Thursday, April 4, 2013

180 Degrees

Well, if you read my last post, you know I was bouncing around from project to project like Jumpin' Jack Flash.  This week has been the exact opposite.  My machine was only turned on for about 30 minutes of sewing -- all week.

Instead, I got focused on selecting fabrics for this block.  This is my third (of 16!) block from Kim McLean's Lollypop Quilt pattern.  I love it -- but choosing fabrics and making decisions makes me a little nuts.
This color palette is completely out of my comfort zone -- to the point that I made myself a note reminding me that I wanted it to be pink and orange.  Turns out I didn't have much orange -- so it ended up pink, yellow, and a bit of orange.
This is not fast for me -- before even getting to the fabric selection and block prepping, I trace every piece that is not a circle onto Beth Ferrier's appliqué paper.  I normally use freezer paper but the denser foundation of Beth's paper gives me more stability.  I did a practice block and used freezer paper -- I found that even subtle shifting impacted the design.  As you can see, this is a mirror image block and one stem creeping up 1/4" and the other stem slipping 1/4" is obvious.
The patterns are well done but they take a lot of paper!  And once I got the pink block done, it seemed silly not to do another one!  No sense gluing the pieces down for just one block.
That leads to deciding on the primary color for that next block and digging into my tote of Kaffe fabrics!  
I ended up with yet another block prepped that is not in the colors that make me most comfortable (blues and reds and purples!).  I have added a bobbin to the lower right hand circle to get a perspective on the size of the blocks.
So -- what now?  I have devoted the entire week to tracing, prepping, selecting, cutting, gluing, and pinning wonderful fabrics to patterns that make me very happy.  Before I pull out the Roxanne's appliqué glue -- maybe I should prep one more!  After all, I need 16 and I only have two completed and these two ready to finalize.  And, there are about a million small applique blocks for the border -- but I can't even think about those right now!

I hope you have had a good week doing whatever makes you happy -- and playing with great fabric!

Jan



37 comments:

Heather said...

I have to say, I love the pink and yellow block! It is beautiful. I can't wait to see the finished product.
I have a quilt my Grandmother made out of pink, lavender and yellow satin. The fabrics were from old dresses she and her sister wore as children. It is a treasure.

Heather (friend to your niece the quilter).

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your blocks look great! I agree with you about laying out the blocks, it takes me forever!

Sara said...

Wow that is a lot of work for certain! I have not done applique myself. Maybe someday. Enjoy it.

Unknown said...

THIS IS GORGEOUS!! what an amazing work of art & love!! I haven't quilted (yet) but my daughter and I still snuggle in a quilt that my Grandmother & Aunt made and treasure their memory and hard work :) Michelle

Glinda ♥ said...

Stunning - I'm a fan of the pink and yellow too - so bright and cheery - the perfect antidote to our foul UK weather :)

Sarah Craig said...

Two beautiful blocks!! Whoop whoop!!

Anonymous said...

Very "retro"! Love it!
Esther

Diana of Diana Rambles said...

GORGEOUS!!!

Schulz Family said...

visiting from sew darn crafty. It might be a lot of work but I love your colour selection and it will look AMAZING when all done

Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD said...

great bright, fun colours and fabrics - dropped by from A Round Tuit :)

Anonymous said...

Your blocks look great! I think your hard work is going to pay off!

Unknown said...

I love how this turned out. Very cool tree design.

PatSloan said...

GREAT Lollipop! I have this on my list too!

Heather Pregger said...

I love the pink and yellow palette! Gorgeous work!

Nann said...

What delicious lollipops!

Angie in SoCal said...

I love these! For color combos you're not easy with - these are wonderful testament that color is your thing. It's going to be a glorious quilt.

Threeundertwo said...

Really beautiful! I love all of your color choices and fussy-cutting. Applique prep takes me forever so I'm impressed with how much work you've done. I agree - don't think about all the little blocks in the future. Keep going while you're on a roll.

Rhonda said...

Those colors are totally out of my comfort zone but I find that I really like them. Great job on the block, BTW!

Krista said...

This is so great! I love the look of Applique and I am trying to get better at it. This looks amazing! Great job :) Krista @ A Handful of Everything

Dee said...

I love these blocks and yours are yummy! Hurray for you jumping out of your comfort zone and here's to many more blocks of these scrumptious colors!

Liz said...

Wow, that's so beautiful and colorful!

Bunny said...

Love it and wanted to do this one too, but was afraid of all those circles. Great job

Kymberly said...

So much fun. Those colors are out of my comfort zone too, but after seeing these blocks it makes me tempted to try.

Emily Thompson said...

Ooo pretty! I love all the colors! I came over from Ginger Snap... but I would love for you to link up to my party too! It will be open for another day :o)
Emily
www.nap-timecreations.com

Anonymous said...

Your bright pink and yellow block is beautiful.

Cindy said...

I love what you are creating. My favorite one is the pink and yellow.

Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick said...

Such beautiful work...Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino

The Chicken Chick

http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful block and those fabrics really make me think of spring! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Leigh Anne said...

That block is one of my favorites but I don't think I will ever get the nerve to tackle it!

EveryDay Bloom said...

luscious colors...wonderful pattern. Lynaea @ EveryDayBloom.com

M-R Charbonneau said...

Gorgeous blocks!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This is beautiful :)

Christina Fairley Erickson said...

Even though you were out of your comfort zone, I think your top block turned out beautifully. Would love to have you stop by Fiber Artist Journey and link up to my Design Wall Weekend!

Teje Karjalainen said...

So beautiful! Your fabrics and colours are so delicious! I can imagine how your can't stop when you start to make those applique!

Muv said...

Hello Jan,

I really love the colours in your second block. The finished quilt will be fantastic.

Love from England,
Muv

Paula said...

Oh my goodness! This is amazing! Someday I hope to reach this comfort/talent level. I'm a newbie at all this.

Found you over at Quilt Story. Looking forward to following!

thenewwittys said...

Oh what beautiful artwork!