More Stitching

Gotta love Mothers Day. The one day I'm guaranteed not to have to cook! I had a nerve wracking experience with a big, hairy, jumpy spider while sitting in the back of our Suburban yesterday, but you know how that goes. {Husband driving, dad, mom and mother-in-law in the captain seats, guess who gets relegated to the very back bench?} Also, I am encouraged not to shriek while husband is driving as I've heard it can incur an accident.

Panel #4 on the Fire quilt--more stitching

Hmmm. Let's just say that the spider is now dead and I personally, will probably never ride in the very back of our truck again. My kids were smart to drive their own vehicle to the restaurant and I'm betting they didn't have any spider issues. {Or shrieking issues.} And the view from the back seat is definitely not like I remember. For one, my son seems to get better snacks than we ever did judging from the wrappers laying everywhere and for another, I was viewing it through the eyes of a 44 yr. old. On Mothers Day. Oh the irony....

In case you hadn't noticed, I've been very focused on getting the top done for my fire quilt. The top needs to be totally done by the end of May in order to have plenty of stress-free time to get it hand quilted by the third week in July. I usually prefer to have a solid two months to hand quilt something this size, but with big stitch quilting (my go-to for heavy applique), I don't need quite as long. So.... lots of stitching still  to be done. This quilt is shaping up to be the most detailed applique quilt I've ever done except my Worry Baskets quilt and that took me three years. Onward ho!

Panel #4 contemplations....

I cut out the applique shapes on this panel in a period of two days. Messy business when I'm thinking and deliberating! There are  a couple pieces from 'Red and White Favorites', a pattern Karen very kindly gave me several months ago, and the rest are free hand applique or shapes I cut with the help of clip-art silhouettes. Notice the dog? My daughter and sister have chocolate labs, so I went with that shape. Who knew it was even possible? It's such a fun, personal touch.

Originally I wanted a more 'folk arty' whimsical look, but after much thought, decided the pieces needed to be a little more instantly recognizable; thus the clip art route. So far, all of my kids and my husband have passed the 'what is this supposed to be?' test with flying colors. If they didn't guess spot on, they at least got in the ball park. That is really all I expect {or want} as this quilt should also readily spark thoughts in others about their own experiences with the fire.

Panel #5 on the fire quilt prepped and ready to go...

I also spent some time printing out the words for the last and final panel. Couldn't get the letters the exact shape I wanted {too skinny when they were tall enough}, so finally caved and dug out some graph paper. With the words directly in front of me, I drew each letter needed onto the graph paper and then finally roughed out something I could more easily use for applique. It's such a relief to have the prep work done on that panel and know I won't have to fuss with cutting, clipping etc. later when I'm ready to start stitching. Things are progressing, my goal is looking doable, and I really, really want to start in on a different project. Patience!!

Solids fabrics to play with!

And look at this very, very sweet bundle of fabric! It definitely didn't help me to stop dreaming of the new. It's the Rita Hodge Kona bundle, my winnings from the Marsala Challenge! I have been wanting to play with more solids for awhile now and this just looks super fun. Thanks so much to Intrepid Thread for their very generous sponsorship of the challenge! I already have loads of ideas. You have nooooo idea.*wink