Thursday, November 17, 2016

Dividing the Buckeye Beauty Blocks

I started making Buckeye Beauty blocks months ago.  They were a jumble of colors, which I usually love, but the layout seemed unsettling to me for some reason.  (Click the link above if you want to see the jumble.)

I decided to try dividing the blocks into two groups:  cool colors (primarily greens and blues) together and warm colors together.   I haven't done anything with the warm colors but I laid out the greens and blues. 


I realized I had a lot more green than blue blocks and that I was lacking blocks with light centers, so I set about making some more blocks in the blue/green range.


They're not sewn together yet.  I don't know whether I'll like a quilt with blues and greens any more than I liked the jumbled-colors layout.  I'll sew these together, lay them out, and then decide.

I have a little time to sew this week but I/we have some other higher priority activities to finish before next week.  There's no deadline for these blocks or this quilt so a little time here and there, now and then works.

I'm looking forward to both older daughter and her family and younger daughter coming for Thanksgiving.  It will be exhausting having three little ones here (ages 4, 2 1/2, and 10 months) but the joy of spending time with those "babies" will more than make up for any tiredness.  What fun!

I'm linking this post to
Let's Bee Social #151 at SewFreshQuilts
Midweek Makers #46 at Quilt Fabrication
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

I hope you're having a great week.


--Nancy.
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20 comments:

  1. You should try to put these blocks over top a really dark navy fabric to use as sashing. Just to see how it would look. I think it would make the blocks pop.

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    1. Hi, Ariane. Someone suggested sashing when I posted these blocks a few months ago (but didn't suggest a color). I haven't tried sashing but after Thanksgiving I'll have to pull out some dark fabric, lay the blocks on it, and see what I think. When I read "sashing" I thought "border." Then I started imagining a dark blue border, which I hadn't considered. So maybe navy will be a part of this quilt. Thanks for suggesting it.

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  2. I am liking the cool colors together, Nancy.
    Sounds like you have fun times ahead!

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    1. Thanks, Janet. I think separating the colors (warms, cools) works much better for this particular quilt and layout.

      Yes, I think we'll have fun.

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  3. I too like this coloour combination; it is striking. I know my hand stitching always starts off a bit wobbly but improves as I go along. I think you have to do a lot of it to be consistently good. Anyway, wonderful for family to get together. That is what it is all about so enjoy!!

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    1. Thanks, Jocelyn. I think you're right about hand quilting. I need to make a concerted effort to prepare a quilt for hand quilting while I'm working on one so that as soon as one is finished I can begin the next one. I think we'll have a great time over Thanksgiving. Thanks!

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  4. I like BOTH variations!! Bouncy works for me, but I also like the calm. cool blues and greens on their own. Good luck with your choice and have fun with those "babies" next week, too!!

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    1. Hi, Joyful Quilter --
      Bouncy sometimes works for me, too, but just not this time. Don't know why, either. Yes, I'm sure we'll have fun with the "babies" here. The littlest just began walking so even more fun!

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  5. The cool combination is really lovely, and I don't normally choose those. I think you are on the right track. Rest up and get ready for your family time!!!

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    1. Thank you, Jennie. I hope I can pull this quilt off, but if not, I suppose I can separate the blues and greens.... Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  6. I like both combinations. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.
    Enjoy your company, sounds like a fun time!

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    1. Thanks, Dawn. I'll add the blues to the blocks I already have and then see. Maybe they'll get recombined with the others....

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  7. The cool greens and blues remind me of the ocean. Have a wonderful time with your family! My family is coming to my house too!

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    1. Thanks, Kevin. I hadn't thought of the colors as ocean colors but at but they do call to mind the ocean. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving, too. From your blog photos of your new furniture it looks like you're set -- at least as far as seating.

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  8. So far it looks great! But I know what you mean, when starting out with good intentions to use up fabric, it can become a jumbled mess. But you will prevail! Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers

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    1. Thanks, Susan. I do sometimes become too exuberant with color and have to cull some fabrics/blocks to make a quilt work. Thanks for hosting Midweek Makers.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  9. I'm behind in catching up with you. :) I rally like the way the blues and greens work together. That's a very calming combination. I know you enjoyed every moment of having those sweet babies home for Thanksgiving!

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    1. Hi, Karin. I guess we're both behind. And I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever catch up! (Is that part of the busy-ness of the season, I wonder....)

      I'm looking forward to laying out all the blocks together now that I have a few more blues made. It may not be a quilt I love but I think (and hope) it'll be find when it's finished.

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I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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