August 23, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #33 – Birthday Star Block
Birthday Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
Happy Birthday! This week both my husband and I celebrate our birthdays.
It’s tough getting older but it beats the alternative.
I have posted the directions and paper piecing patterns for one of my favorite block “Tangled Stars” I re-worked some of the lines and made the star easier to paper-piece. I have presented three different color versions. Choose your own colors – Have fun!
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
August 9, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #31 – Family Circle Star Block
Family Circle Star Block
This weekend we spent time with our oldest living relative and we enjoyed hearing his stories about our family. With his help, we filled in our family tree all the way back to 1830. If you are interested in your family history get help from ancestry.com.
Remembering that our family is but a never ending circle, I have given you directions for an older block that I renamed – “Family Circle Star”.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting! Betty Dietz
July 27, 2010 – Correction to Double Star Block – directions
If you uploaded the directions for the Double Star Block yesterday, you will need to go back and get the corrected directions.
Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
TO make the block you will need to print and make FOUR of each paper-pieced section A and B.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
July 19, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #28 – The Dog Star Block
The Dog Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
Sirius, the “Dog Star” is the brightest star in the night sky. It is located in the constellation Canis Major (big dog). The Ancient Greeks noted that the appearance of Sirius heralded the start of the long, hot and dry summer, and this is where we get the term “the dog days of summer”. This summer has certainly been one of the hottest in recent history, with much of the USA suffering. Here in Washington DC, we have had a record number of over 90 degree days and our plants and lawns are certainly feeling the heat.
So, to beat the heat, this week’s star block is named “The Dog Star Block” It is a variation of the traditional “New Star Block”.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
July 12, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #27 – World Cup Soccer Star Block
World Cup Soccer Star Block #27 - Freedom Star Colors
Like a lot of others, I followed the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament from South Africa this month. I really wanted the USA to win, but it was not to be. I watched many of the matches throughout the month, culminating in yesterday’s final match between Spain and The Netherlands, and I have gained a lot of respect for those fabulous athletes. Some of the hits that they took were quite hard, and yet they continued to play. I also learned a lot about the sport of soccer, I now feel like I know more about the rules, two yellow cards and you’re out! I hope all the young kids playing soccer, will aspire to be good enough for the USA Team in the future.
I chose this block titled “World Without End” and I re-designed it as an easy paper-pieced block. It reminds me of the drawing in the opening credits for the FIFA Cup this year, I see the Soccer player going after the ball with both feet high off the ground.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Star Blocks – Part 2.
Happy Quilting! Betty Dietz
World Cup Soccer Star Block #27 - Spanish Team Colors
June 28, 2010 – Freedom Star Blocks – Summer Vacation Week!
Summer is under way…we have had a week’s worth of 90 degree days, school is finally out after lots of make-up snow days, and many of us will be heading out to the beach. In keeping with the summer vacation spirit, this week we get to take a vacation from the Freedom Star Blocks.
You can take this extra week, to catch up if you are behind, or to start arranging your blocks into pretty quilts. My blocks are going up on the design wall to see what I can create. Look for some photos next week.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
June 14, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #24 – Flag Day Star Block
Flag Day Star Block
Today is National Flag Day…Remember to proudly fly the flag today!
Flag Day was made official by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916, but it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. to find out more history of the US FLAG, visit US Flag.org.
This week’s block is named the Flag Day Star Block and is a modified version of the eight-pointed star block in EQ6.
For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
May 24, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #21 – New Galaxy Star Block
New Galaxy Star Block
This week the remains of Nicolaus Copernicus, recently identified by DNA testing, were reburied at the Polish church in which he served. He now rests beneath a black granite tombstone bearing a representation of his model of the solar system—a golden sun encircled by six of the planets. Copernicus’s book “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres” was based on observations he made without the benefit of a telescope (as it had yet to be invented). It is believed that the book was not published until near his death as his theories could have condemned him as a heretic. According to the Catholic dogma of the day it was believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
For more information on the life of Copernicus CLICK HERE.
In honor of Copernicus, this week’s block is named the New Galaxy Star Block. For complete directions Click here or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week – Freedom Stars.
Happy Quilting!
Betty Dietz
May 3, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #18 – Mexican Star Block
Mexican Star Block
Today’s block is the Mexican Star Block, to honor our neighbors to the south, as they celebrate the holiday of Cinco De Mayo, the 5th of May. This Mexican holiday commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. It is usually celebrated in US cities which have a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day which is actually September 16.
The Mexican Star Block is another traditional block, originally published as early as 1930.This block is made using the paper-piecing method…Click here for complete directions or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week “Freedom Stars”
Happy Quilting,
Betty Dietz
This is also a very pretty star when done up in the Freedom Star Colors.
Mexican Star Block - Freedom Star Colors
April 26, 2010 – Freedom Star Block #17 – Manhattan Star Block
Manhattan Star
Our daughter is living in Manhattan while working towards her college degree. She has really enjoyed exploring the city and her favorite buildings are the ones made in the Art Deco style of the 1930’s.
We could not be more proud of her and we were lucky enough to have her come home and visit this weekend…so this week’s star is the Manhattan Star.
This is another traditional block, originally published the magazine titled “Aunt Kate’s Quilting Bee ” between July 1962-1967. (Barbara Brackman’s Block Base for EQ6).
This block is made using the paper-piecing method…Click here for complete directions or click on Free Block Patterns – 2010 Block of the Week “Freedom Stars”
Happy Quilting,
Betty Dietz