Toffee Apple

I was going to submit this to the Tri State quilt show, but it's not big enough. I've seen smaller quilts in that show, I bet they would take it, but completing the quilt is enough for me today.

The neutral is great, a very forgiving traditional pattern. Should have bought 6 yards. I think I bought 1 1/2 yards. It wasn't there when I went back for more! I switched gears seamlessly (as in I adapted and didn't let it slow me down) but if I find it again I'm buying as much as I can. It's a staple.

This year I'm trying to get rid of old ideas so I can push the envelop with new ones. I find log cabin quilts very therapeutic when I'm overwhelmed or when I want direction without a plan. They are more reliable than my Lover, and I can never get enough of them. After a particularly manic log cabin run, I often quit, swearing I'm done forever. Then I'm back. They are my drug. Pure and simple. I used to feel guilty, now I don't. They are a good platform for creative development.

I had red scraps I'd been saving (for a long time). I cut them into 1 inch strips. Log cabins work because there is so much potential for real drama while being resourceful and "using what you have". I chose the tan because traditionally, log cabins were a red square in the middle with browns and creams. They've been recreated a million ways but that's the tradition. The center square in this quilt is an off white paisley print.

TRIVIA: In the movie WITNESS, Harrison Ford's bed while he recovered among the Amish was covered in a log cabin quilt. Solid blue and gray with a black center.

I thought I could plan this one. I counted out 72 blocks. I quickly realized I wouldn't be able to finish (not enough tan). So I finished 48. 8 blocks by 6 blocks.

My 9 year old said, "It's kinda boring, Mom". Yes. Kinda boring, but the red is still so exciting, and unexpected. The tan lets the red dance. I prefer the zig zag setting. I had it laid out with four Vs connecting in the center, but this reminded me of a video game character. Pac Man or a space invader so I switched it up. My daughter also preferred the symetrical setting.

I'M BACK

What happened was this. It was a crazy Spring. And an even Crazier summer, I threw myself into sewing and then my machine broke. It broke 1/2 way through the sewing this quilt top:

I had over two yards of the background fabric, and I had it for over four years. It was one of the first expensive (designer, quilt store) fabrics I bought. Excellent quality, but it when I picked it up and looked at it, no spark. Maybe I just didn't want to cut it, but it was time to set it free. I like stars, because they are a committment, mathwise - takes alot of concentration to prepare before sewing, especially if they are scrappy. But stars are very versatile - a vintage block with lots of appeal. So I make myself use this fabric, I'm ready to put it all together, and the machine breaks. Irreparably. I was without sewing machine maybe five weeks. It was rough.

I spent fall preparing for craft fairs and creating inventory. Now I am trying to push through projects that I was stuck with or wanted to try. To start with, this Grandmother's Fan quilt has been waiting the longest. I collected the fabrics at least 8 years ago. I had the templates cut out 6 or 7 years ago. I pieced the fans together four years ago. I did not have the skill to complete it back then. I cut the inside arc and background sometime early last year and I made the blocks first week in January. I learned alot for next time. The colors match the living room in my parent's mountain house. There are two different green colored arcs - I will try to get a better picture of this. Scrappy but deliberate. Right now it makes me a little dizzy but all together hanging from a beautiful loft railing, I think it will be stunning. I am hoping to get this into the Pennsylvania Quilt Show in September.