Saturday, March 18, 2017

Inch by Inch, They All Meet Up With a Finish Eventually

 You know me, always trying to move forward, one little phase of a quilt at a time!
Another quilt top closer to a finish!
Now that the hand quilting is done on Flowering Snowballs, then it's time for binding! Can't leave that hoop empty for long, so for now my Creative Process quilt is going to be getting some hand stitching details to go along with the basic machine quilting already done there. I went ahead and changed out the picture for my 'Current Quilt in the Hoop' caption at the top of my blog.
Getting ready to sew on some binding strips
But well, that might not take very long and I did have a very quiet day on Friday! Two more quilt tops sandwiched and pinned, including this Marsala challenge quilt. Something I've been itching to get my fingers on lately. The colors--they are calling my name....
Marsala quilt--the Unexpected Crossroads quilt
Summers End was the other quilt that got some pins in it and I'm really not feeling very thrilled to be working on that right now. I intend to stitch in the ditch around all the blocks and then come back and do some hand quilting on the little baskets. Big stitch of course. Is there any other kind anymore? Plus, I had a crazy idea that I might, just maybe, hand tie in the middle of each empty block. It's an idea. One that kinda makes me smile because it's different...
Summers' End quilt. An project that didn't do what it was supposed to do....
Really though, it's been one of those weeks where I've been focused on finishing and getting things wrapped up at the end of the quilting spectrum. I even sewed an extra two quilt backings and delivered the quilt packages to my longarm quilting friend. One has a deadline of the end of April and the other sometime by the end of summer. My friend is a busy gal and I don't want to pressure her, BUT I am loving the idea that within just a few months, my quilt top list could have 7 quilts checked off! {That's including the St. Paul quilt I'm still stitching the binding onto.}
All ready for action
Plus, all the rising sun blocks are done. Whew! I pulled out these five blocks to see if I could conjure up an idea or two for a traditional setting. So far my mind is pretty blank and everything I audition makes me feel very bored. They will just have to hang out on the wall for awhile I guess, soak up some creative spark from somewhere else.
What's left of the ruined Rising Sun blocks
Right now all the spark seems to be directed at the base blocks for the make-do rising sun quilt. The one where I'm going to chop those rising sun blocks in two and use them for an outside border? Yeah, that one.
The Make-Do Rising Sun Quilt
Very simple applique on very simple, but similar {18" blocks}. Sounds like a winner to me!



18 comments:

  1. oh I like all of these!! the Dresden's in the second from the last I especially love - because I made them too! that first quilt I love too

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  2. Wow, this feels like a lot of progress! Your quilting on the snowballs is really lovely. Almost done! It will be soo nice.

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  3. You have been busy, all these look like they are progressing well! Your 'rising sun' blocks look great, I'm left wondering just what you will come up with!

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  4. looking at these quilts I am amazed at how complicated the blocks look what wonderful quits you will have when completed

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  5. I'm sure you'll get inspiration for the rising blocks eventually. The other quilts look so beautiful and interesting. They'll look even better quilted! Lots of greetings

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  6. Beautiful hand quilting on the flowering snowballs. I remember Marsala ; nice to see it again. You always have such a nice variety going on!

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  7. Eye candy! Your colors are always so attractive.
    Love the unevenly spaced circles on Flowering Snowball. I think it emphasizes the two color tones you used for the Snowballs.
    Tieing in the baskets sounds just like you. Clever and just the right space for it.
    Marsala's colors and layout. Scrumptious.
    I like they way you've overlapped the Rising Suns and almost see something u-shaped in the alternate rectangles. Lots of fun ahead for you.

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  8. You are really forging ahead with your finishes--beautiful work. Love the flowering Snowballs, but hard pressed to just pick one favorite--hugs, Julierose

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  9. I just enjoyed reading through your last several posts and getting all caught up. I really find myself nodding my head and feeling your frustrations/successes with you because you explain your process so well. However, when I'm struggling with some of these issues I just blame it on menopause. LOL I do appreciate the way your share your journey, it is so interesting, and the quilting on the flowering snowballs in perfection!

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  10. Oh I hope you do add some ties to that quilt. It makes me sad that no one ties anymore. Most shows don't even allow it. I would say of the 3,000 19th century Maine quilts we have documented at least 40% are tied. How can we eliminate them?? I tied all my quilts until I learned how to hand quilt in my early 20's. I love those Rising Sun blocks. If you scroll by them really fast they just twirl. I did it about 20 times. I'm dizzy. AS for that last applique block, I LOVE it. It sort of looks like a wine glass with a cherry on top. Hmmmm

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  11. Are you going to put any words on the basket quilt?

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  12. You're such a busy budgie! Enjoy your finishing - they're looking great.

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  13. Darling array of quilts! As usual! I love the quilting in the Flowering Snowballs!! The dark thread is BOLD!

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  14. I'm in love with your Flowering Snowball and what lovely hand stitching. Certainly all your quilts are lovely. Inspiring as always.

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