Friday, July 27, 2018

Snowball Play

 One of the blocks I've been making  in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color of the month from 3.5 inch scraps for the last couple of years is a Snowball block.  Last year I made them with light corners and this year I've been making them with dark corners.  I have 230 of them with light corners and 150 or so with dark corners but the year is not over yet. 

I guess it's about time I try to figure out what to do with them so I know how many I need. 
 Originally I was thinking I would alternate light and dark corners - a look similar to a lozenge quilt I made a couple of years ago.  I love that quilt and it currently resides on the bed in the camper. 

But each month when I took photos and blogged about the blocks I began to be attracted to a nine patch block and started thinking this might be the way to go.  I think I like this arrangement better than mixing them up. 


But what if I changed some of the blocks out with some nine patches? I have a bin of three inch nine patches and have been looking for different ways to use them. 

I don't like how nine patch meets nine patch and snowball meets snowball sometimes. 


So what if I make alternate blocks? Dark corner snowballs in the corners of those nine patch blocks and nine patches in the corners of the light cornered snowball blocks. 

No...that doesn't say "make me" or does it? 


What if nine patch and snowball colors were just alternated? 

Snowball/Nine Patch quilts are too common. 

 Let's go back to keeping the same colored snowballs in a nine patch configuration but this time replace the snowball or little nine patch with a rail fence block. I've also been making these for a couple of years from my 1.5 inch scraps. 

Ok. I kind of like it but I think I like the nine patch blocks with all snowballs better.  Or do I? 


Let's mix them up. 

Seems chaotic. 

 Let's mix them up and keep all the rail fences horizontal. 


I think I like them mixed up with rail fences all vertical better.  Maybe if I just used the light cornered snowballs?  

Still undecided on layout or how many blocks I need. 
Still playing......

15 comments:

beth s said...

You have so many GREAT variations! Makes me want to go sew

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Oh these look like fun! They look pretty small. I like the variety

gayle said...

Even more fun than playing with Legos!

Libby in TN said...

Or ... or ... Lots of great options. I look forward to seeing what you decide.

mangozz said...

I like the 5th version down the best, for what it's worth. Your Lozenges quilt is gorgeous! I've often regretted not making that one. It's amazing what you can do with scraps. And to think some people throw them away.

Linda said...

So many options! I think I prefer the same colour snowball blocks, all nine patches with dark corners or all nine with light corners. Next choice would be the ones with tiny nine patches with the snowballs but with the snowballs being the corners and centre. Just trying to imagine the fun you are having playing with so many blocks!

Pamela Arbour said...

They are all beautiful. I can't believe you work with such small pieces!

Louise said...

I know which combo I like best, but the decision has to make you happy. Hard to go wrong with so many great building blocks, though!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

You could spend all day moving around blocks. I will say I like when the colors are grouped together. I look forward to seeing what you end up using.

Ada Plouvier-Kopitopoulou said...

So many options. So difficult to choose!

Julie in GA said...

So many wonderful ideas! My favorites are the 9-patch groupings of like colors, either with the 9-patch blocks or the rail fences.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Looks like fun to consider all the different possibilities!

Cathy said...

Go, Cathy, go! You’re always a fountain of ideas, and I know that whatever you decide on will be fun and colorful!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Have fun deciding... or just keep making blocks!! LOL

QuiltGranma said...

Not that my opinion carries any weight, but I really like #5 myself too. That is what I would make. Gut do what you want, and we'll love it anyway. You do beautiful quilts.