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

 

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How is everyone??

Been very quiet over here at the Cherry Tree blog...wondering how all of you are doing...

Just thought I would do a quick update on my own progress or lack thereof...I ran into some issues with the machine basting on my quilt and long story short, some of my very special applique friends came out to the house and helped rebaste the entire quilt by hand last week. It is now perfectly smooth, layered beautifully and ready to resume handquilting as the nights are turning chilly and outdoor chores are winding down. This quilt was packed into a special wrapper and traveled with us all through Canada and Alaska this summer. When did I think any time would be available to work on this? 

Just 2 photos to post  showing everyone hard at work with the basting. One of the ladies kept us continually supplied with threaded basting needles - how nice is that?!!

Looking forward to hearing where you are at with your quilt...

Pat

At Long Last...

 
Just want to share the photo of my completed top...the last stitch was taken today, May 26th. I started this journey in November, 2010 as an applique novice and have learned so much along the way. The main thing I found out, is that there is so much more to learn:o) Now to clean up some stray threads on the back, do a careful pressing and make some final decisions about how it will be hand quilted. Then off to my long-arm quilter for basting...
(The photo was taken in our guest room which has just been painted and is totally empty of furniture - the only area large enough to spread this out and still couldn't get the whole quilt top in for a photo.)

 Pat in Northern Wisconsin

All my ducks in a row...

Or, rather, my blocks...still dancing on the ceiling too!

Making cherries and leaves now for the borders yet to be...
There is a close up of the center blocks on my blog...come by for a visit!

Pat in sunny northern Wisconsin
http://thoughtsfromtaylorsoutback.blogspot.com
 

Oh, What A Feelin'!

Yes, I am dancing on the ceiling...Blocks 23, 24 & 25 - Done!
Excuse the hasty pressing and unedited photos but I wanted to get these posted before bedtime...knowing I couldn't sleep without doing so...

Goal for this weekend? A final squaring up and laying out in preparation of putting the rows together...sounds so good...

Happy Stitching everyone!

Pat in snow covered northern Wisconsin

Which way do you make bias tape?

Just posted a new blog entry about my recent experience with making bias tape for all the miles of vines we need in the borders...thought you might be interested in the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker if you haven't tried it yet. 

Drop by for a visit when you have a chance.

Pat

http://thoughtsfromtaylorsoutback.blogspot.com

Size of border vines?

A quick question-thought I would start making up the yards of bias vines for the borders. Looking at our pattern the Clover 1/2" bias maker looks close if not right on. Those of you that have worked on the borders - how wide are you making your vines.
Thanks much - Pat in Northern Wisconsin
Http://thoughtsfromtaylorsoutback.blogspot.com

Yeah! Three More Blocks...

So happy to share three more completed blocks...seems like forever since I could say that. So until we get #25 (tomorrow??) I only have 2 more blocks to do!

Wishing I would have balanced the cherry clusters better, but pretty much followed the pattern placement. They are staying put!

 

Happy stitching everyone.

Pat

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

#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

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

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

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

2 More Finished...

These are the latest completed blocks for me...though not sure about those embroidered stems on the wreath. Have done half way around and am wondering if I like them...will sit with it for awhile before doing some reverse sewing or finishing up. Don't know why exactly they are bothering me as I like all the embroidery up 'til now. 

 On to the next - Happy Stitching everyone!

Pat in chilly Northern Wisconsin

#9

Here comes ole slow poke again...#9 is completed

But I have good excuses :o) - have been away from home and putting in major hours of gardening. Almost finished with #11 and have #10 prepped...jumping around a bit so not doing a number of the wreath blocks one after the other...

Have a good weekend everyone and happy stitching!

Pat T.

#8

Happy to check this one off as completed...lots of little leaves. Nice to be moving on to #9 which should go faster. Looking ahead to a number of wreaths and another vase...so putting to work the idea of prepping like a number of you have been doing. 

Have a good week! I am off on a day-long quilt shop bus trip with my Liberty Ladies group - first time out of town since last Fall...am I overdue or what?

Pat

#16

Happy to say this one is a finish! Think I counted 112 cherries - give or take a few...stayed with my red and green theme even though this called for purples.

Just did some simple stem stitch embroidery first and then tried arranging the cherries as close to the diagram as possible. 

I am also toying around with the idea of doing some sort of inked inscription in the center, but not sure yet - that can wait.
Back to #8 and all those leaves - the block I have been avoiding. 
And a big thank you again to everyone who has shared their images and experiences at the Infinite Variety/Red and White Quilts exhibit. I have been like a sponge soaking everything in...
Happy stitching everyone and have a great weekend!
Pat in sunny (and dry!) Northern Wisconsin

Block #7 Finished

Hello from icy, cold rainy Northern Wisconsin...a good day to stay inside and do some stitching.
Here is my block #7 - I think all 42 cherries are in place! You might notice something a little different...I would like to think I "approached this block in my own way" but in all honesty I goofed...instead of the open background showing around the basket handle, I interpreted as the inside of a vase and chose to do reverse applique in a gold interior along with the other 3 little openings.  I was too far along when the realization hit - so as they say "it is, what it is...." and it is done and I can move on to more cherries and also start #8.

Hope it is okay to mention also - I have a little Giveaway going on - can you drop by for a visit?
Thanks much and keep stitching everyone!

Pat

#6 and a start on #16

Wondering how many leaves we will have appliqued when all is said and done??? Eventually I will master those little pointed ends...

 Have closed my eyes to the fact that #16 looks out of whack...those vines follow the original pattern...except for the 4 stems which lead to the clusters of cherries...I am thinking about doing the embroidery links a little differently....at least one of the cherries is in place:o)

 Now on to getting #7 ready to go...

Making those cherries...question

Hi everyone - no completed blocks to show this week, but do have a question. I am working on #16 and have started the cherries (or grapes - depending on your colors!) - how have you approached these 100+ little puppies? I am trying the Paper Pieces, Perfect Circles and Office Dots....so far they all give good results, but getting the Paper Piece circle out after basting is not something I am enjoying. Is it okay to leave it in? When this quilt is finished, it will be for show and I can't imagine washing it. On other projects the Office Dots have worked well and they have been left in with no problem. But the Paper Piece circles are just slightly heavier.
In the meantime, the woven wreath and leaves are done and I go back to #6 every once in a while just for a break.
Hope you all are stitching merrily away - maybe I will have something to show next week??
Thanks for your feedback to my question and have a good weekend. Take care.
Pat at Taylorsoutback