Long Time Gone Show and Tell

 

Do you ever have one of those days when things just go haywire? That was yesterday. I had plans - I really did, and several things put a wrench in the mix. So I just decided to take the rest of the day off. GASP!!!  I know - I'm feeling the pressure this morning, but I'll just put the pressure on the back burner and focus on ONE thing at a time. That's all I can do. 

I did sit and finish reading that book. Oh boy - I didn't see that ending coming! Loads of twists at the end, to be sure. And I started another one - hey, if I'm going to take the day off, I might as well do something I like. It was good, and perhaps I needed that wee break. 

I did get a bit of sewing done, but nothing that I can share with you, so I'm going to share the homework from Long Time Gone, which we had this past weekend. There are over 50 of us in the class, but I know I didn't get 50 pictures. Some people have time restraints or are still working out their colors. 

We had one block for homework for the first month—a trip around the world. There are 169 pieces in this block - each one a 1½" square. I have to say that from what I've seen so far, the group has done amazingly well with the homework. I'm super impressed and the color combinations. Oh boy - there are all kinds, light to dark, dark to light, brights, multi-colors, and everything in between.

So sit back and enjoy. 

This is my block 

And YES, I encouraged them to twirl their seams. That was a lot of work, but the block lies perfectly flat. Oh boy - I didn't post the pictures of the back of the blocks, but MOST of the group twirled, and they love it! Their blocks look so flat, and the quilt is going to look so much nicer!

The back of the block with all the seams twirled

Love the multiple fabrics in the background—great contrast on all the colors. 

What a totally different look as the colors go from dark to light and blend into the background. 

And here's a HOT version. Adding some of the background fabric inside the block doesn't make it look quite so heavy. 

I love the little pops of grey in that background. A very neutral palette!

A soft look with these colors and again - the mixed fabrics in the background. Makes it much more interesting. 

Another soft look. These quilts are going to all quite different when they are finished. 

Another bright block. 

Love the colors in this one. And notice how they kept that red/green stripe going in the same direction? 

Look how cheery this one looks. Not as much contrast as some of the others on that final row. Which is totally fine. And see how they were careful on alternating the red/white striped fabric. Love it!!!

So many neat colorways! That soft green and yellow. Looks awesome. 

Another soft version. That's the beauty of these group quilts. You get to see many options for colors and if you see something you like, save that idea for a future quilt.

I love this one as they continued the pattern out into the background with different fabrics—a very clever idea. 

We're not going to ask this person to take their block apart, but that circle fabric begs to be fussy cut in that last row! IT still looks awesome like this.  

Another version in the neutral palette. What amazes me is that even in this simple block, changing the colors and/or values can make the block look totally different. 

Here's something totally different. The background is dark, and the center of the block is light. LOVE IT. I wonder what direction the rest of the quilt will take?

Another great color combination, and it looks like they've mixed solids and patterns. It works!!!

Here's one with a fussy cut center. That little heart is adorable, and this looks like a very whimsical version of the quilt. Again, look at how that variety of background fabrics add to the whimsy of this block. 

Another different coloring with the tans/beiges for the background. 

This one is bright and cheery! And some low volume fabrics in the background. It also looks like they kept that outer turquoise directional print going in the same direction! 

More low volume prints in the background. It adds so much interest to the block and nice contrast of lights and darks in the block. 

Here's another soft version with some low volume prints in the background. 

This has a bit of a tropical look to it with the bright yellows and greens. 

This one is still under construction, but it looks awesome! 

Looks like solids mixed with prints and, again, a directional print alternatively placed in the block. 

Another great colorway. Interesting how the same fabric was used for the background, but the print offers up a lot of interest as it was cut. 

Another unique colorway. How can we have so many colorways for the same block? Easy!!!

Another soft version. These quilts are going to look very pretty!

And then there's a rebel in the group. She doesn't want to work with small pieces, so she made her squares larger! 

And there you have it - that's all the show and tell that I got from the group this week. They now have seven blocks to make this month. I see that some of them are already posting pictures of some of their homework. 

These ongoing projects are the best. You get to see so much variety in colors and value. And the homework assignments are always chock- a- block filled with tips for better construction. I think many people learned so much from this first block! And we've only started!

I'll be posting the other ongoing classes that start in January. I'll try to post them tomorrow so you can get in on all the fun!!

On that note, I'm out of here! I'm just going to tuck my head between my shoulders and FOCUS. I've got quilts to quilt, writing to do, and a few other small things that have to be done, and I've got one presentation later this evening. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!