Adventures- Looking Back 2024

 No quilts in this post, but a few of my adventure/travel photos. 

Laurie and I went to the Paducah Quilt Show and had a whirlwind trip in the area, including Nashville.

I was on my way to Tahiti on my birthday! 

I had an amazing mission trip to Uganda. 

We went to a new-to-us Hawaiian Island- Kauai

. 

Beautiful hiking on the coast of Spain.

 

I had a little fun in Barcelona

This past summer we did a little popup shop!

Laurie and I went to the quilt show in Houston. 

And of course, I did a bit of hiking and backpacking this year!

Along with the good, my daughter was in a serious car accident and thankfully she is alive but still dealing with a head injury. I'm glad we are fairly close and have been able to help out when necessary.

It's been a good year!

 

Looking Back 2024 Quilts

I had a good year of quilts!

I only quilted and bound this one that was made by Marsha. The center was part of the antique block challenge and we bartered when I visited her guild in Idaho! YAY!

Uptown by Gayle Bomers of Sentimental Stitches. 

My little quilt for Humble Quilts swap.

I put in the final stitches of Cousin's Walk!  

Finished Lone Cabin by Red Wagon.

Homestead- Humble Quilts quiltalong for 2024

Here Comes the Sun, new workshop for 2025

Here Comes the Sun 2 

That's a wrap for 2024 quilts!

 

Tree of Life- Let's Go! Photo Heavy

One of these was my practice block and it pieced beautifully so I made another one!

My blocks are 16" and that will be what the directions are for. 

I could not get my lines in Electric quilt to line up, so I'll be giving you step by step instructions.

We need to make 24 half square triangles. 

For my first block I used the easy angle ruler and 2 1/2" strips. 

For the second block I ordered triangles on a roll that finish 2", 

When making a lot of the same 2 fabrics this is the option I like. Sew on the dotted lines, cut on the solid lines

I did forget to cut the outer lines! Oops! Use a small stitch and remove paper. 

I am piecing my block in quadrants. It really makes it easy. 

We will start with the upper left, then lower left, upper right and lower right.

The plain blocks in upper left are cut 2 1/2" (you need 3) Piece as shown.

Then we will piece lower left. 

You will need 9 red/white half square triangles and then from red you will cut 4- 2 7/8" squares then cut on the diagonal to get 8 triangles. Refer to the diagram for layout. For the plain large triangle you will cut 1 square 6 7/8" then cut on the diagonal. (use the other triangle on the upper right quadrant)

The upper right quadrant is similar using 9 half square triangles and 3 red triangles and the other 6 7/8" triangle.

The last piece will need templates. Let me know if you are using this pattern and I will send you the template. Some people get concerned, but this is easy!

For the large red triangle cut one square 4 7/8" square then cut on the diagonal. You will only use one. 

The tree trunk measures 8 1/4"x 3 3/8"

You should have 2 small triangles leftover from the earlier step. For the lower white triangle cut 1 square 5 7/8" then cut on the diagonal. You can use the other triangle in another block. For this one you will only use 1. 

I layer my light background under my template.

Then line up my ruler and cut! Easy!

Center the little red triangles to the background and sew. Be sure it is all laid out properly. Check the diagram before sewing.  

Then sew background to stump. 

Then add lower light triangle and the upper red triangle.

You are so close to having your first block completed!

Sew your 4 sections together, press and admire your block!

Email me at humblequilts@gmail.com  if you want the template or have any questions. 

Here is an alternative to using a template if that interests you- find it HERE.

 

Tree of Life 2025

My project for 2025 will be the Tree of Life quilt in red/white. 

Here is some inspiration.

Here is my Electric Quilt block. 

24 Half Square triangles in each block. 

Projects like this that can be very boring (2 color quilts!) take some time. My thought is to  make 2 blocks a month. I still haven't decided if I will use shirtings/muslin or different reds. 

What I'm leaning towards is muslin and a variety of reds, but using the same red throughout the block.

If you have a tedious quilt you want to make I find breaking it up into manageable sections each month makes it so much more doable.

Anybody else? Anybody want to join in?

Happy New Year!!