December 31, 2014

Happy New Year!

Homespun quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Homespun
First things first ... I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2015. Now ... let the quilting begin!

Today's featured quilt block is called Homespun, but you may look at it twice and think it reminds you of blocks with other names. Well, you would be right.

The Homespun quilt block looks similar to both the Cups and Saucers block and the Hands of Friendship block. Close inspection will show you the slight differences. What is nice about these similar blocks, is that you can check out each of them for other ideas for quilt layouts for your future heirloom.

Now, speaking of Health and Happiness ...

    Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
  • "I think it is very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person."
    ~ Oscar Wilde

  • "Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
    ~ Mark Twain

  • "Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."
    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody."
    ~ Chinese Proverb

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Homespun quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
New Year image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

December 19, 2014

'Tis the Season ...

image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Christmas Star
Big events for the holiday season are fast approaching so I thought it appropriate to post the Christmas Star quilt block. I know it is a little late for getting it all ready for this year, but nothing says you can't get a jump on next year!

Download the free quilt block pattern.

To all of my fellow quilters, whether you celebrate Christmas or another event for the season, I wish you all good tidings and wonderful things in this holiday season and for 2015.

Celebrating Christmas

Image courtesy of Anusorn P nachol at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
  • "I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
    ~ Charles Dickens

  • "Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection."
    ~ Winston Churchill

  • "Love the giver more than the gift."
    ~ Brigham Young

  • "Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."
    ~ Taylor Caldwell

  • "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly"
    ~ Andy Rooney

'Christmas Star' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Christmas Star' image courtesy of Anusorn P nachol at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

December 08, 2014

New Quilt Blocks in November 2014

 I hope all of you are enjoying the festive atmosphere as we all prepare for the holiday season. In the last month I have added three new quilt block patterns for you to enjoy.

Free quilt block patterns © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
New quilt block patterns
New Quilt Blocks in the past month

Quotes about Celebrating the Season

  • "Celebrate what you want to see more of."
    ~ Thomas J. Peters

  • "Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!"
    ~ Amanda Bradley

  • "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
    ~ Oprah Winfrey
    And the most important thought for the season ...

  • "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences."
    ~ M. Scott Peck 
Image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

November 23, 2014

Brought to you by the letter "A"

Today's featured quilt block Arrows,
'Arrows' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Arrows' quilt block
surprised me when I designed a quilt using this block. On the surface, the quilt block looks quite simple (and it is) -- but to many people, that would mean 'boring'. This just shows you that you just never know when you will be surprised with the end result when you put it all together.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Since I did not have any fabulous quotes about 'Arrows', I decided to show you quotes within topics beginning with the letter A.
  • Abstinence
    "Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water."
    ~ W. C. Fields

  • Animals
    "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to."
    ~ Mark Twain

  • Advice
    " 'I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that 'I do' is the longest sentence?"
    ~ George Carlin

  • Accuracy
    "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day."
    'Arrows' quilt design - image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
    'Arrows' quilt

    ~ Author Unknown

More Quote Topics Beginning With the Letter "A"


All images © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

November 12, 2014

New Quilt Blocks in the Last Month

It occurred to me that I have created many, many quilt block patterns that I have yet to blog. So, I had the brilliant idea that I would post links to those patterns each month, so that you are aware of new patterns that are available.

I would like to create more and more block patterns, but I have a full-time job that seems to take up most of my time. Imagine! So, I do this as a sideline just for my own fun (and I hope, yours). My five year plan is to create patterns for 4,000 quilt blocks, so I hope you will continue on this journey with me. I do appreciate all the feedback I get from visitors and if you would like to drop me a line just visit the contact page.

Below are links to the quilt block patterns shown in the image.
Image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
New quilt blocks this past month




Image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

October 31, 2014

Ghosts and Goblins and Jack-o-Lanterns ... oh my!

Windmill quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Windmill quilt block
It's Halloween today and so I used shades of orange for today's featured quilt block, called Windmill. This quilt block uses the two most commonly featured patches in quiltmaking -- the square and the half square triangle. It's an easy block to construct so it is a good choice for all you beginner quilters.

Download the free quilt block pattern to make your own version, with instructions for three different block sizes.

Quotes about Halloween or other scary things

    Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
  • "I'll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween."
    ~ Author Unknown

  • "If a man harbors any sort of fear, it makes him landlord to a ghost."
    ~ Lloyd Douglas

  • "Everyone is a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody."
    ~ Mark Twain
And for all you teachers out there, you have my sympathy today as you struggle with all the sugar highs going on ...
  • " 'I'm so happy that Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year!' said no teacher ever."
    ~ Author Unknown
And finally, speaking of scary things ... is this idea still out there?
  • "Ghosts, like ladies, never speak till spoke to."
    ~ Richard Harris Barham

'Windmill' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Jack-o-lantern image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October 25, 2014

Wheel Frame Quilt Block

Hi everyone,
I'm going to have to take a step back and focus on the quilt blocks for a while and include the quotes when I can. Believe it or not, it takes me more time to find appropriate quotes to go with the theme of the quilt block than it takes me to create the block pattern and upload it. And extra time is not something I have a lot of these days. I'm sure you can relate, as life just seems to take over sometimes, for all of us.

Wheel Frame quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Wheel Frame
So, here and there I will throw in quotes that strike my fancy, but in the meantime I will bring your attention to more quilt blocks as I create them.

Now, having said all that, I used colours for the quilt block Wheel Frame to appeal to the gentlemen in your lives. Or maybe I just reverted to colours I like myself -- red being my favourite.

The Wheel Frame block uses both the half square triangle
and the quarter square triangle patch, but the end result, when using both of those units together, is to create a patch which is often called a three-quarter square. That name is a little misleading, but the resultant unit is a square made up of three triangles.The rest of the block is "easy peasy" as it uses only squares and rectangles.

Download the free quilt block pattern for this block, (instructions for three different block sizes are given) and create your own work of art.

'Wheel Frame' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

October 02, 2014

'Mexican Star' ... and ... a Mexican Star

Mexican Star quilt block - image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Mexican Star
Today's featured quilt block is called Mexican Star. I just liked the way it all went together and the resultant quilts you can make using just this one block. The making of this quilt block can be a wonderful learning experience if you are new to quilting, as it introduces you to several different quilt patches during the construction.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

And ... speaking of a "Mexican Star" ... how about some poignant words from another Mexican star?
image courtesy clker.com
Eva Longoria

  • "I’ve always said I want a farmer, not a hunter. Hunters go for the kill and they move on. A farmer nurtures; he watches things grow."
    ~ Eva Longoria

Quotes from Other Celebrities


  • "If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace."
    ~ John Lennon

  • "Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can come together."
    ~ Marilyn Monroe

  • "Life is hard. It's harder if you're stupid."
    John Wayne

  • "I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex."
    ~ Katharine Hepburn

  • "We owe a lot to Thomas Edison - if it wasn't for him, we'd be watching television by candlelight."
    ~ Milton Berle

  • "I am a thing of beauty."
    ~ Frank Sinatra

  • " 'I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that 'I do' is the longest sentence?"
    ~ George Carlin

'Mexican Star' quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Eva Longoria image courtesy clker.com

September 16, 2014

He who dies with the most toys .....


Jack in the Box quilt block copyright W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Jack in the Box
And speaking of toys, the Jack in the Box quilt block pattern is an old and well established block. It is easy to construct and features large flying geese units and half square triangles. This is a wonderful four patch quilt block for beginners to get started in this addictive hobby.

The Jack in the Box is an old toy that you would be hard pressed to find anymore. But the image below might bring back some memories.

Download the free quilt block pattern for Jack in the Box.

Quotes about Toys

image courtesy iStockphoto
Antique Jack in the Box toy
  • The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.
    ~ Sam Levenson

  • The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
    ~ Author Unknown

  • He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless, still dead.
    ~ Author Unknown

  • I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio.
    ~ Joan Rivers

  • Be it jewel or toy, not the prize gives the joy, but the striving to win the prize.
    ~ Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton


Jack in the Box quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Jack in the Box image courtesy iStockphoto

September 04, 2014

Jack of all Trades ... Master of None

Lots of men and women are pretty "handy" around the house or yard or just, in general. We all know many things that are not necessarily considered a talent, but are great skills to have. Hence we are called a "Jack (or Jill) of all Trades and Master of None".
Handy Andy quilt block - image copyright W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Handy Andy

So, today I thought you might like to see a quilt block called Handy Andy. This block is built on a five grid and it can be made in many different sizes -- most commonly as a 10" quilt block, but I have given you the instructions for several different sizes.

Download the free Handy Andy quilt block pattern.

Quotes about being handy / successful

  • "When one must, one can."
      ~ Charlotte Whitton

  • "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure."
    Image courtesy of posterize at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
    A Handyman's friend

    ~ Mark Twain

  • "The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary."
    ~ Thomas Edison


    and finally ...

  • "No. Try not. Do ... or do not. There is no try. [Star Wars IV]"
    ~ Yoda

Handy Andy quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Utility knife image courtesy of posterize at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

August 24, 2014

Isn't every quilt a mosaic?

Mosaic quilt © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Mosaic quilt
Mosaics are everywhere. They are created from bits of a certain material (and often many materials) and then arranged and put together in such a way as to make a design. That's what making a quilt is all about. So when you think about it, every quilt is actually a mosaic.

The featured quilt block today is one I have named Mosaic -- for the simple reason that I do not know its real name. (An aside here -- if you happen to know the real name of this quilt block, please let me know). The block could not be simpler to make but the fun starts when you have made many blocks and then start playing around with placement.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Since quilts are an artform, and the quilts you will see today displayed at shows feature some magnificant artwork, I chose to use Art as my topic for today's quotes.

Quotes about Art

  • "Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art."
    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Street mosiac © http://www.all-free-download.com/
    Street Mosaic
  • "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."
    ~ Thomas Merton

  • "The big artist keeps an eye on nature and steals her tools."
    ~ Thomas Eakins

  • "Art is not to be taught in Academies. It is what one looks at, not what one listens to, that makes the artist. The real schools should be the streets."
    ~ Oscar Wilde


Mosaic quilt image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Street Mosaic image courtesy all-free-download.com/

August 14, 2014

Celebrities, Wisdom and Feathers

For some reason, feathers came to mind today, so I went looking for an appropriate quilt block to feature and Indian Plume fit the bill.

Indian Plume quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Indian Plume
I have categorized this quilt block as at an intermediate level, not because it is difficult, but because there are quite a few pieces making up the block. This requires that you are precise in your sewing and that is the only difficulty you will face. The patches themselves are easy to create, so the only problem you will have is in choosing the colours that are right for you.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

And speaking of feathers, what would a series of quotes about feathers be without a reference to a peacock?

Quotes about Feathers


    "Peacock" image courtesy of Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
  • I don't know if it's animalistic or what, but men become like peacocks with their feathers up when women are around.
    ~ Bradley Cooper

  • I'm always in favor of more glamour. I embarrass my children, I think. I am the lady in feathers in the car pool line.
    ~ Mia Sara

  • It was a meditation on life, love, old age, death: ideas that had often fluttered around her head like nocturnal birds but dissolved into a trickle of feathers when she tried to catch hold of them.
    ~ Gabriel Garcia Marquez

  • The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to get the most feathers with the least hissing.
    ~ Jean Baptist Colbert

  • Now cut that out boy, or I'll spank you where the feathers are thinnest.
    ~ Foghorn Leghorn

"Indian Plume" image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
"Peacock" image courtesy of Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

July 29, 2014

"Kitty Corner" - Where did that term come from?

Kitty Corner quilt © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Kitty Corner quilt
After working on the quilt block called Kitty Corner, I then began to wonder (as is a frequent occurrence for me -- I'm always wondering about some mystery in life --) about where the term originated. Apparently, the term "kitty corner" (also interchanged in some regions as "catty-corner") was first used in the 16th century and it means something that is "directionally diagonal from a certain point" according to the website Today I Found Out.

Download the free quilt block pattern for Kitty Corner.

 

Quotes about Cats

  • "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
    ~ Robert Heinlein

  • "If stretching were wealth, the cat would be rich."
    ~ African Proverb

  • "If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much."
    Mark Twain

  • "In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats."
    English Proverb

Image courtesy of khunaspix / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
"After dark all cats are leopards."
~ Native American Proverb


"Kitty Corner" quilt image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Leopard image courtesy of khunaspix / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

July 23, 2014

It's Blueberry Season!

Well what could be more appropriate in 'blueberry season' (at least it is where I live), than to introduce you to a quilt block called Blueberry Compote?

This quilt block surprised me once I started playing around with it. Originally I had it designed using three colours, but decided the resultant quilts were sort of 'ho-hum'. So, by adding a complementary colour in small portions, I thought this was just the spark it needed. So, you be the judge.

Download the free quilt block pattern.


Blueberry Compote © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Blueberry Compote


Just because I wanted to get this blog posted with this new block, I don't have any quotes about blueberries picked out (pardon the poor pun), but here is a bit of a potpourri of quotes to brighten your day.

  • "How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being."
    ~ Oscar Wilde

  • "The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."
    ~ Confucius

  • "We owe a lot to Thomas Edison - if it wasn't for him, we'd be watching television by candlelight."
    ~ Milton Berle

  • "If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it."
    ~ Chinese Proverb

Blueberry Compote image(s) © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

July 19, 2014

Cats and Dogs and ... Mice?

Cat and Mouse quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Cat and Mouse
Well I had to throw in "mice" in the title since today's featured quilt block is called Cat and Mouse. There is nothing difficult in creating this four patch block, other than that the construction is a wee bit different than the norm, so that can only enhance your skills in your quiltmaking journey.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

 

Quotes about animals

  • "A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere."
    ~ Groucho Marx

  • "Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to."
    ~ Mark Twain

  • Image courtesy http://euanlife.blogspot.ca/2013/02/the-chinese-zodiac.html
  • "Guys are like dogs. They keep coming back. Ladies are like cats. Yell at a cat one time...they're gone."
    ~ Lenny Bruce

  • "Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
    ~ Anatole France

  • "The cat is the mirror of his human's mind. The dog mirrors his human's physical appearance."
    ~ Winifred Carriere

'Cat and Mouse' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Cat and Mouse photograph image courtesy Euan's Life

July 12, 2014

"What is sauce for the goose ..." - Who said that?

 Goose Tracks

Goose Tracks quilt block
Goose Tracks
The Goose Tracks quilt block is a wonderful introduction to quilting as it contains only the two most commonly used quilt patches -- the half square triangle unit and the square. But, don't let simple shapes fool you into thinking simple equals boring. You can create many a different and fascinating quilt with just these two patches. Download the free quilt block pattern.

Now, for you bird lovers out there -- test your knowledge using the title of this blog post. Can you name the author?

 Bird Quotes

Male white-rumped Shama
  • "A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
    ~ Chinese Proverb

  • "Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses."
    ~ Dale Carnegie

  • "What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander."
    ~ William Shakespeare

  • "If you feel the urge, don't be afraid to go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?"
    ~ Will Rogers

Goose Tracks quilt block © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
"Male white-rumped Shama" bird image courtesy of panuruangjan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

July 01, 2014

Celebrate This Week with a Block Party!

"Around the Block" quilt block
Around the Block
Today is a day of celebration in my favourite part of the world -- it is Canada Day and so I imagine lots of festivities will be happening around the neighbourhood. Likewise in the United States on Friday this week when they celebrate their 4th of July holiday.

I just realized that so far I have not created a pattern for a quilt block called Fireworks, (note to self -- get on that to be ready for next year), so as a second idea I am featuring Around the Block. I figure that block parties might be happening -- perhaps in your neighbourhood this week.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Quotes about Celebrating

  • "Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!"
    ~ Amanda Bradley

  • "Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration and you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor."
    ~ Francis Lucille

  • "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
    ~ Oprah Winfrey

  • "Celebrate what you want to see more of."
    ~ Thomas J. Peters

Around the Block quilt image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Fireworks image - public domain

June 16, 2014

Aunt Nancy's Favorite

Aunt Nancy's Favorite (or as I prefer to spell it ... "Aunt Nancy's Favourite") is an easy to intermediate level quilt block to produce. This four patch block is only difficult due to the number of pieces used to create the block. But, it is well worth the effort. Also note that some of the pieces are constructed as mirror images of others.

Aunt Nancy's Favourite quilt block (c) W. Russell
Aunt Nancy's Favourite
Download the free quilt block pattern.

As you probably know by now, to be a successful quilter, all you need is to be precise in your cutting and piecing. So on that note I thought it was appropriate to feature some quotes today about success.

Quotes about Success

  • "If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing."
    ~ Will Rogers

  • "Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult."
    ~ Charlotte Whitton

  • "Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things."
    ~ Frank Clark

  • "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."
    ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Aunt Nancy's Favourite image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com 

June 09, 2014

For the love of flowers

Peony Basket quilt block
Peony Basket
I can't see the logic in the name Peony Basket for this quilt block, but then I was not the person who chose the name. So, that being said, this is a easy quilt block to make and perfect for those quilters who like 10" blocks. The components of this block are squares, rectangles and half square triangles -- all very common units and easy to work with.

This five patch quilt block is sewn together as an uneven nine patch block -- the nine patch being (probably) the most common style of quilt block. Download the free quilt block pattern.
Image courtesy of dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Peonies and Sunflowers

Quotes about Flowers

  • "There are always flowers for those who want to see them."
    ~ Henri Matisse

  • "Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul into."
    ~ Henry Ward Beecher

  • "Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet."
    ~ Jeremy Bentham

  • "Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts."
    ~ Sigmund Freud

More Flower Quilt Blocks

Peony Basket image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Flower pot image courtesy of dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

June 02, 2014

The Blacksmith -- aka -- the Monkey Wrench

Monkey Wrench quilt block
Monkey Wrench
The Monkey Wrench quilt block has been around for a long time. History tells us that quilt patterns were used as codes to help escaping slaves reach Canada along the 'Underground Railroad'. The Monkey Wrench quilt block pattern was designed to represent the blacksmith (named for the inventor of the tool -- a London blacksmith named Charles Moncke), and was one of the many quilt blocks used in the code.

By hanging a quilt with a certain pattern over a railing -- supposedly to dry -- the slaves were directed to a certain location on their road to freedom, with no one in authority being the wiser. Download the free quilt block pattern.


Today's Quotes about Tools

Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney
  • "Science is a tool, and we invent tools to do things we want. It's a question of how those tools are used by people."
    ~ Margaret Atwood

  • "Men have become the tools of their tools."
    ~ Henry David Thoreau

  • "One of my primary objects is to form the tools so the tools themselves shall fashion the work and give to every part its just proportion."
    ~ Eli Whitney

  • "Don't force it ... get a bigger hammer."
    ~ Arthur Bloch

Monkey Wrench image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Eli Whitney image courtesy encyclopedia.com

May 26, 2014

Starry, Starry Night

Twilight Star Quilts
The Twilight Star quilt block is based on the Ohio Star block with more patches added in the corners. There is nothing difficult in the making of this quilt block other than it has more pieces, therefore, more seams and so you must pay close attention to sewing an accurate seam allowance.

This quilt block is wonderful when you choose to make it a scrappy version. Just make sure to have lots of contrast in your chosen pieces. Download the free quilt block pattern.

Quotes About Stars

The Starry Night painted 1889, by Vincent van Gogh
  • "For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."
    ~ Vincent van Gogh

  • "Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering."
    ~ St. Augustine

  • "If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years, how man would marvel and stare."
    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."
    ~ Helen Keller

Twilight Star quilt image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'The Starry Night' image courtesy Van Gogh Gallery

May 19, 2014

Variation on the Nine Patch Square Quilt Block

Nine Patch Square - Variation quilt block
Nine Patch Square - Variation
I was looking through some of my published quilt block patterns and liked the look of the Nine Patch Square - Variation. So, today that is the featured block.

At first glance, this looks like it would make an uninspiring quilt, but with a bit of imagination, you can create a stunning heirloom for future generations. Click the link above or download the free quilt block pattern here.

A Potpourri of Quotes for Today


  • Julia Child in action
    "The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."
    ~ Julia Child

  • "Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody."
    ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
    ~ Steve Jobs

  • "I value the friend who, for me, finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar."
    ~ Robert Brault

Nine Patch Square Variation image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
Julia Child image public domain

May 09, 2014

A Shout-Out to all the great Moms out there - Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Choice quilt block
Mother's Choice
It's Mother's Day on Sunday so I thought it only appropriate to celebrate all those Moms out there with the quilt block called Mother's Choice. This quilt block is a little more challenging than some, but only for the reason that there are many pieces in the block. If you are precise in sewing your quarter inch seam allowance, your block will turn out fine.

This block contains only common patches -- the half square triangle, the flying geese patches  and some squares.

Now of course there will be quotes for all you Moms out there, just so you know how important you are in the lives of your family.

Quotes about Mothers

My Mom
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom
  • "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his."
    ~ Oscar Wilde

  • "I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her"
    ~ Ellen DeGeneres

  • "God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers."
    ~ Rudyard Kipling

  • "Mothers are the necessity of invention."
    ~ Bill Watterson