Tuesday, March 17, 2015

2 more to go

I finished my Susan McCord Vine panel #11 yesterday and today I added it to the growing top  :0)
 It is getting difficult to photograph. A picture outside would be nice but we had snow again on Monday and it was wet, muddy and cold out today.
 With just 2 more panels to applique the top is close to full size now.
 There's nowhere in the house to lay it out flat to take a picture.
 That didn't stop me from taking pictures though. Every panel completed feels like an accomplishment and taking pictures is kinda like celebrating :0)
This panel had lots of large, pieced leaves - my favorite!

So, I thought I would pull out my Bird of Paradise quilt and work on the side borders but since I haven't designed them yet it was easier to print off panel #12 from Janet's blog Quiltsalott and get started on that.  I feel a bit panicky if I don't have some applique prepped and ready to stitch and that's a silly thing to lose sleep over - lol!

Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

a finish and a question

I finished machine quilting a new table runner for my coffee table.  I'm always happy to finish up with machine quilting - its not my favorite...
 I did very basic quilting - straight lines I can use my walking foot to do.
 Here is on the coffee table.  It does a very good job of covering up the dents, holes and marker scribbles of the last 15 years.  It is lighter than the other one I made for this table -it should be good for spring and summer.
 I had a hard time choosing binding. I almost used a dark brown to frame it a bit but in the end I decided on this fairly solid red.  I just barely had enough.  This was a good project for using up last bits and pieces.
I really, really wanted to start something new but...  this quilt has been calling my name again.  I would really like to finish it - its been a ufo for a long time.  Yesterday I pulled it out and added the outer row of sashing and corner posts.  Most of it was even already cut.  I need to push through with this one and finish it while I still like it. 

Unfortunately, I don't really like the fabric I bought for the border anymore.  (This picture doesn't show it very well)   Its just too yellow for my liking.  I also think it needs something more for a border than just a wide plain border.  A row of hst's or zigzags made with flying geese - something fairly simple.  What do you think this quilt needs for a border?  Any thoughts?  I'd be happy for any advice you have to offer.  Thanks!

Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

progress is progress


I am still working away on the handquilting for my Crowfoot quilt.  I started quilting it in September of 2013.  I was so sure it would be finished by this past Christmas and now I'm wondering if it will be completed by late May in time for the outdoor quilt show.  Oh well, it'll be done when its done!  Last night I started on the 4th and final border.  I decided it was time for my initials and the year.  
 Can you make them out?  " JO  2015 "  I was almost going to quilt them in blue thread so they didn't standout too much and detract from the feathers - lol!  I can hardly see them in white thread so I'm glad I went with white.  While I was drawing the numbers and letters I got out my other quilts with stitched dates and initials.  My daughter walked in to see what I was doing and remarked she had no idea that there were dates stitched into these quilts a couple of which we use all the time in the livingroom  :0)  
I also got the surround pieces on one more of my Circle game blocks.  This was the slightly too big block.  I don't mind that the points got cut off a bit - at least I tried to cut them all off more or less evenly :0)  I am still debating about the circle that's slightly too small...

Happy Quilting!!