Gone To The Beach

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

What's Done is Done! 2016 Quilt Finishes Part 2

Hi! I'm back with the rest of my show and tell.
Due to my boring and oft-mentioned illness this past year, my output is not what I'd have hoped for. The big finish is Pokeberry! As soon as winter sets in, it's going on my bed, all flannel, and velvet, and wool.

Doll quilts:
Lori of Humble Quilts' Spring Swap, my offerings.

Again with Lori, " Quilters Madder'', a study in mid 1800s madder dyes prints.[repros]. beautifully quilted by Lori Cangemi in an allover Feathers design.

My Madder Stars, all antique blocks/ fabrics except that tiny cheddar center square. More beautiful quilting, Mini Baptist Fans, from Lori C.

And my second Quilters Madder, which I called Indigo Loves Cheddar (I*L*C).

I cut the busy cheddar version just for fun. Then I hated it! And now---I love it. I love everything about this little guy: the simple quilting, the funky scrappy pieced binding, the double pink back.

The truly awful cheddar print and other tiny scale cheddars I used when the ugly sister ran out. I always love my indigo blues, and my double pinks---I am amazed at this result, at how pleased I am. The first authentic QM was a stretch for me. I don't enjoy muted tones or colors like berry and rust. [I do think the resulting quilt is beautiful, though.]. I*L*C is just so me, it's bold and busy and loud and colorful. (Not that *I* am like that but it's what appeals to me, design wise.) Yet all the fabrics are ''authentic'' repros of the mid 1800s.
And these sachets/ drawer liners were Christmas gifts, and will be something new in my shop soon, for Valentine's and Mother's Day. Wonderful way to use antique linens and beautiful fabrics, I think. The larger ones are the size of a folded sweater, perfect for your best sweaters. They are lined with sturdy cardstock board and two layers of batting.I made them unscented, with the idea that the person can add their own perfume or even a spritz of Febreeze, but most of the recipients asked for me to add scent. What do you think? (Of course I think they'd be the best with a matching lavender heart on top!)

I'm looking forward to having less pain this year, being able to sit and sew sometimes. Maybe even walk Mo! Something to strive for. How I envy those who can begin a yoga class or train for a run, or walk 1000 miles![or ten!] Ah, if only....
I hope to finish my many neglected projects: Wild Geese, Dotty 365, Summertime, Antique Baskets, and more. Quilting got me through the pain of 2016, makes me hopeful for the year to come. (I love having a To Do List!)

love

lizzy

gone to the beach...

Monday, January 2, 2017

What's Done is Done! 2016 Quilt Finishes Part 1

Happy New Year! What would a New Year be without a look back at what we did over the previous year.....

Mo with his handmade jellyfish from Mel!

First up, Our Porch 2/ Summer Porch/ P 2 project has finished. My top is completed on schedule. That makes me happy.

As I hung the P2 top to take its picture, I marveled at the result, the real-ness of this project that less than a year ago was a pretty and hopeful photo on a pattern envelope.

I would never choose to make this quilt on my own, but I enjoyed every moment. The design and Lori's quiltalong were inspiring. I loved the happy fabrics, and the freedom to mix and match prints by emotion and style, not genre. (So you'll see a mix of modern Lecien and Riley Blake florals, CW and 30s repros, even a few batiks.) I loved having the handwork for me and Mo to sew each afternoon this painful summer. I was so happy I gave myself permission to machine applique the hated leaves. I especially enjoyed the baskets, and the Whalies, which don't really seem to ''go'' but add a certain whimsy. Oh and the Watermelon! So fun.

But my favorite part was designing my own blocks. I love the Kitty and Books, and the Kite [bows to be added after quilting; they will be 3-dimensional].

And I especially loved finding simple Pinwheel blocks and others for the filler spaces.

Originally I bought this pattern with it in mind for me to make, with a friend, as a hope chest baby quilt using the upper right quarter as inspiration. It was too folky for her but I may make this section again someday.

I didn't want my quilt to have the usual wide [expensive] Jan Patek borders, so I did narrow borders in the double pink of the geranium posts. I dislike rectangular quilts, and was hoping this would square things up a bit. Hmmm. Okay.

Now we come to the teeny tiny clinker. The design looks unfinished!~ It needs---yes! The Big Sawtooth border from Summertime. Just on the two sides.

I love this! I can either steal Summertime's borders [and sub squares like its other border] or make new ones. As I recall they went together fast, so...?

I also recently came across this wonderful nautical children's toile and coordinates. Perfect!

P2 is perhaps the only quilt I've ever made that one of my children sort of liked. We agreed it looked like Summer, and have renamed it "July" .

''July is dressed up and playing her tune...summer breeze makes me feel fine...."

I'll end here and show you the first sunset of 2017, below. And so apropos, a crescent moon.
More 2016 finishes on Wednesday.
You can see other versions of The Summer Porch quilt on Humble Quilts

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.......

Friday, December 30, 2016

Happy New Year!

Good evening! As I type this post, the year 2016 is drawing to a close---and snow flakes are gently falling from the black wintry sky. I do love snow if I don't have to drive in it or shovel it. 2016 had its low points, and days and weeks of pain, but it was not all bad. To me any year where I am with my friends and family and Mo, where I can sew and watch my ocean, is a gift to be treasured.