Friday, December 17, 2010

Calling a Truce

I have 20 string blocks now and was hoping that maybe I could catch up in a few days.  Then Bonnie put out step 5 and I knew that I needed to put RRCB aside for a little while.   I did blocks 2 at a time this morning, and 2 take me about 45 minutes, so I figure I have another 15 hours of string blocks to do, then there is step 4, and step five looks to be very time consuming and fiddly, too.   I haven't even put up a Christmas tree yet, and I have two other quilts that I need to finish and get to people, so this one will be there when I get back to it, probably after the first of the year.   The good thing is by that time more clues will be out and I'll have a pretty good idea of where it's going.   Bonnie's quilts are always beautiful, and I'm sure this one is no different.   I think it is funny that on Quiltvillechat some people love these blocks and others are just girding their loins and gritting their teeth and forging ahead.  So far I am in the forging ahead group, but I'm hoping they grow on me as I haven't seen a string quilt that I didn't like.   I find the process of trying to find strips long enough very time consuming and a little frustrating.  My foundation papers are 8.5 inches by about 8 inches and I think that makes part of the problem.  I think that if the papers were as big as the blocks you could tell at a glance.  Next time, if there is a next time, I'll do 8" blocks.  I still have plenty of papers.

11 comments:

LuAnn said...

I think after today's clue, there are a lot of us thinking that this will be a project for next year. I think your step 3 blocks look great!

scraphappy said...

I am in the same boat. I haven't officially called a pause yet, but I'm close. I have so many little things that I'm trying to finish off before the new year. I'm not sure which I should be doing. For now I'll just spin in circles for a bit and bounce from one thing to another. Your blocks to look beautiful though. I can imagine that wrong sized paper would be frustrating. I used regular old copy paper and just folded the corner over to make it square. It is a bit hard to take off, but it was free.

Kris said...

Oh I am in love with your blocks! They are sooo beautiful! Well done!

Elaine Adair said...

Lovely - your strings have so much character in them! I'm watching to see the final result - but I did NOT join in. I know, yours will be stunning and I'll be kicking myself for NOT joining.

Amy said...

Well dear---you are further than I am. I have yet to start the string blocks of step 3. All in due time...no rush. They look great! And I counted 14 fabrics on one of them.....ummm.....wow!

Fiber Babble said...

Your string blocks are gorgeous! It's amazing how something so simple can take so long - and now with Step 5, if I were you I'd be reaching for a paper bag to hyperventilate into!

It will all be worth it when it's done, but nobody expects you to cancel your holidays to get it there!

Louise said...

Your blocks are so cheerful! I'm keeping up, but only because I don't have many obligations right now.
Your granddaughter (from your last post) is just darling!
Louise

Juliejaz said...

I love your string quilt blocks! They are beautiful. I made a string quilt for my daughter. I love the pattern.

Micki said...

Your string blocks are wonderful.
Micki

~Niki~ said...

lovely string blocks. You know, I've always just seen string blocks with all different 'color' schemes. I really love your colors~muted creams/browns,tans mostly. lovely!

Lurline said...

Ever since you posted this pic I have been in love with it - one day may I use it as inspiration? I hope this Comment draws it to other people's attention and also reminds them to play nice!
Christmassy hugs - Lurline♥