Thrifty Log Cabin - More Blocks

A few more blocks made.  I think I have over 50 done.  They really go fast. 

I have a little box with stacks of the pre-cut pieces.  I usually sew about 6 blocks at a time,   I press each time I sew on two strips so it makes the pressing fast too.

I've also been working on sewing the other plaid quilt together and even have the first border on.  But no pictures yet.
 

Thrifty Log Cabin - Leftovers

 

I started making these 8 inch blocks a couple of weeks ago after seeing the pattern somewhere.  When I remember where, I will reference it.

Very simple to make, using 1.5 inch strips.  For each block cut 2 each - 1.5"x 1.5" squares, 1.5 x 2.5, 1.5 x 3.5, 1.5 x 4.5, 1.5 x 5.5, 1.5 x 6.5, 1.5 x 7.5 and 1 each 1.5 x 8.5" rectangles.

Piece small leftovers to make the slanted pieces and use them randomly.  The blocks are sewed with no regard to the placement of colors or shades within the blocks. 

I have enough blocks made now so that I have begun sewing them into blocks of four.  I have found that to work well on other log cabin types.  Then when I  am ready to sew them into a top it just seems like I'm ahead of the game.  Trying to psyche myself out I guess.

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Tomorrow we will have a switch up in house guests - Joyce is leaving for the airport at 9 AM and heading back to Chicago.  We've had lots of fun together and she is a joy to have around.

At noon, we'll pick up Emily after church and she'll stay with us until Mom & Dad get back from New Orleans.  Given her schedule at school, cheer leading and dance lessons  -
not sure how much we'll see of her.  But looking forward to having her anyway.

A Nice Surprise

Al, Howard, Joyce & John

We had a nice surprise this week.  Half of the children in John's family were together for a visit.
Howard & his wife had been in Myrtle Beach for the Golf Tournament last week and planned to spend a few days here this week.

Joyce's daughter, who lives in CA, has tickets to the DNC convention on Wed & Thurs.  So she picked up her Mom in Chicago and brought her along to visit while she is in Charlotte.

Sunday we had an impromptu party at Tracey's with all the cousins who could make it.
We took Joyce back to the lake with us and have been having lots of fun catching up.


Meredith & Tracey

We have lots of things planned all week.  Movie night, game night, etc. Today, was a perfect day for a ride on the lake. 

Tomorrow Joyce and I will make casseroles for the church festival on Saturday and then we will have Game night in the evening.  Catan anyone?

She Was Right

 

Saturday at Bee, I sewed these blocks together.  I had made them a few months back to practice sewing with my shirt fabrics.  I only had 20 blocks which made the top 40 x 50". I knew I had a 2XX plaid shirt that I could use for the border. 

 

 

Connie suggested that I use a narrow inner border to separate the outer border.  I found a blue with some sparkles on it and it was just enough.      She was right  - she usually is.

This morning I sewed the borders on and I do like how it looks.  It will be used for a veterans quilt eventually.  It now measures 49 x 59".   Thanks Connie.

Zig Zag Quilt

 

 

We went to the lake Sunday after church.  It rained most of Sunday and Monday morning so I had time to sew.  I found the leftover HST's from this quilt and sewed them into blocks.  I thought I might have enough for a small donation quilt but this is it.   So I guess I will put them away for awhile until I come up with more HST's.  It would only measure 36 x 36" as is.

 

John had hired the tree service to come and cut down the 80 - 90 foot White Oak at the back corner of the cottage.  Six guys spent the day Tuesday, cutting six trees and trimming up all the trees on the front side of the cottage. ( John's projects have a way of expanding - as in "as long as you're here - let's go ahead and do this too")  And three of our neighbors will be having them do work on their property.  They'll busy in our neighborhood for a few days.

A hard working and polite crew of young men,   They cut, hauled, ground and raked all day. 

It was pretty alarming to me to see all the limbs they cut but I admit that our view from the porch has changed dramatically.  We can see out in the cove to the little island.

 

Went out for a ride after dinner to check out the lake view too.

 

Saturday is  Undercover Bee.  We will  have an all day session to make patriotic quilts for the Veteran's Hosptial in Durham.  I need to get in the sewing room and plan what I will take to work on.  Also decide what to make to share at lunch. 

 

New Project

Last Friday after I finished the binding on my Dresden 2 quilt, I decided to start another project.
I have been wanting to make something with ALL those thrift shop shirts I have been buying and cutting up.  My friend Connie made this pattern in homespuns and it is just wonderful.  The pattern is in a book by Evelyn Sloppy.  Our local library has a copy so I can check it out when I get to the borders.  I  know it has 2o blocks in the middle so that will keep me occupied for awhile.

  Actually it was after I got out the batik scraps and played with them for awhile.   I wanted to make a journal cover for our ministerial intern, Liz, who will be going back to Duke for 2 more years this fall. So I used a HOPE block for the front and a LOVE block for the back.  Added a row of tiny half square triangles down the spine area, add enough strings to make it big enough and quilted it. It looked really nice.  I didn't take a picture. I was just glad to have it ready to give to her at early service on Sunday.
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On a personal note - John had an encouraging report from the Oncologist Friday.  His CT Scan showed minimal growth in any tumors from last month.  She says that it appears that his immune system is doing a good job of fighting the cancer on it's own right now.  Since he is doing well, they will wait three months before they see him again.  Thank God for His mercy!

Lazy Monday at the Lake

Just sitting on the porch doing Sudoku games and working on the binding of the Dresden 2 quilt.  Just 1 more side and it will be finished.  Hooray!

Heading back home to lots of meetings and appointments this week!