It’s always a fun opportunity to submit a block for Quiltmaker‘s 100 Blocks magazine series. Volume 7 was just released and I’m very excited to have a design included on this round! It will probably come as no surprise to regular readers here that I created a paper pieced star design. I’m nothing if not predictable, right? (You can find my paper piecing tutorial here.)

When I was selecting the fabrics for this star, I was torn. Blocks can always look so different depending on fabric placement. I really wanted to showcase this variety by making another block with the same templates, but using another fabric layout. Over the weekend I created this block.

Same pattern, but the effect is totally different. Cool, right? These blocks have 8 paper pieced components. Here is one quadrant sewn up:

I hope you will check out the magazine at your local craft and bookstore! It’s also available as a digital download.

Last week I got some really exciting mail. This is the latest issue of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks (vol 5). It is a collection of patterns for 100 different quilt blocks, designed by various quilters/designers/bloggers. When I was flipping through the magazine, I recognized a lot of names and I’m sure you will too. So…not only am I super happy to tell you I have a block in this issue – but look, that’s my name on the cover! (Right by my good friend Lee!) In case you are wondering, that’s me, Faith Jones.

My block is called Diamond Mine and is #474 inside the magazine. They had us sign our name on the actual block which I have never done before. I kept thinking “Really? Write my name ON the block?” Despite all my elementary teachers’ best efforts, I just have horrible handwriting. You can see it in the bottom pink section.

And here is the block at my house before I mailed it off…

When I was designing the quilt block, I mocked up a couple of ways you can layout your blocks for a quilt top.

This issue of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks officially goes on sale May 8th. I hope you will check it out at your local bookstore or craft store!