Monday, July 22, 2019

Trying to Work in One More Finish This Month

Monday, Monday.... Boy, was it ever. But lets talk about positive things. All the petals for this specific layer of the Melon Patch quilt are done. Yay! The next layer is already cut out and ready to go for the very next time I decide to resume working on this particular quilt again. That's a good thing.
80 petals later!! It's on to the next layer...
Though I would absolutely love to dive right into another good applique quilt, I have been reserving {most} of my recent energies for finishing up. Still going strong on the hand quilting for the Big Tipsy Basket quilt. It's moving along so well that I went ahead and decided to include it as one of the entries for the quilt show. This means that I have until August 11th to finish up the hand quilting, bind the quilt, label it and get it properly washed up. I know, I know. Many of you would never, ever wash a quilt prior to entering it into a quilt show. I do. That's so much a part of the look and voice of my quilts. How could I do anything different?
Stitching the outside of the basket in my
fave, free-form echo quilting style
People often make comments about how 'soft' my quilts look, or how comfy or heartwarming or cozy the vibe is. Things like that. Well, they are hand quilted and then immediately washed, which means that the 'natural crinkle thing' happens right off. If it makes them look slightly less professional or not quite as serious as other entries, then that's perfectly okay. I'm really not in it for the ribbons. Wowers. Not at all. Don't need that kind of stress!
Considering how to stitch the inside area between
the basket handles
I honestly just love the chance to come around a corner and unexpectedly see one of my quilts hanging. Oh the delight! Be able to see some of the details from a greater distance. Or take in the entire impact, in a single glance. I don't have that opportunity here at home! Plus the bonus of perhaps inspiring another quilter in some small way, really feels like giving back. {Not that I'd probably ever know either way!} Quilt shows have often been responsible for inspiring and sparking great ideas during my long quilting journey. This same quilt show in 2017 sparked an idea for a quilt that I'm actually entering into the show just this year! These are only a few of the reasons that make it worthwhile to attempt to squash down enough nerves and second guessing to go ahead and fill out the entry forms.
Quilt show entry forms
Seeing quilts online is awesome, {we are a lucky generation in that!}, but nothing beats seeing them in person, being able to take in all the lovely texture and nuances.*sigh  The risk of course, is the obvious. Once in a blue moon there will be a bad experience and honestly, every year I'm a little punchy and wondering if this is the year of the Very bad, No good, quilt show Mojo. Not that I ever took any more quilts back to where I previously entered them every year. NCW is the much larger regional show, approximately 60 miles away and where I have taken quilts in 2015, 2017 and also 2018. Still a non-member to the guild though I probably would join if the meetings were more convenient. In the meantime, I'm just happy they are friendly to accept non-member quilts and have enough volume of works to support an annual quilt show, year after year.

I found out that I do get to stay in town quilt show weekend and pick up my quilts after the event. Though I had a couple of wonderful offers of help in picking quilts up, I'm a bit relieved to be able to bring them home myself. While it seems crazy, I hate to bother any of my friends for what is basically a selfish endeavor.

On another note, did I mention that just three days ago this month, my blog turned 9 years old! The posts are definitely stretched a little further apart these days, but hopefully the overall quality of the blog has improved since the beginning. My youngest son says that I am a dinosaur for still blogging, but I don't think he quite understands the on-line quilting world.

Many thanks to all who follow along for the quilty ramblings! Thank you, Thank you to whomever, where-ever you may be! So crazy, but I've had over 1,200,000 page views just on this blog and now, over 400 followers thru Blogger. Over 900 followers on the Bloglovin' app, which doesn't always show up on the Blogger stats but who cares? There are regular followers from all over the United States, countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, and even someone from Iran on occasion. These can't all be bots! Many of these people have never even commented a single time, but come back to read yet another post on yet another day. Or maybe they just skim through the pics and move on! Life seems just a little bit sweeter for being able to share my passion with like-minded friends....

31 comments:

  1. I am a hand quilter, but more a "stitch in the ditch" quilter. I love the soft feel of a hand quilted piece and I wash the quilts when I am finished. I am a follower from Greece, by the way!!
    It gives so much satisfaction to see your quilts hanging in a show.

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  2. Great for the petals! Looking forward the next step with them, the colors are beautiful! Hope you will have a lovely quilt-show!
    Sending best wishes and greetings from Switzerland! 🏔👋🌸

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  3. Thank you for blogging! I love reading your posts and following your quilty journey. I may not always comment but I do look forward to seeing what you're up to. (From southern IL)

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  4. I have been told blogging isn't in anymore but I don't care - I rather blog than post one photo and a sentence on Instagram which I also do but I don't feel like I have gotten to know anyone on Instagram and haven't a clue half the time who is "liking" something there. Good luck on the show

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  5. From one dinosaur to another, thank you for continuing to blog. And congrats on your anniversary - it sounds like you started blogging about a year before me. And good luck with your show entry - nothing sharpens the mind like a deadline!

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  6. Though only online I love to see your cozy quilts Audrey ! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your Melon Patch project by the way.
    Ps : I'm not a bot but certainly a dinosaur too 😅

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  7. I am only a blogger--no facebk, no insta-whatever--so I do enjoy a good post. And I always look forward to reading your posts about your lovely works...Good luck with your entry...nice to hear that someone is entering a quilt that "looks like" a quilt [for me anyway]...this is a beautiful one...hugs, Julierose aka dino, too....

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  8. Count me in as one of your faithful followers but only making a few comments over the years. I once was a blogger and know that it really is a work that you must enjoy to keep it going. I enjoy your musings. I also have the same passion for my projects as you. I am so glad you are celebrating nine years. Good luck with your entry. May it be a joyful experience!

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  9. I have fallen off quilting the last few years but my stash is calling me back. I do love reading your posts. Where is the quilt show? I am close to the Seattle area and looking for a show to visit.

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  10. I always enjoy your posts. I follow through my feedly 'feed', so I don't know how or if I show up in your follower stats. I am a currently a quilter-wanna-be, but I find your quilt stories inspiring and it sounds like others do too. I'm so glad you are still blogging and quilting strong!

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  11. I read many blogs and really enjoy yours. Blogs may be old fashioned but they provide so much more content than FB or instagram.

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  12. Oh I am so happy that you are entering these! I remember that fateful "post" of how terribly your quilts were displayed. This year will be great and I hope you will get to take some great shots! Congratulations for hanging in there for 9 years. I was a late bloomer to blogland, but I plan to continue until Blogger kicks us all out!

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  13. I love to read blogs! Please continue to write, I will continue to read it. I enjoy seeing what others are up to in their quilting journey.

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  14. A mi mi gustan mucho sus trabajos, entro a menudo en su blog y he participado en el 365 con usted.
    Me gustan mucho los blogs,no me importa ser dinosaurio

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  15. mi correo es beatrizmgca@gmail.com

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  16. I'm a new follower, so glad to have wandered onto your blog! I know I have a lot to learn from you and I will enjoy looking back at all the beautiful quilts I haven't seen.

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  17. I wash my quilts too! Even my applique quilt that I worked four years on! I agree they do soften up.

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  18. Thank you for hanging in there regardless of what your son says. Your blog is always a treat. Many thanks for 9 years.

    Rondi
    rondiquilts@yahoo.com

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  19. Well, your youngest surely knows that growing a quilt takes time, to nurture, to simmer awhile, until it gels into perfection. So does a blog, it's definitely not instant Ramen noodles, thankfully! You excel at both, and I'm happy to hear you're planning to enter that show. I always wash my quilts after they're complete before sending them to the camp benefit auction, except for one that I finished last month with the vintage embroidered blocks. That will be sent with a list of washing "hints" for the intrepid purchaser. Love the soft crinkly goodness of a fresh washed quilt, especially one that has been hand quilted. Keep blogging sister dinosaur! We're not extinct yet!

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  20. It's always great to read your blog and have enjoyed following your growth and continual positive attitude. It's great to see your confidence grow. Thanks for continuing to share your story.

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  21. You're brave to commit to having the quilt all ready by August 11, it's good to have a deadline though sometimes.
    On the subject of how your quilts look so soft and crinkly, do you use a cotton batting?
    Blogging - congratulations on nine years and I'm looking forward to following along for the next nine years Audrey, I love reading your posts and looking at your awesome quilts!

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  22. I am glad that you are still blogging, your blog is one of my favorites. Like your quilts my quilts are handquilted and washed and are soft. I love that, I do not care for perfect and love the imperfections or quirkyness of a quilt (sorry if I made mistakes with the spelling)

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  23. Congratulations on your 9 year anniversary! I don't comment often,but enjoy reading about your quilting journey. Hope you hang in for 9 more! Lol

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  24. I'm glad you are entering quilts into a show. I have been disappointed with the last two quilt shows I went to- one local and one international in Chicago. Seems art quilts were predominant and I went looking to be inspired by quilts like yours!

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  25. I love your blog ! I am grateful that you write to us about everything you do. Reading about your process is so valuable. I love your art. You have inspired so many.

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  26. I have always enjoyed your melon appliqué; they are my colors. I can’t wait to see how you add them into a design.
    Good luck getting g your quilts ready for the show. Seeing them hang with others and with room to take photos are my favorite reasons to enter shows although I mostly enter my guild show. I can enter and retrieve them in person and, like you, I’m no longer interested in ribbons. More fun to en outrage others and get some inspiration. Plus, I find the ribbons tilted my evaluations. I prefer warmth and accessibility to perfection.
    Congratulations on nine years of blogging. I do put some things on Pinterest and Instagram but much prefer blogging where we can exchange ideas and thoughts.

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  27. Happy blogaversary! I'm right there with you about being a blogging dinosaur!! LOL

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  28. Since I only do email and facebook if your were not on one of those then you would nor have me as a follower. Still use a flip phone and have a land line. Your son is out of touch with quilters that is for sure! Love blogs because I WANT WORDS not just pictures. Thank you for being here! Happy Anniversary!

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  29. Maybe the world has moved on but there will always be a hardcore of people who want the words and thoughts, not just pictures, so I think there will always be a place for quilty bloggers. I certainly hope I'm still reading yours in years to come. I have a lot of sympathy with your views on washing quilts and texture - we make our quilts to be used after all, not just for display.

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  30. I'm glad you are blogging. Ya, blogging is alive and well among quilters! And I agree, there's nothing quite like seeing quilts in person - glad you are entering the show and hope it goes well.

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  31. I know my life is a little bit sweeter because of what you share. Thank you so much for providing such a great place to visit. I've been away for much of the summer but have really enjoyed getting caught up with you!

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Thanks for visiting! I love getting comments and always try to respond via email. Please leave an email in the comment to ensure a return reply! {Many of you are popping up as Anonymous for some reason, so I have no idea who it is.} Regardless, I appreciate all the comments and read every single one.