Crafting, Quilting

Leafs Me Happy – Blog Hop – Maple Syrup

57 Comments

Hello from Minnesota! I live in the small town of Isanti, Minnesota, about 45 miles North of Minneapolis/St Paul.

Here in Minnesota we are known for our extremes – -25º in mid-winter, 100º in mid-summer. This year is no different. We had record rainfalls this spring – the town of Duluth was flooded for over a week, now this fall it’s making up for that – we have not had measurable rain in over 8 weeks. Our lawns are totally fried, in my case my pastures have turned to dust and we are feeding hay earlier than ever before – not to mention hay prices are outrageous this year. Farmers that got early crops of hay are not getting one this fall, so prices are going up again!

We are also known for our vibrant fall colors. But because of the drought this fall, the colors are limited and quickly leaving. So we have to enjoy them while we’ve got them.

On to my block – Maple Syrup.

10" Male Syrup Block
12" Maple Syrup Block

I found this pattern in a magazine years ago, and I just love the interaction between leaves – I put together a block in both the 12.5 and 10.5 inch sizes. This pattern would make a fantastic table runner with a 2 rows of 4 leafs put together in a running pattern but it could also be used just like shown here as a square with a vase of fall foliage placed on top of it.

Fall Maple Leaf
Summer Maple Leaf

This has been one of my favorite blocks to make, it’s simple yet not at the same time. I have made 1 block into a 12″ hanging 2-sided block – Summer & Fall versions back to back. It came out so nice, I only wish I had somewhere to display it – other than on the kitchen counter.

Maple Leaf block made with 2 1/2
I also put one of these together to show how it can be done with 2 1/2″ strips. This block ended up being 16″ (15.5″ finished) so a bit bigger than I thought it would be. The outer leaf fingers didn’t come out the right size and you can see how they are a bit smaller than the pieces in the leaf, but I tried to keep to using the 2 1/2″ strips, like I said, you would need about a 4″ border on the outside to have it all be uniform and that would make this block even bigger that the 16″ it is shown at here.

I used this pattern for a wall hanging done with scraps. I love the interaction between the leaves, sort of brings it all together, like when you look at the fallen leaves on the ground, you don’t see just one leaf, you see many of them overlapping. I would love to, some day, use this pattern and have each leaf represent a family member using their birthstone as the color of the leaf. I think it could/would be a very heart warming image.

Maple Leaf Wall Hanging

Well that’s it from here – although I will share one more thing from our dusty pasture, my hubby thought this was very funny – I didn’t think so. When I went out to see the horses I found my hubby had written a message (in dust) on the pony.

Technically, it should have said “Brush me!” Needless to say, I handed him the brushes and told him to get to work!!!

Thanks for stopping by “My Collection of Things” and Happy Hopping! A great, big THANK YOU to Cherry for hosting this blog hop & to Mdm Samm for starting the whole thing. I am so happy I ran across you guys!

Tuesday 9

I would love to hear your comments, I usually turn these off because I get so much garbage, but today I would love to hear from you. This was sew much fun!!!!

57 thoughts on “Leafs Me Happy – Blog Hop – Maple Syrup”

  1. I can feel sitting on that beautiful swing on a fall day!!! You blocks are wonderful!

  4. What a beautiful view off your porch! It’s hot and dry here this year too.
    I love this leaf pattern, it’s always been on my list of “someday”. I like the way they interlock also. Your little reversiable wall hanging is wonderful! Love it!
    hulseybg@gmail.com

  5. Pretty blocks. I love the combination of leaf colors. I enjoyed your banner heading picture too.

  10. Your blocks are very interesting. I like them. Don’t you just love the colors of Fall. I use these colors all the time. Thank you for sharing your quilt and showing us how to make the block.

  13. I’ve never seen that block before but it’s wonderful….however, your picture with the swing – stunning! blessings, marlene

  15. Love your Maple Syrup block and sweet little quilt. What a great quilt to put in the front window to celebrate fall. I have a limited space to display my projects, but discovered the front window and now change out things seasonally or when I feel like it. We had the windows coated with a UV film when we had a white cat who developed skin cancer on his ears, so we decided to keep him inside. Unfortunately he became so ill we had to put him down. So now our present felines(3) share the front window with my “cheaters”. From California, thanks for sharing.

  22. I have not seen that kind of leaf block before. I like it. Beautiful creations. Thanks for sharing in the fall fun. janita

  24. Lovely fall blocks! They are unbe-leaf-able!!! Hope the pony got a good brushing….by your hubby.

  25. Lovely blog!
    I love this leaf block very very much. Your creation is just beautiful!
    Thank you so much for sharing, and sharing your lovely fall pictures too.
    I live in Northern Virginia and we have a pretty nice Fall too 🙂

  26. Oh I just love your block! I’ll have to figure out how to make it 🙂 I love interlocking blocks! I’d share our hay – we got 3 lovely cuttings – but I think you’re a bit far to transport it!

  29. Love your block…and your pictures! I think your hubby gets points for creative canvas use, even if he had to brush away his work. Hope your winter is a gentle one!

  32. just love how the leaves nest together…. great job. And did the pony get a good brushing??
    thanks for sharing
    in stitches

  33. Ohhh there you are…lovely to see you now..this morning I could not for the life of me find your comments..well I found them…but when I went to comment it disappeared not my comment this…lol anyway wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your blocks…well done and I hope to see you AGAIN..

    1. Yes, I scheduled my post to appear at 00:00 on 10/10 not 10/9 – silly me. Thanks for the fun!

  34. I am really enjoying meeting all the wonderful bloggers on this hop! It has been so much fun! I love your Maple Syrup block– so pretty!

  35. Great blocks/and project. That pattern is very interesting with the way it entwines. Thank you for sharing on the Leafs Hop.

  36. I love your maple syrup quilt . I have never seen this block before. Great idea for a family “tree”. I am going to go to bed and dream about sitting on on your swing.

  39. Love the block it would make a wonderful table runner……love… the wash me sign on the pony…even my husband thought it was funny…..

  45. Very nice maple syrup block. It took me a little bit to notice the “wing” on the block ont the hanger. Nice touch! I’ve never seen this block before. I wonder if I can find it some where. When it’s pieced together, it reminded me of an acorn, too! Very different looking. Then when I saw your quilt, I could see leaves. You did a superb job. Thank you for taking time in our busy world to participate and share your creativity. I scrolled down and saw your Breast Cancer block – I’m a survior, so I definitely appreciate it. Good for you, for handing your hubby the brush and telling me to brush the horse. I agree with you – I didn’t see the humor. I think it is guy humor. Again, thanks for participating. I love seeing all the creativity and the different ideas. I’m sure you inspired me but also many others.

  50. I love that block! I agree it does look like leaf’s on the ground! I love your idea about using birthstone colors! Thanks for participating & inspiring us today!

  51. You did a GREAT job on those pretty leaves !!! Love the design ! (and love the “wash me” message on the poor pony! ……. I’m waiting for somebody to write ‘wash me” on our windows ! )

  53. Hiya! What an interesting and versatile block. So many lovely ways to use it. Thanks for sharing your lovely work. Blessed be, hugs!!!

    playamom57 at yahoo dot com

  54. Your leaves are gorgeous!!! I love the idea of the family quilt. And the “wash me” pony had me giggling. Thank You for sharing with us.

    Sincerely,
    Tricia

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