Sunday, June 23, 2019

A little bit of applique and a little bit of handquilting....

I truly didn't think it would be such a long gap between this post and my last one.....the days slip by so quickly sometimes!

Today marks the 7th anniversary of Slow Sunday Stitching hosted by Kathy at Kathy's Quilts. Every week she invites us to share the projects that we are stitching away at. 

Lately I came across the new quilt published by Kim McLean, called Animal Album. I had no interest in starting a new applique project, but I just love Kim's designs and I finally caved in....thinking I'd get the pattern and it would be a new start for 2020.

I've completed two of Kim's patterns and loved both of them. I told myself it's ok to just work on one block...just one! 

Kim McLean's are "a little bit much", as I overheard a woman say once when she was viewing my Stars and Sprigs at the Fair a few years ago...and as I began this block I've realised, once again, that I really do like quilts that are "a little bit much"!


The blocks are 18" and there are still a lot more pieces to go on block #1.

This week I also started hand-quilting a quilt that was part of an online sewalong that just wrapped up, called Shimmer...


I love that I can baste quilts on the longarm. Back in the day I would pin quilts to the wall-to-wall carpeting that I used to have in the living room and spend a few hours crawling around the floor basting them. This is so much quicker and easier, and a service I love to provide for my hand-quilters.


Then I just had to sit down and put those first lovely stitches into the quilt. I wondered which feeling is better....those first few stitches quilted on a quilt....or the last few? I don't think I know the answer, both are pretty good!

My favourite thread and needles....and my new thimble, ready for action...




....and who'd a thunk it....I can't use my beautiful new thimble to quilt with .... it will have to be only used for applique :(

I wrote about my new silver thimble in my last post, which you can find here

I bought it at the quilt show hosted by the Genesee Valley Quilt Club in Rochester, NY. I do have a few more pictures to share with you from this wonderful show.

I always love house quilts. This one was beautiful and you can see in the close-up one of the "pictures" that were quilted into the background...




I like when we can see different quilters' interpretations of the same quilt. Especially nice when the quilt is from one of my favourite designers, like this one designed by Sue Garman...




This one is my favourite...



The following quilt was their raffle quilt...I haven't heard from them so I guess I didn't win. It's probably the most beautiful raffle quilt that I've ever seen at a quilt show. I also love the extra effort they put into the beautiful feature around the edge of the quilt...



I always love a good scrappy quilt. This one really caught my eye, I think the blocks are 3 or 4"....




I'm thinking it would make a good "leaders and enders" block. I made one up to try it out. I cut a 3.5" square, sliced it in half and and inserted a strip...





I seem to remember someone once being hesitant about attempting a scrappy quilt, worrying about how everything would go together. But I also remember hearing how each of the fabrics are usually in your stash because you liked them at some point, so they should be wonderful together in a scrap quilt!

Today I am linking up with Kathy for Slow Sunday Stitching. I hope you have a moment to visit with her to wish her a happy anniversary and maybe visit with other slow-stitchers.

Have a lovely Summer's day!

8 comments:

  1. Oh, I couldn't agree more with you that "a little bit much" in a quilt is a most excellent thing. Your Animal Album block is a beauty. This block is filled with fun, whimsy and gorgeous fabrics. LOVE those swans! And as for your Shimmer quilt, it is beyond beautiful. Enjoy this week with a little hand quilting.

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  2. Love quilts that are 'a little bit much'! So wonderful that there are so many options that each of us can find something we love to work on. That is a great scrappy quilt idea at the end....

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  3. I think the first stitches and the last are exciting...for different reasons!! Your hand quilting is lovely and I always wondered about those fancy looking thimbles. Maybe only good for applique or binding!!

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  4. I like things a bit over the top and am a great admirer of Kim Mclean. She is so original and optimistic. You have a great start there-I love it!!!!

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  5. LOL A little bit much... so funny!
    You didn't brag about having your quilt hanging in the CQA show!?!
    Congratulations and it looked great!
    I have a photo and will send it to you.
    Thanks for being a part of the Slow Sunday Stitchers!

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  6. What an interesting post. It is so hard not to start something new, especially when you have the pattern in your possession. I love that applique. It is so colorful and interesting.Thanks for sharing more quilt from the quilt show. Of the three that were the same pattern, I like the second one best. Enjoy your quilting.

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  7. What lovely projects. I don't think there is such a thing as 'too much' in a quilt. I love it! Beautiful quilts at the show too.

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  8. Love all your projects! The colours in your 'shimmer' quilt simply glow, and I just love a little bit much more in our quilts, so colourful & eyecatching!

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