Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Experiments with Pineapples and log cabins

HI all!! I paper pieced! Pat, are you watching this...I did this pineapple block. This is very representational of my stash, which is dwindling! That is a good thing! When I can't make up my mind what to do, I cut out quilts...and I have cut a log cabin, a pineapple quilt, and the one below too, a log cabin variation. A secret? I have about 20 quilts all cut out...ready to piece. Shhhh, don't tell a soul! Aren't you supposed to just have one going at a time? Hmmmm...



Another log cabin/pineapple variation. 1.5 inch strips of red and neutrals, and the black pieces are 2.5 inches. They are supposed to be 2.64 inch black squares according to my math, but I can't cut those, so I changed it to 2.5, and they are working out just fine.
This is finish, an old, old UFO, for Finn's UFO challenge. This is finish number 3. It has been hanging around for a lot of years, and I just gave up on making it the huge quilt, and just made a pillow. Hand quilted...and the sawtooth border hand appliqued. Great fun!!
Here is the middle...many years ago, I made this. Not perfect, but I like it!!


I will have little time to sew in the next weeks...but will try to keep up with the mystery quilt and do a little here and there. I am proud to say that the packages are wrapped!! Yippee!! This is pretty early for me....


Everyone, best wishes for a wonderful week!!


Julie

30 comments:

Karen said...

Awesome pineapple block!! I didn't paper piece mine, I used the pineapple ruler. Can't wait to see more :).

Deb said...

I just love your Pineapple block. I have wanted to do one of those for the longest time. They're great for reducing stash.

And I'll let you in on a little secret. I too have many quilts cut out. I don't know why I do that, but it's nice to know that you can work on them when you want to and not have to cut before you can sew.

Quilter Kathy said...

Great idea to turn a UFO into a pillow!
About all those projects already cut...I vote you as president of the "unable to resist starting new projects" club! I don't have any projects cut out waiting for me...I better get on the ball here!
How big is your pineapple block? I might be able to use up some tiny pieces with a project like that.

Libby said...

I keep threatening to make a pineapple quilt . . . . one of these days *S*

Linda said...

I love the top pineapple block! Gorgeous. Beautiful fabrics!

Lori said...

The packages are wrapped?! I don't even have a package to wrap yet...oh yeah, I have one.

Love all your version of a log cabin!! And the applique is cute too.

Loris said...

Wonderful pineapple block and I love, love, love the log cabin variation. Nice pillow too but you know we are all jealous now. You with finishes and your packages wrapped too...green, I'm green :-)

Amy said...

Julie,
How nice to have projects all cut out, ready to sew. I love your pineapple block and your red/black log cabin too.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic pineapple block!!! Love the color!!!

Leeanne said...

One quilt on the go.....ummmm, I think that is unrealistic for lovers of quilts and fabric....am I off the hook?
Love your pineapple block and your fabrics are soooo nice.

AnnieO said...

Love the pineapples! Managing scraps is not easy. You seem to find lots of ways to use those 1.5" strips, which is what I have a lot of just now. Congrats on your finish, that is a lovely pillow.

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, enjoyed reading your post and your experiments were inspirational....gorgeous...Hugs Lyn

Karen said...

I prefer to paper piece a pineapple block. I tried a ruler and did not have good luck.

Saska said...

Did you use a foundation for this block? I have a set of them that I need to finish....somewhere.

Is there a set number of quilts that we can only have cut out? I'm guilty of that too.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What great blocks!! I still haven't done any paper piecing - maybe it's time that I did. Your pillow is adorable.

House of Mouse said...

Dang girl I want to move near you...maybe I could actually grow up to be as great a quilter as you!


My best,

Anett

Elaine Adair said...

Oh my goodness - how I love that Pineapple Block, as well as the others, but the scrappiness of the PB is a perfect example of the value of our scraps, and using stash!!! LOVE them both and the 'regular' Log Cabin especially. Keep up the good/beautiful work!

Terry said...

Love your pineapple block! I want to try those someday! And good for you getting that UFO made into a pillow! :0)

Helen in the UK said...

Glad to see you're having fun! I particularly LOVE the red/black version - GORGEOUS :)

Finn said...

Awesome job Julie, on the finishes and on having some future quilts cut out. There is NO rule about doing or not doing that. If you know what you want to piece, it's brillant to cut for more than one quilt at time! I see you are using the traditional Pineapple. It looks similar to Bonnie's Pineapple Blossom, but more round and more work. Both are just awesome colors! You just go, go, go girl...you can't have too many "quilt kits"! Hugs, Finnie

Floss said...

I love the pillow. I think this is a great idea for finishing off UFOs.

beth said...

love that pineapple block! SOMEDAY I'm going to make a pineapple quilt!

Kim said...

okay this is my first visit to your blog and I love your string quilt as your header.......I copied your blog url and put it over at Quiltvillechat so everyone can come to your blog and have a peek at it.
Lovely work! We are all busy making string blocks for a mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter :0).
Oh and I have a paper pieced pineapple that I have been working on for 10 years.....its like a little keepsake of all the other projects I have done with its tiny pieces of scraps sewn together :0).
Happy sewing

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE log cabin quilts!

Your pineapple block is awesome! I would love to do the pineapple, but I don't know about paper piecing (never done it before). It seems intimidating. ;-)

I'm glad I found your blog ... and am your newest follower. ;-)

Pat said...

Loving looking at all your beautiful quilts - the quilt in your header photo is just GORGEOUS!

and no....I haven't a clue where RRCB is going,but it sure is fun!

Potpourri said...

Julie I left a comment on your blog about your patients family. I hope you see it.
I love the string quilt and the setting on your blogs maun page. It is striking.
Cheers

Texan said...

Really like your scrappy pineapple block! I have that foldy stuff pineapple block pattern. I want to do it scrappy too! Maybe I should start that :O), um no I have not finished my Dresden Plate, or my Jacobs Tears or my Great Pumpkin LOL.. but well you know how it is :O)...

Quilts And Pieces said...

One at a time.... Bahhhh haaa haaa haaa. I don't think so!

Deanna said...

One at a time? Really? I don't think so. If we were meant to work on only one project at a time why do we have 10 fingers? (OK--s the logic might not be sound, but I use the excuse anyway)

Karen said...

I am not going to go count but I have a bunch of quilts cut out for piecing or prepped for applique. Always something new tugging at my interest.

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...