Scrappy Stars #4-6, Nona the Fabriholic

This set of stars (#4-6) for Taryn's Scrappy Star Stitchalong went much better than the first three.  When I finally adjusted my thinking and gave in to using fabrics I have that are similar in any way to those in the original stars, I began enjoying making these stars more.  My goal is to recreate the blocks as closely as possible in fabric/fabric style, colors, and placement.  Many thanks to Taryn for hosting this stitchalong.

Block #4, original and mine
Clearly, my blues are not as dark or intense and my corner blocks have light lines instead of dark lines.  Even though this block had nine different fabrics, it was the simplest so far, and the most symmetrical as far as color placement.

As I look at the original blocks I can't help but think about the person who created them....

Block #5, original and mine

This block repeated several fabrics from previous blocks.  I'm trying to do the same, though purple fabrics are a real challenge for me.  The lower right square in the original is such fun fabric.  I had nothing remotely similar.

After looking closely at the construction of the blocks, I can't help but wonder if this was a young girl's or young woman's first quilt.

Block #6, original and mine

That blue stripe is a stand-out fabric in the original quilt and I was sure I had a similar stripe somewhere.  But no, I must not have.  This was the closest I could come.  I was puzzled by the two greenish triangles in the bottom and left blocks.  They look like two different fabrics and they look green/grey with prints.  I had nothing similar.  If I happen to find a similar fabric I think I would replace the one I've used.  Really.

Always, when I'm trying to reproduce antique quilts, I wonder about the makers and who they were.  Unless the quilts are signed, we'll never know.  Perhaps they are like me and could never imagine one of their quilts lasting so long, or even being of interest if it did, hence no signature.  Who knows, but it's fun to imagine.

I'm sad this stitchalong is happening only on Instagram.  My experience with sew-alongs is that they build community and are just fun to see everyone else's blocks.  This one feels isolating, though I'm enjoying making the blocks.

These are the current quilt bloggers I know who are participating: 
   > Barb at Fun with Barb
   > Jeanne at Spiral
   > Linda at Koka Quilts
   > Tazzie at Tazzie Quilts
   > Wendy at The Constant Quilter
   > Katy at KatyQuilts
   > Kathleen at A Sentimental Quilter
   > Cynthia at wabi-sabi quilts
See non-bloggers' blocks on Instagram using #scrappystarstitchalong.

Aside from quilting....
There's sweet Nona.  She is enthusiastic about fabric and quilting.  She's eaten a number of scrap triangles I had in a box on the floor, and she decided she didn't like one of the little star blocks so chewed holes into part of it.  (It took a few hours to unstitch, recut fabric, and sew together again.)  I forgot what it was like to have an Airedale assistant quilter.  My previous assistant limited her interest to laying on the blocks and sniffing and rearranging.  I'm keeping small pieces of fabric and finished blocks away from Nona.  I think she needs a different title but I can't decide what it should be.  Definitely a demotion.  ;-)

She had a bath and a clip in preparation for her spay yesterday.  All clean and clipped, she enjoyed a roll in the grass.  What a happy smile!

Our weather has been cool but I think warmer weather is headed our way next week. 

I hope all is well in your world.
--Nancy.