Skill Builder Sampler Blocks 16, 17, 18

I spent November paper piecing.  Well, that's a little inaccurate.  I spent November printing out tutorials for paper piecing and then sat down Sunday and cut out fabric for these 3 blocks and put them together on Monday night (well, I actually finished Tuesday).  Nothing like waiting until the last minute to get caught up!

I have a deep love for paper piecing.  I love the neatness, the accuracy and how the blocks almost seem to come together like magic.  love. Even though there are a lots of steps that seem intimidating at first, it was all pretty easy.

My goal this month (aside from learning to paper piece like a champ) was to try to show off some of the fabric that hasn't gotten to the be "star" of a block yet.  I just wanted different color schemes.  Since I've got all the blocks in order on my design wall, it's a lot easier to glance up and see what fabric hasn't had top billing yet.

16, 17, 18
overall I'm pretty satisfied with the results

Block 16: Minnesota
um, this block is "perfect and shiny" as Son would  say ... except the top left corner.  Someone (cough, cough ME) wasn't paying enough attention. But I really do love the color combinations.

Block 17: Starry Night
sigh.  This template got printed at 96% instead of 100%.  sigh.  And instead of redoing it, I just tacked on  half an inch to the left and bottom.  Everyone repeat after me: CHRISTY, PAY ATTENTION!!

Block 18: Circle of Geese
This template got printed off at 96% too.  But luckily I realized it before I started sewing.  (YAY, Finally paying attention!)
When I was picking out fabric for this block, it was important to use all of the unused .  Remember, I have to use all the fabric before I can start over with picking again.  In hindsight, I'd say, I should have kept all of the geese non-green instead of being so focused on using all the fabrics.  I think the 4 green ones sort of fade into the green background.  But I still like it.

 While I was waiting on Husband to print out the 100% sized template out at work, I did a practice block on the 96%.

This is some of the yellow/black/grey/white Walmart fabric that I LOVE.
Plus, since I went through the tutorial with this practice block the night before, I was able to really speed through putting the "real" block together.