Just a little of this and that to show you today. I haven’t had a lot of time in the quilt room, but I did sneak in a little bit in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday.
I’ve finished one more block of the Solstice Sampler 2025 blocks, and this one was a doozy. Things went along pretty well until it came to sewing the block together. There was a lot of ripping, over and over, trying to get perfect intersections with some of the curves. Finally, I just gave up and called it good enough.
The pattern did say this block was advanced level, but I was pretty sure that after all the years I’ve been sewing and that I am advanced in years, that I qualified. I was pretty deflated about the block until I read some of the comments of those who posted their blocks on Instagram. Several had issues with getting those intersections just right too, so that made me feel a little better. I have no desire to redo the block, so I’ll show it to you from a distance. It looks much better that way. Haha. It is the center block in the photo below. This project will be in time out until after the holiday season, I think!
Well, after that frustration, I needed something easier and fun. So I pulled out my Lori Holt Vintage Christmas book and made this cute little 6-1/2 inch block. The book has so many cute Christmas block ideas, and I like that there are options for large (12″ finished) or small (6″ finished) blocks.
The fabrics are all from my Christmas fabric stash, which is pretty small. I had to think a bit to get the background fabrics all going the right direction, but I think those little penguins and moose are fun. Of course, the penguins make me think of Diann of Little Penguin Quilts, and that makes me smile. This little block was made purely for fun, I have no idea what I will do with him, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.
After I finished that block, I did a test pattern for Sandra Healy Designs, and I’m looking forward to showing that to you soon. It is another of her 24-inch blocks, and it’s a pretty one!
Wilbs usually joins me in the quilt room long enough to eat a bunch of snacks (dry cat food) and then he is off to snooze the afternoon away. Today, however, he was very interested in a little project I was messing with. He stuck close, really close. If he didn’t have his nose right in there, his swishing tail was brushing bits here and there while I was trying to keep all the little pattern bits in one place!
He was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t share the ball of thread I was using. He was pretty sure it was something he should chase across the floor. So we had quite a bit of conversation back and forth while I was working on this little bit. This was the second of these I made, and it went together well. Was it that I had the pattern down and it went smoothly, or was it the Wilbs effect? We’ll see how the next one goes!
So just a little of this and that from Pieceful Thoughts. I hope all is well with you!
Wendy
❤️❤️❤️
I can see where that block would be a challenge. Cute Santa block, what did you use for his cheek blush?
Cats…so helpful. Your blocks are cute.
Those blocks do look so complicated but they look great! I can see why playing around with something fun like the Santa block (penguins make me think of Diann, too) to unwind a bit. Enjoy that time with Wilbs! Annoying or not he’s a cutey!
Those little somethings that Wibbs was interested in are super cute!
I’m sorry that the block was so frustrating; I hope the next one in the series renews your joy in the project after it is done in time out. The Santa block is super cute (those penguins!), and Wilbs does look very intensely interested in your work. I look forward to seeing the test block you made for Sandra. I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
I think you are definitely an advanced quilter, Wendy – that block is amazing! It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it will forever have a story attached to it, which is even better. That Santa is adorable! The penguin fabric is very fun – thanks for the thoughts!
Oh goodness. The block looks so difficult Wendy. Your result is excellent though. Curves are a challenge!
Love the Santa block. So sweet. If you don’t make anymore, maybe this could be framed out and sewn into a gift bag for the season. I just pulled some fabrics to make a few bags so they are forefront of my mind at the moment.
Ha! I think I have one of those tiny 6″ Christmas Quilts! Just pot-holder sized, although I’d never dare to pick up a pot with mine! It’s hanging right above the counter where I see it all month.
That is a very advanced block and it certainly looks great from my perspective. I admire you for staying with the program. Before I read the paragraph about the Lori Holt block, I was looking at the background and admiring the way you got the trees all going the same direction Now, knowing your fabric supply was limited, extra kudos to you. Those little horses (?) are going to be so darling. I can understand why Wilbs was interested. And, yes, chasing the ball of thread would definitely have been fun….for Wilbs, not for you!! Looking forward to more show and tell.
I hate when a block is too challenging even for an advanced quilter like you! It looks great from a distance, and hopefully, you will have forgiven it and the project by the time you get back to it. Fun to see Wilbs playing among the ornament workshop…such a big helper he is!
I can see where that first one could cause some problems but you handled it. Wilbur looks very curious!!
That first block is adorable!!! Looks perfect from here! I look forward to the dala horses!!! Go Wilbs!
Dear Wilbs, sorry to hear that you do not get tha ball with threat. But you may need to understand this is our toy! But wait, next time Wendy has one especially for you! And look, you helped her to finish the swedish horses. They are very typical for Sweden, heritage of your lovely food giver. For sure this lovely lady who give you treats has to get a lot of applause for her blocks. She is advanced and very good and this pattern sure drives all crazy … it looks perfect and when it is quilted there will be no quilt police. And so many animals in this text, the penguins should be part of the text party. They are lovely and yes!! Every time me too, I think to Diann. Wilbs, great blog love to read in these days some fun things!
Give yourself a big pat on the back for managing to construct that Solstice block. It looks extremely, excruciatingly difficult. But oh so worth the effort. It’s a real beauty.
Your Christmas stitchings are delightful
Even from afar, your sampler blocks look beautiful. Love the Santa! I am familiar with the swishing tail, and Wilbs certainly has an attractive one. 😀
I am keeping a close eye on my little Rosie this morning. She had a few incidents of throwing up last night. It’s hopefully a hairball, but it always worries me because she will eat almost any particle she finds on the floor, and it’s hard to keep loose threads off the sewing room floor. My kids say I worry more about my cats than I ever worried about them!
Bummer about that one block giving you (and everyone else!) trouble. Hate when that happens. Nice your cute Santa could go much easier. And love those dalas!
Your problematic Solstice block turned out beautifully. Maybe the quilt gestapo would find fault, but it looks great in the photo. Love the Santa block, you picked an unexpected background, which makes it all the more fun. I’ve been very thankful that my daughter’s cat isn’t to interested in the fabric stuff we do, her tail goes constantly. I’m sure Wilbs didn’t mean any harm.
That does look like a complex curves block and sorry there was so much ripping out. The blocks do look awesome! Can you kiss the top of Wilbs head for. me? What a cutie!
Your quilting projects have such a cozy vibe, Wendy. Even though the Solstice Sampler block was frustrating, the three blocks together are WOW! Wilbs is such a cute helper — great photo! And those Dala horses are so nice.
Beautiful creations. And I love ❤️ animals. Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada 😊 ❤️ 🇨🇦
Always fun!
Your blocks are wonderful and I love your santa 🙂
Love that cute Santa block! I love Lori Holt’s books, especially because she does both sizes in most of those books. Our Sew Vintage group here have been playing with the Prairie Home book this year. It doesn’t do the 2 sizes of blocks which surprised me.