Monday, May 11, 2015

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

18 comments:

  1. I think this quilt is going to be amazing - looking forward to seeing it and hearing your stories!

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  2. Wow!! You are a very determined gal. This is going to be quite the statement quilt. I'm looking forward to it coming together. I appliqued 14 leaves yesterday and I was good and tired of them when I was finished. You have whole panels to do! I bow to your amazing applique skills.

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  3. Now I would have screamed a lot, and then proceeded to jump over the seat to reach the front...and then we would have crashed for sure.....I have an extrodinary fear of spiders and react before I think......you are very very brave! You are also brave having lived through the fire and then be able to pour out your emotions into the quilt. You are quite amazing really. Maybe next time you could hitch a ride with the children and demand snacks....hahaha.

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  4. During Victorian times a spider on a quilt was a symbol of good luck. Maybe your spider was trying to hitch a ride to your quilt? Anyway, good luck on your quilt. Oh, and I thought that was a clever idea to use clip art silhouettes. Oh, and congrats on the bounty. It was well deserved!

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  5. I'm anxious to see the whole quilt together. You've invested a lot of time and emotion to this quilt.

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  6. Sounds like things are coming together! Looking forward to seeing all the parts together.

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  7. love that big win of fabric - isn't it fun to get fabric that you don't pay for!! I hate spiders - I have been known to kill a tarantula with a rake until it was no longer seen by the naked eye :) well I guess it really wasn't a tarantula but there are some very big spiders around here that are close to that size - a wolf spider perhaps I don't know I just know if I see one it doesn't last long.

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  8. Wow, lucky you, what a great bundle! I am eager to see your quilt completed, it looks great!

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  9. I'm enjoying watching this quilt progress. Story quilts are the best! Like you, I have so many quilt ideas dancing in my head but my nose is to the grindstone with current projects that must be completed first. Onward!

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  10. You'll meet your goal, I'm sure of it. And that beautiful pile of Kona's will be right there waiting for you when you do!

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  11. Each bit of prep work gets you close to your goal. Your determination will get you there. What a fantastic stack of color. Your wheels are probably already turning.

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  12. I have been thinking of you wrestling with all your applique letters on this quilt, as I wrestle with the stitched letters on mine! I love the use of words on quilts, but darn, they're boring to sew! Anyway, I think it's helpful that you have a clear deadline for this project, and I know it's going to feel great to finish it!

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  13. I am wondering why your quilt needs to be done by July. I am assuming a quilt show.

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  14. I’m sorry – I know the great Mother’s Day Spider incident was terrifying but the way you tell it makes it sound hilarious. I imagined it all – the discovery – the shrieking , and the death of the poor spider while you flapped about like a mad thing in the back of the truck. Please tell me after all of that drama , that your Mother’s Day lunch was perfect?

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  15. You are making good progress now - and what a lovely bundle of new colours to play with when you need a break.

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  16. The quilt seems to be coming together nicely. Looking forward to seeing it all.
    I bet you'll find a great project to use the solids on.

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