Bindings are finishes!

 I have 2 finishes this week after working hard on the bindings.

First my Rainbow Scrap Quilt from 2018.  Lots and lots of curved log cabin blocks made into a stunning quilt (144).  The black sashings and binding  contrasted well with the vibrant array of colored blocks and circular centers

                  

                           

Each block is 5 3/4 inches square.

I

 A happy floral quilting design finished the top off from my long armer. So glad to finally have this beauty off my list.  It has been many happy hours. New Title:  A-Round Square

                        

( Photo on its side. Multicolor hearts are right side up on the back.)

My second quilt  finish is my miniature log cabin which was a precut from Pieceful Gatherings. Each block is 4 inches square and the logs are 1/2 inch wide.  This was started last fall and into a 45 inch top in  December. And now it is now completed with a red binding to match the hearth in the middle. 

                         

I don't know why but I really enjoy small pieces.  I have always had a hankering to make my blocks smaller. 

                          

  I actually quilted this one myself.  I started by accentuating the diagonal rows and star in the middle with straight lines.  I added a tear drop chain from the center of the surrounding blocks to each center. I made a pattern for the shape cutting out multiple freezer paper templates to stitch around. 

Lots of Logs! 

Retreat tops: all 3!

 Getting away from home is a great way to reset yourself.   I love sharing with friends: creative ideas, talking about anything, and lots of laughter!  We tried a new retreat center in Janesville.  The accommodations were nice.  My only issue was the temperature  which was warm near the 4 season room heater, but much cooler elsewhere.  I think I can blame it on the weather which was at 0 degrees or lower. Some of the roads were still covered with ice. 

Anyway, so much fun:  My contribution was a baked potato bar which went over well. And I even brought home leftovers. 

So here are the fabulous tops that have been awaiting my focus: 

1) My Tilda quilt 17 different prints. The pattern is Everlasting by Coriander Quilts.  Finished size 74 by 92.   Started last November I intend to add the light tan on the 2 side borders to fit my bed

2) Mini log cabin kit  Blocks 4 1/2 inches each, 100 blocks total: about 45 inches. Started in October of this year. This was a precut kit! 

3) Lastly my sampler quilt made from Kansas Trouble fabrics. ( Of which I have an abundance) The Sampler blocks are 8 inches. I made the setting from a picture in a Sharon Craig book. Used the book Celebrate with Quilts by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache for most of the Sampler blocks

No Christmas projects this year.

100 Blocks DONE!

 I have been slowly over the past several weeks working on my 1 inch strips to make a small log cabin block. ( 5 inch unfinished)

And today, they are all completed.  I would chain 3 or 4 at a time. This would allow changing colors if the random color on the stack did not match the block. I did not always agree on some of the light fabrics that were in the selection. Sometimes, I would use the back of the fabric instead, because it was lighter. 

A week ago I did a search of how I would set the 100 blocks into a top.  I ended up really liking Gretchen's Barn Raising setting from her 2019 tab of completed quilts. ( Gretchen Little Corner)

I just discovered my first post on them was from October 14 of this year even. I really stuck with it to remember how I squared up each log as I added it.  My mini ruler was a perfect assistant. 

Center as I laid they out. I needed for all dark squares for the center of the star. 

And all 100 blocks:

It will only be 45 inches square when finished. 

And here is what is left of the original precut box.

I could make a few extra... but I am DONE making the blocks. 

I now have them all paired up for webbing and putting it together on retreat next month. 

Here and gone!

 More trips have been happening: 

Last week, I first went to Detroit to see my daughter.  The weather was nice and the trip was so beautiful with the fall foliage. It was truly lovely to repeatedly see a copse of trees with a rainbow of crimson, gold, rust and greens of every shade.  Sometimes it seemed like they were leaning over the fences greeting me as if to say, " Hey!  Look at me, too!"

We spent time in Ann Arbor browsing different shops. I picked up a few Christmas presents.  The next day we toured Edsel and Eleanor Ford's residence in St. Claire Shores.  It is on the lake and has beautiful grounds.  The house was built for them and is just incredible. I thought 50 to 75 year old antiques were good.  No, they had a Ming vase 4000 years old as well as many, many others  several hundred years old.

Edsel was not born into a wealthy home as Henry Ford did not get into his automobile production in his 40s. That was something I did not know.  I have been to Greenfield Village and the museum before. So I was somewhat familiar with what Henry had done.

This was garage. Oh my the cars...

It was short but just great to spend time with my daughter. 

Then I left for my hometown, Shelby, Ohio for a birthday party of old friends in my childhood. My BFF and I were born a day apart and our mothers shared the hospital room. So I had so much fun seeing him again

I also spent time visiting my old Victorian house I grew up in. The tears flowed as I saw the property and even met the owner who showed me the kitchen renovation. Such stories were recalled and shared.  The ghost, Levi, whom my mother saw when we lived there,  is still present and pulling tricks. And not scary at all. Even the owner in between now and my era was familiar with him.

On the way, I stopped in Galion, Ohio for a cross stitch shop which is housed in the hardware store. husband and wife  as well as their daughter work together. Of course, I purchased  a few patterns and some canvas and floss.

On the trip back I got caught in 2 snow squalls...I gripped the steering wheel and refused to change lanes for fear of ending in the ditch like so many others.

I have been home for 2 days, sewing away on my mini log cabins.  I now have 76 of them completed. Hooray!

Tomorrow I leave for Indianapolis to see my sister and mother while my husband attends a percussion convention.   

Hand stitching for now. 

Back to my regularly scheduled program

Well, maybe...  I am back home and and I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I am hoping to use my time more wisely and utilize some of the tips and tricks I learned at Houston. Barbara Black was a fantastic speaker.  WOW!  And so was Christen of I see Stars vlog on Youtube.  Both were incredibly organized and experienced and had wonderful ideas. 

First up some little blocks: 

 I purchased a box of precut 1 inch logs for a 4 1/2 inch log cabins from Pieceful Gatherings in Chicago some time ago. (They no longer will cut these.)  It has been on my unfinished list to do.   And I really do like small pieces.

So I have been taking an hour at a time here and there to chain piece a few at a time. I am measuring each new seam to make sure my seam allowance is accurate.

And here is what I have so far.   

It will make 100 blocks total, which is NOT very big. 

Additionally, I am finishing up a couple cross stitch projects for bowl fillers. 

They are small: 4 and 5 inches and need stuffing.

I am glad to be back blogging and "talking" to you all.