Thursday, February 8, 2018

The First Finish {or Two} for 2018

It's past time for a finish around here. I was seriously starting to get a little twitchy seeing my completed quilt top list growing and not ending up with any real finishes. Do you do that too? Blue and Gold Strings has been in the hoop for well over a month, so it ended up being the first true blue finish for 2018. Such a great quilt to be stitching on though, couldn't have planned it better.
Blue and Gold Strings
I have adored getting the hoop out and just letting my mind wander, while working with this free style quilt. It has such a happy feel to it that it always worked like a magic elixir in making me relax and unwind. Ahh.. just letting the tension and stress of the day slip away while enjoying some fabric and thread play...
Looking at the corner applique
Though hand quilting is rather slow going, it has so many benefits I cannot imagine ever quitting it completely. {Not to mention that I can't afford to have everything professionally quilted!} Getting to spend quality time with fabric in the hoop is like that extra bit of sweetness that we reward ourselves with sometimes. I've contemplated giving this quilt away, but honestly, it might not be best time yet. Most of my family doesn't appreciate this one quite as much as I do.
Just enough stitching....
Stitching on this quilt has really helped restore my flagging faith in my personal ability to make unique and charming quilts. I think anyone who regularly quilts knows very well the normal ups and downs of creativity. There is always the 'better' quilt just over the horizon if only we can just focus for an extra minute or two. Maybe next time we'll get everything just right! Haha  You can believe that I'm already in the quilting room diving in to the next three or four projects with much more enthusiasm than they probably warrant.
Hanging off the deck railing
So, no, you don't need to feel that I'm down in the dumps and need a morale booster. Some quilts just speak a little louder, tell the story a little better, and perhaps more importantly, reflect more perfectly what we feel that our muse looks like in our head. It's just a wispy feeling that doesn't always gel correctly in every single quilt that we complete. And that's okay. We get parts and pieces of it right all the time and that just propels us to keep moving forward.
Cannot even imagine this quilt without the border!
And not to bore you, but the second finish of the year was that quick little picnic quilt I pulled out the other day on a whim: The 70's Are Calling. I skipped the batting and put a flannel back on it like Beth so nicely recommended. I'd have never thought of it myself and it just makes me like the quilt all the more.
The 70's Are Calling
Just a bit of diagonal wavy line machine quilting and smaller than normal width binding and it was done! Easy peasy. It has a lovely weight to it and any stretch you see is from the blocks not being squared prior to sewing.
A fun flannel backing....
It will be used primarily for covering up cold groceries, throwing across a wet patch in the car, sitting on the grass at the park etc., and just generally making sure that there is quilt always available in the car. I'm not sure I would ever go out and specifically buy these types of fabrics for quilt making, but it turned out to be a fast, fun little project. Who knew where this quilt making addiction would be taking me 20+ years after that stutter-stop beginning! Linking up with sew, stitch, snap and SHARE #19!

23 comments:

  1. Always a pleasure to read your blog. This little quilt turned out so nice. Hand quilting always adds value to a quilt that nothing else can. I look forward to following my muse again someday. I've been using a lot of self-discipline to finish some lengthy projects before my muse can appear. Someday is turning into never never land -ha!

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  2. I think the quilt looks great but we all do not always agree on quilts - sorry you don't think anyone in the family wants it right now - there will be the right someone at some point. I get a little twitchy when I don't finish anything for awhile and have to force myself to finish something before I start another. The picnic quilt is great - I made a tumbler picnic quilt a couple years ago - we use it to cover the table and don't care if anything gets spilt on it as it is so colorful the stains won't show!! LOL

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  3. Your colors for the Blue and Gold Strings makes my heart sing. Love it! Your way with free form shapes makes it such an interesting piece.

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  4. I adore your Blue and Gold Strings quilt! (But I have to tell you that in my heart of hearts I think of it as The Toes Quilt...)

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  5. I just love the colors of your Blue and Gold quilt! Congratulations on another wonderful creation. Your 70’s quilt is just fun! I agree with you on the hand quilting, there is nothing like for calming your soul.

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  6. I love this one...maybe my favorite of all!!! Your hand stitching makes it just perfect.

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  7. This is one of my all-time favourites. I love the colours,and the combination of curvy shapes with strips, and just its character. If no one over there wants it, I'll have it!

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  8. I love how your little Gold Strings came together--I would definitely know it's one of yours--love it...hugs, Julierose

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  9. Congrats on the finishes and I agree with you about hand quilting :)

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  10. Thank you for the inspiration to the muse in all of us! Your reflections bring both of these quilts alive and I love love love the high contrast in styles when presented together - a simple reminder that we never know what's hiding in our stash waiting for expression!

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  11. I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, "oh I love your quilt, oh I love your quilt..., but seriously this Blue and Gold strings quilt really speaks to me. I'm not even sure why exactly. I think it is the combination of my favorite simple appliques and the fabulous texture created by simple hand quilting. I find it funny that this is not one of the family's favorite. As my mother in law used to say, "That's why they make chocolate and vanilla"!

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  12. Your Blue and Gold Strings is really beautiful ! Congratulations on your finishes !

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  13. It's such a fun quilt made extra special with your lovely handstitching. Congrats on a wonderful finish! Extra bit of sweetness indeed!

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  14. Both are beautiful and useful. Congratulations on two finishes.

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  15. Oh, I love all that hand quilty texture and the 70s quilt is a perfect quilt to keep in the car.

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  16. I just adore all the fabulous hand quilting texture!

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  17. Always a pleasure to read your blog and see your wonderful finishes, congrats.

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  18. Your blue and gold strings is a really creative piece that shows great design skill. I hope it bring you lots of joy and inspires you to go on and create more beautiful pieces.

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  19. I do love your first finished quilt - charming and comforting and oh, so wonderful! I hope you keep it and enjoy it just for yourself! Your posts are always so honest and interesting to read -- thank you!!

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  20. I adore your blue and gold strings, the colours, the texture, the different shapes. What a wonderful finish. Thanks for linking ti Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE.

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  21. oh, I love the charm of your blue and gold strings with the contrast of the simple applique shapes. It's a delightful finish that speaks of the uniqueness in quilts. The 70’s fabrics are a unique category all its own. You'll have fun with that one.

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  22. I really like your whimsical quilt and that hand quilting sets it off so nicely!!
    Your 70's quilt is perfect to keep in the car without worry. I'm sure it will make you smile when you see it.

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