#24 is complete

I still have #21 to do and if I don't count the borders that I haven't started, I don't feel so far behind.  I don't plan on doing the borders until the center of the quilt is completed as I am going to do the borders (or I am planning on doing them) scrappy like the center of the quilt. 

Anyways, I started this on the 27th.

Here is the completed block as of very, very late last night.

and a couple close ups of the two colors ways of the flowers.

Now I am going to go choose the fabrics for block #21 and hopefully I can get that one well on its way before our final block is posted. 

Hey!  That sounds good, doesn't it?....final block.  I am thinking borders will be easy peasy, so if the blocks are all done, then the quilt is almost finished. 

Yeah. 

Happy New Year everyone!!!



Where I am at......

This is where I am at where our BOM is concerned.

I am behind, but still happy with what I have. 

Now....onto my next block. 

Happy New Year!



Squaring Up- Follow up!

When I wrote here about squaring up I shouldn't have.
Well, it was my fault for not reading more carefully.  The directions were right there for all to see.  You know what they say about people that assume.
Instead of 17" blocks I have 16 1/2" blocks so now my quilt is 2 1/2" smaller than it should be and I have to figure out what to do about the borders.
Any suggestions?

New patterns

Have you all received the email or heard about this - Just Takes 2?  They will be posting free patterns based on the Infinite Variety exhibit of red and white quilts.  It looks like it will be fun and we can sign up to receive the patterns.  I did!

Mary

Finally.....

#23 is done!

Too many little reverse applique, tiny, tiny pieces.  In fact, I think I missed a couple, but at this point, I don't care. 

New Border Posted

Just noticed on Facebook, that Gay has posted instructions for the next border - top side. Was kind of hoping for Block #25 :o) At least, I hope I did not miss it somehow?? Got another block (#19) done but will try to finish #20 before posting both...can't wait to have all the blocks done and start putting them together.

Have a good weekend everyone and Happy Stitching!

Pat in very cold Northern Wisconsin

http://thoughtsfromtaylorsoutback.blogspot.com

Squaring Up

I started squaring up my blocks yesterday.  I was told they are supposed to be 16 1/2 inches. 

I hope that is correct  because I have already cut them. 

I have ten blocks that are larger than 16 1/2 inches.  

I wonder if anyone else has run into this problem?

I guess I should have been checking as I did each block.

They can be fixed it just means I am not as far along as I thought.

Cherry Tree blocks 21 - 24

I used a flash on the first picture and room light on the other three.  The backgrounds are all the same fabric and it looks a lot more like the first photo.  I'll use some of the fabrics from block 24 in the last one so it doesn't look too out of place.  We've had record rain here and I needed something lighter and cheerier so I used pinks.

Sale on BTCT Patterns

Gay is offering 40% off Beyond the Cherry Tree pattern.

If you have missed one or two or maybe you want to start but don't have the patterns. Here is your chance!!

Now through Monday.

 

Block 18

Well, I've finally finished Block 18, although in my project, it's block 15. So I'm over 1/2 way to the finish line, I've prepped another block and I'm going to get back at this sooner rather than later.
This picture looks like it's poofy in the center, it just hasn't been pressed.  Oh my, please ignore that messy design wall that this block is on.  Pretty soon it won't be white anymore with all the threads!
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Sharon

Block 24

Only one block left.
I haven't started my borders....still can't decide how I want to do them.
Nancy

First border

Ta-Da! I finished the chain stitch to the berries last night. I was so excited I have to take a photo right away!!
When the time comes to add this to the quilt I may have to add a few leaves or berries toward the ends, but for now I will leave it open.

#13 & #19

Two more checked off...#13 has to be one of the stranger blocks in this quilt...and I just had to attach the one floating stem that was on the original.

 
Working on #18 now with 20, 21,23 & 24 ahead...and whenever we get #25. 

I am also waiting until everything is together before starting any borders.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Pat

Borders

Is anyone making the borders already or are you all waiting till the center blocks are together?  I'm waiting - I want to be sure everything fits properly.   I have 21 and 22 stitched, washed, and ready to press and 23 close to finished.  I'll post pictures as soon as it's done and the wrinkles are out.

Bottom border

Is posted on Gay's site. Gotta love the leaves and berries!!!

Block 24

This block is finished, now back to border, side 1. 

Everybody still going full steam ahead?

blocks 23 and 24

 I finally got those pink centres on the flowers.  It is all finished now.  I did the cut-outs on some of the the flowers, but not on others.  If is hard to see them with some fabrics I used, so I did not bother!

Number 24 is all done now. I really like this block - it is amongst my favourites.  See hard to believe that there is only one more to got (plus 3 borders).  Bit sad, don;t you think?

Block 23 and part of 24

 This my mostly completed block 23.  I am traveling at present, and did not bring any pink along with me, which is what I want for the centre of the flowers.  It is also the reason the block looks all crumpled - I need to get to an iron.

Block 24 is started.  All the leaves are in place, some appliqued and some just tacked.  Hope to have it finished in the next couple of days.   Not far to go with the whole project now!

Cherries Galore

Our blog has been very quiet recently.  I suspect that is because you all, just like me, are frantically sewing blocks.  I want to sew the first border but I will wait until  all the blocks are finished first.  Here is a block, I can't remember which number it is:

I have a picture I am calling 'the basket series':

And here are 16 of my blocks:
 

I have 3 more at different stages of sewing.  That means I am only 6 behind the pace.  And then of course, there are the borders and the quilting.  Hmmm.

Block size

Does anyone know the size we are supposed to trim the blocks to?

I searched Sentimental Stitches and found no information.

I would like to put my center together so I can figure the length I need to cut the borders.

Nancy

Another wreath...

Recently finished the simplified version of our earlier wreath...
This is #14

Working on #13 now - have been jumping around abit...slowly catching up - 5 more to go - oops, better check to see if a new block has been downloaded on the 10th!

Off to get cataract surgery this afternoon - hoping my stitching will be smoother!!!

Pat
Thoughts From Taylorsoutback

Border

If we are going to do it like the orginal I think if I cut a border 90" that would be enough.

16" blocks x 5 + 8" border= 88" 

Can someone doublecheck me on that?

Link to border article

Click here to read about the borders.

Block 23

I managed another block! Woo-Hoo!!

Did you all read Gaye's post about the border construction? She is giving directions to do them the traditional way but the original maker did them like this diagram. Very fascinating!! My plan is to keep them like the original. What about you all? Any thoughts on that?

#22 is done

Finally have something to show.  Here is #22. I still have two more blocks and now one border that I am behind in, but progress is progress.  

Two more...

Decided to work on two of the more simplified blocks -

 The second one sure is a good example of my inexperience with applique.Tried a number of techniques on the little gold centers for the 6 small flowers and everything looked clumsy. Ended up doing a circle of french knots on each one instead. I need more patience when working with small pieces...

Better get moving on  more of the blocks now that the first of the border patterns has been downloaded!
Have a good week everyone and
Happy Stitching!

Pat

Border

The right side border is posted!! Woo-Hoo! Almost done with last months block..

Blocks 21, 22 and 23

I have blocks 21, 22 and 23 completed.  Only two more to do.  The bow on block 23 was a little difficult for me but it didn't pucker too much when I washed it and I didn't put the cherries on block 21.

Block 11

Block 11

This block seems to have taken me forever and yet it is such a simple one - maybe that's it! I have added a couple of new fabrics to this block - a red from the French General range and a mustard batik, which will add to the collection as I am getting concerned that I will not have enough of the mustard coloured fabrics to complete the blocks and do the vine border, so I am looking forward to seeing the vine pattern this month.

Block 13

I'm pretty sure this is Block 13. I'm glad it's finished. Now to prep a few more blocks. I'm all out of applique. I have to admit, I'm getting much braver to make changes, I'm now doing my applique needle turn which has eliminated a few steps, and I'm more confident with my stitching. This has been such a great project to help develop my skills.

Sharon

Fraternal Twins

When I saw Mimi's block #20 I thought she had mislabelled it.  I was working on block #7 and I thought she was too.  I had to go and check for myself:

Block #7 

and almost the same, but not quite

Block # 20

 There are other similar blocks throughout the quilt.  I wonder why, when there are so many patterns available,  the maker chose to almost repeat the same design a few times.

#20 is complete.....

I sure hope I haven't made a mistake by going off course with my reds and greens by adding this faded red/rosier color fabric for the basket (even though it is in the same fabric line).  I certainly don't want or need to buy more fabric for this quilt (I could make 2-3 more quilts with what fabric I have left), but I haven't wanted to repeat basket fabrics and I don't think I have any interesting ones left, thus the introduction of the rosier fabrics. 

I have incorporated the rosier fabrics in a couple other blocks but only as flower buds. Here's a close up of this  block.

Right now it is bothering me.  I could easily remove it without it hurting the other pieces of applique.

Most of my baskets are red, I think I have one that is taupe and now this one.  I plan on making another one taupe and I have a rosey floral that I could use, but what do you think?  Am I compromising my red and green quilt ....that I wanted so bad? 

Three more blocks to go to catch up.....21, 22, and 23.  I think I will work on an easy one just to get one  completed quickly.  Gotta get busy.



Two more blocks...

Well, I think after completing these two, the next couple of blocks will be simpler ones for a change. I found both to be kind of labor intensive and although all those little fingers were surprisingly enjoyable to do...happy to say they are done.

Thinking that center 5 layer flower is a tad dark, but it will stay as is. 

The photo of the completed blocks laid out was taken a while back before the latest two were added. 

 Happy stitching everyone.

Pat in Northern Wisconsin

Block 23

Has anyone attempted to make the bow in block 23?  If so how did you manage it.  I just can't seem to get my bias  stems to curve that much.
Nancy

Cherry tree 22

I am all up to date now.  I could not get the centres of the flowers quite as small as the drawing - darn.  As I use Perfect Circles, and I did use the smallest,  they were still not small enough.  Never mind,  it is the thought that counts.  Now ready to start on the next one.

For those interested, we are going to start getting the border next month.  Get ready for all those circles!

Wendy (in South Australia)

Finally # 15 is done....

Gosh, I thought this one was about done,....twice.  Well into the block I realized there were pieces missing, so had to go cut out more freezer paper pieces and then fabric and get back to stitching.  Then I thought I was almost done when I realized there was one more bud missing.  I don't know what happened.  Either I never did them or I lost them  when I kept taking this one out of my bag to show off my progress.  Oh well, it is done...even the embroidery stems.  On to the next one.

What's everyone going to do with the newest block?  Are you going to make the circle stem wonky or smoothe it out.  I am debating.