This month's block is Shooting Star 2. This block was chosen by Odessaquilts.
She suggests WOW on a navy or midnight blue field, so that the star will be white.
So, on your Supplies/Cutting list, Color 1 will be white on white fabric and Color 2 will be your navy or midnight blue. The blue does not need to be a solid as long as it 'reads' navy or midnight blue from a distance.
I really like this block and it should go together quickly and easily. I can't wait to see it in these colors! Nice block, Joyce!
Cathy

Here's a quick link to Cathy's site with the list of upcoming blocks. I encourage you all to send in at least one block each month, even if you don't love the block. It's good practice, it's fun, and it keeps the count up high enough so the winner has sufficient blocks to make a quilt. Since I started participating I've discovered patterns and color combinations I like but would not have tried on my own. And it usually only takes a couple hours one evening to do a couple blocks. It's all good! Try something new for 2010!!!

Cathy's list of upcoming blocks

Kate

I love this block. It will be striking with the midnight blue background-good choice Odessa.

I suggest whoever gets one sewn first, please post a picture. I also encourage everyone to submit at least one block. You can eliminate (discreetly) your name from the drawing if you don't want another project or don't care for the design.

Thanks for posting the upcoming blocks-it especially helps me shop, as I have a limited stash and time.

~Cindy

Odessa

Welcome aboard ladies!
Cathy

I'm pretty sure I still have your address, Cathy, but if you could shoot me an email to confirm it, I'd appreciate it.

Welcome aboard Mary! Email has been sent.
Thanks!
Cathy

Welcome Kay and Michelle!
Kay, your block looks great!

Mary and Michelle, your pretty blocks arrived yesterday!
Thanks!
Cathy

Kate

Kate

Kay, your pretty blocks arrived yesterday.
Thanks!
Cathy

Kate your blocks arrived today. You wrapped them so pretty, I didn't unwrap to look. ;) LOL
Cathy

Thanks for letting me know they arrived.

Kate

Cindy, your pretty blocks arrived earlier this week. Sorry I didn't let you know right away, it's been another hectic week here.
Marsha, sorry you won't be joining us this month, but certainly understand how this weather is affecting everyone! Hope that spring arrives soon for you!
Odessa, sent you an e-mail.
I'll work on my block this weekend. I can't believe that I haven't gotten it finished yet!
Cathy

Odessa, your pretty blocks arrived this afternoon.

I should be done in time to send out to the winner. ;)
Cathy

Ack! My block didn't turn out right!
How did all of you manage to get two and three of these done?
I've done a similar block before and had the same terrible outcome.
(Does everyone just have a block that doesn't want to go together for them?
This would seem to be the one for me!)
I don't think I'm going to send this one and I'm not sure if I'll be able
to get a good one completed before I need to send out.
If anyone is brave enough to take a look and has any advice, I would so appreciate it.
I'd really love to conquer this block.
Cathy

Kate

I didn't sew the smaller bonus triangles on these because I didn't have a good use for them right now, but I did save the pieces.

Kate

I do agree, however, that there are just some blocks that seem to baffle the maker, no matter when you try them or how slowly you work. There are just some that do not want to be a part of your portfolio, and perhaps this is one of them for you. It is an easy block (well, I thought so , anyway), but I can see you had a little difficulty with it.

Perhaps you didn't leave the right kind of cookies out for the block fairy? You know, she is a testy sort, sometimes, and if you don't leave her what she wants, she will NOT come and help you correct a stray block no matter how much you need the help! [Maybe try again later, when you don't have anything else to do and you can work at a slug's pace? Just a thought.....]

Odessa

* you may be stretching the diagonal when you mark it - try laying it on a fine grit pc of sandpaper & mark it lightly with a fine pencil accurately. Now stitch it a thread width from the line - use an open toe presser foot if you have one - not the 1/4" with the little fence. Go ahead & sew the bonus - then cut between the 2 with scissors to avoid stretching with the rotary cutter if that's possible.

*(Ricky Tims says) Press the stitches on the seam side and flip the piece up to the right side and press again (I like to add a shot of steam w/out moving the iron)

*Use fine pins to match those points and seams - I find that if the center points are off - the block gets shortened and I lose the 1/4" at the outside.
The more seams in the block - the worse it is off -as if that too little thread width in the beginning keeps negatively multiplying (You can tell, I'm not a mathematician).

Your block is pretty - everyone has helped me immensely on this forum, and I hope some newbie, simpleton suggestions from me are helpful. As a seamstress, I want to produce the best work and I strive for exactness, so when I had some problems with a similar block, I read and read and this is what I came up with that solved the problem.

Could that be it? If you've checked all of your seam allowances with a ruler and they are all 1/4", then the pieces must have been cut a little wonky.

Ooooorrrr (she says, still thinking of ways it could have happened), maybe you laid the squares on the triangle, then sewed 1/4" from the diagonal line instead of on the diagonal? That would have thrown it off too. Your bonus square should have been much smaller than the piece left on the block.

Kate

All these suggestions are good; hopefully one of them will help!