Opposities

This week has been all about opposites.

 These guys really are the opposites.

Don't you think?

I've worked on two projects this week.

One was "putting together"

and one was "taking apart".

Earlier this year,

 Dawn Heese of Linen Closets Designs 

began a series of little fusible wool baskets,

which were super cute.

 This week I finally got all the stitching done,

 and began putting them together,

into a table runner.

I used a Robert Kaufman

yarn dyed cotton called Manchester

as the sashing.

It worked perfectly with the Kaufman

Essex I had used for the background of the baskets.

 I know the runner looks a little weird like this,

but I wanted all the baskets facing in.

It does look good on the table.

And it is all "put together".

Then I was also doing the opposite 

on my second project,

which is a big job of "take apart".

A couple of months ago I was given

60 antique 30's blocks

put together like this.

Now I've begun the labor intensive

job of taking them all apart so

 they'll eventually fit together.

The challenge has come from the fact

the original sewer

set her machine for about 16 - 20 stitches per inch

 

and when the needle came to multiple seams,

it stayed put, but kept on sewing.  

Here's what the back looks like on most blocks.

So I've been slowing taking everything apart,

pressing and remarking the seams for

hand piecing.

I had to make the blocks a bit smaller 

because the sewing machine needle

 caused the fabric to be perforated and fragile.

 

This original block actually came together 

surprising well.  It just isn't the same size as 

my do over blocks.

I'm hoping soon, I'll be at the fun part of

"putting together" rather than the

"taking apart".

Until Next Time-
 Kyle

Visitng the Southwest

 Running Man and I

have been on a road trip

to Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico.

It's one of our favorite places to go 

in the fall and is about a
7 hour drive south.

We stayed in two lovely casitas

which were part of

vacation rentals by owners (VRBO).

 Casita in Santa Fe

Taos

 Casita in Taos.

Our little get aways always gives us

the opportunity

explore new places

like the Rio Grande Gorge,

or ponder the abstract.

Visiting the Southwest
gives you a chance to
enjoy the unique architecture,

learn more about the culture,

do some shopping,

enjoy the spicy colors and flavors,

and have breakfast New Mexican style,

 Griddled Polenta with chorizo, corn and red chili.

This year we did something totally unique.

This mama

took a llama to lunch.
Loki and me

There was no drama
with our llamas

only a day full of fun.
(Running Man and Diego)

Our hike took us
up in the mountains
where the aspens were pure gold

 against the western blue sky.

Our 5 mile round trip
included a gourmet lunch
in a beautiful mountain meadow.

Everything was packed in by our new
sure footed friends.

When we got back
everyone was smiling,

Loki

Diego and Picchu
but especially,

Bucky.

Until Next Time-
Kyle

I've Been A Log Cabin Loonie For A While

 When Running Man and I 

were first married 43 years ago,

we lived out in the Piceance Basin in 

northwestern Colorado.
This was our home,

 a little green log cabin.

We were here for 3 months,
while he did his research for his master's degree.

 Julie's Log Cabin Loonies

made me think of that cabin so long ago

and the different log cabin quilts 

that I've made over the years.

So if you'll indulge me,

let me share those with you.

Despite the fact that Eleanor Burns 

first published her 

Quilt in a Day Log Cabin book

in 1978

I didn't make my first log cabin quilt until 1987.

It was a circular log cabin and
was constructed with
paper pieced pattern designed

by June Ryker of Colorado.

 It was a challenge

 but rewarding to make.

I love remembering the popular
color scheme of the time,

country blue and mauve.

I sold the quilt to a local dentist

who had it hanging in his office.

The following year, 1988,

with the same popular color scheme,

I made this log cabin with the 

traditional barn raising layout.

I sold this one as well.

In 1990

I was enjoying the folk art designs of the

Red Wagon gals,

Gerry Kimmel Carr, Linda Brannock,

and Jan Patek.

The courthouse steps border

was perfect using
Roberta Horton's plaids.

2001 found me crazy

for the Buggy Barn girls

and their Crazy Log Cabin.

Their stack, slice and shuffle method

was a fun way to get the scrappy look without

too much effort.

In October, 2004
I was heading to Bennington, Kansas

for a Quilt Getaway with the talented

Lynn Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles.

 I bought her current line of fabric

 and spent the weekend 

 happily cutting and sewing.

In 2014

I purchases this wonderful

red and white antique log cabin.

It was the perfect combination

of a red and white quilt and 

a sunshine and shadows log cabin layout. 

Then, of course, this year

there was Strawberries and Chocolate

The Log Cabin pattern is an old and beloved

design and 

I'm sure there is still one or two more

that I'll have to make.
How many have you made?

Until Next Time-
Kyle