What was GSQ's BOM for September ultimately became my October mini :)
It's called Spiral Log Cabin. The fabric requirements were white, white on white, or white with black pattern; black, black on black, or black with white pattern. The white/black print was Natalie's :)
I can't tell you how long I'd been saving these fabrics but my guess is at least 20 years. It was back when I was trying to transition from cutting individual squares to sewing strips that were cut and stitched into checkerboards. Unfortunately, I never found a use for them--that is, until now. Finally!
I did have to take apart the checkered strips to make the border. But it still needed something else so I added a little dog :)
Wow, the stripes on the back are actually in line with the binding, lol! The finished quilt is 19" x 19".
Lately, I've been using the same binding fabric to frame the label. I think it's a nice finishing touch.
I see Wendy's posted her fantastic mini. Take a look!
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Copyright 2018, Barbara Schaffer
It's time to tackle the overflowing scrap bins!
I've got some new projects in the works :)
With a medallion quilt in mind I started making these blocks for one of the outer borders but wasn't happy with the way they turned out. They may end up as a small quilt.
This is my second try. I'm using large prints in 2" strips with 9-patches in the centers. Certainly a busy look but I like them so much better. The finished blocks are 6".
I also wanted to make something quick and easy with all the strips I have in my scrap bins. I downloaded this pattern on Etsy. It's Saranac by Karen Griska. I knew it was the one for me!
I swapped out the 16-patches as the starting point and substituted 4-patches instead. I already had a supply of 2" squares.
These are so easy to make. I began by using scrap strips according to their varying widths but am leaning more toward consistency and cutting them all 1-1/2". The key is to alternate dark/light/dark. My finished block size is 10".
And wouldn't you know . . .
Our guild's November BOM is 'Diagonal Sticks.' It's string pieced on a foundation that's 9" x 13." Another fun one to make!
Have a great week!
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Copyright 2018, Barbara Schaffer
Oh what fun! Antebellum #9 Lexington Belle is done :)
I made this block in memory of my maternal 2nd gr-grandfather, Johan Heinrich Friedrich Strubbe, who was b. June 28, 1819 in Harpenfeld, Germany.
I found this wonderful bird inking on Pinterest . . .
. . . and used it for the center of this block.
About 8 years ago when I was researching my Strubbe ancestors, I had a pleasant surprise when I found a Post 'Em Note on my Another Davis Family Tree on RootsWeb. It was from Anke Waldeman in Germany. She and some other researchers were tracking families who had emigrated from Harpenfeld to the U.S. and provided me with names and dates of my 2nd gr-grandfather's siblings and parents. Johan never came to the U.S. but some of his children did including my gr-grandfather Heinrich Wilhelm aka William Henry Strubbe.
My journey led me to the graves of relatives who were buried in a cemetery only 5 minutes from our house. Who knew?? And I met a 3rd cousin who was a descendant of Eleanor Strubbe, my gr-grandfather's sister. When I was done (though never really done, lol!) I gave my brother a binder with all the info I had gathered.
On another note I continue to make Dear Daughter blocks (Sentimental Stitches) and try to focus on those that were originally made in NJ.
Oops! Not NJ but I liked the pattern :)
Originally made by Ann F. Randolph, New Market, NJ and "Peased" in Wisconsin Fulton Co. 1850.
And this was originally made by Elizabeth Dunham, Piscataway, NJ 1852. I'm still enjoying these small appliques. The blocks are 8".
Lastly . . .
Our guild's October BOM was called Birch Block. It was super simple to make. Three striped strips on a bright solid color background. I turned it in at Monday night's meeting but didn't win the raffle. Some lucky person got all 37!
Have a great week!
P.S. Is anyone else not receiving emails when comments are posted? I noticed it yesterday.
Copyright 2018, Barbara Schaffer
We're up in the north country for some leaf peeping and fun activities.
Out for an early morning walk.
Sunrise looking west . . .
. . . and sunrise looking east.
On to Sugar House Creamery where cheeses are handmade and aged in an underground cave.
And look at the pumpkins around the silos at Asgaard Farm & Dairy known for its award-winning goat cheese.
Meet Hazel :)
On the back roads the foliage was beautiful . . .
. . . especially at Franklin Falls where my daughter and I had paddled a few years ago.
We rode the Adirondack-themed Carousel in Saranac Lake . . .
. . . where all the animals (24 of them) were made by carvers both local and from across the country.
The fox was a favorite.
And so was the otter :)
Driving through the 'Notch' . . .
. . . the scenery was spectacular.
A hay bale 'snow' man.
The view at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area was the end to a perfect outing :)
Thanks for coming along!
Happy Fall!
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Copyright 2018, Barbara Schaffer
Last weekend Renee and I spent an afternoon visiting local historic sites in NJ that were open to the public free of charge.
First stop was the Little Red Schoolhouse in Florham Park. It was constructed in 1866 and expanded in 1905. It's on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
A portion of the interior was set up to depict a school room.
Quilts were displayed on racks in between the large windows.
This one, in particular, caught my eye. The label states the quilt was made c. 1850 by Mrs. Jesse Keys, Sr., mother of the first mayor, Jesse Keys.
Check out these fabrics including my all-time favorite, Prussian Blue.
Across the way were a few more quilts and the one in the middle was really interesting.
Love the squiggly fabric and the turkey red.
The Silas Riggs Saltbox House in Ledgewood was moved to its present location at Drakesville Historic Park in 1962.
Going from room to room we saw a Carpenter's Wheel on a rope bed . . .
. . . and a Log Cabin on a rack against the wall.
Another Log Cabin was in the upstairs bedroom.
A Bicentennial Quilt was prominently displayed on the way out.
And here's a block of that little Saltbox House.
Next door is the c. 1827 King Store which provided food staples to boat crews along the Morris Canal. It was also the post office, polling place and general store. No quilts in here just an interesting building that is being restored.
Another gem is the King House Museum which features period furnishings and two exhibit rooms on the first floor.
In 1935 English artist, James Marland, painted a mural on four walls in the dining room. The upstairs rooms were not open due to ongoing restoration.
All in all it was a fun afternoon!
Have a great week!
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Copyright 2018, Barbara Schaffer
