First of all, let me tell you that I love this alternate block. I experimented this weekend and tried a couple of the suggestions that were offered by some of you dear readers. This block came out dead on at 12 1/2 inches unfinished. And I like the look of it.
But then I started thinking about something that Carrie said. Something drew me to the pattern in the first place. The overall design of Mocha Trails (by Denise Sheehan) is wonderful. It is unique. I felt it only fair to make one of the alternate squares as the pattern directed as well.
I found I loved the visual complexity of it. All those adorable little nine patch blocks. The warm caramel rectangles. It just has more, je ne sais quoi, Ooomph, I guess.
So, after all that, I believe I will make the pattern as shown. The alternate blocks suggested by a couple of you lovely friends? I will definitely be using them in a future quilt. I appreciate so much the way so many of you popped up with great suggestions for me! How I envy those of you who can actually take a mathematical problem and come up with an answer. They TOLD me in school that math really did have practical applications, but did I believe my teachers? Anyway, thank you so much for all your help with this alternate block issue! I really appreciate it.
I have an idea for a basket quilt, with alternate blocks, that has been rattling around in my head, and the first block shown above may be just the perfect thing for it! Your efforts were not wasted on me, I promise!
I am scheduled for sinus surgery this week–Thursday to be exact. I am really looking forward to having my chronic sinus issues being dealt with at long last. I know it isn't a guaranteed 100% fix, but I know I will be better for it. It is a minor procedure, done at my clinic's Surgi Center. In and out, Bob's your uncle.
36 responses to “Sometimes Good is Good Enough”
Nicole, I think your fabric choices also add lots of interest to the pattern. I am happy to hear you are going forward with the original. Good Luck on Thursday! You’ll be in an out and ready to quilt again in no time.
Nicole, I think your fabric choices also add lots of interest to the pattern. I am happy to hear you are going forward with the original. Good Luck on Thursday! You’ll be in an out and ready to quilt again in no time.
I like the offset alt blocks too. Definatly unique.
Good luck with the surgery! Never fun but they can fix so much.
I like the offset alt blocks too. Definatly unique.
Good luck with the surgery! Never fun but they can fix so much.
Isn’t it funny how we can agonize over something and then when we see it, our opinion changes anyway? I do this a lot. My small quilting group is doing a basket block of the month. (If you’re looking for basket block ideas, I’m posting the patterns here: http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/ ) When it came time to choose fabrics I just could NOT decide. Nothing spoke to me. I agonized for a month, and finally decided to use the stack of blues and browns that I had set aside for the neighbor’s graduation quilt. I figured I could just slice off strips for the graduation quilt (a random 16 patch) as I did the monthly blocks. At the end, I could give the basket quilt away. I didn’t HAVE to love the fabric, I just had to choose something. Well, now I love the fabric. I love the few blocks that I’ve done. (Actually, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m the furthest behind in the monthly blocks, even though I’m the one who writes them!)
Isn’t it funny how we can agonize over something and then when we see it, our opinion changes anyway? I do this a lot. My small quilting group is doing a basket block of the month. (If you’re looking for basket block ideas, I’m posting the patterns here: http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/ ) When it came time to choose fabrics I just could NOT decide. Nothing spoke to me. I agonized for a month, and finally decided to use the stack of blues and browns that I had set aside for the neighbor’s graduation quilt. I figured I could just slice off strips for the graduation quilt (a random 16 patch) as I did the monthly blocks. At the end, I could give the basket quilt away. I didn’t HAVE to love the fabric, I just had to choose something. Well, now I love the fabric. I love the few blocks that I’ve done. (Actually, I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m the furthest behind in the monthly blocks, even though I’m the one who writes them!)
looking lovely. I love all the quilts that you make. Best of luck on Thursday hope all goes well.
looking lovely. I love all the quilts that you make. Best of luck on Thursday hope all goes well.
Both are great looking blocks, but I like the 9 patches too. Good luck on Thursday! 🙂
Both are great looking blocks, but I like the 9 patches too. Good luck on Thursday! 🙂
Both are lovely – but I also would go with the original pattern. I must tell you that I admire your sense of colour – all of your quilts always seem to have just the right fabric choice.
Good luck on Thursday!!
Both are lovely – but I also would go with the original pattern. I must tell you that I admire your sense of colour – all of your quilts always seem to have just the right fabric choice.
Good luck on Thursday!!
I really love the original block. The addition of the rectangles really “makes it”. You will be so much happier after your sinus surgery – I promise. It makes the world of difference!!
I really love the original block. The addition of the rectangles really “makes it”. You will be so much happier after your sinus surgery – I promise. It makes the world of difference!!
Hope you sinus surgery goes well.
Carol, NE
Hope you sinus surgery goes well.
Carol, NE
Will be thinkin’ of ya on Thursday. It’s great to know that perhaps this will be a solution to an ongoing problem. With spring on its way, you don’t want to miss out on any of the exciting odors!!!
Will be thinkin’ of ya on Thursday. It’s great to know that perhaps this will be a solution to an ongoing problem. With spring on its way, you don’t want to miss out on any of the exciting odors!!!
Ah Yeas. You came over to the dark side! It will be a great quilt and sometimes it’s good to step out of our comfort zone.
Ah Yeas. You came over to the dark side! It will be a great quilt and sometimes it’s good to step out of our comfort zone.
I love the original blocks.
My husband had sinus surgery a few years ago. It changed his life. However, what was supposed to be less than an hour surgery took over three hours. The doctor said it was the worst he’d seen in over 30 years of doing surgery. I’m sure yours will be easier, but even if it takes a long time, it still works!
I love the original blocks.
My husband had sinus surgery a few years ago. It changed his life. However, what was supposed to be less than an hour surgery took over three hours. The doctor said it was the worst he’d seen in over 30 years of doing surgery. I’m sure yours will be easier, but even if it takes a long time, it still works!
Will be thinking of you Thursday. Good luck with the surgery!
Your blocks are looking good too! Love that tan from Oak and Reel.
Will be thinking of you Thursday. Good luck with the surgery!
Your blocks are looking good too! Love that tan from Oak and Reel.
Hi Nicole,
I liked what Carrie said as well….
there was something that drew you to that quilt. I think you will be happy sewing it as shown in the pattern. I like it, for whatever reason. It will be fun to watch it come to be.
I know someone who had polyps removed from her sinuses and now she can smell and taste better and has had fewer infections. She was glad she had the surgery.
Take care of yourself.
Beverly in WA
Hi Nicole,
I liked what Carrie said as well….
there was something that drew you to that quilt. I think you will be happy sewing it as shown in the pattern. I like it, for whatever reason. It will be fun to watch it come to be.
I know someone who had polyps removed from her sinuses and now she can smell and taste better and has had fewer infections. She was glad she had the surgery.
Take care of yourself.
Beverly in WA
Nicole – Your fabric choices are the best and so inspiring! Here’s to a speedy recovery!
Karen L.
Nicole – Your fabric choices are the best and so inspiring! Here’s to a speedy recovery!
Karen L.
I like that you decided to go with the original blocks 🙂 but I love the fact that you weren’t afraid to experiment and audition another option too! Hope your surgery is a piece of cake and that you get excellent results!
I like that you decided to go with the original blocks 🙂 but I love the fact that you weren’t afraid to experiment and audition another option too! Hope your surgery is a piece of cake and that you get excellent results!
Good luck with the surgery on Thursday. A dear friend of mine had sinus surgery a few years ago and has felt so much better since!
Good luck with the surgery on Thursday. A dear friend of mine had sinus surgery a few years ago and has felt so much better since!
“good is good enough”, if you only knew how many times a day I say that to myself! I’m more of a “good is the enemy of the better’ person which drives me to distraction! But in this case, I don’t think there’s a bad choice. This is going to be a great project!
You’re the first person I’ve know who’s had sinus surgery, good luck with that, I hope you’re feeling better than ever in no time!
“good is good enough”, if you only knew how many times a day I say that to myself! I’m more of a “good is the enemy of the better’ person which drives me to distraction! But in this case, I don’t think there’s a bad choice. This is going to be a great project!
You’re the first person I’ve know who’s had sinus surgery, good luck with that, I hope you’re feeling better than ever in no time!
I completely agree with you. The visual complexity of these designs has lent it a different kind of visual appeal. I also love these designs. 🙂
I completely agree with you. The visual complexity of these designs has lent it a different kind of visual appeal. I also love these designs. 🙂