Paper Piecing. . . ME??

Check it out! I keep thinking someday I am going to try paper piecing. . . someday . . . Well that day happened this morning!  I saw this post by Sharon over at Fabrics and Flowers.  Once you finish reading my ramblings, go check it out.  I really really like the looks of this block!  I have not started my flying geese creation. . . more on that fiasco in a bit.  So I thought, Self, why don't you give it a whirl?  And I did. . . with what I had which did not include paper piecing paper. . . it included regular paper.  I decided to make two pieces to start just to see if it was something I thought I might like to do. . . The first thing I did was cut one piece backwards (you really didn't think this little adventure was going to come off without a hitch did you?) . . . It was a small enough piece and I had cut the piece big enough that I was able to use it anyway with a little creativeness. . . why not cut another? Because . . . I am lazy :)  And I'm playing over here.  I followed directions (yes I did!) and this is the result:

Not too bad for a first attempt and not having paper that was even remotely see through LOL

 I used Kona cottons.  And, I figured out I could cut both pieces at the same time (I can be brilliant that way sometimes haha) so I doubled the material, put the templates on the fabric and cut both pieces at the same time.  I'm thinking if I were to make an entire quilt, I might just cut 4 at a time. . . maybe more.  

Do you want to know what I think? Too bad, I'm going to tell you anyway HA!  I kinda liked it! I kinda liked it so much that as soon as I finish writing this post I am going to run to Joanne's and get me some perfect piecing paper :) And I can't believe I am actually typing this for the world to see (ok, maybe not the world but everyone that reads my blog lol), but I might just try a New York Beauty block!! GASP I have admired NYB quilts from afar for months and had pretty much decided there was NO WAY this chicky was even going to attempt it. . . but now. . . maybe . . . 

OK, now on to flying geese. . . Seriously, I know people say they have no issues with making flying geese.  I'm having issues over here!! I have tried three different methods.  I don't find that any one of them give me more accurate geese.  Maybe I am being too much of a perfectionist (nah, me??).  I did try the BlocLoc ruler for flying geese.  I found that it does work even though I press my seams open.  What I don't like is I bought the 4"x8" ruler.  Now I'm not so sure that I want that size for my quilt! Seriously? I need to plan better!  That's another thing about these rulers -  they are only good for one size, meaning if you want to make different sized flying geese and use these rulers you have to buy as many rulers as varying sizes you have. . . and the rulers are not cheap.  I used my regular Creative Grids ruler (6.5x12.5) and it works just as well - actually better because I'm not limited to size.

Here is another block made of the same material as the first.  I used the no waste method.  I have to say of all of the methods I think I like this one best.  I just don't want to have to deal with those extra triangles when using other methods.  So here is the result:

Middle points - pretty much nailed it.  I laid the block on a pony wall in my back yard, it is curved. . . that probably was not a wise choice, I'm not sure that you can see that there might be issues with the seam allowances with the outside wings of the geese.

I so love the look of flying geese in quilts.  I am going to get this right if it kills me (that's a little dramatic, maybe even if it turns my hair gray or I pull it all out)!  I have a dream and it must be realized! OK, not a dream but a quilt design that I have completely planned, I have the fabric, I am ready to go. . . I just have to figure out this geese thing!  38.  That's how many I need to make.  38.  I can do that right?? Yes I CAN! 

Linking up with Patchwork Times, Stitch by Stitch, Freemotion by the River and Quilt Story.

Until next time, keep on quilting!