* Meg I will take a photo of those same buds when the Firewheel tree flowers come out.
* Molly I will see if I can get the 2 templates needed for making those grippy balls. You will note there is a lot of stuffing about literally to make one. ( that will be sometime after the 25th which is the next time my group meets. )
This little pastel coloured block is the only thing I have completed in the last few days. It is my contribution to one of 2 quilts that our group is making for the family of our dear club member Marie who died earlier this year. Her husband wanted the fabric used up so the group is making 2 quilts for their Grandchildren to use. One of pastel shades , one of brights. Our bright, lovely, youngest member of our group, Helen, sorted the fabrics into 2 sets for the quilts and worked out a suitable easy block for each. That way all the ladies may make a block towards the 2 quilts. I think it is great that the youngest is doing something special for the someone who was our eldest member. ( about 45 years difference in their ages. ) She called this block a Greek Cross, but I think it is the same as a Churn dash, just with the 4 outside rectangles in different colours. ( same layout anyway ) It wasn't a block I had made before.
Something else I am working on which I am trying to get totally simplyfied and correct is a Card Trick block. This I have made successfully once before ( a long time ago ). The reason I am being so particular is, it is my turn to do the BOM that our group is supplying instructions and a sample block for throughout the year. Each member of the Committee is making a different block for new sewers or others, who want a variety of blocks and techniques to learn from. On every site or book I have used as reference, I feel it is made unnecessarily complicated using templates. Smarty here is trying using squares cut to half square and quarter square triangles which requires no template. I haven't finished yet but am hopeful it's right so far. Otherwise I'll be starting again from scratch. I quite like a challenge. I'll show eventually when it is finished one way or another.
So far, for BOM, the group has made a simple 9 patch; a log cabin; a churn dash; a flower applique block; a 2 coloured star and a drunkard's path block. At the end the person making all the blocks will have the best part of a sampler quilt. We will then have a session helping the quilt construction if needed.
Out in the orchard I am finding it hot work now as there is no over head shade ( till the vines get their leaves )The buds are at the fuzzy stage and easily knocked off or damaged so much care is required. Glad I have my radio to keep me company. R is still working on the felled gum trees. He has a great wall of stacked rings. He also has a lot more to do.
