What a crazy Friday at work. I was in zoom meetings from 9:30 am until 3:00… with barely enough time to pee between meetings. I finally got the boys out for a walk around 3:30. And by the time I got home I had worn a blister on the big toe on my left foot. I was ready to take them for a walk after dinner, but it was just too uncomfortable.
So, instead, I tossed a ball in the back yard until they nearly passed out.
Once they were nice and worn out I hit my sewing room and dug in on making four more Wensleydale blocks. And since I have a big stack of kits made I didn’t wast any time prepping.
Here’s what I ended up with.
Here’s all four of them together.
And all 29 blocks up on the design wall. Just nineteen blocks to go!!
I’ve started thinking about my next set of fabrics for the final blocks and I really think I need to pull out some dark, dark indigo batiks. I feel like it could use more dark fabrics. And, more truly light fabrics. So I’ll be a little more intentional with the last set of fabrics.
When I finished up and left my sewing room, my faithful campaign was waiting patiently for me.
It still doesn’t feel like full blown spring yet. But I’m happy to see that some new bloomers have arrived. The blooms on my flowering plum tree are opening up.
This is typically one of the first trees to bloom every spring. And in a few days it will all be gone. These blooms just don’t last very long — a good rain storm or a stiff wind will make short work of it.
My flowering pear trees are also starting to bloom.
I love these trees! I love them so much I’ve planted 11 of them in my back yard over the years.
I saw this Camellia tree on our walk this afternoon. I love the carpet of petals on the ground.
Thank god the weekend is here! I’m ready for it.
agilejack 
Beautiful blog! Just love these diamond blocks! Also the petal path and new blooms. Very inspirational! You always come up with unique ideas! Keep on blogging! I so enjoy your updates and look for your updates in my mailbox!! Happy Easter!!
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I love the first part of a project… having an idea, collection fabrics, and then seeing the first few blocks together. Then I have to start forcing myself to keep going. these blocks are easier for me because they’re all different so each one is a treat to see. I wouldn’t be happy making one of those quilts where you make the exact same block 60 times!
Anne
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These blocks are gorgeous, love the geometric’s and the shading.
When you cut the blocks to prepare for each one, is there a set size that you cut? When I do paper piecing it’s mostly a guess, and either it works or it does not.
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I made a couple blocks as practice to figure out how to cut my pieces. It’s not perfect but I found a way to make it work. I have more waste than I should because I’m more generous on my cuts, but the trade off is that I don’t have to spend a lot of time worrying about whether my precisely cut piece will cover the template. I like to save Time so I’m happy to make that trade off.
anne
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What gorgeous trees, Anne! They are an inspiration in color!
I’ve loved watching you make the new blocks, so ordered a set of papers. Did you make templates to use so you could cut fabric with minimum waste? I’m intimated to start but love your blues so much that I have to try! (I’m a blue fabric/color person!) and love the dash of oranges and brights!
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I did not make make templates. I’m wasting more fabric than I should, but it makes the construction so much easier and faster, so I’m comfortable with just a little more waste.
Those pops of color in all that blue is really what makes this work! If it was only blues, it would be pretty blah! It needs the pops of color and pattern in the centers!
Anne
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All the colorful trees are making great eye candy. Totally agree on more very light. I was thinking that before you said it! Your blister have you a good excuse to get in some upper arm work ours. However you probably had to throw that ball for hours to wear out border collies!!!
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Yeah, I think my dogs are more worn out by a two mile walk than by 20 minutes of running after a ball. It’s more mental stimulation, which goes a long way in wearing them out.
Anne
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I love your blocks. This is going to be an amazing quilt. I have a question. I recently was quilting with friends when one asked if it was OK to combine batiks with other types of fabric. I have always used batiks like that and never given it a thought. One friend suggested that there might be a difference in shrinkage because batiks are prewashed. Have you ever noticed that? Have you noticed any other problems? Thanks.
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I have only ever combined them in a couple of baby quilts. So I don’t have any first hand knowledge of issues. I’ve never heard of issues and I do know a lot of people combine them. You could always prewash your non batiks, which I never do.
Anne
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Frosty here after 80s on Wednesday. Daffodils in full bloom but everything else seems to staying safe till temps more consistent.
Agree you need more dark, dark batiks in the quilt. Following this quilt I noticed that there are a lot of very close values in it, Looking at in in Black in white, really makes it more clear what is needed and arrangement changes. I know this is not the final arrangement of blocks but it usually helps me know what I need in the quilt, light, dark, or medium.
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I think it’s the mediums with little pattern that make it feel blah. So I’m going to limit any more of those and stay with bolder designs with more really darks and lights. I might have to do some shopping today to find some lighter options.
this is basically the blocks going on the wall as they’re made, so no where close to final design.
Anne
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I love these blocks. Your combination of blue batiks & KF fabrics is awe inspiring!
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thanks! I’m pretty happy with how this is turning out1
Anne
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I love your quilt and the fabrics you have picked. I have a large array of batiks, but mine are of all colors, certainly not the blues that you are using. It’s odd, but when I first saw batik fabrics, I didn’t like them. This was about 20 years ago. Then one day I just fell in love with them. Your piecing is so good, this quilt is going to be just stunning. I have 3 dogs but 2 follow me into my sewing room every time. We sure love our pets.
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thanks! I did buy another book of these paper templates and have no idea what I will use them for. But a really random and bright batik approach would be fun!
I love batiks. My stash is made of up mostly Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics, then batiks, and some Australian Aboriginal fabrics. And very little else!
Anne
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I really like this quilt. I have seen several others on blogs and yours is the prettiest and it reminds me of denim with all of the shades of blue.
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thanks Wanda! I agree that it’s reminiscent of faded denims. it would be blah without the KFC fabrics. But I’m liking how this is Turing out.
Anne
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Wow! Amazing Wensleydale blocks with pop of color in the center of each block. Did you use the acrylic templates for cutting the pieces for the block? I would like to try a few blocks for a pillow sham or even simpler a couple of blocks for Frankenbag! The combination of light , medium and dark batik prints with colorful Kaffe fabrics makes a great combination. Another fantastic quilt in the making! Enjoy your weekend, Anne!
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I’ve made up my own method for cutting the pieces. It’ not the best but it’s working. Wanda from Exuberant Color suggested tracing the template onto freezer paper then pressing those pieces to four layers of your fabric and cutting with a half inch allowance all the way around each piece. I didn’t try it.
I love how the lights and darks are playing in this quilt. that’s what makes it work!
Anne
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Beautiful diamond blocks, a lively selection of fabrics. Very nice
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Thanks! I’ve really been enjoying making these blocks but am glad I’m getting close to the end.
Anne
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