Yes, this block is named Double X. I should have had a clue, since that is the name of the pattern in the APQ magazine, but who pays attention to those things, right? Traditionally, I believe this block is made with three fabrics, one for the red, one for the block background and one for the center. You can see I am making some progress with my mug rug production! Twelve blocks done, and eight to go. I will make five sets of four coasters.
I also plan to make some boxy zippered bags to sell in the shop, as a switch from the Zippy Bags I have been making. The last batch of zippy bags didn't sell well, and I have a couple of ideas why. Mainly, the table they were displayed on became cluttered with many other items and the bag display virtually disappeared amongst everything else. I need to stop by the shop and monitor my display area more often I think. As to the fabrics I chose, I thought they were adorable--a Fall themed Sandy Gervais collection that was colorful, fun, whimsical and appropriate to the season. Maybe not appealing to wine tasters?
Hope to make up one or two in my new fabrics this weekend to show you. I had a nice amount of fabrics from the old Blackbirds Designs Rhubarb and Ginger collection that have a feeling of wintery elegance about them.
Speaking of Winter. What happened to Fall? According to my calculations we should have six more weeks of fall, right? It is 40 degrees out at the moment, and in no time my back yard has gone from this:
to this:
Hopefully, raking up these leaves won't cut into my sewing time too much!
What happy mug rugs these cheery red and cream fabrics make! Hope they and the new zippy bags you'll make will virtually fly out of the shop door.
Your red tree is amazing! What kind is it? Have to confess we mostly "cut" the leaves and let them become mulch where the mower flings them. I recommend this approach as it falls to DH to do it!!
FIL had a reverse reaction to the calming med. that was given him this week and we've been run ragged as he has been awake most of the time, mean, determined to get out of the wheelchair (forgot his legs don't hold him up), and generally mad at us. That med. has been flushed and he's going to get good old Thorazine starting today. I think that calm elephants with that ....!:)
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | November 09, 2012 at 07:48 AM
Love your scrappy Double X blocks! They will make cheerful coasters! Looking forward to seeing the boxy zipper bags! I'm with you! The leaves on the trees in my neighborhood deserted their branches way to early this fall!
Posted by: Kathy | November 09, 2012 at 08:20 AM
I loved the picture of your fall tree (maple - right?). I use to live in North Carolina, and we could really enjoy the changing of the leaves .. but in Texas not so much (at all).
I laughed out loud when I saw the next picture with all the fallen leaves. Still pretty, but what a shame you couldn't enjoy them on the tree for a bit longer.
Posted by: Jennifer G | November 09, 2012 at 09:11 AM
Put a rake into the hands of the baby...she'll love playing in those leaves! ;p
Posted by: ina | November 09, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Fall is gone here. We had snow yesterday. On the other hand it is supposed to be near 70 on Monday. What the heck!
Posted by: Chris | November 09, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Rhubarb and Ginger is one of my all-time favourite fabric ranges. Your next set of little bags will be gorgeous in that' fabric. It's spring here and my front yard looks the same with a carpet of jacaranda blooms ... just lovely.
Posted by: Lynda | November 09, 2012 at 12:59 PM
You're a working machine Nicole! I can't believe how much you get done. I dearly love Rhubard and Ginger and your tree is gorgeous. Everything is dead and brown in my area now. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | November 09, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Your mug rugs are going to be so pretty Nicole!
You will probably have lots of little help with the leaf raking.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | November 09, 2012 at 08:49 PM
My backyard has a foot of snow...yuck. Your mug rugs are so cute
Posted by: lee | November 10, 2012 at 06:57 AM
Love red and white quilts. This is going to be magnificent.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | November 10, 2012 at 09:10 AM
Love your mug rugs - you should make some "wine-themed" mug rugs. They have some great fabrics out there with grapes and corks and bottles that would make beautiful mug rugs and even "zippy bags". The bags would be great to hold wine stoppers and openers and corks in. Just a thought...
Your energy amazes me.
Posted by: Sandy Brown | November 11, 2012 at 10:42 AM
The tree is gorgeous! What sort is it? I love autumn leaves, but as our natives in Australia are evergreen we don't get as much colour as other countries do. We have to plant our own deciduous species, so I'm always on the look out!
Posted by: Sarah | November 15, 2012 at 07:15 PM