I don't think I've taken this long of a break in blogging in the 15 years since I started this blog.
I have to admit I've been bogged down with the hand quilting of my Blackbird Designs "Love Letters" quilt. I started quilting on January 1st and just finished on June 30th - WHEW!
I did tight rows of echo quilting in the center (that took a whole month) and then decided to do something different from diagonal lines so I would stay interested. I know me and I get bogged down with the same thing over and over. I absolutely love the diagonal grid when it's done but I sure don't like actually sewing it.
So, I made a cable template and used it to quilt up and down in the North and South blocks, side to side in the East and West blocks, and diagonally on the corner blocks.
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| The cabbage roses block is quilted up and down |
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| The pomegranate block is quilted diagonally. |
I used my blue water soluble marker to to mark everything and so I had to rinse out the whole quilt when I was done. I'm a little disappointed - after all that work - the hand quilting doesn't show up very well at all.
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| The sun is pretty bright so the colors are bright too. |
Sigh, it's done and ready to use.
In between times I have been working on other things.
I finished my Moda Blockheads IV quilt top using Minick & Simpson fabrics, primarily Prairie Paisley II. I sent it to Ray LaGrange for Quilts of Valor. He sent me a lovely thank you note that made me feel so good.
One day I felt like sitting at my sewing machine and I didn't have anything to sew. I had this pattern sitting out on my sewing table. It is one that I cut out of a Quiltmaker 2002 magazine. It just looks homey.
So, I gathered some OLDIES, a bunch of UGLIES, and some definite HAS BEENS and started cutting out a new quilt. It took a while to put together and it is no beauty but I enjoyed putting it together (if you don't count all the ripping out). I'll probably tie it for a car quilt or a picnic or a camp quilt, .
It will be made to be used and used.
Judge for yourself ~
The bright sun makes it look a lot prettier than it actually is.
I made the tiny quilt from the Temecula quilt Co. I think I must have been on Instagram because I can't find the directions on her blog. It measures 6 1/2" X 4 1/2". It was really fun to make.
I'm also working on the border (finally) for the Roseville Album quilt. I didn't like all the Monkey Hands in the original border. I wanted something much more simple. So I just appliqueing a scallop.
So I've been keeping busy, quilting is never far from my mind
Robin
I'll leave you with some pictures of our trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico at the first of June.
First up is the most amazing bathroom your have ever seen. I just can't get over how delightful it was. And I think it's right up at the top as the cleanest bathroom I have ever been in. I know, I know. . . I went to Sante Fe and I'm talking about a bathroom. Unbelievable on both counts.
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| It was actually that green. Copper perhaps. . . |
We'd go for miles and miles and suddenly a rock formation would appear all by itself.
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Well, it should, This is Shiprock. The formation that Shiprock New Mexico is named after and located right smack dab in the middle of the Navajo reservation.
We saw a lot of rocks that had tumbled down, I assumed it was because of all the snow last winter and the freeze/thaw cycle. It went on for miles.
Well, if you've lasted this long - you're a real trooper. All I've got to say is that I went to Santa Fe New Mexico and was so caught up by all the sights that I only got pictures when I was holding still. There's so much more to see.
Be sure and check out Design Wall Mondays on Small Quilts and Doll Quilts to see what beautiful things others have made.
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10 comments:
I have a geologist son in law so look at rocks differently than I ever did. And it's nice to have the answers when I ask about them. Your second to last photo clearly shows the tilt of the land in those striations. And the quilts are beautiful!
Your "Love Letters" quilt is amazing! I especially love your fabric choices for the applique, so softly elegant. It is a true heirloom. It's also a pattern I've drooled over for a long time but will likely never make. So, I'll just enjoy looking at your photos! The oldies quilt looks like a kind of puzzle block. It will definitely be a perfect picnic or car quilt, or for when the younger grands come for a sleepover - my grands always want a quilt to put on their air mattress beds whenever they come over, even in mid-summer. They have to be tough because they're going to be walked on as the mattresses are right tight against each other and take up the entire floor space in my sewing room. Those New Mexico tiles! Wouldn't you like to make a mini quilt of some of those tiles?!
It's so nice to see a post from you and your Love Letters is spectacular. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt, all that hand quilting, just wow. You've worked on so many other projects too! I think a tied quilt is really homey. Santa Fe looks to be such a beautiful place, thank you for sharing the photos.
Your hand quilting on Love Letters is gorgeous! The appliqué too! Anyone giving the quilt more than a cursory glance will notice and appreciate the effort and the beauty! Congratulations on your finish and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
Love Letters is so beautiful! Each block is different but it's so unified because of the colors and fabrics you used. It's a peaceful quilt. Congratulations on finishing it. Six months doesn't seem unreasonable when hand quilting (at least for me it wouldn't be). You're probably a speedier quilter than I am. As far as the hand quilting not showing up -- I have mixed thoughts about that. If the quilting is too dominant, that's all I see. And with a quilt like this, I think I would rather the quilting be in the background than stand out. Sometimes it's a delicate balance between quilting and pattern.
Your Blockheads IV looks perfect for a Quilts of Valor gift. It was probably a fun quilt to make with so much variety in the block patterns.
Your quilt with the old fabrics looks so comfortable. It took me a minute to figure out the pattern. So sorry you had to rip out some seams.
Santa Fe and New Mexico look amazing. I haven't been that far west and I wonder if I would feel lost with trees!
Your Love Letter quilt is stunning, and the hand quilting is terrific. I can't seem to add blogs to my blog roll anymore, but I read back a bit on here. Your work is lovely....and Jan - June? Wow, I'd still be on the applique. The mixed patchwork backgrounds really make this a stunning finish.
Your quilts are gorgeous. 'Loveletters' quilt is super amazing.
Hope you aren't put off by praise, but your hand quilting is inspiring.
Thanks for sharing your trip to New Mexico photos, what a treat.
Love Letters is a real beauty. I'm sorry you felt a bit disappointed in the quilting, as I like how it looks a lot and really appreciated your description of the motifs you used. As for that New Mexico bathroom - wow!
absolutely in love with your love letters quilt!
very inspiring bathroom tiles.
I came on here to comment about how beautiful your quilts are, and then I got a look at that bathroom. Indeed, your quilts are lovely. I love quilts, I just have no sewing skills. In fact, I have serious sewing machine fear. Now, about that bathroom. I love it! That is a bathroom that I would love to have, but would not have the nerve to put it together. I love color and pattern, and yet my home is neutral. Go figure. I really enjoyed this post.
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