Monday, March 7, 2016

A Little More Hand Work

Don't forget! Only one more day to link up your Quilty 365 circles! There is so much progress being made and tons of great ideas being implemented. Love it! The first two blocks for my Solids Challenge quilt are completed below. The red circles in the second block are a bit rough looking, but I'm strangely pleased with that. The stitching was done while I was a passenger in my husbands work truck one day, bump, bump, bumping along because the weight of the trailer. It just makes me smile.
My Solids Challenge quilt blocks
I need to get the March block fleshed out and all the applique bits prepped so it can be done for March. Still wondering where exactly this project is going, but it's a fun personal challenge already. I'm discovering that solids are quite a bit different to work with than prints. Wowsers! I am enjoying how quickly they 'pop', but finding it a bit nerve wracking as the color choices seem that much more critical!

I also finished up the hand quilting on my Flowers and Flying Geese quilt. It's been a great quilt to work on during this end-of-winter season. Hand quilting is so deeply satisfying to me, I can't even imagine not making the time for it somewhere in my week. I'd say it doesn't even matter what quilt top I'm stitching on, but that's not true. It always matters. That's why I don't necessarily grab the 'next quilt on the list' to put into my hoop. It has to be one that I'm excited about, challenged by, or maybe has certain colors that are currently speaking to me. Occasionally I choose one out of guilt for the fact that it's been languishing so long in the drawers. That can work too, but I have to be careful as guilt only goes so far.*wink
Flowers and Flying Geese nearing completion....
And on a different note, Stephie has the next post up in her new series 'How long does it take to make a quilt?'. Such a fascinating topic! The first two articles are about Ann and Kaja, two wonderfully creative quilters, and then will be me. Ack! Is it good or bad that I'll be at the end? Stephie asked some very thought provoking questions which make me anxious to see how the others responded. There's always more to learn!

Linking up to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. I may be late to the party, but there is almost always progress around here....

12 comments:

  1. I so rarely use solids, but these blocks are so inspiring! Love your color choices and designs.

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  2. Your solids blocks are lovely - I haven't ever made a quilt with solids, they scare me! Your hand quilting looks incredible. I look forward to seeing the finished quilt.

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  3. I rarely use solids, especially white, so I admire your courage and persistence with this project. Looking forward to seeing the top that eventually emerges from this exercise.

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  4. love solids or those that read almost solid and have made some quilts totally that way - looking forward to reading what you have to say on Dawn's blog.

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  5. I have very very few solids, so I'm watching this with great interest. I didn't even realize that I don't buy solids until I ordered a small roll of assorted 2.5" solid strips (angling for free shipping, donchaknow) and saw how much they stood out from the rest of my fabrics...
    I'm really looking forward to seeing what you have to say in your section of 'how long it takes'!

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  6. Love the flowers and flying geese quilt it looks terrific.... I have few solids that I use mainly for dark Amish style quilts so am interested to see what you come up with using brighter solids

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  7. Funny, we both have been working on something using solids. I don't do it very often. Your colors look like spring.

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  8. Loving your solids challenge blocks. I can see how your colour choices will be so critical, but have every confidence they'll all be fabulous! Can't wait to see the post about you!!

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  9. Your applique colors remind me of Easter.

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  10. Congrats on another beautiful quilted finish! :)

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  11. Love those red circles and the thought of you bump bumping. The circles on my splendid sampler block had a similar experience.

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  12. I need to get a new applique going....yours make me miss having sometimes fun to work on.

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