Curved log cabin

I have finally progressed far enough on my retreat project, a curved log cabin, to post photos. I got this pattern from the book Blendable Curves by Peggy Barkle.

I first had to construct 21 red log cabin blocks and 21 white log cabin blocks. After each complete round the blocks were squared, but only on one side so there were skinny logs and wide logs. (click photos for larger view)




One red and one white block were stacked aligning the wide logs on the red block with the wide logs on the white block. The two blocks were cut through both layers at once with a random curve. Here the 2 blocks have been separated but you can see they were cut together.






Then one side of the red block was sewn to the opposite side of the white block and visa versa resulting in 2 new blocks.



Here are 4 blocks showing one potential setting.



It has been a fun project but sewing all those log cabin blocks got a little tedious. I'm glad I'm getting to the fun part now.

Is it today or tomorrow?

Craig is turning 37 either today or tomorrow depending on how you look at it.

He was born in Scotland on April 11th at 3:10 a.m. Because of the time difference between the UK and the US, when Jerry called family here in the states to let them know Craig had arrived safely it was still April 10th. To this day my brother jokes that since Craig is an American citizen he should celebrate his birthday on American time.

Here he is on his first birthday. He's still as cute as he was way back then.

Back from retreat

I just spent 4 great days at the beach with my quilting friends. The weather was fantastic and the walks on the beach were a joy. This is the best time of year here in Charleston.

Our sewing room was an explosion of fabric (and snacks!). These photos show the view from my corner of the room. Those black strap things you see several of the women wearing are designed to ease back pain. You can learn about them by clicking here.

(click photos for larger view)





There were six people working on the same pattern - a Monterrey Medallion. Each picked out her own color combination so the quilts all have a different feel. There is a lot of piecing involved in the pattern so each quilt is still in process.

Here's Sheila's on the design wall.



Virginia used brighter colors for hers.


Karen used the same white fabric as the entire background in hers.


Frances loves blue and it's obvious in her quilt.


Betsy used a soft color palette like Sheila did.


I somehow missed getting a photo of Joanne's. She used a soft pink and brown color palette. You might be able to see some of the fabric she used as she is ironing it.




It's a group project getting each quilt up on the design wall!



Not everyone was working on the Monterrey Medallions.

Janice and Cindy were each working on a red and white quilt. This is Janice's.



Cindy's never made it to the design wall. Perhaps this is why?


Evelyn was working on hand quilting her horse quilt. It has been a long lasting project for her but she refuses to start anything new until she finishes this.



Maureen worked on this cute Scotty Dog quilt.


The other Janice did this great paper pieced project.


I didn't get photos of Marcie's work but she was doing some blocks of the month from way back in 2005.


I also didn't get photos of my projects. One didn't get far enough for photos and the other main project I worked on is TOP SECRET so photos can't be posted.

As always we had a great time and are already planning our next retreat!

Retreating

The TTT gang is going on retreat starting Monday. We go to Camp St. Christopher located on Seabrook Island - one of Charleston's barrier islands.

Everyone brings her own projects to work on and we spend the days sewing and laughing. Several members(but not me) plan to work on a pattern called Monterey Medallion.



I've packed up 4 different projects to take with me although I know I won't get to all of them. Have to have a variety just in case I get bored with what I'm doing.

We leave Monday morning and it looks like the weather will be beautiful so I anticipate a lot of beach walks.