The journey of Lollypops continues. This is not the first, and is far from the last, post on my ongoing relationship with Kim McLean's Lollypop Quilt. I will spare you all the links; if you're interested, you can click on Labels on the right side of the blog. Suffice it to say, I've chatted about this before.
I love the Tour de France! Also not a new comment. I also love Wimbledon! So the last two weeks have been perfect for handwork. As I've had a few minutes, I've run up to my little quilting room and pulled out this block that I prepared months ago, and have done a little stitching. My tension on my stitches is a little wonky -- you can see some puckering in the block --but that will "quilt out" right?
This block that is prepped has fewer motifs to appliqué so it will be next. My personality is to start with the hardest (or most unpleasant) first and get it done so the balance is easier (or less distasteful in some circumstances -- that's not the case here). It's not distasteful in the least -- it will just take longer.
The last prepped block looks like a breeze, doesn't it? Bigger motifs, fewer small circles, and fun colors. And this is the actual design -- no editing from me. While I now have three (of 16!) blocks completely appliqued and two more ready to go, I had a moment of epiphany and realized that if I put everything aside and just prepped blocks and appliqued like a madwoman, I probably could not finish this quilt by the end of the year. Really? YIKES. I need to get my act in gear and be more deliberate about this wonderful quilt. I love it. It makes me happy. BUT. Piecing makes me happy. Long arm quilting makes me happy. Giving people finished quilts makes me happy. But not getting this done before I'm 90 doesn't make me too happy! I need to give this some thought and decide on some priorities and commitments.
Let me say -- this little gem from Superior Threads is a lifesaver! I would never have enough different colors to appliqué all these bright colors. I do have four spools of silk thread and I like them a lot but sometimes the colors just work better. What a beautiful rainbow! I highly recommend it if you have an appliqué project in your future.
I hope you have something that you are working on that makes you happy!
Jan
37 comments:
Wow, what a beautiful, beautiful quilt!!
Stunning blocks!! I love crafting while watching the sports on TV too!! Though Wimbledon is on the middle of the night over here in Australia :(
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
That is going to be one beautiful quilt no matter how long it takes. Have a lovely crafty week.
Love the blocks!! Applique is my favorite and it is perfect to do while watching tv on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I am working on Alex Anderson's The Grape Escape and doing grapes for weeks but if I just do one cluster at a time they eventually all get done! I also love my Superior Thread donut of colors!! I have added Peach and Teal to my mix but love the selection of colors for applique!
Gorgeous! Wonderful! I am in awe.
I am in awe.
Stunning! Thanks for sharing!
Love these blocks! This will be an amazing quilt.
Dropped by from Quilt Story, fabulous blocks :)
Beautiful blocks. I love them. And your rainbow of threads is pretty too.
How cute. I can see how it would take awhile. Looks great though, worth it! Happy Quilting:)
You are a very talented quilter! Appliqueing small rounds is really difficult and your circles look perfect. I would like to see the finished quilt, so don't wait till you are 90 to finish it!
love these fun blocks!! your fabrics are great, and I don't see any puckering at all! lovely!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
I quilt for fun: you mean,'I quilt for fabulous!'
What wonderful blocks, just seeing them has cheered me up enormously, love them!
Years ago I saw a woman working on this pattern and thought it looked so fun. Your blocks are really lovely! I always press my applique blocks from the back and find that will take out any puckery bits. Keep up the beautiful appliqué!
Your lollypops are gorgeous! I'm so enjoying them coming together.
beautiful blocks; fabuous work!!
Gorgeous!! Love all the Kaffe and the dots and your work is beautiful!!
Every one of these blocks is a mini masterpiece. They are so beautiful.
I finished my Lollypop Tree blocks last fall, put the quilt together, and hope to quilt it this fall. It's not a quilt that can be rushed, is it?
I chose to use machine appliqué with invisible thread, and am really happy how it turned out. I loved looking at all your blocks and seeing your progress. You can see mine at my blog: opquilt.com; search for Lollypop Tree in the search box on the right. (It's a wordpress blog so the search box is more efficient than a blogger blog.) So glad to see you blocks!!
I'm sending you cheers for your work--keep going! It's such a wonderful quilt when it's all done.
Elizabeth E.
opquilt.com
That is SO pretty! Great job!
Gina @ Gina's Craft Corner
http://ginascraftcorner.blogspot.com
Beautiful blocks and what a great idea to use the bobbins from Superior for applique! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday
That is totally gorgeous.
These quilts are incredible! Fabulous job!!
I hope you join us for our link up this week, it closes tomorrow so hurry on over!
http://www.sowderingabout.com/2013/07/on-display-monday-10.html
I understand the dilemma with handwork vs. speed. Speed is great but so is holding fabric and needle and thread. For me, handwork is therapy! And I love your hand applique!
Lovely handwork. I don't have the patience to do that, nor the time, right now, but I admire those that do. Thank you for sharing.
I love the Tour de France, also.
What beautiful and vibrant colours! It looks like my wardrobe! ;-)
They're all lovely. But the first one is particularly beautiful! I'm hand-piecing a Farmer's Wife right now, and I've realised that at my current rate I won't be done for another 18 months. Enjoying the process is the only way I'll finish this, but it's definitely something to ponder!!
What a great quilt it will be. I totally understand your love for the blocks! Good luck with all of the handsewing!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
Amazing work!LOve it! Have a nice weekend!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
How absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to see the entire quilt. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday at Organized 31.
Your blocks are beautiful! Keep up the good work!! Whoop whoop!!
I always look forward to seeing your beautiful creations and inspiration! Thank you so much for linking up to the Tuesday To Do Party!!! Can't wait to see what you share this week!!
Smiles!
Jami
The Blackberry Vine
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
I love all of the applique! I'll be back to see more!!
What a beautiful blocks !!!
I am very interested in this pattern. It is adorable. I love this block that you have made. It is so adorable.
Split-Site PhD
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