Block #78 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

Good Evening

Thanks to Christa for keeping up with the comments - I'm glad to know that someone is excited about the new designs.

It's been a tough couple of weeks - a friend died two weeks ago after a short, rough battle with lung cancer; a big Hi to Elana who is off in a bright new existence - then, the 31 year old daughter of my very good friend, Wanda, had a massive stroke last week. She and her family are up for the biggest battle of their lives helping her recover - Kudos to Shelly for surviving and to her husband and family for battling with her!

So, forgive me if my mind and time has been elsewhere! But to make it up to you, today I'll give you two new designs. the first one is shown above. Doodle it out before you stitch it so that you can find your rhythm.

The design begins with a large clam shell. Then half suns are added in. To begin, Stitch three large clam shells along the bottom edge of the block. Make each about 2" tall and 3" wide. Stitch the next row of clam shells on top of and in between the first row. Start with a half shell then stitch two whole shells and finish with a half. Continue stitching rows of clam shells one on top of the other, each off set from the one below until the entire block is complete.

Go back to the first clam shell you stitched and stitch a small half circle in the middle of it along the base, about the size of half of a dime. Now, stitch four or five rays with wavy lines emanating from the half circle. Double back along the bottom edge until you are where you can add the same design to the next clam shell and stitch it out. Continue adding the sun rays in each of the clam shells, doubling over previously stitched lines to travel from clam shell to clam shell. Note; I added two or three small arcs instead of just one at the base of each of my suns.

Hope you like this one - it's really fun to do!

Heather