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? 

Something from Nothing

I recently purchased Creative Grids 6 inch Log Cabin trimming ruler, wondering if it would tidy-up small log cabins blocks, and help avoid the stretching narrow logs out of shape.  I wanted to clean up left-over strips in a tote and decided to make a small Log Cabin Quilt.  I pulled the blues and turquoises, and the lights, then found a RED in the fabric drawer.  That turquoise just glared back at me, just DARING me to use it, but .....it MIGHT work. Yes, that ruler DID tidy up the logs.  These logs finish at 3/4 inch, the block finishes at 6 inch. 

I had faith ..... 

Not bad!  This might be my new Best Favorite!!!  I call it "Something from Nothing."  It finishes up at 53" x 59".   

Today I am piecing batting bits together, and then will piece backing bits.  Frugal!!! - See Mom, I eventually did learn from you and Grandma!  The entire amount spent will be $0.00. 

Heritage Days, 2016

Many of our local quilters loaned quilts to First National Bank in town, to dress up the bank for one week, for Heritage Days, an annual summer event.  I use these photos so that next year, I'll remember which quilts I loaned - heaven forbid any duplications!  LOL  This particular event is sponsored by local DAR ladies. Yes, that is my Cowboy Up (blues) and Mom's Grandmother's Flower Garden.  Carol's checked Sailing on right. 

Several are mine.  They are on the second floor, above teller area, hanging over the railing.

Carol's Pineapple in upper left, above - a stunner!  Jody's log cabin is next to hers.  Patchwork Jackets are hanging over the log cabin.

Jody's on left - I forgot the name.  My Pineapple Spool on right.

 My split 9-Patch (Bank One) on left.  Anita's lovely green and rose in center. 

 My Chimney's and Cornerstones, ala recut and trimmed.  Hard to recognize what I started with!

 Jody's twisting pinwheel (not sure of name?)   I really HAVE to make one of these!

Not sure of maker, but so pretty!

Kathy's vintage Dresden plate.

A good day at the Quilt Show

I put 3 quilts in the Oregon Trails Quilt Show hoping one would get some recognition. 

This was my Mother's quilt a Grandmother's Flower Garden, she made at age 21, living in Chicago in 1936-37 while awaiting her first child, my sister Kristin.  Many of the charming fabrics were probably given to her by a sister-in-law, my Aunt Kate, who had 2 little girls at the time and lived nearby.  This is the quilt that laid unused for many, many years on a wood shelf ("save it for good!") , and when it came to me, as the only quilter, we discovered with horror that the wood acids had eaten clear through the center fold lines.  I kept it for another 15 years before having courage to repair it, only to discover that the repair s were not nearly as difficult as I had imagined.  This is a Second Place.  The white sheet on the bottom is a printed story of the quilt history.  I'll sew it on the back now as a label.

This is "Cowboy Up", a large quilt, a version of Tumalo Trails.  I added that border and learned new methods to machine quilt on the wide light blue border.  The dark blue is a plaid, a used man's shirt given to me by a friend.  It worked perfectly with the numerous 9 patches that I had made casually, with no purpose, "using up some little strips of fabric".  This is Second Place.

This is a recent finish that I call Pineapple Spools, added to the show at the last minute only as something of interest.  I was astonished to see it was given a First Place.  (That purple on the bottom of the picture is a back from another quilt hanging behind it. )

A good day in Western Nebraska, with 104 degree heat outside! 

For more info on Washing Machines.

If you would like to read more about the "new" washing machines, and issue of no hot water, Google this:  "New washing machines in US., EPA restriction on water temp."  All thanks to our political leaders who most likely, don't wash their own laundry. 

Hang onto your old machine if you can. 

Pineapple, Border, My Blue Heaven

(I am almost over my Washing Machine Rant (previous post), feeling almost recovered from feeling like an ignorant fool for getting cheated by the industry, and EPA.  I just hope the next person considering a washing machine will be informed.)
+++++++++++++

Here is my finished Pineapple top - this is the second Pineapple I've done in last few months - OK, I'm obsessed!  Note there are 2 separate blocks in this version.  Contrary to general opinion, this is NOT a difficult block at all, IF you use one of the wonderful rulers available.  The border was 3 separate strips, each one slightly wider, resulting in corners that look like an extension of the blocks.  It's 72" x 80".  Tomorrow, off to my LQS for batting. 

If the centers are all light, the entire quilt has a lighter appearance.  I LOVE the spool-like features at the corners.

I've used this border on another Pineapple quilt (below, years old, and PP'ed) - it seems exactly what was needed for a border.

New subject -- below is a photo of blocks I've saved for years, kinda remembering it came from Bingo Bonnie's blogspot.  Thank you Bingo Bonnie for this inspiration!  I've lost track of her blog - but I STILL love this block.  She calls it My Blue Heaven, not to be confused with Quiltville version of the same name, but slightly different.   It's on my To-Do list -- isn't it the perfect scrap project?  I have several baskets of 2 1/2 in. HSTs, knowing I can use them ... soon I hope.