I was woke up early Saturday morning when my husband decided to cook his breakfast at 4am. He rises early everyday for work so I can't blame him. I looked out the window and it had started raining. Very gloomy and dark I made my way to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. I need about three cups before I can start my day, and then I headed to the quilt frame. Two blocks are completed and I am quilting the second half of the third block.
I put in several hours of wonderful stitching and finished up block number 3 I am always amazed at how much quilting changes each block. It's almost magical!
I noticed this week with the cooler temps I have been opting for the quilt frame rather than my applique leaves. I am not going to fret if my progress on trailing vines slows down, as I stitch for pleasure. I did get the third panel prepped and started adding a few leaves. I just wish there more hours in the day!
But November has arrived, and I really need to spend some time today making progress on my second wool mitten. I grew up wearing mittens my mom would knit and they are definitely one of my favorite things. There is nothing worse than having cold hands so I need to add a few knitting stitchs today. Not quite cold enough yet to wear them but it won't be long.
I am linky up with Slow Stitching Sunday and I hope you will join in and share your slow stitches today!
I noticed this week with the cooler temps I have been opting for the quilt frame rather than my applique leaves. I am not going to fret if my progress on trailing vines slows down, as I stitch for pleasure. I did get the third panel prepped and started adding a few leaves. I just wish there more hours in the day!
But November has arrived, and I really need to spend some time today making progress on my second wool mitten. I grew up wearing mittens my mom would knit and they are definitely one of my favorite things. There is nothing worse than having cold hands so I need to add a few knitting stitchs today. Not quite cold enough yet to wear them but it won't be long.
I can sympathize with wanting more hours in the day! I would also like more days in the weekend....
ReplyDeleteLove your quilting and appliqué leaves!
Thanks! I guess we should just be thankful we are able to stitch and enjoy the time we have. I love your idea of an extra weekend day!
Deletethe quilting is so pretty and love the red/green with a little yellow thrown in.
ReplyDeleteI have loved this quilt since the first time I saw it. So glad Barbara Burnham wrote the book. It was very challenging but I am so glad I endured
DeleteIf you figure out how to get more sewing hours in a day, let me know. No sewing for me and too tired at night to hand stitch =(. Maybe this week will be better. Your blocks are looking great.
ReplyDeleteHope you find some stitching time soon! I am not getting much in today, hopefully I will find some time this evening.
DeleteYou are right--the quilting makes those blocks even prettier! just lovely! i grew up with mittens from Grand-mere too...right now almost done with a shawl for my Slow Stitching...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI have never made a shawl but I think I would enjoy having one to cover my shoulders! I am so thankful my mom taught me to knit!
DeleteI know what you mean about feeling inclined to 'stitch under the hoop' . . . the cooler temps and dreary days make hand-quilting a cozy way to spend some time! Your progress is lovely!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise! Yes the only good thing about winter!
DeleteI have Raynaud's so I know all too well just how important warm hands are during these cold months. You made really great progress with your quilting - it's looking fabulous! And you're right - the blocks are certainly spectacular in their own right, but when quilted? There are no words to adequately describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI don't like cold hands and have been seen wearing mittens without a coat in the cooler fall days! I had to look up Raynauld's as I had not heard of it. Doesn't sound fun at all! Looking forward to winter days under my quilt.
DeleteI can't believe that you can knit too! Wonder Woman!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't knit very much! But I do enjoy doing a bit of it! My mom was from Austria and I learned to embroider and knit and crochet at a young age. No idle hands at our house growing up!
DeleteBeautiful work, just beautiful. Someday I hope to be able to applique like you!
ReplyDeleteIt just takes practice and letting go of perfection! Needleturn gets easier the more you do much like learning to write cursive. I started with a hawaiian quilt and love Piece O Cakes applique videos on line. Becky Goldsmith is so detailed.
DeleteYour quilt is beautiful and I love how you take such joy in your work. You convey to readers that you are genuinely enjoying your stitching. So often we tend to treat this sort of thing as drudgery, but it isn't! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at antique quilts it has always been the stitches that called to me. I agree it is something I throughly enjoy. Very relaxing and it lets my mind wander and really relax.
DeleteI love to see how the quilting brings the quilt alive. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you put it! It definitely is a transformation!
DeleteI think all hand crafters yearn for more time. Your work is quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know its so addictive!
DeleteI am truly amazed at how much your quilting enhanced that already beautiful block. Enjoy your stitching and knitting.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am just glad that it is looking like I wanted it to. I am not always good with trying new things but you never know until you try, so I keep encouraging myself to give it a go!
DeleteYour quilt is coming along beautifully :-) I am up there with you when it comes to order of work, I too stitch for pleasure; I pick up whatever I fancy doing at that point.
ReplyDeletexx
That is what is so nice about quilting so many different techniques.
DeleteYou are correct...your quilting magically transforms a block from gorgeous to really, really gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a knitter. Or maybe I did and forgot. What lovely mittens. They seem like they would be difficult to knit to fit properly. Well, for me anyway. My hands are always cold but I just can't seem to wear mittens or gloves outside even when the weather is below freezing.
Thanks Cathy! When you have an Austrian mother you learn to knit at a very young age. Now I wish I had been a better student!
DeleteBeautiful hand quilting is adding so much interest to an already gorgeous block. I need 2 cups of coffee in the morning. Knitting can be a nice break from quilting especially when making an item that is functional such as a warm mitten.
ReplyDeleteI agree I don't knit very often. But using this wool I think I may try an Aran sweater for something different to work on and I have always wanted one! Now to find the time!
DeleteEveryone else has said it so well. The block is lovely, but adding the hand quilting is icing on an already scrumptious cake!! Love the mittens. It is rarely cold enough here for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It took two years to do the applique so it is so nice to be at the quilting stage of this one.
DeleteCarla, you have so many lovely projects you are making progress on... I am loving your quilting though :) Thanks for sharing.. bet you will be happy to have a good old fashioned pair of mittens when it is cold too! :) Kathi
ReplyDeleteYes we have very damp winters much like Florida although ours are a bit colder. So they will come in handy when I take Max on his walks.
DeleteOh I'm with you 100% on wanting more hours in the day - but only if it's for quilting or making art!! Quilting your blocks definitely makes them magical Carla - they're stunning :)
ReplyDeleteOh I so agree fun creative time only!
DeleteQuilting really does bring a quilt to life and your quilting is really alive, such a beautiful motif, your work on the mittens reminded me I have some mittens to make for my nieces. Happy stitching.
ReplyDeleteI finished my mittens and ran them through the wash. I just love them ready to be tested on the first cold day.
DeleteYour quilting is gorgeous and it is like magic when you step back and look at what you have done so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose Marie! You know your work inspires me! Which reminds me I still need to quilt my Klosjes quilt.
DeleteI'm the early riser in my house. I don't think even the smell of bacon would wake my husband up at 4:00 a.m.! Your quilting is so beautiful! And I don't think your vines will mind if they take a backseat to the hand quilting for now.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure would be nice to have a bit more energy and time so I could work on both everyday. But, life does get in the way so we just need to enjoy the stitching time we get no matter what we are working on.
DeleteBeautiful work! I shudder at the thought of getting up so early!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I did much better this am!
DeleteI agree with you about the quilting. It is like icing on the cake. How do you mark your quilts for the quilting?
ReplyDeleteI use a hera marker or papermate sharpwriter disposable mechanical pencil for light fabrics and the white mechanical for darks.
DeleteSuch beautiful hand work!!
ReplyDelete