to have them in for a visit.
Did you know that Orion's Star was named after Eleanor's grandson, Orion? Yes, the grandkids have also been at the programs occasionally. :-)
Oh yes, and thanks so much for being a part of the blog hop and picking a favorite block!! :-)
Blessings....

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow great block!

Peggy said...

I like log cabin blocks.
Thanks, Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Janice Holton said...

LOVE THIS!! I don't think I've seen a star and log cabin combined before. Orion's Star, eh? I think you just added a new thing to try to my ever growing list. :)

Kathy L said...

I think I love star blocks the best!

Deonn said...

Love the combo of this block! So clever. I love star blocks, any type.

Barb said...

love your block.

OhioLori said...

What a great block!! Very cool combo!! I also follow you thru Email & Bloglovin :)

Quilting Tangent said...

I like how the star gives a punch of interest to the log cabin. My favorite blocks Mariners compass, pinwheels, stars. Following on Bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com

The Joyful Quilter said...

I can SEW see why this is one of your favorite quilt blocks!! Thanks for sharing it with the Hop.

Kathy H said...

There are a lot of blocks I like but my favorite is the Ohio star. I am now following you by email.

Camille said...

I have a fondness for Churn Dash but if something new catches my eye off I go in a new direction.

Joy from Days Filled With Joy said...

Ooooh, love it!!! Love the combination of the two blocks, so effective! Thanks for sharing! xx

Sharon said...

I can't ever choose just one favorite either! Thanks for sharing your beautiful project.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I like it!!

Dawn F said...

Cool combination. I love the look of a log cabin, but have never actually made that block! It's on the list...

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Maryellen, you are a woman after my own heart - log cabins and stars! Love the Orion's star inside the log cabin block, especially in those Christmas colors! Thanks for sharing!

Jayne said...

A great combination of blocks. Log cabin was one of my first quilts which I gave to my mom

BarefootThunder said...

great choice for favorites. both of mine. 😉 log cabins and stars. putting them together like this is wonderful. I've made a few log cabin stars quilts. not like this though. thanks for sharing.

Susan said...

Great way to combine the two blocks - well done!

Kathleen said...

I love your choice of blocks! It will be a stunning quilt and a fun one with those fabrics you have saved.

Leah said...

Great block and lots of beautiful layouts!

Pamela said...

We have similar tastes in ice cream as well as quilt blocks! Love your choice, this would be fabulous in blue and yellow!

Pamela said...

I just love the fabric combination that you used! And the star and log cabin together make a beautiful block. Thanks for the inspiration!

Carol Andrews said...

What a great posts! I loved the fabric suggestions, possible layouts. My head is spinning with ideas! If only I was able to sew these days! Perhaps by Christmas or New Years. In the meantime I will keep looking, enjoying and plotting new projects!
Carol Andrews
QuiltSchmilt@gmail.com
https://quiltschmilt.wordpress.com/

Sally said...

I always love star blocks and this one is exceptional. The log cabin plays so well with the star!