Saturday, January 19, 2013

No Sew Week....

Sort of!

I decided to put up my machine this week and focus only on handwork: applique, cutting fabrics, organizing fabrics, and even knitting.  My primary goal was to finish the second block from Kim McLean's Lollypop pattern!  I'm thrilled to say that this block joins the first and I now have two of 16 complete.  That's a little overwhelming and makes me wonder what on earth I was thinking when I decided to appliqué this "wowser" of a quilt by hand.
In checking my pictures, I actually laid this block out last spring and had only stitched the trunk and two bottom leaves.  So, I was able to to complete it in about five days of on-and-off stitching.  The real question is do I want to put aside my piecing to focus on this quilt alone.  The answer is NO!  But I do need to pick up the pace.  Block #1 was also worked on during the Australian Open - last year.  One block a year is not a good plan when you are about to be 63!
Laying these blocks out is the hardest for me.  Fabric goes everywhere and decisions take forever.  I'm thinking I'll layout two blocks at a time to see if that provides more impetus somehow.  It will at least minimize the number of times I make such a mess.  Prepping blocks and making circles is an all day process once decisions are made.
So, no sew week was a success just because the block is done!

I was also able to repurpose the sub-cut batik jelly roll from my-niece-the-quilter.  I have been wanting to make a Cross Quilt and use Wanda's tutorial.  Check it out at Exuberant Color. (Thank you, Wanda.) It took me a minute (or two) to internalize the second row of crosses but I think I have it down.  Time will tell.  Since I have very few batiks and no consistent color palette, I am able to add a few crosses from my stash but most will be from the jelly roll.  I'm looking forward to getting the whole quilt laid out and starting to stitch it next week.  Lots of seams so I am very grateful for my larger design wall.
I was also sure that I would cut up a lot of the shirts that you see on this shelf.  These are all men's shirts --most of which are compliments of Log Cabin Quilter.  The smaller cuts are sleeves that we've shared when friends were cutting up shirts and they are stacked two deep.  My goal was to just cut them up into 2.5" strips (or smaller).  Ha!  I have cut a few but not made a dent in them.  Not a dent.  They may be like rabbits and multiply over night.  And I love them all.  I want to use them.  But I need to make them more usuable.  That didn't happen this week.
Finally - there was a little knitting.  I'm working on my first pair of socks on one needle.  This is a stay at home project.  Managing two skeins of yarn is a bit tricky for me right now.  So, I keep a single sock on needles for travel.
This sock has been to Toronto, among other places, and this week went with us to Lexington (about 2.5 hours away) when I took my machine in for a one day service.  Obviously, I am not a fast knitter!
There isn't time to sew today -- but there will be tomorrow (I hope).  I'm looking forward to turning on my machine, listening to her hum, and playing with fabric -- all the while enjoying both Lollypops on my design wall.

I hope you have had a great week and done all kinds of fun things!

Jan

36 comments:

Mary said...

You covered a lot of ground in this post! I also have been planning on doing a cross quilt using Wanda's tutorial. Your version is going to be really pretty!

Debbie said...

Love your lollipop blocks. Although the circles would drive me crazy, I do love the mix of fabrics and colors. I think it will be fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!

T'onna @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
http://navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2013/01/submarine-sunday-15.html

Diana of Diana Rambles said...

Your quilts are gorgeous!

Lois (AKA Onnie) said...

Your applique is just beautiful. I'm very impressed. I have not appliqued and am doing Comfort and Joy. Choosing the fabric is just killing me. It's taking forever.

Penny Foree said...

Your applique is great! I, too, started an applique quilt and I'm scratching my head wondering what I was thinking of! It is a BIG project but you are doing a wonderful job. Don't give up!

Rhonda said...

Your applique blocks are beautiful. Once you've worked out a schedule and all, things will speed up, says the woman (me) who takes forever to chose fabric and thread...LOL
Take care.

Anonymous said...

I love the lollipop quilt and I would never get it done because applique is so overwhelming to me. I would so make that batik quilt and your fabrics in it are divine. Nice job!

Rabid Quilter from California said...

Sew much to see on your post--delightful! Can you tell me the size of the knitting needles you're using for your socks? I just finished my very first pair (thanks to Judy's encouragement) on size 3 needles and I'm hooked! I want to use a finer yarn and smaller needles next time. Thanks!

I Quilt for Fun said...

Hi, Rabid Quilter -- couldn't figure out how to email you. The single sock is a size 2 and the needles with a pair of socks is a size 1 (which I think I will use going forward -- I like them a lot and will be ordering another pair one of these days).

Thanks for taking a minute to peek at my wanderings!

Jan

scraphappy said...

The fabrics in your applique blocks are just amazing. Hope you have more luck getting them done -- think of what an amazing quilt it is going to be.

Jill said...

Oh my goodness Jan - what a lot you got done in your no sew week! LOVE that appliqued block for your quilt!

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

Nancy said...

Your appliques are very fun, Jan.

I enjoy your blog and have given you the Liebster Blog Award. You can learn more about it at http://joyforgrace.blogspot.com/2013/01/surprise-liebster-award.html. (I hope you accept awards!)

NurseBrandy said...

Jan,
I love your Lollipop Trees blocks! Did you get them from a BOM? I did a BOM that just ended in December. Only have a couple of blocks cut out so far, but I am SO excited about it! I'm getting back to work on it now...
Love your backing fabrics!
BLM :)

Quilting Revolution said...

I can definitely appreciate having multiple projects going at once. Including a hand applique quilt. I'll be lucky to finish it by 2015. LOL But, I have a few friends that come every first & third Monday evening and we ONLY work on hand work. This is my time to commit to my applique. I also use 30 minutes of my lunch hour at work, as often as possible to stitch a leaf or a flower. It keeps forward motion going on the project!

Frances Meredith said...

It looks like you have been busy. We all know how long hand work takes - we all know it is not a race! Lovely blocks, and some lovely neat stashing.

Ana Love Craft said...

Gorgeous bloks!!! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing.Would love to have you visit me sometime.
Have a fabulous week!
Hugs from Portugal,

Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your lollipop blocks are beautiful and I can see that they would take a lot of time to do! Your Cross Quilt will be neat and Wanda has great tutorials, love her blog too! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Stella Nemeth said...

Ohh, two socks on one needle. I've heard about doing that, but have never tried. Is it hard?

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Your work is gorgeous!

Quilter Kathy said...

These applique blocks are so amazing! I can't even imagine the amount of time they take to prep and stitch!

Corina said...

I love that applique blocks! Great job!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Love all the projects. I can see why you didn't have time to sew. You are one busy lady!

jjthor said...

Your block looks great!! as for the socks I love the colors!! I don't think I'd have the patience to knit them especially with the way my wool gets attacked by the critters!!!

Carla said...

All your projects look fabulous! I like knitting socks too.

CapitolaQuilter said...

Love your fabric choices. The cross quilt is a lot of fun to make and Wanda is just the best at inspiring!

Ginny said...

I love your Lollipop blocks! I am in awe that you are doing them by hand!

vexa said...

wow, pretty projects going on.

Rebecca @ Herons Crafts said...

Your applique is amazing! So intricate - I am seriously impressed!

EveryDay Bloom said...

I love the colors you chose for your applique. And the pattern...seems free-spirited to me. Beautiful. Lynaea @ EverydayBloom.com

Mareenchen said...

I understand that you'd not like to spend another fourteen years on merely assembling the blocks of this quilt. But the block looks a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Go you!

Nat at Made in Home said...

I love crosses quilt! Yours looks already amazing! And knitting two socks on one needle, how?

Lorie said...

Gorgeous! All of it! All talents I do not have!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Oh my gosh. You amaze me. Love the colors and pattern but where do you find the time? I'm doing something wrong. :D
p

Sarah Craig said...

Looks like you got a whole lot done!! Love your appliqued block, the cross quilt is coming along nicely (be grateful for a design wall!) and I have a very similar pile of shirts that need to be made "useful" too! Hopefully I'll get to that soon...

Whoop whoop for you!!!

Janice @ Better off Thread said...

You've been busy! I really love those Lollipop blocks. I want to see you finish that quilt! It's nice to have some hand sewing to work on while catching up on TV shows, but my handsewn quilt is taking me forever, too, since I keep working on machine projects. Thanks for linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday:)