I managed to finish this month's Another Year of Schnibbles, much to my surprise. I had pretty much given up on getting this one done, but I had the great luck to come down with my fifth or sixth cold of the season. I have stopped counting. Seriously, it has been one after another. This one was a doozy, complete with super watery eyes, snozzly nose, cough and a couple of cold sores. I look like "Beauty's Egg Bag" as Grandma Higgins used to say. I have no clue what that means, but it pretty accurately sums up how I look and feel. Did any of you have Grandmas who had incomprehensible expressions?
So I stayed in my jammies or my sweats and puttered around the sewing room for three days this week. Even though I felt lousy, the sewing was therapy for me. This pattern Jersey Girl by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company is such a delight. When I first saw the pattern I was non-plussed as to what fabric to use for mine. I had it in my mind that I should do a two color version, similar to what is pictured on the pattern cover. Carrie used Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson for Moda for her version on the pattern cover.
Then, my friend Thelma (Cupcakes 'n' Daisies) shared a photo of her version with me, and my eyes were opened. Don't you love it when that happens? I get so many great ideas from other quilters. Thelma used bright, happy colors and made each of the four quadrants of the block a different color. You can see Thelma's version on her blog, or on Sinta (Pink Pincushion) or Sherri's (A Quilting Life) blogs when they do the Parade of Schnibbles reveal on Feb 3.
For my version, I used a layer cake of Eric and Julie Comstock's Honky Tonk for Moda. My son in Ireland gifted me the layer cake as a Christmas gift (how awesome is that?) and I have been itching to get it made up into a fun project. I love the autumnal colors of gold, walnut, red, and aqua. I seem to be so drawn to those shades. Check out the mustasche print--oh my lord, how cute is that? Anyway, I had a blast making the quilt, which turned out larger than I imagined (36 x 36), and now I want to make a longer narrower version to use on the dining or hall table.
What is that block anyway? Is it Bear's Paw or Maple Leaf? Is there any difference between the two? I have always wondered.
Applause, applause!!! I love your version of Jersey Girl and Thelma's is too cute, too! I will wait to see everyone else's quilt on Feb. 3. IMHO, these are Bear Paw blocks because the Maple Leaf block needs a stem.
My Granny used to say "Don't borrow trouble" but that does make sense.
Hope you feel lots better soon!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 31, 2014 at 05:57 AM
I love it! Does the bear paw have three HSTs on each side instead of two? I'm not sure.
Posted by: Diane Linford | January 31, 2014 at 06:15 AM
Very, very nice!
Posted by: Tracey Holzer | January 31, 2014 at 06:44 AM
Great finish! I love those colors together. Take care of yourself and get over that cold/colds.
Posted by: Cathy | January 31, 2014 at 06:45 AM
Love it. The colors are great. Hope you are feeling better every day!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | January 31, 2014 at 06:58 AM
That was a fast one! Wish I had done it ... but then I wouldn't be as far along on my other projects that I'm really into right now. Great work - sorry you have to feel lousy though!
Posted by: Jennifer Gwyn | January 31, 2014 at 08:54 AM
Love the finish and the fabric collection. Good job to your DS!
The only grandmother that I knew (the other died before my parents even married) was an elementary school teacher. She got Alzheimers when I was still a teenager, so my memories of her are from 12 years and younger. I do remember a couple of SCRUMPTIOUS norwegian desserts she would make. A saying that I remember is "Make your good better, and your better best!"
Posted by: sillysally | January 31, 2014 at 08:56 AM
Love the fabric you used in your Jersey Girl :-D Congrats on a great finish and I hope you feel better soon
Posted by: Sue Babich | January 31, 2014 at 09:51 AM
Your JG is beautiful Nicole! I get inspired all the time by all the creative people in blogville. I am always thinking, "I wish I had thought of that"! I am looking forward to the parade on Monday! I hope you don't get any more colds... that is quite enough of that!!!
Posted by: Sinta | January 31, 2014 at 10:24 AM
Ugh! I HATE being sick! I've been healthy since October...knock on wood. Last year? I was sick so many times I lost count. :(
Love the quilt and the colors!
Posted by: ina | January 31, 2014 at 10:34 AM
Have you tried taking Airborne? We have been taking it lately and I really think it helps with colds. Your Jersey Girl is beautiful! I agree looking at other peoples quilts can make that light bulb over your head go on :-) My version is very different than yours and that's what makes the Schnibbles group so much fun to me.
Posted by: Michele | January 31, 2014 at 10:55 AM
I love it! Whatever that block is called, I've always liked it and the variations.
I think the Maple Leaf usually has a little stem in the corner, and a Bear Paw usually has the single large square instead of the four-patch... though I think you know I like changing that kind of thing. ;)
Feel better soon! Snozzly. I love that word - it's a perfect description.
Posted by: Carrie | February 01, 2014 at 12:36 PM
Love that quilt! Hope you're feeling better soon -- but glad you could make such great use of your sick days.
Enjoyed your previous post on your own low-volume quilts.
The thing my gramma used to say -- that her get up and go had got up and went. Hmm. When I was younger I thought that was funny, but from my own perspective today, it makes sense and isn't quite so funny :-)
Posted by: Debbie R. | February 02, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Great looking quilt . Feel better soon!
Posted by: Wendy | February 03, 2014 at 10:18 PM
I love love love your Jersey Girl version! It is great how good it looks in so many different fabrics!
Posted by: SoozeM | February 05, 2014 at 04:01 AM