Weekend Retreat and Red and White Blocks

 This is the lovely old building where we held our retreat.  this was taken when we were all packed to go home, and waiting for the bus.

 

How about this lovely old house on the hill?   This is so typical of Riverland houses.  This whole area is flood planes - and the river does rise.

My plan for the weekend was to work on my Botch Handle Red and white blocks.  The ones I had made previously were from Block Base.  I liked them, but they were a little complex - lots of different measurements throughout the block.  The blocks from this book - Home on the Planes - were so much easier!  I abandoned the 5 I have made of the old style, and made the new ones.

 There is actually strip piecing instructions, so I could get a few done at a time.

I cut and sewed 5 of them at a time.

 These are the two different blocks side by side.  The one on the left is the one from Block Base and on the Right from the book.  All the strips are cut either 2" or 1 1/2".  So much easier! 

10 Blocks finished for the weekend!  Pretty good I think.  I should be able to finish the rest in a week or so, once my present commitments are behind me.

I have this vision of a black/red/white sashing and/or border.  Have to work on that idea some more.