I Go to Extremes

I have been humming the track from Billy Joel's Stormfront album..."I Go to Extremes" all afternoon.

Because of this:

A 6 inch Mariner's Compass block I made today to go with the 18 inch one made yesterday...

These blocks are made using the technique ruler found at Robin Ruth Design here.

The 6 incher went together as easily as the 18 incher did, hmmmmm...now I have to decide whether I need to make the 36" version, hehehehe...

Haven't Done any Quilting for Awhile...Better Make a Mariner's Compass

So my friend Marie loves specialty rulers.  When I saw this on Cindy's Daisy Days blog, I told her that perhaps we should play with a new technique...

emails ensued, challenges were uttered..So Marie ordered "Fat" and I ordered "Skinny"...
 

Here is my first skinny, made this afternoon in an 18 inch size...

 I still need to hand applique the center circle, it's just pinned for now.  Then I will need to decide...Table Topper or Quilt...

You can find the pattern and ruler to purchase as well as a good instructional video on the technique at Robin Long's site here: Robinruthdesign.com.

I thought the directions were very thorough and clear until step 29 out of 33...I had to read that a couple of times to decide exactly where the locating pin was supposed to go.  That was my only stumbling block though and I only went from the book as my data allowance on satellite internet really doesn't allow for me to watch streaming video.  I really like her writing style and the diagrams- especially the overview diagrams- really sang to my engineer heart.

I have to admit that in this size, I think it would have been just as easy to paper piece but I am intrigued to try some of the other sizes as this is good from 6-36 inches.  I am also interested in trying the sunflower designs she is releasing in May.  All in all, I would recommend this ruler to anyone wanting to do multiple sizes and for those with paper piece phobia.  I really do like the idea that there is no paper to remove...ha!!

In other news, my husband moved our bee hives this weekend to a different location and found that sadly only one of the two has survived the winter.  We removed the honey for our own enjoyment rather than let the surviving hive steal it all...

Why yes, I am still here...

 So, one week becomes two...then three...I have had some nerve pain flaring and sewing has just been starting to be feeling possible again.  I have been slowly trimming a long term project with hst's above so that I can keep a "toe" in quilting.

No excuses not to have sent a proper blog post thank you to Soma who spoiled me crazy rotten with a swap we did recently with a theme of her wonderful paper pieced leaf pattern (find it here or here).

This is the beauty that she sent me which is now hanging above my sewing space (you can see what I sent her on her post here)

These two pics are stolen from Soma's site because she photographed them so much better than I can!!!  Hope you don't mind, my friend!

Along with some other goodies (notice how the card totally coordinates with the fabric?!!  wha???!!)  and an absolutely gorgeous pair of mitts that have been keeping me warm and toasty as we wait for true Spring weather around here...

She then included a Sherlock drawing for my teen son which he immediately framed and made a vignette on his desk around.  He was happy indeed :)

 
Thank you Soma for a wonderful swap, you truly brightened this winter with your amazing package!