It was a tiring day yesterday, more about that later. I made one quilt block last night. I had seen this block on a couple blogs and it was known as the Japanese X and + block. If you do a search on that name you will find it on dozens of blogs. It is in Barbara Brackman's "Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns" on page 249 as 'Spool Block'. It is also featured in the current "Quilty" magazine. Since it is a 5 division block a logical size for it is 10". I realized that the Bear Paw die would give me all of the shapes I need for this 10" block.
I'm using triangles instead of squares for the connector corners. You just have to balance a ruler over the top of it to be sure it lines up with the 2.5" markings on the ruler.
Now the reason yesterday was tiring: my son and I left at 9 for my 10:45 appt. in Chicago with my eye surgeon. We were there for over 2 hours and there was some good news. The radioactive seeding treatment is working and the tumor in my eye is shrinking. My vision is still good and the Dr. is happy with my progress. A road trip on the tollway wears me out so I was too tired to jump up and down with joy!