February 27, 2014

Circling Geese Quilt Block ~ and ~ a Gaggle of Geese Quotes

Circling Geese Quilt - image copyright W. Russell
Circling Geese Quilt
I'm really liking this new blog thing. I get to show you a new project to get interested in and then throw out a few quotes to get you thinking or laughing in your day.

Today we are looking at Circling Geese -- a quilt block that I have assigned as an intermediate level, but only because there are quite a few pieces in each block -- mainly the famous flying geese patch. Keeping an eye on your precision of stitches is the only difficulty in making this quilt block.

And, speaking of geese:

Quotes for today

Will Rogers
Will Rogers
  • "It is not that the French are not profound, but they all express themselves so well that we are led to take their geese for swans."
    ~ Van Wyck Brooks

  • "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

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


Circling Geese Quilt image © W. Russell
Will Rogers image - public domain

February 26, 2014

Keep up to date with "Quilts and Quotes"

Since this is just a new ... and dare I say it ... "Up and coming blog" ... there I dared ....

how about keeping up to date by signing up for any new updates by email. Blog posts will arrive in your inbox each time there is a new post on the site.  Just look to the right column and add your email address. As a promise to you, your email address will never be given out to anyone. I will keep the list in a special place where I hoard stuff that is for my eyes only.  Also, I hate spam as much as you do.

I hope to keep you entertained with quotes and perhaps even keep you in stitches! (Sorry ... how could I resist that one?)  :-)

Image © freedigitalphotos.net

Triple Star Quilt Block and Wisdom from Mae West

Triple Star quilt block
The Triple Star quilt block is a little different in the construction from the standard methods in putting a block together. But ... don't assume that different means difficult.

This quilt block is created using
Mae West
simple shapes -- just squares and triangles. The sewing is done in diagonal rows rather than the usual straight rows. That's it. Easy peasy.

And speaking of "stars" -- how about a little wisdom from a Hollywood femme fatale:

Quote for today:

"When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before."
~ Mae West


Images: Triple Star quilt block © W. Russell, Mae West - Wikimedia Commons--public domain

February 25, 2014

Candlestick Quilt Block

Candlestick quilt block

Candlestick quilt block

The Candlestick quilt block was a new one to me, but it is interesting what you can do with many blocks when you decide to create your quilt. Simple rotation of the blocks and careful placement can provide a whole variety of final projects.

Quote for today: 
"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another."
~ Ernest Hemingway

Images © W. Russell

February 23, 2014

Yay Canada! Gold Medal in Hockey Again Today!


Image courtesy: Canadian Press
Today, in honour of the final gold medal of the Olympics -- the men's hockey championship -- and let's not forget the women's gold medal in hockey too -- I have chosen to use the Maple Leaf quilt block. This block is a great selection if you are just learning how to make a quilt.

By simple rotation of the quilt block, you can make a stunning quilt for your first time out.

Quote for today:

"The energy of the mind is the essence of life." 
~ Aristotle

February 22, 2014

Sharon's Delight Quilt Block

I would like to say that I created this quilt block especially for my friend Sharon, but alas, I cannot take the credit. However, the layout of the quilt design is mine. :-)

This version of the quilt block is a scrappy one -- always my favourites and is comprised only of half square triangles and squares.

Download the free pattern for the Sharon's Delight quilt block.

Quote for today

And today's message is a humourous note:
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to."
~ Mark Twain




February 20, 2014

My First Blog on Quilts and Quotes

Art Square - Free Quilt Block Pattern
Since I am still finding my way around here in this new blog, I'm just going to send you to a new quilt block I created this week. It is called Art Square  which is a great starter block for those new to quilting. 

This image here shows how it might look in a quilt.

Any my quote for today seems appropriate -- for me in this new venture.  

"I can believe anything, provided it is incredible."