Log Cabin Star Table Topper

I went to my local quilt shop yesterday knowing we're expecting another snowstorm this weekend. I had received a gift of 12 batiks and knew what I wanted to make. I just needed a few colors for contrast. I don't really need to start a new project but I'm caught up on my BOMs, so figured what the heck!! This project should be quick. This picture is of 3 diamond log blocks. I like the effect of the fabrics. 

This is the pattern that I've had for years. I always wanted to make it but never had the time. I've been thinking of making a Log Cabin quilt but wanted a more modern version. I figured I could try this table topper and see if I enjoy the process. It should finish at 36.5" X 31.5". 

This is one diamond block. It's a log cabin quilt in 60 degree edges. I found the directions a little difficult but I think I'm catching on!!

I'm hoping this storm isn't too bad. When the storm is over, we have a high wind warning. I'm afraid we'll lose power. Ugh! This winter just doesn't want to stop! I'm definitely looking forward to Spring!!

Project Updates

I just finished Troubled Tomb from the Frightful Fun Block of the Month. It's all paper pieced and measures 12 X 18 finished. The hardest part for me was the grass. Those points are very thin and fine. I found them even hard to iron!

                                         

The Frightful Fun Mini is all sewn together. I just have to figure out how to quilt it. I'm finishing up this month's blocks for both of my BOMs before I even think about that! This measures 18" square when finished.

And I finished my Easter cross stitch project. I'll probably make it into a little wall hanging. The pattern is from the Spring 2024 issue of Just Cross Stitch. I just received the Spring 2025 issue and there's lots of great patterns in it too. I love the happy and bright Spring patterns. It's what you need during the long cold winter! It's been very snowy here and there are a few more storms on the way. I think I'll stay in and work on my projects!!

I Like Thursday #263

Welcome to a snowy I Like Thursday! A bunch of us bloggers post lots of likes every Thursday. You can link up to more blogs by visiting LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color. I'm certainly not going out today. It started snowing this morning around 8:30 and hasn't let up. It's supposed to snow all afternoon with a changeover to sleet and freezing rain. Indoors is much nicer!

I'm so excited that my Christmas Cactus has 2 blossoms! I bought this plant over a year ago and wasn't sure how well it was doing. It seems to be growing well and thriving! I'm not the best with plants but maybe that's changing!

I have finished the February blocks for the Laurel Ridge Block of the Month. I decided to make a pieced block instead of applique. I even ironed the seams in opposite directions which will make it easier to sew these blocks together. They measure 5.5" square.

The prompt this week is to name something exciting we've done. I think my decision to go away to college is the most exciting thing I've done. It changed my life. I became my own person and learned to rely on myself. I think it changed me and helped me to become who I am today. I still have friends who lived in my dorm. I think it was one of my better decisions in life!

Laurel Ridge BOM Alternate Blocks

 This is the alternate block I've been making for the Laurel Ridge BOM from The Quilt Show. The actual block in the quilt is an applique block. Since the blocks are only 5" finished, I didn't feel like attempting to applique 10 different pieces onto that small square. Barbara Black, who blogs at My Joyful Journey, is helping us through this project. She came up with a few alternate blocks for those of us who didn't want to applique. This block is one that she suggested. She made her version on Electric Quilt. She didn't give concrete directions so I went to Electric Quilt and made my own version! I haven't used Electric Quilt in ages but this was easy to figure out. I liked this block the best because the applique version looked like a circle and thought this had the same overall look.

I only need to make 12 blocks. They'll be sewn in groups of 3 similar to this photo. Barbara couldn't tell us if we'd have enough fabric in the kit to make these blocks so I went out and bought a few matching fabrics. The gold fabric would have been the background of the applique blocks so I felt I was safe to use it. The purple was also part of the kit. There wasn't very much of it so I think it was only supposed to be used for the applique. I bought the background as well as the 2 other colors and cornerstones. I've already made 6 so I only have 6 left. I heard we're making over 40 half square triangles next month. That doesn't sound too bad!

Paper Pieced Frightful Mini

 I finished the cat and bat blocks from the Frightful Minis project. They measure 6.5" square. It's only 9 blocks so it will be a nice little table topper. The cat wasn't too bad but that bat has a ton of seams that meet where those this black lines all intersect. I tried to iron that seam open but it wasn't easy. It was so thick!

Here's my progress so far. I only have 1 block left! It will finish at 18" square. This is a fun project and it helped me brush up on my paper piecing skills. It takes a while to get used to working from the back of the block!

Today was a great day to stay in and sew. We woke up to a few inches of snow. I'm so grateful that I'm not working anymore. I used to work every Saturday so I would have been out in the snow to get to work for 6AM. So nice to be retired!!

Alaska All Quilted!

 

Alaska is off the frame! The quilting is done! This is the most challenging quilting I've attempted. Most of this quilting design is from the HandiQuilter website. One of the educators showed how she used the design to come up with a quilting plan. I changed some of the designs. I love her use of feathers so I kept that. The border is a little different too. This is such a gorgeous quilt that I wanted the quilting to really show it off. I think I accomplished that!

The binding is all ready to be sewn. I'm going to try and get that done some time tomorrow. I just hope I can find the time to do it. 

Anyone else in New England feel the earthquake this morning?? It happened around 10:22am. I was sewing and thought it was a truck going by the house. When everything seemed to be rattling, I wasn't so sure it was a truck! Turns out it was an earthquake centered off the coast of Maine. I think it measured 3.8 on the Richter scale. Scary!

I Like Thursday #262

It's time for Thursday likes! Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more blogs. We had quite the snowstorm Sunday evening. We were supposed to get 4-8" and ended up with a little over 5". It hasn't melted at all. It's been too cold! I guess it will warm up but very slowly. Oh, well, it is January.

I finished my Spring cross stitch. Isn't it adorable?! I love the bees and butterflies. It made me feel better to work on something to remind me that Winter won't last forever! I still have to finish it. I'll probable make a little wall hanging out of it.

Here's my latest paper pieced mini block. It needs a good ironing but other than that, it's done! I have 3 more blocks to make to finish up the mini quilt.

I picked this up from my local quilt shop. They're sponsoring a quilt show in April. I think it's the only one in my area other than quilt guild shows. I'm hoping to go. It's so fun to see quilts and shop! I miss the bigger quilt shows we used to have.

That's it for me this week. Have a great weekend!!