I am seeing dots on dots.......

     Welcome to the Dots on Dots blog hop.

If your here for the first time. Please hang out and look around some. Here at the Moon. There is quilting, sewing, cooking, baking and lots of loving!!!

The challenge of this hop was to make a quilt block with dots. I love dots!!! 

I knew just what I was going to do. I had been thinking about this block for a while. I had seen something like it before. But I could remember where..... and couldn't find a tutorial. 

Soooooo... I took a shot at it, my way. It is a pretty old school way to do it. But, I am going to share what I came up with. I hope you like it!!!

Here is the 12 inch block I made for the hop.

I call this block "Echo Star". 

I used Michael Miller's TaDot in three colors.

First, I drew it out on my beloved graph paper. 

I have every computer program imaginable for these sorts of things....... But, I always go back to a pencil and paper.

 After I thought I had figured it out.......

  

Away I went. Cutting and piecing.

It really doesn't look like its going to 

work at this point.................

But, Look it does!!!!! Isn't she pretty???

If you want to try one......... Here goes!

Old school...right :)               HST ( half square triangle) 

Cut and piece this.....

Star 1

1~ 2 inch square of print 3

4-~1 1/4 inch  Stripy HST's ( one triangle print 3, and the other triangle is  the solid with a print 2 strip ) 

2~1 1/4 HST's print 2 and print 3  

2~1 1/4 HST's solid and print 3

3~ 1 1/4 inch squares of solid 

1~ 1 1/4 inch square of print 2                                                                                   

Star 2

2~ 2 inch squares of solid

3~ 2 inch squares of print 2

1~ 2 inch square of print 1

2~ 2 inch HST's of print 1 and print 2

4~ 2 inch Stripy HST ( one triangle print 2, and the other triangle is a solid with a print 1 strip ) 

Star 3

3~ 3 /12 inch squares of solid

6~ 3 1/2 inch HST's of solid and print 1

3~ 3 1/2 inch squares of print 1

This is how I made the Stripy HST.

Sew 2 strips of a solid and a print.

Using a square or triangle ruler....Cut triangles lining up the seam in the middle of the triangle (slightly larger than you will need) Cut 2 with the solid on the right and 2 with the solid on the left. Sew the stripy triangle to a whole triangle to make the square you need. Square up to the correct size.

That will give you the 4 you need.

Lay Star 1 out first. The pieces are so small.

  It is on my 6 inch square ruler.

Then lay out Star 2 and 3

Then lay it all together. 

Sew together Star 1 ...Add Star 1 to Star 2. Sew Star 2 together . Then add Star 2 to Star 3 then finish up the block.  Square up and your done :)

What you do with your block is up to you. 

I made a Mini quilt for my desk.

 By adding some black around the block to suit me. 

And I straight line machine quilted it.

I used some more TaDot to bind it.

You see, my desk was a mess!!!!

I do everything at this desk. Work, Blog, Sew and all kinds of other things. I thought, if I made it pretty.....

I would be nicer to it. 

Hmmmmm we'll see.

Better huh?

I used some Wonder-Under and a scrap of dots 

to make my mouse pad pretty too.

I Just traced my mouse pad onto fabric. Ironed the Wonder-Under  to the fabric. Peeled the paper off the back and ironed fabric to the old ugly mousepad. 

Good as new. And pretty too!!

Another thing ....... I am a beverage-aholic.

 I always have something drink in my hand 

(It rarely has alcohol in it silly, I know what your thinking....).

Coffee in the morning. And a iced something in my mason jar for the rest of the day. Right now ,

I am hooked on Starbucks refreshers!!! Lime..Yummmmm

I do love my Mason Jar. But, it does sweat. And it is often on something important. Leaving water rings everywhere. 

So, I made a cozy for my jar!! 

And, a coaster for when my jar is really having a sweat.

What do you think ????

My daughter Brie thought I needed some better pictures, since my office is kinda dark.... I think she just wanted to play outside. So, we went outside and shot these.

My Mason Jar loves the outside......

So did my lil' quilt......

And Brie.... likes the outside very much. 

I hope you all enjoyed my Dots on Dots blog hop post!!!

Please visit the other bloggers in the hop!! 
Here are the bloggers hopping today!!!

September 10th

Cat Patches

Busy Bee Quilts 

Stitch by Stitch

Mary on Lake Pulaski

Just Let Me Quilt

[Amy's] Crafty Shenanigans

PolkaDotClassic

AnnieOak Designs 

Blueberry Moon ( you are here)

Get the list of Bloggers and the schedule by clicking the badge below.

                                           

P.S. If you make one of these blocks, 

I would LOVE to see a picture!!!

Post on my Flickr group Quilt Love

Or Instagram me @myblueberrymoon

Or even email  keithena@theblueberrymoon.com

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My Long weekend......In instagrams

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was busy and lasted through Monday. 

I tried to relax, and shake off a cold that has been going around the house. 

But, no matter how hard a tried.....It got me. 

Because we collectively have been feeling bit funky...........Some comfort food was in order.

I made our favorite chicken breasts,.

This is the easiest dinner. It is so very tasty.

And Yes, That is Bacon!!!

You don't need a lot to make this. 

Chicken Breasts

Bacon

Rosemary

Olive oil

salt&pepper.

Pound out your chicken a little. Just enough so that all the breasts are the same thickness.

Toss them in some olive oil salt and pepper and a few sprigs of rosemary. Let sit for a few minutes to marinate.

Place your chicken is a very hot fry pan. Medium high flame hot.....searing hot!!!

Turn when the side are white, opaque and the bottoms are golden brown. Do the same on the other side. This should only take a couple minutes on each side. If your pan is searing hot.

(at this point I pour myself a glass of wine. Torrontés is a perfect pairing! )

Place that pretty chicken on a baking sheet. lay a piece of bacon on each breast. Put baking sheet in a 425 degree oven.  Bake until the bacon is slightly crispy and the chick is done. About 15 minutes.

I made a sourdough dressing and some potatoes to go with. Delish!!!

Served.

Next on the weekend agenda.........My Beautiful daughter Brene's 14th Birthday. I can't believe how time flies.

Each one of my girls are true individuals. But, My Brene' is wonderfully unique. She is artsy and quiet. You can't help but smile when she walks in a room. She is funny and quirky. Has friends that mean a great deal to her. She has a true heart with no drama. I love this kid!!!!!!

Her Birthday pancakes for breakfast.

Brontë made tissue flowers and hung them for her little sis.

        I sewed her up these sweet nighties.

Added some lovely details to these cuties.

Found tutorial for these at Sew,Mama,Sew!

Her Birthday Sandwich....Her request.

 Finished it off with a oreo cake baked by Brooke.

It was such a sweet day for my sweet girl.

I got a little sewing of my own done.

On Monday......12 finished blocks. Yippeeeeeee!!!

I hope you liked the weekend journaled in instagrams.

Please follow me here.

Or  @myblueberrymoon

I promise I will follow you back :)

Have a great week peeps!!!!

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I am" Breaking Dishes" around here............

Okay, not real dishes......

I have been making these blocks. Traditionally called "Broken Dishes". 

What do you think?? 

The Fabrics are from Joel Dewberry's "Heirloom" .

 I am framing each block in his "Woodgrain".

I am using these babies in bed quilt just for me...{sigh}

 A dream come true.....one for me:)

I knew I would have to choose something fast and simple...........Nobody will ever let Mom do something for herself .........for long anyway.

Can anyone relate?

Here is a quick tutorial on these super easy blocks. This would make a great beginner block!!

Each block uses four fabrics. Cut in Squares. I cut 7 inches.......I wanted a big block. Finished it will be 12 inches.

My border/frame is 2 inches........

So, when all is done.... the framed block is 15".

To begin we will make half square triangles.

Pair up two squares, put them right sides together. Repeat with the other two.

 Draw lines from corner to corner. Use a dark pen so you can really see the line. It will be used as a guide to sew and then cut.

Stich a 1/4 inch from the line... on one side. Turn your block and do the same on the other side of the line. That should leave your pen line with two stitched lines, one on each side. Now do the same with other squares......

Now cut down the pen line. Easy Peasy. Repeat with remaining squares.

  

Open each square and press flat. Trim each one to 6 1/2 inches squared up. This is what you should have.

Arrange Like so........... 

Then stitch squares together to make the block. I sew the top two together , then the bottom two. Match center seams and then sew top to bottom. Just like that...Broken Dishes.

 This one is sewn in a slightly different combo of fabrics.

Here is one with the border/frame.

 I'll be sewing twelve in all...........

To be continued.........

Ooh Ooh .....I am linking here.

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A Scrap Bustin' Quilt Block

I have been finishing up my Modify Tradition Quilt Blocks . I reached the point where I only had

  small scraps left.

I needed 1 last block. So here is what I came up with.

It turned out to be a great way to use up the tiny scraps.

You can use 3"x3" sqaures or a triangle template that is half  of the square.

If you want to try it.....

You will need to cut  3.5  3"x3" squares or 7 triangles ,of  7 different fabrics for 12 1/2 " block

8 fabrics will give you a 14" block

 

  

Once you have all your little triangles cut ,Lay them out in rows

You will need to cut 1 of the triangles in half of each color to even up the rows.

Like in the photo.

After you have them all laid out. Sew two colors together to make a strip.

I used a scant seam. And a NEW needle to keep the small piece sewing clean.

After each seam is sewn finger or roller press before sewing the next seam.

This will keep it flat. Below shows a strip in progress.

After each strip is sewn , attach to the last finished strip until you have your block.

 

  

Square it up..and your done.

I think this would make a great pillow????

If you want it bigger ...cut bigger triangles and choose more fabrics.

I have 16 finished blocks....Now what??

I am having a bugger of a time finding a sashing color.

12 of the blocks are from the Modify Tradition quilt-along.

And 4 are my own on the fly blocks.

I can say I have used up every last thread of this "Mezzanine" Fabric.

Speaking of FABRIC. I will announce the GIVEAWAY on Saturday!!!

Stay tuned......

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