Instead of showing some of my work today, I want to show you some of the stuff the Happy Scrappers were working on at the Attic Window on Saturday....'cause it is soooo cute!
(First, an apology...I took all my photos with my cell phone because I was too lazy to bring my good camera! Sorry for the not-so-great quality of the photos.) Several people at Happy Scrappers were working on these wonderful little paper pieced log cabin blocks that Buffie had taught us how to make a while back. Everyone is putting really cute novelty fabrics in the centers of the blocks and then surrounding them with little logs of scrap fabrics. Such a great way to use up scraps, and how totally cute are these?
You might remember that when I learned how to make these, I had brought Sweet Pea to Happy Scrappers with me. I did not even sew that day. I just helped Sweet Pea sew that day. She made her own block like this, and I learned that a simple paper piecing block like a log cabin block can be a wonderful way to teach a child to sew. To see Sweet Pea's awesome block, click here. She made it completely from scraps in her own stash of fabrics she's asked me to buy her over the years. I loved it. You can also see Caroll's sweet post about Sweet Pea and her sewing machine here.
Here is one of Buffie's completed quilts using these blocks. (Hello again, shoes! haha) I think it is so stinking adorable. I've seen several of these from Buffie, and the are all just as wonderful. I think the white sashing on the blocks really makes it...it brightens the quilt up so nicely! The riot of colors is just spectacular. (She was working on the binding while we were there. You can see that it's only half sewn down. But the blue is perfect, I think.)
What's that? You want some close up photos of those blocks so you can get a better look at them? I knew you would. So, how about this one? How do you like the kid in the inner tube? Or Raggedy Anne? (Click on the photo to make it larger.)
I heard you! I know you want to see more! Here are some more blocks in the quilt. Too cute!
If you want to see another version of this same design that Buffie made, click here. Caroll did a nice blog post on her quilts, too.
I don't know if you can see it in these photos, but Buffie usually quilts these with white thread, using a nice serpentine stitch her Bernina has built into it. You can kind of see it going through the baby's purple outfit in the photo above, if you look really close. I think it's incredibly effective on this quilt.
I knew you'd want to see the back of this quilt, too. Check out the Dr. Suess fabric. What a great use for it. I covet this little quilt, I tell ya'.
Me? I didn't work on the log cabin blocks. Sweet Pea and I have still only done the one block. I'd really like to get back to it. First, I need to get better organized. I need to get a bunch of center squares cut and ready to go, so I don't have to rifle through my fabrics each time I want to work on it. Too much hassle. Maybe this summer I'll get that organized.
Instead, I worked on the tea leaves I started with Buffie at another Happy Scrappers day. I blogged about that project here. You can check out Buffie's organization in that post. If I could be like that, I might actually get somewhere with my scraps. Maybe I'll get it going on this summer.
Anyway, I made a bunch more leaves. Still haven't sewn a stitch on them yet, though. Maybe soon. I did that, goofed off, talked, messed around with the SNS and half-square triangle rulers I talked about yesterday, and that's about it! But it was an excellent day. I had a lot of fun.
So, whatcha working on yourself with your scraps these days? My scrap pile never seems to get smaller. I think they multiply at night.
Weather update: I wore sandals on Monday because it was to be 60 degrees. I didn't regret it. I'm sort of at the point where I'm saying, "Damn you, spring. If you won't come to me, I'll come to you!" LOL. It started pouring off and on at about 7 pm. At least our lake is starting to come back. Parts of the state have flood warnings. I'm thinkint if this keeps up, we might have a good lake behind us again in no time. That would be okay with me. If it would just stay in the 60s, I could deal with it a little better, though.
Until next time,
Hang in there Mama Pea -- spring is coming. We've had thunderstorms roll through early this morning. All is now wet. Again. I think the sun is just having an extended vacation.
I LOVE that log cabin quilt -- it's just TOOOO cute. What a perfect eye-spy quilt! Must. Pin. Now!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | April 16, 2013 at 08:46 AM
I've got a bunch of 4" novelty squares already cut. Caroll sent me the pattern for the log cabin block. It only requires a 2.5" center square. I can probably fussy cut a few of my 4" squares down to 2.5". I've filed away this project for future use. It would make a great charity scrap quilt. First I need to finish up a few of the things I've already got going!
Posted by: Lynn | April 16, 2013 at 10:17 AM
You're right - that quilt is so stinking adorable! How nice to have a day when you're not worried about getting anything done - just hanging out . . .
Posted by: Deb | April 16, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Spring is almost here. What a lovely day today! Sun! Ah, sun! You'll soon have time to do the things you want. Enjoyed your post. You have such a nice way of saying things.
Posted by: caroll | April 16, 2013 at 07:11 PM
I really really love those little log cabins! The setting that was used for the quilt was just perfect, to set them off. The girls can all be proud of their blocks - very cute!
Posted by: Amy DeCesare | April 16, 2013 at 07:16 PM
Those are cute quilts when all the little blocks are put together. When will we see yours?
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | April 16, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Ha! Your statement about Spring is hilarious, I am SO there with you (though not wearing my flip-flops and sandals in the pouring rain, though! We had 2-3 dyas of Spring and then Winter came back, for what seems like, to stay! Ugh.
I started organizing scraps prior to the move (let's call it packing procrastination) and if I ever get that sewing room put together I need to start a project like this log cabin quilt.
btw, on the ruler you showed yesterday, too much fabric waste. I am such a stingy quilter, just ask my partner, Trina!
Posted by: Doris | April 17, 2013 at 11:30 AM
What a perfect antidote to the cruddy weather we've been having! Love those bright blocks! And hooray for Sweet Pea!
Posted by: Ellie Q | April 17, 2013 at 11:07 PM