I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Quilt Blocks Done - Poke Berry and Summertime



So far.... Hi! I feel like I've accomplished so much this summer! And it isn't over yet. Here are my projects for July and a bit of August.

Summertime: 
The side blocks are actually the Summer issue, part 2 of this quilt. I'm a little behind because Part 3 is all piece work so it will have to wait.


I added the kitty.



And I finished the basket blocks except the leaves which will be machine appliqued when my good machine is repaired. :-(


The pattern didn't call for buds but I felt it needed something and I hate leaves. My etsy friend Sue made these beautiful yoyos for me! I wanted texture and something 'not-pokeberry'. I do think I made a mistake and they'll have to be removed for quilting? I LOVE them, the fun-ness, the dimensionality, the pop of color. I plan to use yoyos also on the border which seems to have about 36 berries. Thank you, dear Sue!




Remember last month I showed you the Star fail for the corners?  Great Star suggestion from Cathy---use wool. I love it and am so surprised at how well the wool star sample has washed.





Pokeberry:

I did all the berries, yay. Except a few that cover seams. The rolled ribbon is stems that extend down through future blocks at a later time, then leaves may be added.


My friend L who does beautiful embroidery warded off her pre-wedding [her son's] jitters by embroidering these blocks for me. When I did Flags last year I found out how much it means to me to have friends add to my quilts.


The flag will go in a small House block,
subbed for the church.

Here are all the Pokeberry blocks so far. I think I am about 2/3's done? I love this quilt. It has been so fun. I love learning new things and have so enjoyed the wool applique. I'm thinking of using silk batting, has anyone tried it? Please let me know. And I'd love to use velvet for the backing, I suppose that's a disaster recipe?



I don't love some of the pattern's blocks though. This project is loosely based on my Midwestern prairie childhood memories. The Urn block [see cover photo, below] is being replaced by a crock of black-eyed susans and blue chicory, memories of driving to the Kane County County Flea for crocks, roadsides filled with prairie wildflowers.




I found out it is actually easier to make one's own design than it is to copy, transfer and translate a pattern made by someone else! This was so easy! 



a bit wind battered.
Brown velvet black-eyes for the susans.
Both quilts are by Jan Patek. Here is the cover of Pokeberry so you can see what still has to be done.



I'm in a bit of a quandary about the Horse block. I had planned to sub the large black Kitty from A Little Porch Time since horses aren't a part of my life. But I am making my ground fabrics black, so Kitty won't show up. Maybe a calico cat? or nothing?


Most of the remaining blocks, except the wreath, are pieced and will not be worked on until Fall. I'm redoing the wreath, simplified and less wonky, with apple blossoms and a robin with her nest. Wools ordered from a fave etsy seller Quilting Acres . Errin is so helpful and patient and her wools are beautiful.

This Winter Blues doll quilt also resides in my beach bag. It is my alternate project and is being [rather badly] hand quilted when I run out of applique work or it's too windy. Not looking forward to quilting all these hearts on the border. Hmmm.


And a finish. This sweet doll quilt is finished and bound, ready for my eBay and/ or etsy shop. I may keep the large quilt I made from the same top, not sure yet.







And very last, a peek at a long time project! A new custom quilter did the quilting, what a gorgeous job she has done. "Cordelia's Quilt"....it has a story, to be shared at a future date.



Mo is learning to be patient. Here he is supervising the photo shoot, a big improvement on eating the quilt blocks as I take pix.



How about you, do you like a summer project? My friend BJ is taking a hand applique class, in case she decides to make the Ohio Sampler quilt with me. But it need not be sewing---maybe learning new things? My mother always had a new interest she'd study---one year Provence, the next---Paris or New York. [she liked to armchair travel on hot summer days...].

Or maybe just a little downtime is the best thing, a glass of wine or lemonade, an evening stroll.
Speaking of strolls, Mo and I have been garden peeping. We'll share that next time.

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach............


August surf








9 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post. It's so amazing to see all your projects and how much you've accomplished.

    It's so fun to watch Mo supervising.

    I'd better get back to work. Visiting you was my treat for the morning. I can hardly wait to catch up with previous posts.

    Aloha,
    Hunter

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  2. What a beautiful quilt! Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege of contributing to such a fine work. I am honored! Looking forward to the next 36 yos.
    Strawberry

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    Replies
    1. Your yos are so sweet and perfect! Thanks, Sue!

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  3. Maybe you could put Gully in place of the horse? Or your kitty from childhood - was she a calico? You could make your own calico fabric: draw the rough shape on white, then color it calico with Sharpie markers. Iron it, and it's permanently set! (you could prewash it before cutting it out and stitching it on if you want to be sure).

    I've been playing with Sharpie markers and alcohol to make 'tie-dye' and 'watercolor' designs on some old white t-shirts. I found some designs I like, but I'm glad I practiced!

    My block-a-month crochet afghan is slow going now with new crazy kitten in the house, but I should still have it finished Oct-Nov. I'll send you pictures!

    I think your quilts are all coming along amazingly fast, and so pretty, too! I LOVE the pokeberry quilt, and I really love the black-eyed Susans. That brown velvet was perfect! I can't wait to see it finished, with all your own additions!

    Now I'm also very curious about the Cordelia's quilt, LOL.

    Thanks for sharing, and I'll look forward to the garden peeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Not Gully! It was you who told me not to mix in East Coast beach stuff. But a calico kitty. Maybe.
      Is the new afghan block or blocks more difficult? Or no, I guess it s your little needle clawed helper who is causing probs. I have quit trying to knit for now. So I def get the picture.



      Can I show Meekay's picutiure on my blog for Kelley? You know she does a lot with feral cat rescue and fostering.


      \The brown velvet for the susans is just a smidge of antique silk ribbon I ve been hoarding for years. I knew it would be used somehow.


      l

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  4. I like Mel's ideas of trading Gully, or the kitty from your childhood. Also the Black-Eyed Susans ARE fun. The yo-yo thing too.

    Mel has a new kitty!!! How much fun is that? I don't even watch television any longer cause my little fosters are so amusing.

    The pictures of the surf this time of year are just great...some of my favorites :)

    Kel

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    Replies
    1. Maybe Mel will let me show off her new ''baby'', a calico tabby, aka a calibby, baby girl.

      Yes, August surf is the best! It s so clear and salt-foamy this year, too.

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  5. It is so fun to see all of your wonderful projects! Everything you do is so personal and unique!! I LOVE it!

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Hi! I'm allowing comments from everyone, even anonymous for awhile, to see what happens. With comments moderation. Hopefully the awful porn spammer has gone elsewhere. Or you can always email me! I love to hear from everyone.