Jawhawks or Jayhawks?

Kansas University Jayhawk

I found this quilt block called Jawhawks -- a simple one to construct -- but the name was one I had never heard before. In fact, I can't seem to even find a definition of the word "Jawhawk". All searches point to "Jayhawk". So, if anyone has any information to further this conundrum, please let me know.

My personal opinion is that Jawhawk became Jayhawk because it was easier to say. Maybe those quilters in Kansas can enlighten me. YourDictionary says that the origin of the word jayhawk is "the name of a fictional bird, half bluejay and half sparrowhawk, mascot of the University of Kansas." And here is his picture. He's kinda cute!

Jawhawks quilt block

Now back to the quilt block. This simple nine patch is a good starting place for a beginner quilter. The corners are made using half square triangles, the second most commonly used patch in quilt making, and there are also a few flying geese units to add a little pizzazz. Now, since this is not a common block (at least under this name), you are in the driver's seat to create a unique quilt to impress your friends!

Download the free quilt block pattern.

It's for the birds

• "I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright."
  ~ Stephen King


• "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


• "A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
  ~ Chinese Proverb
  
  but let's not forget about Kansas


• "When I write, I aim in my mind not toward New York but toward a vague spot a little to the east of Kansas."
  ~ John Updike

<sub>'Jawhawks' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Jayhawk' image courtesy printablecolouringpages.co.uk

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Who doesn't love a day at the beach?

Brighton Beach quilt block

Brighton Beach will get you thinking of summer days and fun in the sand -- at least I will be thinking about this. (Winter can just take a hike, if that was possible.)

This quilt block is a five patch, and an easy one at that, so is a great choice for beginner quilters. The added surprise -- (if you choose to set the blocks side by side in your quilt) -- is that a secondary pattern emerges -- pinwheels. And coincidentally, pinwheels are just the thing to entrance the kids while enjoying a day at the beach. A win-win situation.

So now it is time to dream of beaches and sunshine

Brighton Beach and pier

• "If there is a heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached to it."
  ~ Jimmy Buffett


• "I could never stay long enough on the shore; the tang of the untainted, fresh, and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought."
  ~ Helen Keller


• "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea."
  ~ Isak Dinesen

<sub>'Brighton Beach' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com
'Brighton Beach and pier image courtesy James Barker freedigitalphotos.net

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Starry, starry night ....

Once again, I took some liberties with the construction of this latest block -- all in the plan to make it easier to construct. My theory is, why have more seams when you don't need to?

Star of Luxor quilt block

The Star of Luxor is another block you can construct in a larger size -- a 16" block -- which means, in the end you make fewer blocks and your quilt can go together a little faster.

My version is constructed as an uneven nine patch, featuring half square triangles and flying geese units. The centre star features a square in a square patch, so there is some variety in your patches for this block. And finally, since this block is about stars, I went the easy route in choosing colours to match a night sky.

What others have to say about stars

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


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


• "A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road."
  ~ Alexander Smith


• "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


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

<sub>'Star of Luxor' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Are you up for a challenge?

Today I am thinking about those quilters who would like a bit more of a challenge. The Divided Cross quilt block could be the one you are looking for. Now, having said this, actually there is nothing at all difficult in the making of this block, except that there are lots of pieces to sew. But, why not cut your sewing down by making it a 16" block?  (Bigger block, less blocks for a quilt).

_{Divided Cross quilt block}

By now, you are familiar with the most commonly used quilt patch (after the square) -- the half square triangle. The next step is using the quarter square triangle -- another frequent patch used in quilt blocks. From there, it is only taking care to use an accurate quarter inch seam allowance and your block will go together without a hitch.

Download the free quilt block pattern.

Now, as an aside, I'm looking outside my window, and I see the beginning of a snowfall, (which is quite common in my area), so I need some "feel good" quotes for the day. (No snow lover here, which begs the question "Why do I live where I do?") <Sigh>

Today's Inspirational Quotes

• "If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."
  ~ Roald Dahl


• "With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
  ~ William Shakespeare


• "Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."
  ~ Earl Nightingale


• "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
  ~ Winston Churchill


• "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."
  ~ Phyllis Diller

<sub>'Divided Cross' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Tonganoxie

Tonganoxie quilt block

How could I come up with a catchier name for a blog post than Tonganoxie? And ... as it happens there is a quilt block by this name.

Upon further research, I discovered that it is named for a city in Kansas (I think it is obvious now, that geography is not my forté or I would have known this already.)

This seven patch quilt block is an easy one to construct because it contains only squares and rectangles, hence easier sewing. To make the construction even simpler (in my opinion), I have laid out the construction process as an uneven nine patch because I prefer to work with "chunks" rather than sewing in rows. Additionally, this block can be made as a 14" block so that the process of making your quilt is speeded up. A win-win situation.

And speaking of Kansas, did you know ... ?

• Kansas is known as the Sunflower state.


• There are 27 Walnut Creeks in the state of Kansas.


• The "prairie chicken" has its largest population in all of North American in Kansas. You might know a prairie chicken as a wild grouse.


• The Pizza Hut restaurant chain opened its first store in Wichita.


• Fire Station No. 4 in Lawrence, originally a stone barn constructed in 1858, was a station site on the Underground Railroad.


• Wyatt Earp, "Wild Bill" Hickok and "Bat" Masterson were three of the legendary lawmen who ruled frontier towns like Abilene, Dodge City, Ellsworth, Hays, and Wichita.


• The state name comes from the Kansas Indian word kansa or kanza which means "south wind".


• A museum in Piqua, Kansas is dedicated to silent film comedian, Buster Keaton, who was a native son.

<sub>'Tonganoxie' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Clay's Choice II

Clay's Choice II quilt block

For those new quilters it is sometimes helpful to sew larger blocks and therefore there are less blocks to make to create your quilt. This Clay's Choice II quilt block does have quite a few pieces, but I have taken liberties with the pattern to simplify it. Where there were many identical squares sewn together, I made rectangles instead. Where there were two half square triangle patches sewn together, I used flying geese units. (I can't resist those flying geese patches, and if you are a steady reader of this website, you will know those are my favourites.) By simply taking your time, the block goes together quickly.

Many of you will know of Clay's Choice as a different block. And ... you would be right. However, as is quite common in the quilting world, you might find more than one block with the same name. So, to avoid confusion, I have named this one Clay's Choice II.

If you are at all interested in the history of Clay's Choice, the original block was designed by Nancy Cabot for her daily column in the Chicago Tribune in 1933 under the heading "Henry Clay's Efforts to Maintain Union Inspired Interesting Quilt". However, that was in reference to the original Clay's Choice block. I cannot find any information on today's featured block with the same name, so would be pleased if anyone does know and would like to contact me.

Interesting Quotes from Henry Clay

• Statistics are no substitute for judgment.


• Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.


• Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.


• Of all human powers operating on the affairs of mankind, none is greater than that of competition.


• There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America.


• Sir, I would rather be right than be President.

<sub>'Clay's Choice II' quilt block image © W. Russell, patchworksquare.com

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Happy New Year 2016!

It's time to sit back, enjoy a coffee and snack and contemplate your 2016.  I wish everyone a happy, healthy and wonderful year!

And here's what some of the famous have to say

• "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


• "And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been."
  ~ Rainer Maria Rilke


• "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
  ~ Oprah Winfrey


• "Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness."
  ~ William Shakespeare


• "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."
  ~ Helen Keller

<sub>image courtesy qlkitchen.com

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I really was going crazy ...

Jenny's stocking 2015

This blog post will be a little different than those in the past. Today I am sharing what I was working on prior to Christmas -- a little crazy quilting. I plan to design some CQ blocks for you to download in the new year, but right now I thought I would give you some "eye candy". I had to wait to post these photos, as the projects were gifts for family and I couldn't take the chance that either of these ladies might catch a glimpse of their presents before the big day.

Project One

This stocking was my first project and it is for my daughter-in-law, Jenny. (I forgot to take a "before" picture, so you just get to see the finished product.)

It had to be mailed so I had to finish it first. (I must admit that I was nervous about the mailing part because it would be difficult to recreate this should it go astray in the mail). However, she got the package, just in time and was thrilled.

Gotta have a maple leaf!

(I believe if you click on the image you will see a much larger version.)

Now, if you were not already aware, I'm a Canadian (as is Jenny) so of course I had to add the maple leaf. This embroidery technique (long and short stitches) was a first for me and was made of single strands of thread and took me about 4 hours to produce, so I thought you should see a close up. <pats self on back>

Project Two

My next project (and I really didn't know what I was in for) was a purse for my daughter Rachel. (The embroidery and embellishing was a cinch compared to putting the thing together...)


This looks pretty unassuming and that is the interesting part of crazy quilting. You get to take small scraps of lovely bits and pieces, embroider as you wish and then, the really fun part, is adding the silk ribbon and the bead embellishments.

In the beginning ...

 Starting the embroidery. It's beginning to look a little more interesting.

Starting the embroidery ...

And here is the final product (after much soul searching as to why I attempted this, sprinkled with quite a bit of cursing ... ), but in the end, it was worth it.

The finished purse