Did it! Block without a Name - from Mary Mannakee 1850s quilt

I can hardly believe I attempted this AND finished! Here are a few photos of progress along the way. I began the block back in Sept. 2012. I think I was motivated and inspired to work on it after beginning on Chester County Criswell quilt blocks. The CCC blocks are  simpler designs but have encouraged me to get back into the habit of applique - that I love! They also have me working with some different shapes (narrow channels, inside curves, etc.) that I had little experience with. So that had been good for me too. With a block coming out each month and a blog to share the stories of the quilt and see others progress, it has been very fun. Thanks to my mom for the gift of one year pattern subscription and background fabric so I could enjoy my birthday over and over all year long!

This block design is from DAR museum Mary Mannakee Quilt (circa 1850). I like the style and the red and green. I enjoyed making the narrow, curved stems the most! It also gave me more practice on those not-as-fun tight inside curves. I recently gained practice with these type curves in the recent Chester County Criswell quilt block #7. I think this also helped me fearlessly approach them here. I have worked on it off and on with some extra time during dd's tournaments this spring.

There are many more exciting things to post...but I will save for another day. Happy Quilting Everyone!!

CCC Block #7: A leaf & buds - Right on Schedule!

Block #7 from Chester County Criswell Quilt went very quickly. I am 100% caught up with BOM now! YIPPEE! So much fun.  I am going to make another block #7 now to swap. I'm so excited to have made the swap plans with quilter Sharon from down under who designed the quilt :) Thanks Sharon!!

I finished this CCC Block #7 a couple days ago and have been working on another Baltimore block. Enjoying the Mile High city and getting so close to finishing the Baltimore block (from Mary Mankee quilt) after on-and-off for a couple months. It will probably be the next item to post. Also have traced pattern for CCC block # 8. These blocks each have their own unique challenge and I am enjoying every one! They are a great reward after hours of paper grading.

CCC Block # 6 finished!

I made the pattern in block #6 of Chester County Criswell quilt a little larger than the original but I think it fits in fine with the rest.







Below are the first six blocks finished!

I am so pleased with this accomplishment. And, I have also completed one block #7. I am completely caught up - I don't think I have stayed with a project so consistently for a long while. Blogging with other quilters working on the same blocks is an encouragement and inspiration. I am having a lot of fun and I'm ready for #8! I can't wait to receive it, trace it, and cut it out to take with me this weekend. If you want to join along, visit Sharon at the Chester County Criswell Quilt Blog to get started.
Happy Quilting!

February Snow & CCC block #7 traced

What a lovely view on Wednesday, looking out our front window to stately house across the street! Cozy weather for cooking and applique...and grading papers? :(

Chester County Criswell block #6 is too close to finished to show....yet. Block #7 is coming along fine! It is going fast and I have already cut out another with plans to sew and share :)  I can't wait for block #8! In looking at the quilt there are a few block designs that I really like! Hoping that one of them is next.

Block 6 is looking great!

Here is an update on progress for the Chester County Criswell block #6 after a long weekend traveling to Omaha, NE and sewing in between dd's tournament schedule.

Oh ... and just for fun shots of dd at the net - very consistent jump! And, her equally diligent chemistry study during lunch break. 

CCC Block 6 is FUN!!

Chester County Criswell Quilt block #6

Happy Valentine's Day my quilting friends!
This block looks like it fits right into the Valentine theme!

I am enjoying this block - the fabric and the design! I slightly enlarged it and since I have all that practice on channel type applique designs (from block #4) I'm feeling good about this! It is basted now, ready to go on the road with me this weekend to Omaha, NE to watch dd's tournament! I think I might cut out block #7 to take along also since it is a three day weekend. If I finish them both, I will be caught up with the blocks by the end of the month! WOW! That would be unbelievable. Let's see what happens...


If you are also working on blocks for this quilt, maybe we could talk about an exchange. Anyone interested? I think I would like to make a duplicate of block #7 to swap. As I recall, there were a couple of those blocks in the original quilt. I hope to hear from you!

Hayley's quilt is coming along fine too, as I snatch little time here and there to either cut, pin or sew a few pieces. It is such a nice reward for my hard work of writing or grading papers :)
I'll have to post a picture soon.

A strange branch #5 CCC complete !

Chester County Criswell quilt block #5 is finished within a week! Time spend traveling and watching TV show "Elementary" sped along the progress. I've already begun block #6 and making good progress. I like the colors. Picture to come next post!