Woo hoo, I finally snagged an afternoon where I could spend a few hours sewing, and I was able to make a few more of my half square triangle blocks. I have been having so much fun with this project, inspired by Thelma and Carrie's Christmas Vacation Sew Along, where they made quilts using half square triangles based on Camille Roskelley's experiment using only half square triangles, arranged different ways to make a quilt top with no block repeated.
I must have dozed off for a minute though, because I see I have indeed repeated a block, the zig zaggy one. I am thinking maybe if I turn one of them on its side, it could be a different block. lol
You may recall that I happen to have an entire basket of 2 1/2 inch half square triangle units on hand, left over from my disasterous mistake of making hundreds of them the wrong size for a project I was working on. Waste not, want not. Here they are right when I need them and I can just start sewing.
Camille has come out with a printable version of the 25 different blocks she made, which is so convenient.
In other news, Grandpa is back in the hospital, another UTI (urinary tract infection). Tomorrow he gets transferred to rehab for a month or so. We have come to the realization that, as much as we want to, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to care for him, and to provide in home care for him. We are on the look out for an assisted care facility that can take care of all his needs. His dementia seems to be increasing, and he repeatedly asks me "When can you take me to see Mother?" In my experience, when the elderly start seeing or asking to see departed loved ones and family members the end isn't too far off.
I remember my Grandma Agnes coming out of her bedroom in her night gown, pocket book on her arm. "Grandma, where on earth are you going?" "Grandpa's waiting for me outside in the Oldsmobile, so I must go". Grandpa had been dead for eight years….Grandma Agnes died a few months later, and in the days before she passed away she swore Grandpa was standing at the foot of her bed.
69 responses to “Half Square Triangle Exercise”
Your blocks look really good – great contrast in the fabrics. I didn’t notice the repeat block until you mentioned it! Hopefully you will find a facility where Grandpa will be comfortable and content.
Your blocks look really good – great contrast in the fabrics. I didn’t notice the repeat block until you mentioned it! Hopefully you will find a facility where Grandpa will be comfortable and content.
Your blocks look really good – great contrast in the fabrics. I didn’t notice the repeat block until you mentioned it! Hopefully you will find a facility where Grandpa will be comfortable and content.
You’re blocks are beautiful! Isn’t life a challenge some times? You are dealing well with what has been dealt in your hand. I wish you the best in this situation.
You’re blocks are beautiful! Isn’t life a challenge some times? You are dealing well with what has been dealt in your hand. I wish you the best in this situation.
You’re blocks are beautiful! Isn’t life a challenge some times? You are dealing well with what has been dealt in your hand. I wish you the best in this situation.
Wonderful blocks and cheers for making lemonade from those HST lemons!!! Thank you for the link to Camille’s printable blocks, too.
Hope that Grandpa gets over this UTI quickly and that you find the best possible place to care for Grandpa. It takes bravery to face the facts about where he can receive the best care when, to your regret, it can no longer be on his own. Been there, done that and you’re in my prayers.
Big hugs!
Wonderful blocks and cheers for making lemonade from those HST lemons!!! Thank you for the link to Camille’s printable blocks, too.
Hope that Grandpa gets over this UTI quickly and that you find the best possible place to care for Grandpa. It takes bravery to face the facts about where he can receive the best care when, to your regret, it can no longer be on his own. Been there, done that and you’re in my prayers.
Big hugs!
Wonderful blocks and cheers for making lemonade from those HST lemons!!! Thank you for the link to Camille’s printable blocks, too.
Hope that Grandpa gets over this UTI quickly and that you find the best possible place to care for Grandpa. It takes bravery to face the facts about where he can receive the best care when, to your regret, it can no longer be on his own. Been there, done that and you’re in my prayers.
Big hugs!
The blocks look great! It is always nice to have something “ready made” for sewing instead of having to break out the rulers, cutter, etc., etc.
I love the look of Thelma & Carrie’s quilts as well (as shown on Camille’s blog; I haven’t gotten to their personal blogs yet).
This might just be something for me to do at some point.
I hope that Grandpa mends quickly and that you are able to find a good assisted care facility for him. I remember well the struggles DH & I had trying to find someplace that would be able to take care of his mother well (and also put up with her antics!).
Take care.
The blocks look great! It is always nice to have something “ready made” for sewing instead of having to break out the rulers, cutter, etc., etc.
I love the look of Thelma & Carrie’s quilts as well (as shown on Camille’s blog; I haven’t gotten to their personal blogs yet).
This might just be something for me to do at some point.
I hope that Grandpa mends quickly and that you are able to find a good assisted care facility for him. I remember well the struggles DH & I had trying to find someplace that would be able to take care of his mother well (and also put up with her antics!).
Take care.
The blocks look great! It is always nice to have something “ready made” for sewing instead of having to break out the rulers, cutter, etc., etc.
I love the look of Thelma & Carrie’s quilts as well (as shown on Camille’s blog; I haven’t gotten to their personal blogs yet).
This might just be something for me to do at some point.
I hope that Grandpa mends quickly and that you are able to find a good assisted care facility for him. I remember well the struggles DH & I had trying to find someplace that would be able to take care of his mother well (and also put up with her antics!).
Take care.
I’m so sorry to read about Grandpa’s continuing medical problems. It’s such a big responsibility for you & your family to provide care for him. Best of luck in your search for just the right assisted living facility.
Those HST’s make a nice break from day-to-day worries! Your blocks look great–I didn’t notice the extra zig-zag one until you pointed it out!
I’m so sorry to read about Grandpa’s continuing medical problems. It’s such a big responsibility for you & your family to provide care for him. Best of luck in your search for just the right assisted living facility.
Those HST’s make a nice break from day-to-day worries! Your blocks look great–I didn’t notice the extra zig-zag one until you pointed it out!
I’m so sorry to read about Grandpa’s continuing medical problems. It’s such a big responsibility for you & your family to provide care for him. Best of luck in your search for just the right assisted living facility.
Those HST’s make a nice break from day-to-day worries! Your blocks look great–I didn’t notice the extra zig-zag one until you pointed it out!
I’m sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope you will find the peace of locating the right support for your family.
I’m sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope you will find the peace of locating the right support for your family.
I’m sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope you will find the peace of locating the right support for your family.
Our “sandwich” generation really has so many difficult decisions to make these days. Painful and complicated decisions–and expensive and frustrating ones. You can rest easy that you have provided Grandpa with the best of care and the smoothest transition possible. I still remember you writing of how he wanted to spend time with you, and how you made that happen to the best of your ability. I hope you are able to find a care center that will make you feel comfortable and confident that he will be well-cared for. Grandpa is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him.
Our “sandwich” generation really has so many difficult decisions to make these days. Painful and complicated decisions–and expensive and frustrating ones. You can rest easy that you have provided Grandpa with the best of care and the smoothest transition possible. I still remember you writing of how he wanted to spend time with you, and how you made that happen to the best of your ability. I hope you are able to find a care center that will make you feel comfortable and confident that he will be well-cared for. Grandpa is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him.
Our “sandwich” generation really has so many difficult decisions to make these days. Painful and complicated decisions–and expensive and frustrating ones. You can rest easy that you have provided Grandpa with the best of care and the smoothest transition possible. I still remember you writing of how he wanted to spend time with you, and how you made that happen to the best of your ability. I hope you are able to find a care center that will make you feel comfortable and confident that he will be well-cared for. Grandpa is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him.
Your blocks look so good! I think you’re right about the repeat — placed in different directions and far apart, they don’t look the same. Another alternative would be to take out the just the centre seam and put the two pieces together differently, to achieve a bit more of a difference.
So sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope that he’s feeling better soon, and that you can find him a place soon, so that he’s safe and well-cared-for, without so much effort and stress for you.
That half-square triangle exercise is interesting. I did it on my own last year. In my local quilt group, each member, does a block a month, and we make them into comfort quilts for the chemo unit at our local hospital. For the whole year, I make half-square triangles and played with all the variations. It’s fun!
Your blocks look so good! I think you’re right about the repeat — placed in different directions and far apart, they don’t look the same. Another alternative would be to take out the just the centre seam and put the two pieces together differently, to achieve a bit more of a difference.
So sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope that he’s feeling better soon, and that you can find him a place soon, so that he’s safe and well-cared-for, without so much effort and stress for you.
That half-square triangle exercise is interesting. I did it on my own last year. In my local quilt group, each member, does a block a month, and we make them into comfort quilts for the chemo unit at our local hospital. For the whole year, I make half-square triangles and played with all the variations. It’s fun!
Your blocks look so good! I think you’re right about the repeat — placed in different directions and far apart, they don’t look the same. Another alternative would be to take out the just the centre seam and put the two pieces together differently, to achieve a bit more of a difference.
So sorry to hear about Grandpa. I hope that he’s feeling better soon, and that you can find him a place soon, so that he’s safe and well-cared-for, without so much effort and stress for you.
That half-square triangle exercise is interesting. I did it on my own last year. In my local quilt group, each member, does a block a month, and we make them into comfort quilts for the chemo unit at our local hospital. For the whole year, I make half-square triangles and played with all the variations. It’s fun!
If we didn’t have quilting therapy – what would we all do? I’m sorry for the progression of Grandpa as well. Stay strong and know that you have loads of support if you ever need it, albeit from far away – but my thoughts will be with you!
If we didn’t have quilting therapy – what would we all do? I’m sorry for the progression of Grandpa as well. Stay strong and know that you have loads of support if you ever need it, albeit from far away – but my thoughts will be with you!
If we didn’t have quilting therapy – what would we all do? I’m sorry for the progression of Grandpa as well. Stay strong and know that you have loads of support if you ever need it, albeit from far away – but my thoughts will be with you!
Those half-square mistake triangles turned out to be fabulous quilt blocks. Wonderful to be able to put them to good use. Sorry to hear about Grandpa. Hope you are able to find a long-term care facility nearby. At least you will have a bit of time to look around while he is in rehab.
Those half-square mistake triangles turned out to be fabulous quilt blocks. Wonderful to be able to put them to good use. Sorry to hear about Grandpa. Hope you are able to find a long-term care facility nearby. At least you will have a bit of time to look around while he is in rehab.
Those half-square mistake triangles turned out to be fabulous quilt blocks. Wonderful to be able to put them to good use. Sorry to hear about Grandpa. Hope you are able to find a long-term care facility nearby. At least you will have a bit of time to look around while he is in rehab.
Love the look of those blocks in the Little Black Dress fabric! Turning lemons into lemonade once again……whew! Nice you could find a use for the goof.
Love the look of those blocks in the Little Black Dress fabric! Turning lemons into lemonade once again……whew! Nice you could find a use for the goof.
Love the look of those blocks in the Little Black Dress fabric! Turning lemons into lemonade once again……whew! Nice you could find a use for the goof.
Just a thought…if you ‘unsewed’ the ziggy zaggy block and turned one half around (so the points were in the same direction) you would have a different block!
Just a thought…if you ‘unsewed’ the ziggy zaggy block and turned one half around (so the points were in the same direction) you would have a different block!
Just a thought…if you ‘unsewed’ the ziggy zaggy block and turned one half around (so the points were in the same direction) you would have a different block!
My parents moved into an assisted living place about three years ago, and it has been fantastic. My mom was able to come home from the hospital and die at her home (in the assisted living place) under hospice. They were all so good to all of us, and they love my parents. It actually gives them more independence than being at home, and lots more opportunities for activities and entertainment. Good luck!
My parents moved into an assisted living place about three years ago, and it has been fantastic. My mom was able to come home from the hospital and die at her home (in the assisted living place) under hospice. They were all so good to all of us, and they love my parents. It actually gives them more independence than being at home, and lots more opportunities for activities and entertainment. Good luck!
My parents moved into an assisted living place about three years ago, and it has been fantastic. My mom was able to come home from the hospital and die at her home (in the assisted living place) under hospice. They were all so good to all of us, and they love my parents. It actually gives them more independence than being at home, and lots more opportunities for activities and entertainment. Good luck!
grandpa probably was standing at the foot of the bed of Grandma Agnes. Frequently the dead loved ones seem to visit the living before passing on. I’m a nurse and I seen this frequently with patients I used to care for and I’ve seen it in my family. I had to put my mom in memory care this past year and she passed away a few months later but it was the right thing to do. A few weeks before passing she talked so much more of her parents and I truly felt they were visiting her.
grandpa probably was standing at the foot of the bed of Grandma Agnes. Frequently the dead loved ones seem to visit the living before passing on. I’m a nurse and I seen this frequently with patients I used to care for and I’ve seen it in my family. I had to put my mom in memory care this past year and she passed away a few months later but it was the right thing to do. A few weeks before passing she talked so much more of her parents and I truly felt they were visiting her.
grandpa probably was standing at the foot of the bed of Grandma Agnes. Frequently the dead loved ones seem to visit the living before passing on. I’m a nurse and I seen this frequently with patients I used to care for and I’ve seen it in my family. I had to put my mom in memory care this past year and she passed away a few months later but it was the right thing to do. A few weeks before passing she talked so much more of her parents and I truly felt they were visiting her.
What fun!! Just a quick question–what is the easiest way for you to do half square triangles??
What fun!! Just a quick question–what is the easiest way for you to do half square triangles??
What fun!! Just a quick question–what is the easiest way for you to do half square triangles??
Your blocks are looking great! We’ve just put my father in law into care (aged 90). I do hope you are successful quickly in putting your grandfather into care – all the best, thinking of you.
Your blocks are looking great! We’ve just put my father in law into care (aged 90). I do hope you are successful quickly in putting your grandfather into care – all the best, thinking of you.
Your blocks are looking great! We’ve just put my father in law into care (aged 90). I do hope you are successful quickly in putting your grandfather into care – all the best, thinking of you.
Great blocks Nicole.
I’m just catching up on my blog reading because I just returned from a trip. A trip where we laid my sweet MIL to rest. She also was calling for her Mom who preceded her in death just a little over three years ago.
It’s hard to let them go but it is also a blessing that they are no long in pain or confused.
Praying for peace for all of you!
Great blocks Nicole.
I’m just catching up on my blog reading because I just returned from a trip. A trip where we laid my sweet MIL to rest. She also was calling for her Mom who preceded her in death just a little over three years ago.
It’s hard to let them go but it is also a blessing that they are no long in pain or confused.
Praying for peace for all of you!
Great blocks Nicole.
I’m just catching up on my blog reading because I just returned from a trip. A trip where we laid my sweet MIL to rest. She also was calling for her Mom who preceded her in death just a little over three years ago.
It’s hard to let them go but it is also a blessing that they are no long in pain or confused.
Praying for peace for all of you!
Thank you so much for showing the half square triangle options. So timely for me as I make some place mats for a friend as a thankyou. They will work really well. I have followed your blog for a while now and appreciate seeing all you do.
Thank you so much for showing the half square triangle options. So timely for me as I make some place mats for a friend as a thankyou. They will work really well. I have followed your blog for a while now and appreciate seeing all you do.
Thank you so much for showing the half square triangle options. So timely for me as I make some place mats for a friend as a thankyou. They will work really well. I have followed your blog for a while now and appreciate seeing all you do.
Love your blocks! Sorry to hear about grandpa, but maybe you’re right about the end being near. I’m sure you’ll find a good solution for him, hang in there 🙂
Love your blocks! Sorry to hear about grandpa, but maybe you’re right about the end being near. I’m sure you’ll find a good solution for him, hang in there 🙂
Love your blocks! Sorry to hear about grandpa, but maybe you’re right about the end being near. I’m sure you’ll find a good solution for him, hang in there 🙂
no guilt. There is a limit to everyone’s mental and physical abilities. When you reach them you know. I wish you luck in finding the right place for grandpa. The uncertainty is the worst part.
no guilt. There is a limit to everyone’s mental and physical abilities. When you reach them you know. I wish you luck in finding the right place for grandpa. The uncertainty is the worst part.
no guilt. There is a limit to everyone’s mental and physical abilities. When you reach them you know. I wish you luck in finding the right place for grandpa. The uncertainty is the worst part.
I’m sorry to hear that Grandpa’s not doing well again. On a positive note, your HST blocks look great! I love the black and neutrals. They would look great with my bedroom decor!
I’m sorry to hear that Grandpa’s not doing well again. On a positive note, your HST blocks look great! I love the black and neutrals. They would look great with my bedroom decor!
I’m sorry to hear that Grandpa’s not doing well again. On a positive note, your HST blocks look great! I love the black and neutrals. They would look great with my bedroom decor!
Love the blocks! And it took me a bit to find the extra zig zag… :O) I am so sorry to hear Grandpa is in the hospital again. I know how hard this is on everyone in the family. It is a difficult season for sure. He is blessed to have a loving family around him to encourage him through this season.
Love the blocks! And it took me a bit to find the extra zig zag… :O) I am so sorry to hear Grandpa is in the hospital again. I know how hard this is on everyone in the family. It is a difficult season for sure. He is blessed to have a loving family around him to encourage him through this season.
Love the blocks! And it took me a bit to find the extra zig zag… :O) I am so sorry to hear Grandpa is in the hospital again. I know how hard this is on everyone in the family. It is a difficult season for sure. He is blessed to have a loving family around him to encourage him through this season.
Sad to hear about Grandpa, and unfortunately I’ve had the same experience with my Grandparents and getting confused near the end. UTIs can throw them right off and make them quite delirious as well though. Hopefully once that clears up he’ll be more present.
Sad to hear about Grandpa, and unfortunately I’ve had the same experience with my Grandparents and getting confused near the end. UTIs can throw them right off and make them quite delirious as well though. Hopefully once that clears up he’ll be more present.
Sad to hear about Grandpa, and unfortunately I’ve had the same experience with my Grandparents and getting confused near the end. UTIs can throw them right off and make them quite delirious as well though. Hopefully once that clears up he’ll be more present.