It’s all Linda’s fault. Oh, and Cathi’s. Linda is the genius behind the wonderful quilting tool called Inklingo. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
It all started last Saturday. I was calmly minding my own business, reading my emails and looking forward to a nice quiet weekend. When in popped an email announcing a new blog post on the Inklingo blog. And a new Inklingo collection called “Inklingo Stars.” Linda had been teasing us with pictures on Facebook of these new fabulous stars that just beg for fussy cutting.
And I was in a mood. My first thought was I wonder if I can possibly purchase it faster than Cathi. Cathi is my dear friend who writes the Quilt Obsession blog. If you’ve been following my blog, you remember this posting about my visit to see Cathi in 2013. She’s my quilting cheerleader. And she downloads new Inklingo collections faster than a speeding bullet. And then prints fabric and posts a blog with a block from the brand new collection while I’m still entering my credit card number.
I think I may have issued a bit of a challenge when I left my comment on Linda’s blog post that day. Because the next thing I knew, Cathi was emailing me to suggest that we make blocks over the weekend and then blog simultaneously about the new collection. And I may or may not have inadvertently written back, Sure! And before I knew it, Linda knew about the cross-blogging we planned and thought it was a wonderful idea. And the gauntlet was thrown down. The challenge was on.
I scrambled into my sewing room, desperately seeking fabric that would be good for fussy cutting because that’s what makes this block sing. In my opinion, that is.
And this is the fabric that I found. Languishing in my sewing room closet. On a bolt. I had a whole bolt of this stuff. And the next thing I knew I had a template printed.
And I was trying it out to see if I thought the fabric would work.
And when I say trying it out…….
I mean I tried it every which way and in every configuration possible.
By this time I was certain that Cathi already had all her pieces printed and 4 blocks stitched. But I pushed on.
And before I knew it, I actually had some fabric printed with kites. And I found some fabrics that would coordinate well and printed them too. And then my problem became which fussy cut kite should I use? Because they were all pretty wonderful. But I finally decided on one and stitched it up.
This is my first block. Isn’t it just fabulous? Oh, my. I am hooked on this technique. And I love this block!
Be sure to head on over to see Cathi’s post today too. She probably has 10 blocks to show you. Or the very expanded Inklingo Star aka the Morse Star.
Not to be too outdone, I found myself wondering if the small LeMoyne star in the center might be pretty cool made out of fussy cut diamonds.
So I quickly printed up 8 sheets of diamonds to try it.
It’s not completely finished, but what do you think? Pretty cool effect in that center star, right?
And here’s a sampling of some of the diamonds just laid out to see how they will look…..
This one looks good……
…….no matter which end of the diamond you put in the center! Same diamond, just spun around. Sometimes the hardest decision is which direction to use the diamond!
What fun this technique is! And even though you lay them out as I did above, you really don’t know what you’ll get until you stitch them together. They change quite a bit when you lose the seam allowance. And I think that’s part of the fun of these blocks. The aha moment when you finish the last seam. Nice.
I have stacks of diamonds and kites all ready to stitch. I can hardly wait to do more!
And 6 1/2 yards of fabric.
Wonder how many quilts I can get out of that?
Hugs,
Barb
Just Sayin' Sew 
Oh my goodness. You are amazing. That fabric is simply gorgeous. I came to visit via Cathi’s blog and I shall definitely be back to see your progress. Fantastic.
I also came to visit via Cathi’ s blog and what a treat. The stars are beautiful. I love your fabric.
I knew you could do it!!!! Just give you a deadline and you are good to go. The pics don’t do it justice. The block is doggone fabulous!!! I am seeing a large quilt out of this.
Wow, nice blocks! I came to visit via Cathi’s blog, too, and you have a real duel going between the two of you!
Your blocks are awesome! Lots of beautiful ideas…and talent!
Love the blocks…you are so talented!!
Very nice stars — love them! Thanks for sharing.
The blocks are beautiful. I see you have a darker fabric in one of them. I am having trouble seeing the ink on the darker fabrics. What color do you print them in?
I used red on that dark green fabric, Maria. It showed up great!
Holy cow! I love your blocks. When is your class?
No date set on the class for this yet, Cindy. But I’ll be doing demos on the process the first weekend in Oct at Quilter’s Dream.
BeautiFULL!!!
I have said to Cathi, being a quilting blogger, instant sharing, and with 6.5 yards left over, I can see lots more combinations coming. Fascinating when they pieces are seamed, the fussy cut parts all join to make another pattern, stunning. Cheers, Jean,
When am I ever going to fit this in, with all the other projects that I have going. I am not sure…..but will find a way. Ordered the set from Linda, now to find the fabric! I love the way your fabric spins its magic, Barb!
Love it! Such pretty fabric and the fussy cuts are so much fun!
Wow they are stunning. You are ahead of me. I purchased the collection but haven’t had time to play with it yet. I do have some fabric ready to go.
Good to see real expertise on display. Your countibtrion is most welcome.
Whoa! This is like geometry, sewing and art in the best way! 🙂 http://trend-mixblog.com/
Oh Barb, the blocks are breathtaking
I’m new to Inklingo, but I am so impressed with this fabric design. I have much to learn about fussy cutting/printing, o master. :-}
Absolutely gorgeous! I would never have even thought of using that fabric and getting something so beautiful. Maybe I need to look at fabrics a little differently sometimes.
Beautiful stars! I would have a hard time picking which one I liked best…so I won’t, they’re all amazing!
Between you and Cathi, I can’t stand it–you two are simply amazing!!!! I’m so glad I at least made one quilt out of Linda’s fabulous Inklingo a couple years ago, there’s just nothing like it…your and Cathi’s inspiration always make me want to make more. For now, I live vicariously through you two, wow! 🙂
Gorgeous stars Barb!!! Love your fabric choice and your design blocks!!!
Oh, my! Gorgeous. But I really must get back to the spider web detail. The windowsills are PHD!
it’s gorgeous. I’am falling in love. Do you give lessons in the Netherlands?
I wish, Gina! What fun that would be!
Simply beautiful!
Sent here by Cathi, and I’m glad I came. That is perfect fabric. Love the combos you have so far.
How BEAUTIFUL !!!!Really want to work on this. Linda has brought me back to appreciating hand piecing, tho I do machine piece some of her projects. I can not believe that I drove past such talent for so many years coming from Georgetown to Ruston , Louisiana. I know I will enjoy your blog.
Every time I see your star, I just want to stare and stare. That fabric and your fussy cutting has turned into a spectacular star. And there will be way more spectacular stars coming with your fussy cut diamonds!