Friday, December 20, 2013

Are you up for another one???

Lori from Humble Quilts has posted an update to her BTCT (see below)and also is going down the slippery slope of another 25 BOM applique from Sentimental Stitches. Are you game for another one? Do you want to carry on with this blog and add in the Benjamin Briggs quilt? Or do we start another blog specifically for it and leave this one for BTCT? Please see post below as Lori has the links all there to see the new crazy that we are about to embark on! So what do you think? Are you quilter enough to take on this next 25 block applique? Just go look at how beautiful your BTCT blocks are and imagine having another quilt to keep it company! For now, I'll be blogging about it on my grassrootsquilting blog and Lori will be posting on HumbleQuilts. Please comment and we will go with the majority! Sharon

Quilting Update & New Applique Quilt in Januaury!!

 I've finished quilting around the applique shapes in all the locks (not the border) and started cross hatching the background.
This is going to take me a long time!! I love this quilt!

Gaye and Brenda are starting another 25 block, once a month applique quilt called Benjamin Biggs. I plan on doing that one. For now, you can follow my progress on my blog, Humble Quilts.

I loved the encouragement I got from this blog. Thank you all so much!!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Making Headway

I'm still poking along with the hand quilting. I'm trying to do some outlining on the applique and then finish up my stitching session with a few lines of the cross hatching.

So far I have 13 blocks completely outlined and I have a jump on two more. This is definitely a slow and steady process. The hard part is getting a callous built up on my under finger after I take time away from hand quilting. I also ended up taking off my acrylic nail I had on my thumb, it kept splitting and lifting, so I thought I'd take the summer to give my thumbnail a rest and give it another go in the fall. Sharon

Monday, May 13, 2013

Apologies for error in posting

Hi all - not sure if Blogsy (what I use to post on blog from iPad) or if Blogger itself is acting up.  But at any rate do not know how a posting for my own blog showed up here which I hope has now been deleted.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

Pat

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Two more blocks!

Hello

I have finally finished two more blocks, although one of them needs a rethink...



This block has taken me since last August to complete(!), but it is now done and I am very happy with the end result.


This block I am not so happy about - in fact I am very unhappy with it, but decided to post it all the same. It's the one I started over Easter. I angst over the fabric choice for the bowl and it wasn't until I photographed it that I realised that the foot of the bowl a. requires reshaping and b. needs to be straight! I was in too much of a hurry. I am also unhappy with the teal bud - it's the wrong shade. Dear Janers say - "finished is better than perfect", but the bowl needs further thought. I love the fabric, it's a Moda, but it is just not right - the teal background is "muddy" whereas the rest of the quilt is quite bright. I will leave well alone for the time being and then come back to it near the end.

Eight more blocks to go!


Fiona in a sunny Engalnd (for a change!)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I am still here!

Hello

I haven't been around for a good 5 months and have had little time to pick up a needle and sew - blame it on my work! But over Easter I got going again and there has been much progress with three blocks.

I am working on the wreath with all the little fingers and oak leaves (top left hand corner on the original quilt) - have about six more oak leaves to add and it will be finally done.

Over Easter I started the flower bowl with the little loops across the top - its all stitched bar the bowl, I just cannot make up my mind which fabric to use? I keep prevaricating between two fabrics

The fruit bowl in the centre of the quilt is also on the go, but its all those grapes that's really slowing me up. I am using Karen Kay Buckley's mylar circles for the grapes and there are only 4 circles in the set that are the right size, so I am finding it difficult to make a run of them...

So my goal is to get at least two blocks finished by the end of the month or sooner and quite possibly three and then I'll have 8 more blocks and of course the borders to do. I am getting there :-)

I have been admiring everyone's work over recent months -  it has been very inspirational.

Best wishes

Fiona in England - where the daffodils are now finally in bloom after a long, very cold winter.

Friday, March 22, 2013

#11 and #16 finished

Two more blocks finished--

#11
#16
I'll do all the embroidery details last.  Half the blocks done--I'm on the downhill side!! 

I'd like to hear from everyone--I know some are done, some are quilting, and some are stitching. 





Monday, March 18, 2013

Semi-finalist

 
Here I am in Lancaster just two days after surgery on my broken wing.  No ribbons or money, but because you are judged into the quilt show, you are considered a semi-finalist.
 
 
 
This is the best I have for pictures as dear husband was my right hand, my credit card and my chauffeur so I am not going to complain.  He was a trooper throughout the whole trip.
 
I am thinking you gals who are hand quilting your quilts will have a good shot at a prize, so keep up the good work.
 


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Slow progress

Thought I would share my "progress" - the only time allowed for hand quilting is a few hours of an evening and I am a slow quilter at best. Working on block #7. Have to say though - I am really developing some genuine love for this quilt - knowing each of its little glitches aside - and it knows all my thoughts and emotions. Like Aunt Jane - "oh Lordy - if this quilt could only talk"

Happy stitching everyone - is it Spring yet??

Pat in snow covered northern Wisconsin

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Update on Hand Quilting

Well, Feb was a short month, but I did get more hand stitching done on my BTCT. I was sidetracked with piecing two other projects, but they are now finished. I'm not sure if I posted this info so if I'm repeating myself, sorry. Quilt was marked by Bellwether Drygoods in MD, they did an amazing job. 3/4" cross hatch and I'm outlining all the applique.
Progress to report: 8 blocks are completely outlined. Huge accomplishment as this is where most of my time and energy is being focused.
Once the blocks are outlined, the grid work is what shines.  I've tried to stitch a line or two at the end of my sessions, so it's a slow process. Now that it's got some quilting on it, the tank is getting easier to handle.  It still weighs the same, it's just denser and easier to handle.  I am committed to staying focused on this project, What are you staying focused on? Sharon

Monday, February 25, 2013

Block 17 & 18

Finished two more blocks--

#17
#18

 I'm not doing the blocks in order--now I'm back to #11.  Still enjoying the project--today I read back through the blog, learned a few tips on some upcoming blocks--thanks everyone!  

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Still plugging along

Remember the fable about the tortoise and the hare?  Well, I am a very slow tortoise racing with a whole bunch of faster tortoises!

Block 8
Winter is a good time to work on my applique.  Block 8 is done,  and I have two blocks ready to work on.  This is a long term project--seeing the finished quilts has kept it from becoming a PIGS.  Cleaned my scrap box and pulled some bits for the next blocks.  I'm doing them in the order I feel like--I  have 10 blocks done. 

Hmm--I thought the above picture/post had already been done--but if you've seen it, here it is again.

I did finish another block--

Block 9
I almost did #9 twice--I may have to pull out my finished blocks and label them--I haven't been doing them in order and I'd rather not make any extra!  Lori

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Still Plugging Away

After seeing the posts here and watching Sharon make quilting progress, I thought it was time to get a few more quilting stitches in mine. Yep! Long term project and there isn't anything wrong with that.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Been to the Post Office......

My BTCT is on it's way to Paducah, KY....
 
 
.....even though it will be shown at the Lancaster Quilt show next month. 
 
Little did I know that this will be traveling over many states before it gets hung in Lancaster. 
 
They check it in at the offices of Paducah and then pack it up in a truck and take them all to Lancaster. 
 
I liken this trip to the post office to sending my first child off to college. It was a little hard to let go.  One good thing though is that I will get to attend the show even if only for a couple of days.  I will post some pictures of it when I get there and get to see it. 
 
Ok....I am officially excited!


Friday, January 11, 2013