Monday, November 2, 2015

A Few Quilty Projects

Our Internet went down last week and so we've had to survive the entire weekend without. At first we were all rather frustrated, but then, oh well, there are always books to read and other things to do! I piddled a bit with my Scrappy Lone Star quilt. The borders were looking a little too simplistic and I wondered about my lame looking efforts.
More work on Scrappy Lone Star
Until I finally put them together with the rest of the quilt. Then I relaxed and went 'okay, this will work just fine'. My expectations are sometimes completely unrealistic and I'm not sure why that is. The letters still need to be stitched down on the bottom border and that will take a special mood. You've heard this before: although I do love words on my quilts, I quite dislike stitching them into place! And I'm still pondering whether or not to add leaves to my vine. Will work that out later I'm sure.
Looking at the border work....
I have really been itching to sew on the machine as well, but sadly, nothing catches my interest of late. So I cut into some random fabrics and just played for an evening. This will probably end up being a back to a quilt, so absolutely no pressure here!
Just playing with fabric....
Also, I started another quilt project last week. Just because. This one just seems to be intriguing me on a whole lot of levels. It will have background fabrics of these {primarily} grayed down cream prints. At first I thought to go buy a single piece of background fabric and then had to reconsider. There is nothing wrong with scrappy backgrounds, and in fact I generally far prefer them for the subtle interest it can add to a quilt.

I am going to be choosing fabric for a new {rough looking} circle every single day for 365 days. It can be one to four fabrics total but mostly I'm choosing fabrics from out of my scrap bin. It will not preclude adding fabrics directly out of the stash because I want to choose fabrics according to the mood of the day--that seems important for this particular project. Depending on my whims, the circle will be just a single fabric or possibly a patchwork style instead. If I don't have time to do the stitching on that day (I'm two circles behind with that already), that's okay. The main thing is to pick out the fabric for each day {or very closely after}, which means I have to be patient and will not be able to jump ahead. I am so very, very curious as to what colors this quilt will be after an entire year!
Project 365: A new quilty endeavor....
 And of course, I had to do some hand quilting late in the evenings. It relaxes me so very much.
And some hand quilting of course....
I'm trying not to get too crazy with the stitching on this quilt as I don't think it will be an extra special quilt to me. Yes I love it, but I don't LOVE it if you know what I mean. The loose echo quilting I'm doing on most of the quilt is coming along very well, slowly adding some wonderful texture. If I think it needs more when I get towards the finish, I can always go back and fill in areas that need help.

21 comments:

  1. love all your quilts - when we traveled we had to go days without internet - but yet I would be checking my phone constantly when we were running around out of the campgrounds to see if I had a signal and could at least check mail - I'm addicted

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  2. I love the vine! It's amazing how productive I am when there is no internet....

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  3. Those borders are perfect for your Lone Star top! I think your idea of the circle a day quilt is very intriguing. It would be a journal in fabric.

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  4. Your energy and creativity just never seem to end.

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  5. I LOVE YOUR LONE STAR!!! That border is perfect.

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  6. I love all your projects. Your colors always speak to me.
    That circle project sounds fascinating. Talk about the colors speaking...

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  7. The round blocks caught my eye. I am always interested in the round designs.

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  8. Well, I really love those sunflower blocks, or compass blocks, or whatever they are! I have a few similar projects in mind. :D

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  9. Love that scrappy Lone Star and love that border. I know what you mean about handquilting, so relaxing. Sweet colors on that quilt.

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  10. Ooh I love your circle idea, and the star quilt is gorgeous. It might become a favourite by the time you finish!

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  11. I love that circle idea! :) And the quilting is coming along so prettily :)

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  12. I love that circle idea! :) And the quilting is coming along so prettily :)

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  13. Love those circles!! Yummy fabrics too.

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  14. Your Lone Star is going to be gorgeous, you really have a gift for colors and setting various prints together! I as well love the circles and your hand quilting.

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  15. The circle quilt idea is going to be fun. I don't think I knew that you don't like to sew down the letters. I love the shape of the "V". The soft curves should make the stitching go quickly.

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  16. Your new circle quilt is a great idea! I can see string piece fabric for the circles - I can see crazy quilt fabric for the circles - maybe you should start a SAL and have all of us join you!

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  17. I've been thinking about appliquéing words on quilts lately, but I've never done it before. Do you hand draw your letters Audrey? They're such lovely shapes. I'm amazed at what you accomplish when you have electricity, and what you've been up to without it is no less impressive! So many wonderful projects to dip into. Your daily circle project is inspired! A diary in fabric :)

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  18. Again with the lovely vine border!
    I like your idea of one small unit per day, even if it's just choosing the fabrics. Are you tucking them into a box or leaving them out? Love the idea of choosing a color palette daily. Do you write the date on each? It would be interesting to see how your color choices change over a year.

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  19. I am so in love with your scrappy Lone Star quilt. I seriously love it more than any quilt I have ever made. Looking forward to the finish...no pressure, though.
    blessings, jill

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  20. It's surprising how much you can get done with a bit of piddling! The borders look fine to me - the centre star is so vibrant they will be a good balance. I too love your idea of a unit a day - this will be interesting to revisit.

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  21. Your border choice for the lonestar quilt is wonderful.
    Your circle quilt project sounds interesting. Have fun. Looking forward to the progress.

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