I am so thrilled to be participating in the "My Favorite Quilt Block" blog hop and that you are here. I offer many thanks to Carla Henton over at Creatin' In The Sticks for organizing the fun.
I'll jump right in and say that my favorite block is the Log Cabin block.
It is versatile and can be laid out in a wide variety of patterns to offer a different look. Here are a few samples of log cabin quilts that I have made.
The first log cabin quilt I made was a California King sized that was commissioned. It was early in my "quilting endeavors" and my stash was very limited so I had to purchase (aw, darn, right?) fabric for it.
I used the same layout a few years later in the "For the Love of Log Cabins" that was a Bonnie Hunter Scrap Addict pattern in the Quiltmaker magazine.
It was after this quilt that I then started to play in my scrap bin and make wonky log cabins...
I have many more log cabin quilts that I could share, but I'll get to the project specifically for this hop...
As I planned for the wall hanging that I wanted to make I realized that my love for log cabins is tied to my childhood and when I discovered the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder...
That first book "Little House in the Big Woods" captured my attention and I remember quickly reading all of the books in the series. The stories of Pa and his playing the fiddle in the evening... how Ma used fresh, clean snow and molasses and sugar to make candies for Christmas treats.
I decided that a log cabin scene made of log cabin blocks was called for.
I started with finding a photo to use as my inspiration and pattern...I cropped it down and gridded it out so that it would be my pattern and guide for colors and values of the blocks...
I pulled out my scrap bin... funny thing about that scrap bin... even though I continue to pull and use scraps from it, it never seems to get any emptier! Just how DOES that happen?
As my blocks took place upon my design wall both my husband and mom asked "what is it?" **sigh**
Really? They couldn't see it...
I persevered... I kept thinking that the meadow and mountains and quilting would help define it.
It is a little abstract-ish.. and the quilting didn't really help define much... unless you look closely.
I put clouds in the sky areas...
logs, a door and windows on the cabin...
I defined the roof with metal roofing (common in our area because of the severe hail storms that can occur)...
bricks on the chimney and smoke coming out of the chimney
There are flowers and grass in the meadow
and rugged lines on the mountains...
Despite the abstract look, I like it! It is 24" x 36" - a great size for a wall hanging. And while it is not all that I hoped it would be, it was a great challenge and lesson for me in color selection and color placement. I could have adjusted the mountain range (probably should have, but I was running short on time) so that it doesn't look like an extension of the roof...
BUT, I mean, not all log cabins are perfect either! It is not the house (or the setting) that makes a home...
My love for log cabin blocks will continue... as will my love for all things Laura Ingalls Wilder. Here is a yummy honey nut biscuit that is "Little House" inspired. It is one of our breakfast favorites! Note: By using Einkorn flour I am able to enjoy them as a gluten-free food. It is, however, NOT wheat free. So for those that are wheat intolerant or suffer with celiac, sorry! But for everyone else...Enjoy!
Tell me, is there a favorite childhood book or series that you still love as an adult?
Stay Piece-ful,
Melva
Be sure to visit the other bloggers to see what their favorite blocks are!
Monday, September 9th
Tuesday, September 10th
Wednesday, September 11th
Thursday, September 12th
Friday, September 13th
What a cool quilt you made. So fun to follow your thoughts as you made it. I also love log cabin, so many ways to use it. Have a nice week! Greetings from Norway.
ReplyDeletePretty quilts. The log cabin block is so versatile. What a box of scrap fabrics. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThat is a work of art. I love it. Thanks for taking the time to explain your design process and inspiration. Several months ago I was in a Used Items shop and tripped over a few Nancy Drew books that I had to pick up and reread. Such wonderful memories of library trips with my mom.
ReplyDeleteI like your log cabin quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour log cabin quilts are all amazing, but the "abstract" one is really special! What a great idea to use a photo for the basis of the design, and then recreate it with log cabin blocks. Really cool!
ReplyDeleteI've never made a log cabin block (gasp) but seeing your quilts makes me want to jump in and make one. I love the idea behind your cabin and I think it turned out quite lovely. Using a photo was a great way to create it. Thank you for sharing your favorite block and inspiring me to give that log cabin block a try.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I love how you used the photo for you inspiration. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteYour log cabin blogs are beautiful. Not my favorite block. Love the abstract one. I loved the Little House on the Prairie series, though I didn't read that one until I had 2 daughters. I did love Nancy Drew though
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are lovely and the cabin mini was very clever. I've never made a log cabin quilt but have played with ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous log cabin you created...well along with all the rest, but that cabin log cabin is really cool! Great vision!
ReplyDeleteI love the Little House books too! Farmer Boy ties with Little House in the Big Woods though. I struggle making the visions in my head come to light in my quilts, I also recently experienced the "What is it?" moment... good job on your wall hanging! I totally get mountain scene from it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite series is the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, my sister and I were just having a long conversation about it at Monday Night Football last night!
Brandy
I love log cabin blocks and love all your variations. Log cabins and HSTs do the same thing - infinite patterns it seems. I do love the mount landscape.
ReplyDeleteNow that is just too unique! You're so creative! I made one log cabin quilt, and we still use it. I read all of the Little House books in school, and as an adult. I loved the show too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to make a log cabin!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts! Your cabin quilt may not have turned out as you wished but it was a learning experience and we all have those. I enjoyed so many books when I was young and have many favorites. I read the Little House series to my own kids as they were growing up.
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest little log cabin house! LOVE it! Clever you using log cabin blocks to create it! And thank you for the recipe. It looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt turned out great! I love the log cabin block too. I have enjoyed re-reading The Secret Garden many times. I still have the childhood book that my parents gave me when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the Little House series of books. I read the Anne of Green Gables series only recently and enjoyed them so much. Don't know how I missed them as a child.
ReplyDeleteLove your cabin what an awesome idea. I was a Tolkein fan as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI just adore this quilt! I think it's perfectly wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing how you designed it. That was a great plan, and it worked out so well. I, too, love log cabins, of course. I played with Lincoln Logs a lot as a child. I don't know if that accounts for it or not, but I would like to at least have log cabin siding on my house. LOL Never happen here in the city, sadly.
ReplyDeleteSUCH A NEAT QUILT! THANKS FOR SHARING!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I loved the book about the Little Taxi that could get you there. Don't remember the exact title. Another was the story about the 12 princesses who wore out there shoes dancing every night. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love Laura Ingalls Wilder's books and log cabin is my favorite block!!! I love your Log Cabin Log Cabin!! I totally saw it and now I want to make one too!
ReplyDeleteNancy Drew and The Hardy Boys were my favorites. Now I watch the old Columbo movies. lol No time to read, unless they are quilt books and online newsletters! Sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea to use a photo as your inspiration and draw grid lines to make a quilt! Your quilt turned out so well!
ReplyDeleteAh, the classic log - great for using up (or trying to) those strings and bits. And so many settings as well.
ReplyDeleteA Log Cabin Cabin Quilt ... very inspired! I still enjoy reading the Little House series from time to time. Thank you for the inspiring quilt and the yummy looking recipe ... :-) Pat
ReplyDeleteNow that is one creative log cabin creation! Very clever, Melva! I have always wanted to make a log cabin quilt but haven't done one of my own yet. I was curious what size strips you normally use in yours or does it vary?
ReplyDeleteI loved Little House, and Nancy Drew books, and think your quilt is awesome. It looks great, and it was a great idea. I love the Log Cabin block, too.
ReplyDeleteMelva, I think your log cabin little house is darling! A brilliant idea, and you can separate the mountains from the house with the quilting. I got hooked on Little House as a kid, and my parents even named one of my sisters Laura at that time. Now my own daughters have watched all the reruns and love it too.
ReplyDeleteThat turned out so nicely! and so clever!
ReplyDeleteThe log cabin is my favorite block. I just love your log cabin block, log house.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite series from childhood, but I have a fav. book. Animal stories, little golden books. My brother gave it to me when I started school.
I'm blown away by the creativity required to me your quilt for the Hop!! I've made two Log Cabin quilts and really can't fathom making another. You SEW Erick the pattern!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Little House books as a young child. I also loved the Anne of Green Gables series, Nancy Drew, The Borrowers and The Chronicles of Narnia. I love your log cabin! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, love the log cabin with log cabin blocks!! So pretty! I do love the log cabin block too... I have love the little house books since I was a child - funny, just blogged about them recently! Thanks for sharing all this lovely log cabin inspiration! xx
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I always think it would be a good challenge to make a quilt that echos a photo, and yours is wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - that is just so cool! Your log cabin log cabin is amazing! I really like how you could turn that photo into a quilt!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother log cabin lover!! And I really love that log cabin made of log cabin blocks! Such a great idea. Thanks for sharing, Melva!
ReplyDeleteWe raised seven sons with vivid imaginations and reading was always a part of our day. At the end of the day I would sit in the hallway between bedrooms and read to them. They especially loved "Where the Wild Things Are" and an old book from my grandmother that was page after page of poetry and a few very, funny limericks. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI loved that series of books too, Mother had found just the book series that even little baby Jean could appreciate! After I was married I found a set at the used book store and read them twice to my hubby. We will soon be married 47 years!
ReplyDeleteLovely log cabin quilts! I have yet to make one.
ReplyDelete