What is the name of this block?

Does anyone know the name of this block? I love the blending of a 4-patch and a half log cabin.

 

 

I work from home, which has it's pros and cons.  Today I'm counting a pro - because while I waited for a huge database to do it's weekly synchronization I went downstairs to sew.  I figured I had at least an hour, so I cut and sewed 2 more of these Christmas blocks.  And I cut some pieces to do a couple of reverse blocks.  This jelly roll has some light strips too, so I'm going to pair those up with a red or green solid.  And hopefully this afternoon when I finish today's invoices I can go back down and sew a few more of these.

 

Check out what others are working on at Linky Tuesday: http://www.conniekresin.com/2017/11/linky-party-tuesday-november-7th.html

Decorating the dungeon

We moved into this house almost 12 years ago, and my husband promised me nice bookcases in the basement family room from the beginning.  The family room is a huge, long room that I often refer to as "the dungeon".  At one end is the pool table and a comfy seating area. But the other end has my husband's office.  Notice the big putting green on the floor?

 

Today my bookbases were delivered and set up.  I think I've been more than patient, don't you.  And this afternoon we spent some time unpacking some of the things that will go on the new shelves.  

Notice the train across the top and in the top center shelf?  These are actually Jim Beam bottles. My dad was a big collector and my husband inherited the collection in 1990 when my dad passed away. But we've never had a place to show them off.  There are 8 more pieces that make up another train, but these are the ones we decided to showcase.  

 

It will take me some time to decide what else will end up in these bookcases, but that is half the fun. The can of Pledge will go away and be replaced with something more decorative and interesting. But in the meantime this goes a long way to make this room much less like a dungeon.

Guild projects

Heartland Quilters Guild loves a good charity project. This afternoon we presented 54 fabric microwave hot pad bowls to a wonderful local fundraiser. The Empty Bowl luncheon has been a successful program to raise money to feed the hungry. People come to the luncheon and buy soup in a bowl they get to keep, plus they can also purchase a microwave bowl shaped hot pad.  The local high school art students make most of the pottery bowls.  The culinary program at Mitchell Technical Institute makes the bread. And for the past 2 years our guild has made and donated the microwave hot pads that are shaped perfectly to hold a bowl. 

In the photo, our president Gwen and secretary Evelyn present the hot pads to Mrs Shannon, the art teachers whose students make the pottery bowls. What a positive experience for everyone involved.

Oh look - a squirrel

I'm like a dog on a leash, walking along the path - when suddenly it sees a squirrel in the woods. And it's off chasing that squirrel.  My squirrel today was the leftover jelly roll laying on my cutting table. I dug into it for one of the Christmas stockings, and it was calling to me. Too cute to just put into the Christmas drawer.  I bought the jelly roll (Greetings by Kaye England for Wilmington Prints) at Missouri Star Quilt Co when I was there in August, and then a friend gave me some 2.5" squares from the same line. I used the squares, plus some of the jelly roll in the first stocking. 

The quilt block was something I saw online this week and have no idea what it's called.  No sizes were given either, so I just did the math for a 12" finished block and an 8" finished block. The Christmas blocks are the 8".  And the blue and white block below is a 12" block.  I'm thinking the 12" block may be perfect for a future Quilt of Valor.  I dug into the scraps for this one.  It is such an easy block - made with 4-patches, and half log cabins.  I love it - but I also need to finish those darn Christmas stockings before I get too carried away. 

Short bursts of energy

 

It seems like lately I just haven't had many chances to spend time in my sewing room. More hours at work and other events just take precedence sometimes.  I've been procrastinating with the Christmas stockings that I need to make.  Yesterday afternoon was finally my time!

 

Two of the stocking bodies are pieced and quilted and ready for their cuffs - after I embroider some names on them.  A third stocking has the front quilted, and it's pinned to the back. Maybe this afternoon I'll get back down there for long enough to put that one together. Then I still have one more to make before setting up that embroidery module on my machine and tackling the names.

Design Wall Monday - Abiding Faith

My design wall Monday project includes moving some quilts around in my house.  What's on your design wall today?  Check out others at: http://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/

 

This little finish has me quite frustrated. It's Abiding Faith, another beautiful mini by Kim Diehl, and I got it quilted and bound over the weekend, but it isn't going to be a favorite - because of the rippled borders. I measured over and over again and everything was fitting perfectly, until I quilted it. Obviously my quilting stretched the borders, or maybe the grid quilting in the center pulled it too much.  Either way, 2 of those borders wave a lot.  The lantern is actually sitting on the worst one to hold it down. 

 

So it's now folded and tucked into the painted sewing machine drawer that holds many of my Kim Diehl mini quilts. It looks fine there. 

 

 

Another Sunday afternoon project was using up more of the apples my cousin brought me from Minnesota.  I haven't made an apple pie in years, but this turned out really yummy.

And while I was moving quilts around I thought I would show you another Kim Diehl mini quilt.  This is one of my favorites and from this year's Simple Whatnots series.  It makes the house look so cozy and welcoming. 

Procrastination

I've had all spring and summer to make the 4 Christmas stockings I need for my second daughter's family.  But here it is almost November and I'm just starting to put some ideas together. Do you procrastinate like this too?  The 2.5" squares need to be rearranged yet, but I think this will be the foundation of the first stocking front.