Some days, I just feel like looking at pictures. The brain doesn't want to kick in and understand technical writing. We look at the pictures to figure out how to make our blocks and/or project. Works some of the time, and then other times we have opened ourselves up to those creative opportunities. Many of which we really would like to have avoided. 

I started a block yesterday and didn't read the directions, it is fusible applique. I have been using this method for years. All the pieces were ironed onto the background and I wanted to see which stitches were used for specific pieces. On the front of the pattern, it appeared the maker used a darker shade of floss and blanket stitch. I finally read the directions. They were quite simple, in fact one word "applique". Not even "applique using your favorite method". There were no hints as to what stitches or colors to use. REALLY?? Don't all pattern writers know that if we buy their pattern, we might want to make it identical to theirs. Not that I do this to often, in fact very rarely do I ever make it like theirs, but I do want to know what they did. 
 Regardless, I think the pattern is one that I would even make gifts from. It has a lot of primitive appeal. As soon as the block is finished I will post it. I am only making one of the twelve right now. The design told me it needed to be a pillow. Pillow it will be!

Now on to the pictures above: Banana Cat, one of the many Garden Patch Cat applique patterns by StoryQuilts. I don't do much applique and this was my first time using "Soft Fuse". It is a product for stitching , turning , then ironing onto background, hence the fuse, and then hand  or machine stitching. Not to be confused with "Shades of Soft Fuse" which is used strictly for fusible applique.

The next is actually sideways. I have named it French Fish. While I was reading Julia Childs' book, "My Life in France", I was also working on this quilt. Because of the ripple batik for the background, the blocks reminded me of fish. Julia wrote, and this is not exact quote, how the people of France had so many different names for fish that all looked so much alike. Having decided on the name my backing also had to have a fish!
Thanks for listening to my ramble this morning, Have a blessed day!
Rita