Happy New Year!

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 ...

• "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}

'Tis the Season ...

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

• "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}
 

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.

New quilt block patterns

New Quilt Blocks in the past month

• A Variation on Fanny's Favorite
  - lots of pieces (but simple ones) for those wanting a bit more of a challenge
  - features squares, rectangles, half square triangles and flying geese units
  
• Star in Diamond
  - flying geese units
  - introduction to square in a square for centre patch
  - sewn as an uneven nine patch
• Autumn Leaves
  - 53 pieces in this block, but none of them difficult and well worth the effort

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}