Friday, March 30, 2007

Fickle quilter . . . .

Thy name is Patti! Here I've been piecing up a storm from my scraps and accomplishing much in the way of charity quilting. But all it takes is one little detour and before I know it I'm wandering down an entirely different path. I blame it on the one appliqué block I had to finish for Posies and Points, and the great feeling of moving a project from the UFT list to the flimsies list.

So what am I doing now? Well, I'm back to appliqué and Heirloom Stitches. I've not touched this project since last year. When I put it away I still had appliqué to complete on two November blocks and all of December's blocks to make, plus the border. I'm now working on the last November block - the worktable looks a little different when I'm doing appliqué than when I'm piecing, doesn't it? Fred spend the evening upstairs watching hockey so I put the last two episodes of the second season of MI5 in the DVD player in the sewing room and sat appliquéing using the good light on my featherweight table. I've pulled all the completed blocks out of the closet and hung them in plain sight on the door where they can motivate me to finish. I'm hoping to get the rest of the pieced blocks done this weekend as well as finishing this block, and maybe do the prep on the last of the appliqué blocks.

I also dug out my pre-1830's medallion to see if it would start talking to me. I was at a loss last fall as far as the next border - it just wasn't telling me what it needed. So I pinned it up on my design wall and looked through the choices for the next border in "Lesson 9". Wouldn't you know it - it started talking to me immediately and told me just what it needs. And I'm happy to report it's something quite simple that shouldn't take much time at all. That's a good thing - I want to finish this top also because I've already started on my first block for the mid-century album quilt.

In the meantime the fabrics for Joseph's quilt have been set aside. I'll get back to that very soon - it's just not what is calling to me this weekend.

19 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

Wow, you are on a roll! The Posies and Points quilt is looking good.

Sweet P said...

Beautiful projects Patti! I hear some of my projects calling me. But, I have to put my studio back together first!

Tracey in CT said...

Your projects are so pretty! Isn't it funny how we put a project aside because it isn't speaking to us, then all of a sudden we get inspired to work on it again?

Quilter Kathy said...

It is so reassuring to know that other quilters have projects that speak to them, and I'm not crazy after all!!! Love your scrappy medallion project and your heirloom quilt...just beautiful!

Silverthimble said...

Your projects are speaking to you awfully early in the morning! *VBG* You sure don't believe in wasting a moment of weekend! You have a lot on the go, but I have seen you accomplish that much before! You are amazing!

Darlene said...

I'm so glad to see you doing your applique again. Beautiful project!

Quilts And Pieces said...

So your killing me - what is the next border going to be??? And I LOVE your Heirloom stitches. You are so inspiring.

YankeeQuilter said...

I'm with Dawn...I reread the paragraph three times thinking I might have missed it! Love the fabrics...sounds like you are having a great time!

Carol said...

LOVE your Heirloom Stitches...and your medallion is outstanding...can't wait to see what you have planned for the border! What a wonderful day you had!

KC Quilter said...

Wow, your Lori Smith piece is absolutely incredible! You are so talented!!!!

Cynthia said...

both of those quilts are lovely. I can't wait to see what border you will add on your Medallion quilt

Juliann in WA said...

I have this pattern too. I got as far as cutting the pieces for one block and then I stalled because I didn't have enough of any one piece of fabric to make the quilt flow - scrappy but not too scrappy. Your blocks are lovely

Joanne said...

I love all the projects you have going at once! vbg Coincidentally, I pulled out a hand applique project yesterday, too (and ordered another I can't wait to get!)
Congrats to your daughter and son-in-law. How wonderful for you all.
I'm just catching up on some blogs this morning -- I like your organization tips in your sewing room -- I have things spread out all over and really need to get a handle on my fabric stash -- it's such a mess I can't find what I need and know I have!

Libby said...

It's days such as this that prove we need a variety of projects at the ready. You never know what is going to speak to you or what you will feel like working on. Eventually they all get done *s*

Unknown said...

I am very curious to see what the next border on your medaillon quilt will be. I love the black stripe in between. Your appliqué quilt is coming out gorgeous, dare I say as usual?! Congratulations on your new family member! Take care.

Judy said...

Oh Patti! You have made me feel great! Here I was thiinking I was losing my mind with all these loose tidbits left on bunches of quilts and now I know someone else has the same thing going! I'm not nuts!*VBG*

So is that why I left my BoaFeather with one month to make? Because they are hidden in the closet? Of course!!

Jenni said...

LOVE that medallion quilt. It's good to see it again, and will be great to see it finished.

Judy said...

Hello again Patti! I have a questions about something I saw in your picture. It was the large pic with your applique showing and the top of your sewing cabinet. I saw these little round blue disks and wondered what the heck those 3 things were. You know quilters and gadgets! I thought maybe bobbin holders. Well looking through my Hershnerr's catalog this morning there they were!! Needle holders!

Mind if I ask, How do you like them? Do they work for you? I usually keep 3 needles goin and wind any loose thread around the end of the spool. Sulky threads have 2 ends that pop up and seal again to keep loose thread, but I wondered if these really worked well. I might have to order a few.
Also, what thread do you applique with? I noticed the red, but haven't seen thread with a blue spool before.

Thanks for letting me grill you!

Anonymous said...

I, too, am sitting on the fence just wondering about the next border. Inquiring minds want to know! ;-) Just one other question: Will you naturally get to Joseph's quilt at some point when it feels right? I've had fabric for my grandson's quilt (Ryan) for almost two years and haven't been moved to do it yet. He may soon outgrow those monkeys and bananas!

Jan
www.QuiltingResourceCenter.com