One of the activities planned for the Quilting Retreat was a UFO exchange. We were all supposed to go through our UFO's and choose one to trade or give away while up at the retreat. The theory being one person's garbage is another person's treasure and all that. So, in preparation for the exchange, I stood up on a chair to reach the very top shelf of my stash closet, and started to bring down plastic project boxes that contained long forgotten projects that had been begun, then abandoned. Darn, I am good at that.
Believe me, I found plenty of material to give away or trade, but also found a couple of things that were seriously good. How could I have forgotten all these red and white half square triangles that were *already made*???? Not pressed and trimmed, but totally sewn. Hundreds of them. Eureaka! Now this was a discovery all right.
The only problem was, I have no recollection of what on earth my original intention was for these 2 1/2 inch half square triangles. Well, no problem. There are plenty more ideas where that came from. I started going through my quilting books for inspiration and came up with a few ideas and made up a couple of blocks. So what do you all think? Lady Of The Lake or this other block, which I think is called Union Square.
I feel as if I have struck gold. How could I have forgotten about these? Never mind any cracks about too much white wine destroying my brain cells. There was also quite a nice stash of barn reds and some toiles in the box.
Oh, by the way, take a look at this cool ruler I found in a shop with Lisa. It is by Eleanor Burns and is called The Fussy Cut Ruler. You buy the pack and it contains these rulers in three different sizes. I show the 6 1/2 inch square above. Pretty nifty for getting your design right smack in the center of the square, huh?
OK, back to my red and white quilt. Finding this treasure trove of triangle squares has made me think how charming a two color quilt is. Blue and white, red and white, green and white---you decide what color way you want to collect and go for it. The result is an old fashioned, yet totally delightful quilt. Half the fun is in the hunt for the perfect fabrics in your color choice. Anyone out there up for a Two Color Quilt Challenge? Your choice of any two colors, your choice of any quilt block. Come on, it could be fun. Besides, I need encouragement to actually finish something!
I love to find things long forgotten. What a beautiful quilt coming together. Thank you for sharing the fussy cut ruler with us. I wish I had it long ago! ~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | April 28, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Nicole, I would LOVE to do a two-color challenge. The trouble will be picking two colors. I seem to be in a pink-and-black mood these days. That might be my choice. I've done too much yellow-and-blue already. Let's do it. What are the rules, dates, etc.? BTW, I love the red-and-white blocks.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 28, 2008 at 05:43 AM
Nicole, I would LOVE to do a two-color challenge. The trouble will be picking two colors. I seem to be in a pink-and-black mood these days. That might be my choice. I've done too much yellow-and-blue already. Let's do it. What are the rules, dates, etc.? BTW, I love the red-and-white blocks.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 28, 2008 at 05:44 AM
What a wonderful find! I wish my closet contained treasures like this instead of just dust bunnies and tangles of thread.
I've been tempted to make a two color quilt for awhile now so I'm definitely in! What are you thinking? BTW, I love your blog. Have I commented before? Maybe not, but I've lurked.
Posted by: erica | April 28, 2008 at 05:48 AM
I love the Union Square and the toile is really beautiful. WHat's not to love about red? Color happiness.
Posted by: dee | April 28, 2008 at 06:05 AM
What a great idea for my quilting group for our next retreat! I am going to suggest this one! I love the Lady of the Lake block. I just might have to add it to my (long) list of things to do.
Posted by: Audrey | April 28, 2008 at 06:30 AM
I'm in love with your Lady in the lake Block. I've always wantd to do a red/white quilt. Never enough time... one of these days...
Posted by: Covered Porches | April 28, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Count me in...I've just been thinking about doing a two colour quilt...Irish chain for a wedding I'm attending at the end of the summer. Just have to decided what 2 colours! Might just choose red and white as your blocks are just so pretty. I really like the Union Sqaure with the fussy cut centre...very pretty!
Posted by: Jane Weston | April 28, 2008 at 06:48 AM
I have been planning a purple and cream repo quilt for some time. Maybe now is the time to join in on your challenge and get it done. What are the rules of the challenge?
I really like the Union Square block with the toile in the center.
Posted by: Julia | April 28, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Love the Lady of the Lake block. What a fun thing to find in your closet.
Donna
Posted by: Donna | April 28, 2008 at 07:09 AM
What a cool find! I love both blocks. Any red and white quilt is beautiful in my opinion.
Posted by: Vicki W | April 28, 2008 at 07:25 AM
What a treasure trove, indeed! I've always loved Lady of the Lake, but then how would you use that fabulous toile?
Posted by: Lisa D. | April 28, 2008 at 08:00 AM
It's so fun to find something like this in the stash. I guess you had serious plans with it when you made them. But then you found other new fun projects to make. The red and white are georgius and I'm also collecting red and white since I saw my friends Hannes Nearly Insine quilt. The lady of the lake block is beautiful. Think I also will stick with one block with my red and white when I've collected enough.
Posted by: May Britt | April 28, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Just wondering, could you let us know if your group had any rules regarding your UFO swap??? I am really interested in doing this with my group. Thanks!
Posted by: Audrey | April 28, 2008 at 08:22 AM
What a great discovery! I vote for the Lady of the Lake - that's a pattern I've always wanted to do. And yes, I'm certainly up for a two color quilt challenge - make it official and I'm in! I've been collecting red and white fabrics for years for just this very thing - this would be the impetus I need to get started on it! And meeting your challenge would be a good excuse for once more breaking my new year's resolution of now new projects until I finished way more of the old ones LOL!
Posted by: Patti | April 28, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Mmmm - two color quilts are so yummy *s*
Posted by: Libby | April 28, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Wow, that's a lot of half square triangles to make and just toss in the UFO bin! I love that block you show with the toile in the center. And what a nifty ruler. I might just have to get one of those to add to my arsenal.
Posted by: Beth | April 28, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Isn't this funny, I heard a noise behind me and saw that the cats were up to something, my over stuffed quilt cabinet door was open, when I went over to look, my fabric for a two color quilt was on the floor! I gathered navy and cream to do a jacob's ladder about 4 years ago, I still want to make it, but have too many irons in the fire now.
Posted by: mar | April 28, 2008 at 01:09 PM
So did you ever decide on a UFO for the Retreat?
Posted by: paula.thequilter | April 28, 2008 at 01:17 PM
How exciting -- those triangles are very cool! I did a Lady of the Lake in blue and white and I love it.
Posted by: Thimbleanna | April 28, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Love the red and white! I vote for you doing the Lady of the Lake block. I actually finished a top in this construction not too long ago and it is such a classic look. Yours would be outstanding.
Posted by: Heidi | April 28, 2008 at 03:11 PM
OH what a find I love both the blocks.And I like your new ruler very handy cant wait to see your finished quilt.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Mary Wood | April 28, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I love the union square block.
I wish it was easier to get hold of some of the quilting equipment such as your 'fussy cut' in the UK.
I will have
Posted by: Ailsa | April 28, 2008 at 03:29 PM
WOW. I wish I could find a huge amount of HST, especially in red and white. What a great find. I do love the Lady in the Lake block, but the fussy cut is also wonderful.
I do like the classic look of the red and whites. I keep thinking I will make one when I amass enough reds that actually work together. Red is so hard with all the under tones.
Posted by: Cara | April 28, 2008 at 04:42 PM
How Beautiful!!!!! I too love red and white. I actually have lot's of pink and black, and cheddar and cream, and white and blue, green and cream. I should get to work! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: gloria g. | April 28, 2008 at 05:59 PM