Scratching the Kaleidoscope itch!

I do this to myself all the time - i see something pretty and i think i MUST try that... NOW!
I was lacking anything suitable in my stash though so had resigned myself to waiting 3 weeks until we go to Ally Pally but a trip to ThreadBear for some batting turned into a hunt for something to turn into kaleidoscopes!
Luckily (!!) Lisa spotted this gorgeous fabric and after much umming and ahhing i bought a metre of the floral and two half metres of fabrics from the same range for the sashing and border.
Then i came home and cut it all up!

I'm making "stack and whack" 4 patch posie blocks.
It's a simple concept but i found the actual cutting out rather stressful and confusing!
Basically you measure the length of the pattern repeat and cut your fabric into strips the same size (mine were 7¾" wide) and then using a pin as a marker you stack them, making sure that each layer is in exactly the same place. You need lots of pins, lots of patience and LOTS of time!
Once you are happy with the positioning you work out how big your pieces are going to be (i went for 3½" squares) and then cut your strips accordingly.
If you are making square blocks you need 4 strips which i got from just under the metre, if you are making half square triangles you will need 8 strips and if you are doing hexagons you will need 6 strips
(you can do fans and other shape triangles but that's waaaaay more than my brain can cope with so i stuck to squares for my first try)

I ended up with 24 piles, each with 4 identical pieces of fabric

Depending on the orientation of the little squares, your block has four different looks to it, all with that kaleidoscope "burst"!
Sooooo pretty!
Which one's your favourite?

After much turning and gazing i have settled on these block layouts.
The light had gone by the time i had finished playing so it's not a very accurate representation, but believe me, it's verrrry pretty :oD

I am looking forward to sewing them all up tomorrow!!