This has been a busy year so far and my summer looks even busier. On the handwork front, I've mostly been working on old projects, chipping away when I get the chance, trying to move a few WIPs into the completed column. But if you've been following me here for any length of time, you know I often can't resist the lure of a challenge, and last month I caved and joined a very loose group (in the nicest sense of the word) on Instagram who are making blocks from the Quiltmania book, 2001 Nouveaux Blocs de Patchwork. The book is a reprint of a popular Japanese book from the '90s, written by quilter Chuck Nohara, one of Japan's early quilting stars. There's not much text, it's basically a compendium of 2001 blocks.
The people in the group (which anyone can join along) are making small blocks, 5" or 6" square, some of their own choosing as well as some which are chosen as suggestions and posted on Instagram every few weeks. I think it started with several quilters who are taking classes in Sydney from Lorena Uriarte, who has now made two large, award-winning versions. As Instagrammers admired their blocks, more decided to join in and a quiltalong was born. I was nudged by that expert nudger, Thimbleanna, and despite my reluctance to start another project, I broke down and purchased the book a couple of months ago. I do love a new challenge! And the lack of rules appealed to me ~ make it large, make it small...just come along! The book arrived, I flipped through it and then had to put it aside for several weeks because...
...look, I'm a 'Nana'! This is little Teddy, Molly & Chito's new baby who arrived on May 18. I spent the first two weeks of June in Dallas with him and his parents and hated to leave. I think I'll like this new role! But now I'm home so back to my project...
As I said, the book is filled with little blocks. Filled. All kinds. Appliqué and pieced, in many categories. I was familiar with Nohara's blocks because when first published in Japan, some were featured in several articles in Quilts Japan and Patchwork Tsushin, magazines that I often read. May I be honest? I thought a lot of them were kind of wacky. I still do, actually.
But here's the thing. When you see them being made up in a variety of fabrics, and grouped together as more and more are assembled, they are quite charming. My first decision was size and I chose to make my blocks 6" square. Some are going smaller ~ 5" ~ and smaller often makes blocks more appealing. But smaller also limits one's fabric choices. I had been wanting to make another project in busy little prints after making my Valentine quilt a couple of years ago and this seemed like a good time to try that again. (That little quilt is one of my favorites of all the pieces I've made!) I chose several designs that I wanted to start with, scanned the little block designs, re-scaled to 6" (I use Adobe Photoshop Elements ~ very quick and easy) and printed them out.
These were the first two I made, block #606 (cherries) and block #463 (flower pot).
On Sunday morning, I made this block, #823, while watching the men's Wimbledon final. Of course, I had to include a strawberry. And because I don't want my loyal blog followers to feel like they're getting the sloppy leftovers, here's my fourth block, #412, the classic 'Honeybee' block, as yet not shared on Instagram.
I love how it turned out, though I am afraid I may be veering into 'twee' territory and am planning some solid, geometric blocks for my next few.
Here they are, all together. I'm planning to add a more, regularly. You can follow me on Instagram if you want more frequent updates. (Link in sidebar.) To answer a number of kind inquiries, no, I'm not giving up the blog, but any of you who have blogs know that it takes time to write a post. So I will continue to share here when I have something to say and several times a week, I'll share a photo and quick update in Instagram, if you're interested.
I may not be back here for several weeks as I'm having a visitor soon...
Hope you're having a great summer!
***If you're on Instagram and would like to see others' blocks, check out the hashtags #chucknohara and #chucknoharaqal
congratulations, Nana, and OMG those blocks are wonderful! I'll check them out on instagram but no, no, no I'm not going to get sucked in!
Posted by: floribunda | July 14, 2015 at 12:09 AM
What a beautiful, beautiful baby! Congrats on becoming a grandma! Your 6 inch blocks are wonderful - I love the Honeybee block!!
Posted by: janet | July 14, 2015 at 12:25 AM
Lovely blocks, I have that book too, but I'm not getting caught up in making any blocks (at least not this year) Congratulations on becoming a Nana.
Posted by: Pip | July 14, 2015 at 02:43 AM
Now you AND Loretta have the cutest grandsons around!
He's adorable...and you know I don't come here for quilts, so I love seeing him!
Posted by: blackbird | July 14, 2015 at 07:01 AM
I'm so happy for you and your family that you have a new little one to love! Those blocks are fantastic, especially the honeybee one!
Posted by: Carole | July 14, 2015 at 07:19 AM
what a sweet sweet baby ~ love that big smile.
What fun and challenging blocks. I'll have to check it out IG
It will be fun to watch your progress.
Posted by: barbara vedder | July 14, 2015 at 07:44 AM
Congratulations! Hi Teddy, you so darn cute! OMG the last photo of him just adorable! Love your CH blocks and the color combo. Beautiful blocks Jan!
Posted by: Lina | July 14, 2015 at 09:39 AM
Wonderful little blocks. And congrats on your little grandson! I have two, and just adore them so much it hurts! Have fun while he/they visit!
Posted by: jodi | July 14, 2015 at 09:58 AM
those are cute blocks and yes, love them together. awesome fabrics. enjoy your family time.
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | July 14, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Blocks are cute and Teddy even cuter!
Posted by: Roxanne | July 14, 2015 at 12:45 PM
Sweet little guy- love his wispy hair. Grandbabies are thrilling. I have three wonderful grandsons. Look forward to all those adventures and the neat toys!
Posted by: Heidi | July 14, 2015 at 02:54 PM
Great fabrics for these blocks. Love seeing how you put things together! Really lovely to have your special family time too.:)
Posted by: audrey | July 14, 2015 at 04:43 PM
He is adorable! How exciting for you!
I love and covet that bee block....
Posted by: Kelly P Meanix | July 14, 2015 at 07:21 PM
Two great shares—love the delightful blocks and congrats on your new grandbaby.
Posted by: Patricia Belyea | July 15, 2015 at 03:33 AM
Oh my, I LOVE the latest picture of Teddy! And Nana's getting a visit soon!Just adorable,I know how much fun it is, I so love being 'Mimi". Thank you for all the #chucknohara info, very excited for my book to arrive and start. Not that I need to start anything else, but, we all do and it's fun.Love the bee block!! I enjoyed the blog very much,as always.
Posted by: Wendy | July 15, 2015 at 08:31 AM
You. Are. Toooo. Funny. Writing along about quilt blocks and then, Hey Look! briefly, then, back to business. That should have been HEY LOOK!!!! I'm so excited that you'll be having that sweet little visitor soon -- how fun!
And I'm so honored to add expert nudger to my resume LOL. I do try to nag whenever possible and I'm so pleased it worked. Our little blocks will be SO much better because of your inspiration! I've already learned so much -- when I was a teen, my mom made a pillow from the honeybee block and I've always loved it. But I never understood why the name -- where was the bee? But now your block -- where you've clearly laid out the body and the wings of the bees in your fabric choices. You're Brilliant!!! Thank You for jumping in!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 15, 2015 at 08:33 AM
The darlingest little cherry both on your blocks and in real life! What a joy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your fabric and choices and blocks. May make me go back to quilting...
Posted by: loretta | July 20, 2015 at 05:57 AM
Really enjoying your CN blocks that are so perfectly made, and always love your fabric choices! Fun to see you with the new little guy in your life too.
Posted by: Dixie | July 28, 2015 at 02:09 PM
Lovely blocks and lovely baby! I'm trying to not join the QAL, simply because I have other quilts in progress, but the pull is strong. Lol.
I also use PSE for re-sizing blocks. You're the first other quilter I've heard who uses it. So handy for lots of quilt-related tasks! One thing I find it particularly useful for is when scanned patterns are a bit too light, I duplicate the layer and make the duplicated one in Multiply mode. It darkens the lines beautifully.
Did you know that Patchwork Tsushin has gone bankrupt? So sad...
I'm glad my friend Jan told me about your blog. Now I'll go find you on Instagram.
Posted by: Elnora | July 31, 2015 at 09:56 AM
Hi Jan, just wanted to say hello! I have just finished reading your blog from the beginning and have enjoyed it very much. Don't stop! Congratulations on your gorgeous grandson! I am from Sydney too.
You should visit!
Pip
Posted by: Pip | October 16, 2015 at 05:07 AM
Congrats Jan on becoming a " Nana" .... I am " Nonna" - my daughter & her husband had a baby boy 9/12/14... I am so excited that I retired from teaching in June 2015 to have more time with him - and possibly work with clay!!! Enjoy Teddy - he's adorable!
Posted by: Aleta (UMASS) | October 21, 2015 at 02:15 PM