Sunday, December 16, 2012

Basketful of Color

One week to go and I can't decide if I'm caught up or just behind and don't realize it.  I didn't have a lot of Christmas quilting to do and we don't go to a lot of parties and I'll eventually do some baking -- but for now, I'm in a spot of limbo.  Should I be doing something?  Can I enjoy the moment?  What (or who) have I forgotten?
One thing I had forgotten is how much I love this wallhanging!  I have actually never hung it on a wall for Christmas.
But the fabrics are divine!
I got this years and years ago from Keepsake Quilting when I saw it and fell in love with the fabrics.  Never mind that I had no idea how to do any of the techniques.  I had to have it.
It's machine applique and quilt as you go.  Or at least it was when I did it.  The instructions were average, the templates were scary since I had never had to do anything quite this freeform, and the fabrics made my heart sing.  I was terrified of cutting into the fabrics and clueless about how to use the natural shadings in them to emphasize the design.
Nor was I sure how to use the quilting to create additional design.
In the end, I love it -- even though it stays hung in the closet.  Hopefully, by this time next year, I'll have hangers somewhere in the house (out of the sun) so I can enjoy my seasonal wallhangings.  For now-this one is on my design wall so I see it everyday!

I wish each of you peace, joy, and color in your world -- Jan

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As a postscript -- it seems insensitive to be speaking of joy and color with such darkness and sadness in Newtown, CT.  Words fail me in this incredibly sad sad time.  I can only pray those affected will someday find peace, joy, and color again.










23 comments:

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

That is beautiful! It definitely has to be out where you can see it and the design wall sounds like a good temporary spot.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

This is really stunning and your quilting is beautiful!! I would definitely have it hanging up.....even if just in your quilt room...all year!

Melody said...

It's lovely! What a beautiful piece. I'd definitely show it off. :]

One Minnesota Quilter said...

Very pretty and great quilting too!

Judy

Unknown said...

Thsi is beautiful! I would need it as well if I saw it somewhere.
Donna @onceuponasewingmachne.com

Angie in SoCal said...

What a marvelous wallhanging! I, too, would find a home so I could see it more often - or at least every winter. Peace and joy back. I continue to pray for those in CT.

Paula, the quilter said...

That is a beautiful wall hanging. It's a shame you can't enjoy is more frequently.

Jill said...

WOW ~ this is stunning!!! You definitely need to put up some hangers so you and others can enjoy this beauty.

Julianne said...

That is a stunning quilt.

Jean Belle said...

What a beautiful quilt! Thanks for showing all the close ups of the detail. Love the fabrics too.

Gari in AL said...

Absolutly beautiful. I would be hanging it where it could best be seen and since you would only have it up for a month or two, the sun shouldn't hurt it. My idea is that whatever I make is made to be used or seen and used up is fine with me. Things can always be made over (but probably won't since there are so many new things to make. ;-) )

Diana of Diana Rambles said...

Gorgeous!

Jill said...

Gorgeous wallhanging Jan! Hope you do get it up for next year!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Elaine said...

What a beautiful basket of poinsettia, I love this wall hanging, stunning quilting too!

Kat said...

Like you, I wasn't sure how to talk about fabrics and quilting and colors when so many are hurting over the tragedy in Newton. Fabric and blogging just didn't seem to matter anymore. However, I realized that while we're all feeling so lost and helpless, one thing we *can* do is try to bring joy to others. Your wall hanging made me smile, so you have brought some joy to my morning. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.

Lynette said...

How pretty! *Look* at that basket quilting :D

Miki Willa said...

This is very beautiful. I hope you find a place to hang it soon. As for celebrating beauty in this time of sadness, I think we need to keep searching for beauty and joy in the face of all the evil around us, or the bad guys win.

vexa said...

It's awesome!

Tammy said...

Gorgeous! Very nice!!! Thanks for sharing it with us :)

Karen Pior said...

Your quilt is beautiful. Thwnks for linking up on my blog today. Cheers, Karen

Unknown said...

The quilt is too beautiful to leave in the closet!! Here's how I hang my seasonal quilts: I get some sturdy straight pins and stick them right through the quilt and into the dry wall (won't work on real plaster). Use as many as you need to support the quilt. Sometimes I need to bang them in a bit with a shoe. If the pin isn't superfine it will stay straight. When it's time to take them down, the holes are so small they are invisible. If not, fill with white toothpaste! Next year, the pins will go in the same place with no trouble at all. Try it; it really works.

Merry Christmas!

Linda said...

I have a wooden pole through the top of my Christmas wall hanging. I then use a dressing gown cord to hang it up. I just tied the cord on each end of the pole. The beauty of this is that I hang them over existing pictures or my wall lamps, takes seconds to put up and take down to roll up!

maybe said...

It is beautiful. Wish I could make something so beautiful. Please hang it where you can see it always. Thanks for sharing the beauty and joy of appreciating beauty.