Basket Weave, simple backing

This strip of 4 patches fell off the back of the studio door and "accidentally" became the perfect addition to a Basket Weave backing that was just a teensy bit too short.  I was careful to sew it off  center, just for fun.  Nope, it doesn't match, doesn't have same colors, just seemed to be a nice contrast to all the circular motifs in the blue/white fabric.  

This tree was my Birthday Tree, 10 years ago, and barefly fits the camera lens.  No, it's not my birthday, just wanted to get the quilt backing in the photo.  This is a small leaf Linden - it now provides shade for the house and maintains this pretty shape.

Backing squares, using Stash, and ... Pageviews from Russia???

I'm planning  the backing for a recent log cabin quilt destined as a donation.  I'll use 8 inch squares of "stash" for this one, but want a certain plan, not just squares in haphazard layout.  This quilt needed a layout of 8 blocks x 9 blocks.  From experience, it's easier for me to draw something out on graph paper, count what I have available, make a few more, then lay the squares out on the floor - less getting up and down. 

Here is how it looks laid out.  I then stack them up, put them together in order, and clip the top left corner of the stack.  I always use top left to "mark" the corner - once you start sewing them, they get out of order all by themselves!  8-)

One more thing, all the squares are laid out in the same direction, i.e., all lengthwise grain or all crosswise, and I don't mix them up. I forgot that detail one time, and was sorry.  When all quilted it will be lovely! 

New subject:  Why do I get so many "pageviews" on my blog from Russia - I'm talking about 5-600  a day?  Are they all spam or nefarious virus efforts ?  Have you looked at your own blogs to see where the pageviews are from? 

Quilt Backing - Positive Solution to Error

My previous post mentioned the error when measuring for the backing for a Linus Quilt, Scrappy Trip Around the World.  I was "shy" about 1.5 inches in width, and 4 inches in length.  I didn't have any more of any of the fabric in those squares.  Luckily, none of the 10 inch squares were sewn together, and I HAD this bright pink.  I was not thrilled with those pale, pastel fabrics.    

I was so pleased with this solution that both DH and I agreed it could be used as a "real" quilt top, but NO, it will be the backing.  The pink jazzed it up, and improved the entire coloring, as well as solved my measurement problems.  What a perfect example of errors turning out better than the original!  It actually IS a 2-sided quilt!   I tend to be not fearful of errors because of the great pleasure in getting out of trouble!  

Famous last words when finishing a quilt (or a backing), "It turned out better than I thought it would."

HTML questions, and Strings Backing Find

SOLVED!!!  Thanks Paula!!!  8-)))  (I upgraded IE - easy peasy.)

Can anyone tell me what/how to get my sidebar back up even with the text on my blog, in Internet Explorer?  It rolls all down waaay to the bottom.  It's OK in Firefox.  What should I be looking for?  (I'm not remembering any changes that I saved -- apparently I goofed! 

Yesterday I made a LQS run, because of their sale.  I did some damage to my frugal nature purchasing quality backings for 3 quilts, all at $4.00/yd.  One backing is for my current diamond string quilt -- can you imagine there could be such an excellent  color choice available, and on sale?  Lucky me?   Colors are right, it's playful style is right, Q stitches will blend with my planned thread of tans, creams, etc.  On the way home the public radio station (The Splendid Table) was discussing Mexican food, on and on and on, so that by the time I arrived back in town I was so hungry I just HAD to try a new Mexican restaurant for lunch!  Delicious!!!

Furrows and 4-Patch - DONE

I've finished this after the photo was taken -- had to purchase more quilting thread for the final border. I ended up NOT quilting the ribbon at all and like how it appears to be laying on the surface of the quilt.
And this is my pieced backing, having promised myself to use what I have, rather than buying NEW.

I may try cutting my backings at 10 1/2 inch or 12 1/2 inch squares from left over fabrics, and see if that type backing might be more attractive. But let's face it - ONE or two large NEW pieces are MUCH less work than piecing 48-64 squares for a backing ... (Elaine, be strong and stick with that plan!).