Hope all of you had a lovely holiday! Nothing like an all American holiday with great traditional food, and no gift requirements.
We are both a little beat from all the fun we had over the long 4th of July weekend. Ozzie has been perched on top of his favorite chair all afternoon, and I have been doing a Serious House Tidying. My husband, son, father, Ozzie and I trekked up to Granite Bay to visit my sister Andrea and her husband. Once we arrived, we had major issues with Ozzie wanting to chase my brother in law’s goats. Yes, he has four goats, and Ozzie was completely a-tremble to get at them. I don’t believe he intended them any harm, just wanted a good chase through the acerage, but we just couldn’t let him loose.
The goats stayed as far away from Ozzie as they could get, and stared balefully at him while he whined and gurgled and tugged at his leash. He was obsessed, and nothing could get his mind off those poor goats. I think he needs more play dates with doggie friends.
istockphoto
On the sewing front, I have been working on a Friday Finish/Two Color quilt using shades of blue and a log cabin design. The whole thing comes together due to creative cutting of a lattice separating the blocks, so I don’t want to reveal too much in advance. Here are the 32 blocks I finished laid out on the design bed. No, the lattice isn’t going to be pink and yellow, that is just the quilt underneath on the bed. You have to use your imagination.
The method for making these log cabin blocks was not my favorite. This method had you sewing your blocks onto long strips of fabric. The blocks come out approximately square with this technique, which just doesn’t cut it with me. There was also a lot of trimming involved, because you had to separate the blocks from the long strip in each round and then square them up. It took FOREVER. I tell you, I was using my Precision Trimmer like mad for about half the blocks, and they were still coming out kind of wonky, so I then just started lopping the strips off with my scissors and it didn’t seem to make a bit of difference. The blocks are all kind of 8 1/2 inches square.
Now, if you want to make a Log Cabin block properly, in my opinion, you have to cut all the logs to size in advance. I like cutting, so this method suits me fine. Then you just grab the correct size log and chain stitch away. No trimming, everything comes out nice and square. A bit more trouble at the outset and you are saved a lot of tedious fussing later.
I plan to finish this top by Friday, so stay tuned for the reveal. The lattice involves fussy cutting, so wish me luck!
38 responses to “Recovering From the Holiday and Getting Back Up To Speed”
He just wanted to be “one” with the goats! Only child syndrome is my guess.
I so agree with your assessment of the log cabin method on long connected strips. I made a quilt for my husband with that method beacuse a friend said it was so much easier. I found it unbelievably tedious-all the cutting squaring etc. Bah. As always your blocks look lovely. Can’t wait to see the finish.
He just wanted to be “one” with the goats! Only child syndrome is my guess.
I so agree with your assessment of the log cabin method on long connected strips. I made a quilt for my husband with that method beacuse a friend said it was so much easier. I found it unbelievably tedious-all the cutting squaring etc. Bah. As always your blocks look lovely. Can’t wait to see the finish.
Ozzie must have thought those goats were big doggie friends he should be able to play with. 😉
I’ve yet to do a log cabin quilt as the sewing machine and I don’t get along all that well but will keep in mind your advice if I ever get to that point!
Ozzie must have thought those goats were big doggie friends he should be able to play with. 😉
I’ve yet to do a log cabin quilt as the sewing machine and I don’t get along all that well but will keep in mind your advice if I ever get to that point!
I can hardly wait to see your finish! I was thinking those were interesting lattices, it wasn’t until you said those WEREn’t the lattices, that I realized it. So now I’m really looking forward to the Friday Finish.
I can hardly wait to see your finish! I was thinking those were interesting lattices, it wasn’t until you said those WEREn’t the lattices, that I realized it. So now I’m really looking forward to the Friday Finish.
Well, I like the pink and yellow under the blue. You fooled me; I thought it was part of your design.
I agree with you on making log cabin blocks. The old-fashioned way was to add strips and trim them to size, quilting each block as you go (what Georgia B. calls lap quilting). But your way is much more accurate.
Those goats should have let Ozzie chase them. Sophie keeps trying to convince the four cats next door that it’s lots of fun to play chase. She even lets them chase her sometimes.
Well, I like the pink and yellow under the blue. You fooled me; I thought it was part of your design.
I agree with you on making log cabin blocks. The old-fashioned way was to add strips and trim them to size, quilting each block as you go (what Georgia B. calls lap quilting). But your way is much more accurate.
Those goats should have let Ozzie chase them. Sophie keeps trying to convince the four cats next door that it’s lots of fun to play chase. She even lets them chase her sometimes.
DEFINITELY agree that pre-cutting the log cabin rectangles is the best way to go. It’s so much easier in the long run. Can’t wait to see your lattices!
DEFINITELY agree that pre-cutting the log cabin rectangles is the best way to go. It’s so much easier in the long run. Can’t wait to see your lattices!
I prefer to have my logs cut to size, also. Your blocks look wonderful and I’m glad you explained the quilt underneath. I was wondering why you chose that particular sashing. Ozzie looks very handsome on the quilt. Maybe he needs a playmate?
I prefer to have my logs cut to size, also. Your blocks look wonderful and I’m glad you explained the quilt underneath. I was wondering why you chose that particular sashing. Ozzie looks very handsome on the quilt. Maybe he needs a playmate?
It may not have been the plan but I sure do like the pink and yellow as a lattice. I just may have to copy your color selection.
It may not have been the plan but I sure do like the pink and yellow as a lattice. I just may have to copy your color selection.
I can just see Ozzie chomping at the bit to get at those goats. Your blue and white quilt will be stunning. Can’t wait to see the lattice that has to be fussy-cut – I’m intrigued!
I can just see Ozzie chomping at the bit to get at those goats. Your blue and white quilt will be stunning. Can’t wait to see the lattice that has to be fussy-cut – I’m intrigued!
Love the blue and white. I have the same Robyn Pandolph pinks in a quilt waiting to be finished. Another for the someday pile. Looking forward to your Friday Finish.
Love the blue and white. I have the same Robyn Pandolph pinks in a quilt waiting to be finished. Another for the someday pile. Looking forward to your Friday Finish.
Love the blue and white. And Ozzie. You’re right, that’s not my fav method for log cabin either. I like cutting the logs to the correct length and then my blocks are right on. There’s a halfway method that involves doing the first 3 rows with cut logs, then all but the last row the sewn to the strip method, then you use the last row to make sure all is square. That doesn’t cut it for me either, but its nice there are options out there.
You do lovely work.
Love the blue and white. And Ozzie. You’re right, that’s not my fav method for log cabin either. I like cutting the logs to the correct length and then my blocks are right on. There’s a halfway method that involves doing the first 3 rows with cut logs, then all but the last row the sewn to the strip method, then you use the last row to make sure all is square. That doesn’t cut it for me either, but its nice there are options out there.
You do lovely work.
I love the blocks but I’m so glad my Cricket didn’t choose the additional colors. I almost called you up bright and early coffee time and said “that’s not funny!”
I love Ozzie but I’m distracted. You got me – again! dangit. That’s 2 now.
Freaked me out Love, *karendianne.
I love the blocks but I’m so glad my Cricket didn’t choose the additional colors. I almost called you up bright and early coffee time and said “that’s not funny!”
I love Ozzie but I’m distracted. You got me – again! dangit. That’s 2 now.
Freaked me out Love, *karendianne.
Ooooooooh! can’t wait for the reveal!!
I wish I had half of Ozzie’s energy.
Ooooooooh! can’t wait for the reveal!!
I wish I had half of Ozzie’s energy.
Cant wait to see the finished quilt It will look great as always.You should have introduced Ozzie to the goats he might have been ok with them.
Hugs Mary.
Cant wait to see the finished quilt It will look great as always.You should have introduced Ozzie to the goats he might have been ok with them.
Hugs Mary.
I also like the pink and yellow with the log cabin. I sure what ever you have in mind will look terrific.
I also like the pink and yellow with the log cabin. I sure what ever you have in mind will look terrific.
Well, I cannot wait to see the lattice. 🙂 I love OZ stories. He is lucky the goats ignored/avoided him…they can be quite mean.
Well, I cannot wait to see the lattice. 🙂 I love OZ stories. He is lucky the goats ignored/avoided him…they can be quite mean.
Another gorgeous quilt and another fantastic Ozzie story. I have never felt the urge to have a pet, but Ozzie is such a character, I may have a change of heart on the pet issue one day.
Another gorgeous quilt and another fantastic Ozzie story. I have never felt the urge to have a pet, but Ozzie is such a character, I may have a change of heart on the pet issue one day.
I have enjoyed reading your blog! Your quilts are beautiful! And Ozzie looks so handsome!
Can’t wait to see what is next…for Ozzie and your quilts!
I have enjoyed reading your blog! Your quilts are beautiful! And Ozzie looks so handsome!
Can’t wait to see what is next…for Ozzie and your quilts!
Oh, I am positively smitten with the Oz Man. These ‘tales’ you tell about him must be exaggerated, look at that sweet face!
Oh, I am positively smitten with the Oz Man. These ‘tales’ you tell about him must be exaggerated, look at that sweet face!
Ms. Cami likes to perch on the back of a chair or couch just like Ozzie. Loving your log cabin blocks. I like the method also of cutting the logs to the right size. The block always comes out just about perfect.
Hugs – Karen
Ms. Cami likes to perch on the back of a chair or couch just like Ozzie. Loving your log cabin blocks. I like the method also of cutting the logs to the right size. The block always comes out just about perfect.
Hugs – Karen