Sunday, October 23, 2016

Finally Finished!

It seems like the final steps have taken forever, but Baltimore Garden is now happily hanging in our front room.  I wish I had a better camera and had some knowledge when it comes to photography, but it is what it is.  I am very pleased with the hang it dang it quilt hanger that I purchased to hang this quilt.  I have several quilts that I would like to hang in on this wall as the seasons change and this hanger allows you to adjust the rod to fit your quilt. Hope you enjoy the pics.
























What a journey this quilt has been. I learned so much about applique and I love that the hand quilting and added trapunto balance well with the beautiful applique blocks.  I really enjoyed working on this, often thinking back to the originial quilter or quilters who made this quilt.  What it must have been like in 1848 when the originial was made.  I love that it isn't perfect but that it is unique!  When I first fell in love with antique quilts over 40 years ago, I just couldn't fathom having the tanacity to make a quilt.  But, now having several large quilts under my belt I can't imagine spending the time any other way, as I now know there are so many rewards to stitching and I enjoyed the challenge of learning the techniques needed to make a quilt!  Plus the final bonus of having this beauty hanging in my house to enjoy for years to come!

46 comments:

  1. I'm speechless! It is just too gorgeous for words. It will be wonderful to have an indoor flower garden in your living room (and one that doesn't require watering and still looks marvelous). Congrats to you on your journey and the final destination. I can't imagine making this in 1848!

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    1. Oh I so agree! I have love this quilt since the first time I saw it. The botanicals designs are just simply spendid! It blows my mind that it was made by some quilter so long ago. How did they applique without freezer paper??????

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  2. It's beautiful! Both the applique and the quilting are stunning :-)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! It was such a fantastic journey! I am tickled pink to have it hanging in my home.

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  3. My goodness what an absolutely beautiful quilt, the close up photos show your amazing workmanship!

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    1. I can't say it was difficult although some of the tiny petals on the flowers were challenging. It was very time consuming. I will be glad to start something new.

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  4. gorgeous!! been a pleasure to follow the progress of this quilt

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    1. Thanks Karen! Looking forward to my trailing vines which is mindless applique compared to this one.

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  5. What a beautiful finish! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Thanks! I sure hope there will be more quilters attempting album quilts in the future.

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  6. Your photos show the quilt very well. A fantastic finish! The quilting is the icing on the cake. Wish I had at least one block made for this quilt. A some day project yet to come.

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    1. Thanks! I loved the botanicals and design from the beginning. My love of hand quilting especially applique quilts kept me motivated. Sure hope some day omes for you soon!

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    2. Thanks! I fell in love with this quilt the first time I saw it. I am so pleased this one is mine. Hope you get the itch to start yours soon!

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    3. The quilt is absolutely exquisite. You did an lovely job on the applique, the quilting, AND the trapunto. It is a marvelous site to behold! What a beautiful testament to your quilting ability and design! Just lovely. Congratulations on an exquisite work of art!

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    4. Thanks so much! Well worth the extra effort and time!

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  7. Wow, that is really an impressive quilt, great applique!

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I have no idea how many stitches are in the applique and hand quilting, but they brought me a lot of joy!

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  8. Oh Carla! Congratulations on this terrific finish!
    This is an amazing accomplishment!
    I hope you enter it in some quilting shows so other quilters can be inspired by seeing it!

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    1. Thanks Kathy! I am really tired of blogging about this same quilt. It will be fun to start something new!

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  9. Your quilt is amazing with beautiful applique and quilting. You should definitely enter it in some quilt shows.

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    1. Thanks! I don't quilt for blue ribbons I just enjoy making them. I did love hearing my son say "Wow" when he walked in Saturday and saw it hanging for the first time.

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  10. It is beautiful....lovely applique and gorgeous quiting :-)

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    1. Thanks! Applique will always have a special place in my heart. I sure hope that the modern quilters will take on the challenge some day.

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  11. I was wondering when the blog post would come having seen it on FB / love all of these extra photos of it. Such a wonderful masterpiece!! :)

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    1. Wish I had your talent when it comes to photography. I don't have the same light in this house as I did in Arkansas and it really makes a difference. I was afraid to take it outside and hang it on the old splintery fence. Thanks Deb

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  12. Gorgeous! Beautiful applique and quilting. Absolutely awesome!

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  13. It looks FABULOUS!! The trapunto looks wonderful! I love it! What a gorgeous way to display it! I can't wait to see what you start next!

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  14. Your quilt is gorgeous. I have always adored Baltimore album quilts and trapunto. Wow! Thanks also for the HangItDangIt link. I have to get that. I have a couple of quilts that I want to hang.

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    1. Thanks Cathie! I love the hang it dang it! I was very easy to use. I really love that I can change out different size quilts and it works for all of them. Well worth the price!

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  15. Congratulations! What a fantastic finish. The quilting and the trapunto work beautifully with all the lovely applique - you must be so proud of this achievement.

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    1. Thanks! I agree all of these techniques make for a great quilt. I am still amazed that back in 1848 someone came up with the design. Wish I had just a bit of that talent.

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  16. This is certainly a WOWSER, I absolutely adore it and maybe one day I might do something like this in my own way. Can't wait to see your next masterpiece

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  17. Your quilt is beautiful! It makes me even more eager to have the applique finished on my Baltimore Album and be ready to start the quilting. But, I have more blocks to make but I'll get them finished someday. I'll get to the quilting someday. I'm sure it took the original quiltmaker years to make this quilt too. Enjoy the new project! Blessings, Gretchen villacrestfarm@gmail.com

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  18. Absolutely beautiful. What an amazing amount of work! Your applique and hand quilting are exquisite. Well done,Carla!

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    1. Thanks Sandy! Yes it is a lot of stitches but definitely doable if you have the tenacity. But the extra effort really pays off in the end. I even got compliments on this one from my husband and son! Who would have thought!

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  19. Stunning .... I can only imagine how thrilled you are!

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    1. Yes only another hand quilter can understand the work involved! Thanks Rose Marie!

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  20. Thanks Donna! I am so happy I have followed my heart and taken the time to make both of them. Time well spent!

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  21. I think it has all been said already - just stunning Carla! I especially love the little motifs in the hand quilting that you have scattered across the quilt - makes it very special!

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    1. Thanks! I can't believe I had the guts to just let go and scatter those motifs throughout the quilting. They really are what I like best about the whole project. Just added a lot to the beautifully designed blocks and helped the quilting balance nicely with the applique. Love when a plan comes together. Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. Incredible! So happy for you to see this one finished. Love all the work and patience involved getting through the quilting to such a great finish!

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    1. Me too! It will be so nice to blog about something else! Not sure how some can make more than one album quilt they are a lot of work.

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