Saturday, January 23, 2016

One Out of the Hoop and Another About to go In

All the hand quilting is done on Muddy Creek now. I love the texture and feel of a freshly stitched quilt so very much. So worthwhile to get to this particular point in a quilt! This one has been giving me a few anxious moments, wondering if my light floral border fabric is maybe too 'light' for the murkier center colors. It always seems to be a roller coaster of emotions for me as I reach each different stage of the quilt making. Hopefully I'll find a good binding fabric to tie it all back together and then of course I'll be delighted once again. That's just the way I roll!
Muddy Creek
Next up in the hoop will be Flowers and Flying Geese. It was a small enough quilt top that the dining room table didn't have to be moved out of the way to sandwich and pin. Funny how that could be the deciding factor, but I was quite desperate to get a quilt ready to go. Don't need any down time with that hoop right at this particular moment in my life!

This is a make-do quilt top started a few years back. The flying geese units were leftovers from an old baby quilt that just sort of jump-started what you see on a quiet fourth of July weekend. I used a lot of odds and ends, leftover applique bits, and little pieces of fabrics etc. Always an interesting, but also fun, creative way for me to work. And sometimes I wonder if my best quilt tops start from this sort of challenge? It really is a huge thrill for me to figure out how to make the random odds and ends 'work'.
Flowers and Flying Geese
I can already see this quilt top is going to be a challenge for me to hand quilt. I'm really not that adventurous with pattern, but I'm thinking Perle Cotton and big stitch quilting for this go-round as far as the thread is concerned. It's a good change from the more muted colors I've been working with and this whimsical style seems to suit my current mood quite well.
A bit closer look
So ironic to see some of the same leftover pieces show up in this little mini quilt at the very same time I'm working with the other. I will never understand the way my brain works. Never, ever, ever.
Antique block mini quilt
It's been wonderful to have a slight breather from everything going on around here of late, getting more of a schedule together and less of an 'on demand' situation. Not sure what the next couple weeks will hold for me, but I'm making use of my time as I get it. I spent one evening just digging through my stash totes, emptying everything out and refolding everything well enough that the lids will actually stay on.
A stack of interesting fabric
Can you believe that some of the fabric jumped out to stay? I started with that grayed down green that I am so very tired of--challenged myself to try and find something to perk it up. Here it is in a nice little stack awaiting inspiration and motivation for some day in the future. I find that having it sit out in the open helps me to ponder ideas better and then eventually I'll make some sort of decision to go forward. Or maybe even dump it back in the stash totes. Either way, it's never a waste of time to try and generate ideas!

29 comments:

  1. love the quilts that you show. Love those flying geese

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  2. I absolutely believe that some of that fabric jumped out! It happens to me all the time, including just last week. But, I resolutely said to myself "scope creep" and stuffed it back in the box! But, I didn't separate them, so they are probably going to reach critical mass on their own.

    But anyway, with one finished and another in the hoop, you don't have to worry! I am glad to see those pink Dresdens again. And I'm glad you have time for new plans!

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing your thought processes - I'm endlessly fascinated by how other quilters approach their works. And I love watching you think through from a stack of fabric to another gorgeous quilt.

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  4. I like both of the quilts, but I really like the flowers and flying geese, and some Dresden's going on in there too. Very pretty.

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  5. Love the name you have given this quilt. My ancestor, Sarah Duncan, moved from Virginia to Madison County, Kentucky as a widow with grown children. She lived and is buried on Muddy Creek. I like the light border and think your binding (red?) will make the whole quilt pop.

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  6. The way you work is very recognizable! I like the flower border on the Muddy Creek. Your flying geese challenge turned out wonderful. Happy and fresh! The fluffiness of hand quilting is something else!

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  7. Muddy Creek is lovely, your quilting is beautiful. And the antique block mini is adorable. Will you keep it like this or make it larger?

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  8. Love the quilt with flying geese and appliquee flowers. The colors and the design is beautifull.
    Greetings

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  9. Amazing!! El quilt con las flores y el vuelo de la oca es espectacular... Abrazos

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  10. To my eye, the light floral border on Muddy Creek is perfect and a perfect binding is lurking in your stash waiting to complete the picture. Those half-dresdens around the flying geese are a perfect touch. So glad you're finding a bit more time to work on your quilts, and hope life continues to calm down for you and your family.

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  11. Congrats on another lovely finish ( aside from binding ) and I think the border and colors are just perfect.
    I don't remember Flowers and Flying Geese...enjoy stitching ! :)

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  12. Congrats on another lovely finish ( aside from binding ) and I think the border and colors are just perfect.
    I don't remember Flowers and Flying Geese...enjoy stitching ! :)

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  13. Love your Muddy Creek with the light border. If you have enough, that check would be a good one for binding.
    Love your geese and flowers in the whimsical style. When I get tired of fabric in my stash, it usually goes on the back of a quilt....lol.

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  14. Your fabric stack is intriguing. I see a tree....All those greens...leaves! A little pink...blossoms! And the BLUES...trade in those crows for bluebirds of happiness. (But wait on those until your life smoothes out.) A family tree with happy memories of those who've helped you, and whom you've cared for. Here's another quote for you: "Work is love made visible." Cwoosley12@yahoo.com

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  15. I love how Muddy Creek turned out; I agree with your estimation that a darker binding will pull it all together. Flowers and flying geese looks like a great next project. I know I would smile each time I looked at it, no matter what was swirling around me!

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  16. Muddy Creek is one of my favorite quilts. I look at it and smile. Hugs

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  17. Taking time to think, experiment and play is never a waste of time.

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  18. It is amazing how the love for a project waxes and wanes throughout the stages. Kind of like love in general I guess! Each of these projects are wonderful... even the pile of fabric that will become a quilt is yum!
    I think it's terrific that as soon as the quilting is wrapping up on one quilt, another appears ready to go into the hoop... it's magic!
    Enjoy your stitching!

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  19. I've had pots of flowers on my mind for some time, your legging posies & geese are so inspiring. Love the greens with the bright turquoise.

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  20. I'm getting closer to working with pink and brown (makes me think of raspberries and chocolate), thanks to inspiration from you. I l-o-v-e the fans as a border too. Can't wait to see what you do . . .

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  21. Gorgeous! I think the light border is nice.
    Your next quilting project is a beauty as well!!

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  22. Congratulations on your near finish. Enjoy the binding. Always a great sign do a finish soon to be.

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  23. Your quilts are beautiful! So nice that you have one ready to go into the hoop as soon as finish one.

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  24. what fun projects! Love the folky look

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  25. Yay for finishing the Muddy Creek quilting - looks great. I do love your Flying Geese and Flowers quilt, just love it!! The aquas look good with the green - cant wait to see what your brain comes up with. Hugs.

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  26. Congratulations on a nearly finish and on getting the next quilt ready to go. I too fall in and out of love as I work but as long as you finish up liking things that just helps you make good decisions, I think (or that's what I tell myself). I think all my quilts are just making some bits and then trying to work out how they go together!

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