Over and back

I was working on the Blind's Man Fancy blocks and got bogged down in the tiny flying geese units.  For some reason I put it aside and started madly trying to finish the project below.

You know how sometimes you are just ready for a project to be over.  It isn't that you don't like it or are not enjoying the process.  You are just anxious to start something new.

Well, I am over and back with this project.  It's time to be done. 

Hexie project started June 2014

Quilting is my solace

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the applique quilt on my frames. I love admiring the curves of stitches as I go along.  I like measuring how much progress I've made as I finish each early morning shift with needle and thread.  Some mornings I turn on the classical music station or listen to a lecture/talk on my Ipad.  But, other mornings I just want to unclutter my mind without any distractions.  Today was one of those days. 

I should have been cleaning house because I'm expecting out of town company this evening. 
But, it  just felt so calming to stitch and watch the pattern appear. 

Clip a length of thread,
nestle it through the needle's eye,
knot the thread and hide it between the lovely layers,
rock the needle up and down,
follow the design,
knot once more when at the end.
Repeat.

So soothing,
Robin

Current happenings

This is the most recent Cheddarback block.  The picture is a bit fuzzy - sorry.  It was a really difficult block to make with over 12 "Y" seams and all those bias edges - gasp!  It doesn't lie flat.  But, it's done and I'm moving on.  I think it will quilt out (Ha!),  The conversation print for the background is two birds looking at gold fish in a fish bowl.  It's really sweet.  The color isn't true in the picture, the block is brighter. 

I'm not planning on putting a cheddar colored backing on this quilt like the original.  But, I wanted to put a goodly amount of cheddar fabrics on the front.

And now the current news. . .   My husband (above) is picking the currents while laying on his stomach. 

At least he's in the shade, it's supposed to be 99 degrees today.

And here is the gorgeous bounty.  They are so cute.

Robin

It's coming together

Blocks sewn together

Still plugging along with this quilt.  I finished the surround blocks and after much shifting and considering and changes, this is the configuration that my son and I figured out.  It's always hard to figure out where to put a block that you've made at random.  There are blocks that are together that have similar fabrics but this was the best set up.

Sashing?

I wondered if these blocks were too dark and might need some sashing strips between them.  I made some flying geese units to see how it would look.  I don't really like them for sashing.  They  interrupt the flow of the blocks and they look too small.

Flying geese stop border

I have some border fabric from this fabric line and I think the flying geese will do a great job of introducing the outer border.  That being said, I'm going to have to make a zillion flying geese because they only measure 3/4" X 1 1/2" finished.  (Whose idea was that anyway???)

I'm anxious to see the new set of blocks for the Cheddarback Quilt.  I keep checking but she hasn't posted yet.  Here is what I told Kaya when we were discussing that quilt;

I like this quilt.  It looks exactly like what it is, a "utility quilt".  I'm going to really enjoy using it when it's done.  It's a quilt I won't feel like I have to be careful with.  I'm not going to let my grandchildren jump on it but I will allow sitting.  It's funny how some quilts just give out a vibe. Some say "display only" or "come and admire me."  This one says, "use me up."

It's a lovely Monday.  My husband has brought in enough strawberries to make jam, enough raspberries to delight my grandchildren when they come (one of them mows our lawn every Monday), and a large bowl of peas that will go into the freezer.

Life is good,
Robin