I'm in the mood to work on something springy. With everything else going on, I need a quilt that is fun and not terribly complicated. This seems to fit the bill perfectly, although technically it's miles down the list when it comes to priority!
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| Getting ready to hand quilt Happy Flowers |
I finally decided to file an extension for our taxes as I can't seem to to devote enough time to the paperwork as is needed. Ahh.. It is a weight off my shoulders as I have felt horribly guilty about not finishing. Not guilty enough to burn through it all, but still, the pressure was seriously getting to me. I am not nearly as efficient or gung-ho as I
need used to be in the office, nor will I probably ever be again. The thrill is um..., shall we say, gone? Transferred elsewhere?*wink
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| Ready for pin basting. |
Last night after the last of our company had gone and we'd made a quick dash into town to see my husbands mother, we had a very relaxed family chat. I pulled out my hand stitching and quite enjoyed listening to my teenage daughters telling us all about their weekend. Their version is always so interesting as the viewpoint from teenager to middle aged parent is like residing on a totally different planet. lol
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| Another view of Happy Flowers.... |
I find myself feeling so very proud of my children, watching them grow up and attempting to tackle all the various challenges that kids face these days. It's not always easy for them to make the right and/or moral choices as our current culture tends to embrace a sort of delayed adulthood and a loosey-goosey standard of 'doing what's right for you' {in the moment} no matter what. We try to raise our children to be strong, independent, responsible, and to consider cause and effect in their lives. It's a tough thing when other kids don't react nicely to their confidence in daring {or wanting} to be different. Growing up is hard. Being different is hard. I'm so glad we don't ever have to be 17 again!
Okay, enough about the parenting rant! I'm hoping to hand quilt Happy Flowers with perle cotton as you no doubt noticed. The linen background should be good to me if I remember to keep the quilt slack in the hoop. It feels very soft with a loose weave, something that should work well with the larger thread. No idea what I'll do for the stitching in the border, but hopefully that will come to me as I'm quilting down the center of the quilt. It's a great quilt and I do want it to look properly loved when it's all finished up!
Love those happy, Springy flowers. Sounds like your kids are doing just great. Its a huge bonus that they are happy to sit with you and talk about the events in their lives. It is such a support for them, even if they aren't actually aware of it.
ReplyDeleteI like it! I like it! I look forward to seeing your stitching :0)
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt, I can't wait to see how you will quilt it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be even more gorgeous - a truly happy quilt! Being different is never easy - but especially not at 17 - great they could talk it over :)
ReplyDeleteI love your happy quilt! I too am so glad I never have to do 17 again and I am glad that my daughters are way past that too - with one of them it was not something I would ever want to do again!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about living with teens...and I too am SO thankful I don't have to go back to high school! Aren't we lucky we can just stick to quilting and stitch while they talk?
ReplyDeleteme gustan estas flores muchísimo !!!
ReplyDeleteno me gustaría tener 17 otra vez,quizás 30 o 35........
saludos
Your Happy Flowers are going to be extra happy as you bring them to life with your quilting.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your quilting. I like the texture and look of perle cotton.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Audrey, I love this quilt. Is it your original design? If not, would you mind sharing the pattern source? I could use a little Happy in my life. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePerle cotton will be perfect for this quilt. I'm sure you will be smiling every minute!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your "teenage rant" so much. I see the challenges my 18 yr old daughter faces every day of the week and I don't think I could have had the strength of character to withstand them when I was her age. It's a whole new world.
ReplyDeleteLove your Happy Flowers quilt. It brings a smile to my face every time I see it.
This is such a lovely quilt, enjoy the quilting process.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that is a lovely quilt. I love all the flowers and colors.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day,
PS did you notice my give away?
Oh I just love that quilt. Sometimes it is good to work on a "low priority" project. Somehow it seems less stressful! Happy quilting.
ReplyDeleteOooh I love this quilt so much! Can't wait to see it quilted with the perle cotton.
ReplyDeleteI would never want to be a teenager again!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt and regardless of where it is on the "list" it's wonderful!
Yea! I love this quilt. Will look forward to seeing your beautiful quilting added to this piece. I agree--sometimes you just have to start something that is not at the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteI am joining all those who never want to be a teenager again!!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and would like to ask if and where your pattern still would be available!
Best wishes!
This is a fun quilt & would make me happy to stitch on it!! On the parent front, it is fun to "see" their version of life. It is funny how different my boys came out from each other
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see Happy Flowers.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers quilt is a perfect spring time quilt to work on. The perle will look fabulous against the linen!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely quilt. I like the dull grey-blue you chose for the background; it makes everything else shine! And your perle cotton choices look yummy. Why do you need to keep linen looser in the frame when you quilt?
ReplyDeleteI really like this quilt and can't wait to see where your quilting inspiration takes you!
ReplyDeleteOh I love starting a new hand quilting project! Looking forward to how you will start! I need to spend some serious time behind the machine to get some tops done. I agree about growing up, so hard. We also tried to raise our children to be independant and thinkers. It worked alright now one lives in Washington state and the other in Texas as independant as a parent would want. I am so proud of both of them, just wish I lived closer, that is the hard part.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this quilt of yours - think it's my favourite! Can't wait to see how your quilting goes. Well done with your girls -I'm guessing they're gorgeous young women, taking after their mum.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the pearl cotton stitches. I have not used it yet, but have a decent stash to use up! My DD is using it and enjoys the process. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you picked this one / one of my favorites! :)
ReplyDeleteYour Happy Flowers are lovely. I, too, am proud of my kids. It's hard to parent, but the result is wonderful when they grow up to be nice, respectful young adults. It was nice to read your rant. Happy Quilting.
ReplyDelete