One Step Closer

"In Full Bloom" is growing ever closer to completion.  Here are the corner blocks added to the double four patch row.  Can I just say "LOVE IT????"

The vine border looks a little strange as the corners are not attached.  I couldn't figure out another way to do most of the applique ahead of time and still  be able to easily attach the borders.  So we'll finish the vine, add more berries/leaves and add the flowers.

And even though it rained ALL weekend, we managed to have a fabulous time playing with this little punkin :).  She's almost 18 months old and absolutely adorable.

She and her Nana Girl got along wonderfully.

Of course she brought along her parents :).

And she loved playing with her Granddaddy.

What a great time we had.

Now it's back to work and more applique.

Have a great day,

Karen

A Few More Rows

"In Full Bloom" is moving right along.  Here's a close-up of the next few rows.  The red/gold square in a square row finishes at 3".  They were paper pieced - all scrappy centers and corners.

After the vine border there will be a row of these - double four patch blocks - these also finish at 6" like the 16 patch.  This row will have a constant  batik for the corners the same as the 16 patch.  It is absolutely perfect!!  A blend of brown and gold that reads as a solid the farther away you get.

Because I didn't like the way this block looked at the corners, I drafted a square in a square variation for the corners.  Instead of trying to commit to one fabric - I decided to use a four patch to mimic the blocks.  This totally goes along with my motto that if 1 is good, 4 are better :).

Here are the 4 corners.  Most of the fabric for these blocks came from Edyta's line "Love Letters" so it blends perfectly and continues to tie the rows together.  Designing a large medallion quilt is not as easy as I thought it would be.

So here it is at the moment.  My friend Lisa Jo who is piecing this came by this morning to get the vine rows and these corners.  So the next time I share pictures, it should be completely pieced.  I feel like I'm giving birth or something.  It's a wierd feeling to see this quilt come to life after just being an idea on paper for so long.

We've got some very special people flying in soon - they got stuck in Atlanta, but should be here in less than 2 hours. I'll give you a hint..... think grandbaby :).

Until next time,

Karen



The Next Few Rows

 I'm happy to post several more progress pictures on the Opportunity Quilt. The 16 patch blocks are done, and the 2nd row of sawtooth borders are on.

 I want to clear up any misconceptions, since this is a guild project, many people are helping.  I am not doing the actual construction, a friend of mine agreed to piece the top together for me.  How great is that??  Piecing the top is one of my least favorite parts of the process.  The whole thing should be together in a few day -woohoo!!!

 

I'm off to continue the applique on my jubilee quilt.  I am making progress on this :).

Karen

First Row is On

The first row of our guild's opportunity quilt "In Full Bloom" is on - yay!!!!

There's more to come soon :).

 

I'm off to work, have a great day.

Karen

Finally Moving Forward

I have finally decided to just push forward with my Jubilee Quilt and not over anyalyze this any more!!  I am so crazy about this quilt and I think that's one reason it has been so hard for me concerning the borders - I've wanted it to be perfect.  After spending so many hours trying to think of different things for the border, I'm ready to be done!

 Deciding to use an element from the central flower was  the start.  I drafted a single bud and then struggled with the size and shape of the leaves.  In the end, it will be what it will be.  I think I will add 2 circles at the bottoms of the arcs - see second flower from left on the top border.  The border still looks like it's lacking something and I think the little berries will help.   I've still got so much to do - including the center motif.  Still working on that one....  It just feels good to be doing something!

 I worked a full day yesterday - first time since my shingles diagnosis.  When I got home I was met with this :).  My DH is out of town and he ordered an early Valentine's present.  I will also be out of town for my birthday in a few weeks, and so he wanted to surprise me!  Thank you honey :).

  He doesn't do this often, so it was so special.  Purple and green, can't go wrong there.  Hope your day is going well,

Karen

A Little Silver Lining





Since my diagnosis of shingles, I have tried to be calm and not stress - since that is apparently what brought this on.  One of my all time favorite things to do that does not stress me at all is hand applique.  Fortunately, I had just the project.

I was planning on having some friends help me applique these borders for the opportunity quilt "In Full Bloom".  But since I have been housebound and couldn't go to work, I had extra time on my hands and needed something to do. :).  Lucky for me I had almost 10 yards of vine and about 150 leaves to applique.  The blue circles are the markers for the flowers.  I had to completely rip out one of the vines, but I only had one side done so it wasn't too bad.  There is something so soothing about vines and leaves.

Once those were done (or at least as far as I could go at this point) and since I was still in the "zone", I pulled out my Jubilee Quilt.  This poor thing has been seriously languishing for months.  I'm still struggling with exactly how to finish these borders, but I'm at least moving forward.  Technically my jubilee year is over, but I didn't start this quilt until the end of March.  It's going to be so pretty, but it's been so hard.  I know it will be worth the effort.  My blisters are starting to dry and my pain level is down.  Thanks for all the well wishes.

-Karen

Taking a Slight Detour

I've spent the last few days making some much needed progress on this quilt - In Full Bloom. It's the opportunity quilt I'm designing for our guild's quilt show next year. The vine borders were laid out and lots (and lots) of leaves were made - thank you Alice!!

I finally decided on the green batik (by Edyta Sitar, Love Letters line) to use for the inner borders.  The first sawtooth border was almost done.

Here you can see the second sawtooth border is almost finished - everything seemed to be humming along until.....

I got the doctor's diagnosis this morning - I have shingles!!  How did that happen??  He asked me if I'd had any stressers lately.  When I mentioned that I had gone back to work and was trying to learn Excel he laughed and said that would be enough to stress anybody!! (Not sure if he was serious or not!!)

So I've started the medicine and I'm hoping for the best.  I've heard horror stories about the pain, but I'm trying to stay positive.  Working on this beautiful thing is a good way to keep my mind off the pain.  I'm hoping I've caught it early.  So for the moment, I'm still appliqueing vines and leaves.  Wish me luck!!

Hope you're having a good Wednesday,

Karen