It's done -- and I'm thrilled

It's done! Since it took four years to piece and applique it, I am taking the position that I have four years to get up the courage to put it on my longarm. I cannot even begin to think about how I will quilt this.

Here's what I know -- every single element will need to be outlined with invisible thread and then the background and some of the petals, leaves, and circles will have to quilted or enhanced.  I cannot even think about that right now!

Thank you, Kim McLean, for such a great pattern (Lollypop) and use of color!

I hope you are finishing a few things occasionally. It does feel good!

Jan

A glimmer....

I believe the "light at the end the tunnel" analogy is way over-used.  But there are times when it just makes a point better than anything else.

So, there is a glimmer of light with this quilt.  I still love it -- and I continue to aspire to have the top finished by November of this year.  That doesn't sound so hard - but this is not a quilt I can work on every day.  Or even every week.

I have five large blocks to applique (of the original 16) and have completed nine of the border blocks (only 37 or so to go -- really -- 37, I think!).

If you have somehow missed my many posts on this quilt, this is Kim McLean's Lollypop quilt pattern and is done primarily with Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  My friend, mom22smartchix, finished her top as of this past weekend and it is fabulous.  We started together and chose different paths in our approach to applique and I hope mine is half as wonderful as hers when I get it done.  We've learned from each other - we've commiserated with each other - we have conspired with each other - but we never competed with each other. And I could look at hers for hours. She's a little wacky and is already planning her second one but that's another post for another day!

I hope you are working on a project that you love and are inspired to finish (eventually!).

Jan

And now there are 10...

......and "only" six to go.  ONLY.  Only?  Only.  No matter how I say it -- it's still six blocks and I'm not working on any of them right now.  My goal to get Kim McLean's Lollypop Quilt appliqued this year won't happen. So - "maybe" 2015. MAYBE. Maybe? Maybe.

Nevertheless, I do love this quilt and I will finish it -- and the border blocks too! It will be huge. It will be a terror to quilt.  It will be a quilt I keep forever. It will be done!

I'd like to say I've accomplished all matter of other things. Not the case. I have started a lot of things -- including the mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. Here are the remnants of step 1. Step 2 is about half done.

I have a few things I have to get done by Christmas so I'll work on the mystery quilt as much as I can - but I'm going to have to start focusing on gifts and commitments (not to mention Christmas, baking, decorating, and the best -- family).

I hope you are enjoying the holidays - finishing a few things - starting new things - and loving every minute of it!

Jan

# 9

Nine down -- seven to go along with about a bazillion little border blocks.   This block was particularly hard for me to design and I do not love it but I will leave it.  I can be very comfortable pulling fabrics for a red or blue or purple block.  But when it comes to greens, yellows, and oranges (not to mention neutrals), it's not as easy for me.  This one will not be a star but I repeatedly tell myself when I'm quilting that not every fabric nor block can always be the center of attention.  And it's done!

This is Kim McLean's Lollypop quilt and if you've read my blog very long, you've been on this journey with me.  And we are only slightly over half way.  YIKES!  I'll give my fingers a day or two to heal and then start another one!

Hoping you are working on something that gives you joy!

Jan

Quilt Math – an anomaly

Is it me or are there times when “quilt math” is inconsistent?

When I am making 76 blocks for a quilt and I get to #38, I am on the home stretch.  If I’m making 120 four-patches and hit #60, it’s a piece of cake!  I’m currently working on 7.5” log cabin blocks and have to make 64.  I completed #20 yesterday and felt like I am on a roll and this is going to be done in no time.

And then, there is this quilt.  I love it.  But this is block #8 of 16 total large blocks and I am overwhelmed at the amount of work that lies ahead to finish all the applique.  What gives?  Seriously, I feel like I just got started and many of you know this journey started in January, 2011 with a false start on a black background block and I couldn’t stand the lint and show through.  So that block will someday be a practice piece for quilting and become a linty pillow.

I was sure that halfway would motivate me to keep stitching.  As it is, I think I’ll give my fingers a rest and watch the World Cup, do a little long arming, and make log cabins. Maybe when I hit #9 I’ll be “on a roll”!

I hope your quilt math is working out and you are motivated to finish projects you love!

Jan

And then there were 7

....but that means there are 9 more to go.  This is like the never-ending-story!

I hope you are finishing up a project you love -- or still in love with a project that never ends!

Jan

Fabric, Selvage, and Bunnies!

Don't you just love this fabric?  Who wouldn't love tumbling owls! This is being used as a border in a baby dedication quilt for a couple locally.  It's sort of a compilation quilt with three of us getting it completed.  My part is done and I've passed it along to the next lucky quilter.

Other than making the top for the dedication quilt, I've spent the last weeks working on Lollypops which I won't bore you with.  Suffice it to say that all 36 of the small border blocks are glued down (not appliquéd!) and 11 large blocks are laid out and ready to be glued.  Yippee!  This is slow going -- much like watching paint dry.

During all the 'fun' of creating, I was notified by Lee at Freshly Pieced Modern Quilts (one of the blogs that I follow and periodically link to) that I had won a $25 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics.  If you have never checked out Lee's blog, it's worth your time.  She is creative, posts frequently, and loves fabric.  Check her out.  Often.

Who doesn't like hearing that they have won free stuff -- particularly at an online fabric shop.  Now, in reality, I had never heard of Pink Chalk Fabrics but I had loads of fun deciding how to spend my money.  You know the drill -- notions?  blenders?  sale fabric?  something really special?  All very important questions.  By all means, if you haven't shopped at Pink Chalk Fabrics, it's worth a look.  Great fabrics.  Good prices.  Good selection.

I finally decided on two cuts of children's fabric that I can use in my baby quilts for the local hospital. To maximize my spend, I went with good fabrics that were in the sale section.  I adore them.  Check out this fabric --

This is a Moda from Japan with the absolutely cutest selvage I have ever seen. Look at those little bunnies.  Tell me you have seen anything cuter in a selvage!

I am happy to say that I have not gotten on the selvage bandwagon.  I regularly admire the art created by those who are selvage lovers.  It's one of the few quilting bandwagons that I haven't jumped on and I remain committed to staying away from it.  But, these little selvages are too cute to throw away.  So, if you are a selvage lover and would like a set of "bunnies" -- I'm happy to tear an inch down the side and send a set to the first three folks who send me an email at iquiltforfun@gmail.com.   They are just too sweet not to be put to good use or at least admired by someone who loves selvages.

I hope you are finding fabric that makes you happy!

Jan

Quilting Olympics!

Seriously -- I feel like I'm in a marathon--a quilting marathon.

I'm happy to say that I have one more Lollypop block appliquéd!  I'm not quite as happy to say that I have no more in the pipeline that are ready to start stitching.

What I do have is a huge mess in my playroom.  I have fabric all over the floor which is actually working better than when I tried to sort by color.  This quilt has 16 lollypop blocks and 32 smaller border blocks.  I have a total of five quilt blocks and two border blocks done.  Completely done!

I have spent the last 2-3 weeks working on laying out the remaining 11 quilt blocks.  It is a slow slow process for me and I have six blocks with fabrics selected and the components cut out and completely prepped.  They are ready to spot glue to the polka-dot fabric.  My goal is to get all 11 quilt blocks (and border blocks) prepped and then have a gluing marathon.  I do think there is some "economy of scale" in the assembly line approach as I remember my "tricks of the trade" and don't have to refresh and re-learn each time I start.

Either way -- it's slow.  The fabrics are beautiful.  It's a little overwhelming.  And it's rewarding to finish one and see the pile get a little smaller (of course, another pile is getting larger at the same time).  I'm beginning to miss it which is a good thing.  But right now, I can barely get to it for fabric all over the place!  You can see here what "fussy cutting" does to a quarter yard cut.  It took me a while to reconcile my need to save fabric with the obvious design requirements for this particular quilt!

I hope you are having a rewarding time creating something wonderful!

Jan

PS -- thanks to all for your comments and spontaneous prayers for the young couple I mentioned in my last post.  As I understand it, Ethiopian adoptions will continue and they remain somewhere on the list to increase their family one of these days.  Very exciting!

Unexpected...

What to do?  My Christmas quilts are done.  My baby quilts for the hospital are done.  I don't have any deadlines that I need to meet. My 500+ HSTs for a swap are done and bagged.  I have three quilts cut out…

• My wonderful Cherrywoods in a tote 
• A One Block Wonder waiting.
• Bonnie Hunter's mystery has all the parts done -- although I have no desire to work on it.

I wandered into the guest room where my Lollypop Tree blocks sit and unexpectedly decided that kind of color and process was just what I needed! I can't rush.  I can cover up with a quilt if I'm chilly.  I can stop whenever I need to.  Each element is a "completion".  I can work for five minutes or five hours if I want to.  And -- the Australian Open was starting last weekend and this makes for a "quiet" way to watch tennis (or at least replays).

It was the right decision.  It's been a good week and I have once again been reminded why I ordered this pattern within a week of happening upon it.  Many of you have read about this journey in other posts and I'll spare you the details again.  For those who are not familiar with Kim McLean and her marvelous patterns, here's a link to some eye candy that can take your breath away.

This quilt requires 16 blocks and each block takes me days to prep.  I am not fast.  The process I am using is not fast. I don't want to rush.  I want to enjoy the process of choosing all the different fabrics, cutting them, prepping them, and gluing them.  The color is just what the doctor ordered on a  gloomy winter's day.

I have four stitched and one more prepped.  Period.  That's it.   Right now it seems reasonable to think that I will spend a few days later this week prepping another block or two. Who knows what will seem reasonable later this week but for now, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.  

I hope you are working on something that has wonderful colors and the process is as much fun as the completion!  

Jan

And then there were three!

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

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

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

Well, finally!

I know, I know...you've seen this more times than you care to.....

But I am thrilled to say that the first block of Kim McLean's Lollypop quilt is finished.  I've been at this journey for a year already and was sure that black was the background I wanted and I had all the blocks cut and marked -- and one made -- when I decided that a light background was a better decision for my taste.  Loved the black but decided I didn't want to do 16 of these beauties and then the sashing not do it justice.  I do love this fabric and I'm certain I'll be more satisfied in the long run.

And -- to change things a bit...here are a pair of mittens that I made two weeks ago when special friends were here for a long weekend.  Somehow (and I don't know how - I was just following directions from my "mitten coach") these were done with a pattern that was all one piece and you just flipped it over for the other hand.  You then do the same thing for a fleece liner.  Don't ask me how it works....

They are a tad big so I'm going to take a little bigger seam when I'm feeling brave....but I love using the cuff of the sweater for the mittens and how well the stripes matched.  Overpinning probably helped that.

And -- if you have time, you may want to check out Lily's Quilts for an incredible giveaway of Oakshott cottons.  Talk about color and texture and reflective light -- they are great!

I hope your life is full of color!  Jan

Bring on the Aussie Open!

It's going to be a good week -- I'm sure of it.  In just minutes, the coverage of the Australian Open begins and one of the big advantages of the time difference is that there are matches to watch during the day.  I'm hoping for LOTS of coverage and am preparing a list of things to do when I want to watch a match vs just listen while I sew.

I have prepped my first "dotty" Lollypop and have the leaves sewn down.  Circles are glued and waiting for me -- we'll start tomorrow so I can be sure the glue is dry.

Once those are done, then I have my little stash of batik scraps.  My Chicago friends know I am a "scrap magnet" and if it's too small for them, it's likely not to small for me.  I'm cutting strips down to 1.5" or 1.5" squares.  I have a few batiks but don't work in them as much as they do - and I'm more than happy to take their scraps.  Aren't they yummy?  I can sit at my ironing board, press them, and cut them...all the while being able to listen (and watch) the matches.

This is my first major tennis event since we moved (the US Open was going on while we were in Hawaii) and I think being retired and watching tennis during the day is about as good as it gets. The women in our family are tennis fans -- and we all tend to like the same players and get aggravated by the attitudes of others. Since this is a two week event, I may have to prep another Lollypop (the fabrics are still in the floor after all!) or can always pull out my personal stash of scraps and start cutting them.  There will be plenty to do with sewing in between.

I hope you have something to look forward to this week -- and a project you love to work on!  Jan

Uncensored

What happened?  Or better phrased, what didn't happen?  We're a third of the way through January and a tornado has hit my sewing room.  This is what I walk into -- and it's all my doing and I sort of like it (actually, I love it!).

 Disarray everywhere.  

 What have I been doing?  Throwing stuff in the floor to see how much it will hold.

 My Kaffe stash that I'm using to pull fabrics for a Lollypop that I hope to finish (the block -- not the quilt!) by the end of the month.

My Orca Bay that I'm a bit tired of. I like it but I don't love it and it's bulky with so many strings.  I'm thrilled that it's from my stash and most of this did not have to be cut at all as I already had strings, blocks, and strips in the right size/color.  I'll get it done....the borders are already finished and hanging in the closet.

 My little alcove.  Books, scraps, magazines, chair (not for sitting but for stacking more stuff on), a previous Lollypop that was a learning experience and will become a pillow, I think.  Strings/crumbs sorted by color in plastic drapery bags (unzipped). 

 Cutting table with Lollypop in process.  I'm trying the gluing down method that many wax eloquently about. Slower but may be more accurate.  Will know soon enough.

 My throne!  Two little charity quilts to be basted, quilted, and bound.  

Last year's mystery (Roll Roll Cotton Boll) that is staring at me from under the table.  One long day and it will be finished.  Just have to finish the border strips and sew strings.   Someday.  Not today.

My little stash -- paltry by the standards of most of you but I love every inch and scrap.

So what have I been doing besides flinging quilty things all over my little room...why, I've been sitting in my chair reading quilt magazines, making lists, dreaming, reading blogs on my laptop or iPad, looking at my fabric and planning....just not doing.

I hope you have had a more productive week and if not, I hope you've enjoyed not having anything to show for it as much as I have.  I'm sure I'm poised to get my act in gear.....

Keep piecing (or flinging!).  Jan

Is patience really a virtue?

I want to quilt....

I don't want to

~ clean
~ deal with contractors who don't show up on time
~ make decisions that really don't matter
~ live without furniture and most of my fabric
~ buy stuff that's not fabric or for people I love
~ feel anchor less

But -- for another 2 weeks, those things have to happen and I have to squeeze in a bit of quilting and a bit of family and a bit of "me" time.

I know it will be worth it because I see the progress but I miss my furniture and having a comfortable chair to sit in.  Somehow, sitting on the stairs doesn't really suffice!

I will have to continue to whine and live through all the wonderful things you all are doing.  Have you seen Janet's Trailing Vines quilt -- while I have 15 Lollypops blocks by Kim McLean to do -- I think I want to do the Susan McCord quilt that Janet is graciously writing instructions for.  See -- I have better things to do than clean....

Keep piecing and I'll try not to whine again!  Jan

Have you ever fallen deeply in love with a pattern or fabric?

This is Rosewood Cottage and was six different patterns (I'm guessing a BOM) that were sold together at a quilt store about 1.5 hours from where we live.  When I saw it, it took my breath away.  But it was way too much money for the patterns and the fabric and I didn't have the right stash to do it.

So - -we visited the store again and again.  Seriously -- I made special trips to admire it and b/c the quilt shop was on the Fox River and we had a lovely lunch, my husband was game.

I finally decided that this is what I wanted to do for my sister's 50 birthday.  I could justify the expense and the time invested and it was something she would love.  I had never ever undertaken an applique pattern like this, My applique consisted of a wall hanging of 16 very small hearts from a class and a few quilt labels.  I had absolutely no idea how to even begin.  I was lucky to post just the right question about this pattern on a quilters chat board (aren't they great?) and found someone who had made one in 30's fabrics.  She answered my questions, provided advice, and often encouraged me.  She later did one in homespuns that was equally stunning.

So -- here is the quilt and I love it.  It has a wool batt and was hand quilted and I was so proud to give it to someone I love so much.  I learned a lot and have never fallen this kind of "in love" with a pattern until Lollypops (by Kim McLean) and that's history if you've read any of my other posts. 

What about you -- has a pattern or fabric taken your heart, caused you to think about it at inopportune times, been in your dreams and left you knowing you had to have it? 

Keep piecing and dreaming and searching for the perfect fabric or pattern!  Jan

A little progress.....

Oh -- this is so fun!  A little football, a little tennis, a little private time and some stitching.  AND, a lot of learning.  If you can do it wrong, I've done it.  I hope that bodes well for the next one.

This block needs 20 more circles and I can call it done.  When I think about what I've learned and the time to stitch, I'm pretty pleased with the time investment.  If I decide it's not good enough, it can be a pillow or a NICU quilt.  No need to make that decision right now.

I'm sad to say it goes on hold for the balance of the week as I have to start travelling for business.  So, the hexagons are packed and maybe I can get 4 GFG blocks made in airports, hotels, and who knows where.  I hope you're having a productive and rewarding time with your creativity.

Keep piecing!  Jan