This and That, One Thing and Another, Etc.

I've been slowly making Burgoyne Surrounded blocks.  Gosh, they take a while.  There are a total of eight now, with four more to make.

I started with the intent of really scrappy blocks using four-patches I'd already made, cutting some 1½" x 2½" pieces from scraps, and trying only to use similar colors for the diagonals from corner to corner and the center squares. 
And then I tried a few that were more color-coordinated and less scrappy.  Scrappy or not, I think the blocks work because of the pattern.

I always envisioned these blocks in autumn colors--naturals with reds, rusts, browns, greens, oranges, golds, etc.  Some of the lighter colors don't work as well as the darker or brighter ones.

I love making scrappy--a bunch of different fabrics and colors--but it sometimes takes longer and I'm not always satisfied with the outcome.  Sometimes I think I'm missing something.   Maybe scrappy requires some constant other than just the pattern.  What are your thoughts on scrappy quilts, if you make them or if you love looking at them? 

Cheddarback is now layered and basted, with one block quilted.   I forgot to brush my fingers with liquid bandage before I began.  I'll change that before I put needle to quilt again.

I had the silly notion that if I quilted one block per day I could finish this quilt in a month.  Ha!  That was before I realized/remembered how hard it is to hand quilt through so many seams!  I'll be thrilled if I get it finished in a few months. 

When you baste a quilt and have extra backing fabric, what do you do?  Cut it off?  Fold it over and secure it with pins?   I folded that long piece at the bottom and pinned it.  I knew if I didn't cut it before quilting, I would have slightly larger piece when I cut it after quilting.   But I'm just wondering what you do and your reason for doing it.

I found a sweet surprise in the closet this afternoon when I was looking through some boxes I thought were empty.

I bought these Madelaine's foil-wrapped pansies around Easter time and hid them from myself.   Today was a great day to find them!  Have you eaten Madelaine's chocolates before?  Their foil-wrapped hearts are the best.  (No affiliation with Madelaine's, just a happy chocolate-lover.)  These are about an inch and a quarter in diameter and 3/16" thick.  Perfect to let melt in your mouth.

And any of you who enjoy jigsaw puzzles will appreciate this article telling their benefits and how they can improve your quality of life.  And then head over to this link, scroll to the bottom, and put together a quilt puzzle.  I don't seek out puzzles but when they come my way I can hardly resist doing them.

I'm linking this post to
> Finished (or not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
Thanks for hosting, Alycia and Wendy.

I hope you've had a good week and will have a great weekend.

--Nancy.