Celebrating Twelve Blocks Completed

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Everything has fallen into place for a Friday Finish!

 

 

 

 

Leaves Leaves Leaves

I love the fall of the year, things cool off and I can start hand quilting again.  During the summer I enjoy doing my applique and piecing on the machine. This week I started block number twelve of Baltimore Garden. I am hoping to get a little more than half way thru with them, so that next summer I can finish the rest of the blocks.

 This is the beginning of a tulip block. I love using the method that leaves the freezer paper on top, although I have found that basting them down does help. I tried just using pins but the thread gets caught on them and things can still shift a bit.

I hope to get the rest of these stitched on today. As usual I will be stopping in over at Kathy's blog to see what others are slow stitching today.

Happy thoughts!

I have really enjoyed linking up with Kathy on her Slow Stitching Sunday's. Her focus today was on being happy. So as I stitch today, I took her advice and thought about the things that make me happy.
I know that quilting would have to be near the top of the list, but what is it exactly about quilting that makes me happy.
One of the first things that attracted me to making quilts was color.  I find myself making quilts that reflect my love for gardening also.
I also love history and  since I have started Baltimore Garden, I have thought a lot about the original maker of this beautiful quilt. What inspired her to design and stitch this quilt. Did she too love to garden? Then of course, I thought about why those that do hand work get so much enjoyment from pulling a needle and thread thru fabric? Not sure I can even answer some of my questions, but I do know that I enjoy the time I spend at my craft enjoying color, and creativity. So now back to my stitching, where there are no worries and only happiness!

Block 8 complete!

Well, block eight is complete! Spent most of the last week working on the eight layered flower, and finally decided a ruched flower was the answer. At some point, I was reminded that quilting should be fun, and not frustrating. There will be plenty of other layered flowers to tackle in the next block!

Trying Something New!

I am practicing a new technique for me when doing my needle turn applique.  Up until now, I would make freezer paper templates, press them onto the right side of the fabric, trace around the template  and then pin it in place on the block and stitch it down.
My technique has worked pretty well so far, but like most quilters I have so many quilts that I would love to make, so I am always looking for a time saving tip. I also really like not adding marking substance to the fabric if I can help it.

I started this morning sitting out on the terrace and trying my new technique. First off, living in Arkansas there are not too many, or should I say any mornings that are cool enough to feel like sitting out and stitching. Here it is July 14th and it was 67  at 730am perfect weather to try a new technique.
I must say, so far so good! The freezer paper on top really makes me take smaller stitches and with applique that is a good thing.  I also find that I am forced to make my stitch thru the very edge of the applique so the stitch is hidden.  The other advantage is I can line the mark on the template with the vine line on my master template when using the light box, which helps to be sure the placement is more accurate. So I will spend some time this afternoon and evening stitching down the rest of the leaves on the current block.  This block will finish with a  a six layer flower, I sure hope this technique helps me master the flower, since they are so wonderful.
For now I am taking a bit of a break and going over to Kathy's blog to see what others are hand stitching today.

George's Cherry Tree

I finished the applique on this block today. The birds still need eyes, but that can wait till morning! That makes a total of seven blocks of twenty-five done! Now to choose which one to do next.

 

Finishing touches

I only need to make eight more perfect  cirles to finish off the centers of the flowers on block 6 called Eliza's strawflowers.  The flowers in this block had four layers so they were quite labor intensive.  They are far from perfect, but that is alright, in the garden not all of my flowers are perfect so I  rather like them that way. I was pleased enough to sign and date my block, that took a bit of bravery, after a week of stitching on this block.

Layered Flower

Slow stitching Sunday is here again. How time flies! I am working on a layered flower for Block five of Baltimore Garden. I plan on doing a post on the process of making this flower later this week. For now, I am going to head over to Kathy's Blog and see what everyone else is working on today.

Matilda's Tulip Garden

 

Well, I couldn't decide which basket block to do, so I decided to get the tulip block out of the way. It has gone well, although it did take some time to stitch all the stems down.   Along with pins I am using the aid of a glue stick to place stems on the block. There is nothing worse than getting your thread tangled on a pin and a knot forming just when you need to make a stitch. The glue stick really helps, although I still pin, but it nice to remove the pin when I am working in that area and know that the stem will not accidently shift. Warm weather has finally arrived and the air has come on in the house. But, that also means early mornings will be warmer and I love stitching in the morning on the terrace as I enjoy my morning coffee, so it should be a great week. As I finish the flower heads on this block, I will also go over to Kathy's Quilts to see what other fellow slow sticher's are doing!

Baltimore Garden Block One!

And so it begins, my journey making Baltimore Garden.  This week I made the blanket stitch flowers and appliqued the stems and leaves for block one which is A1 in the pattern and called Dorothy's Double Roses.
I love the contrast of red and green to the off white. This quilt was originally made in 1848, the original maker is unknown, however the initials M.E.C. were cross-stitched into one block. It is not known whether they are the maker's initials or the recipients.
This quilt was also made after traditional red and green quilts were popular and before Baltimore Album quilts became popular.
I am amazed that women back then could come up with such wonderful designs. They did not have all the tools that designers use today, just amazing!
Being a gardener, I can understand how they would be inspired by the beauty of nature to make something beautiful to show case in their home and enjoy year round.
So I will be enjoying today, as the ladies back in the mid seventeenth century, blanket stitching my flowers on block one, and of course I will be stopping over at Kathy's Quilts to see what others are slow stitching today!

Traditional Red and Green Quilt Top

Well, I finally got the borders added to my top! It’s ready for hand quilting but it will have to wait it’s turn.  I will be hanging her in the to be quilted area of my closet.   It is hard to believe that when I started this journey last Christmas, collecting fabric while visiting relatives in Illinois and Tennessee that I would come this far.    I have definitely caught the applique bug and plan on doing another quilt next summer.  For now fall is on its way, and for me it means hand quilting is back on the agenda.  I will pull out my peony/carolina lily quilt top get it marked and start hand quilting it.  I also have my Klosjes to work on when I take a trip or want a change of pace. 

Ta–Da! The final block

I am so happy to have completed my final applique block for my red and green traditional quilt.  No ruched flowers, I know, but I really think the layered flowers are much more fitting and work with the rest of the quilt.  This was my first attempt at designing my own applique block, and I am thrilled with the results. I also tried some new techniques, such as layered flowers and fussy cutting.  The three little circles on the vase were fussy cut out so that there is a little flower centered in each circle. It seems like such a minor detail but I think it adds a lot.

Layered flowers

I am working on the final block of my Red and Green Traditional Quilt.  Fall is on its way, and I am really amazed that my goal has been met.  I know I talked about adding ruched flowers to the final block, but when I went to stitch one down, it just said "no" to me.  So, I went back to the idea of trying one of the layered flowers in the Book Baltimore Garden Quilt by Barbara Burnham.  I really really want to make this quilt and would love to start it next summer, but before I jump in with both feet, I think it is a good idea to try some of the more challenging parts of the quilt. So, this morning I tried a layered flower and the photos below are the results.

Pineapple Block Completed

This block was definitely a nice break, it went together quickly and I can’t wait to hand quilt it!

Another Slow Stitching Sunday

It's another slow stitching Sunday! This may become a habit, and I need to thank blogger Kathy'sQuilts for hosting these slow stitching Sundays. 

 

I have always loved pineapples, they have served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome throughout  the history of America.  Often a pineapple would be placed in the center of the table to welcome guests, and pineapple would show up in the dessert at the end of a meal.  If the guest would spend the night, they would find pineapples carved in the bedpost in their guest room. Sometime ago, Tim Latimer a blogger posted a pic of his finished pineapple quilt.  It really caught my eye.  He does a wonderful job finding vintage quilt tops on ebay and reconstructs them if needed, and then his wonderful hand quilting turns them into a beautiful quilt.  I know there must be some quilter makers in heaven smiling down upon him. Tim has allowed me to include a picture and if you want to visit his site just click on the his name above.

This pic is a closeup of some of Tim's wonderful quilting! As I was choosing blocks for my red and green quilt, this block showed up in the block ideas page and of course caught my eyes.  Luckily, it is a pretty simple design and I was able to come up with my version. It isn't quilted yet but  I hope mine will be as lovely someday.

 

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I loved stitching this block, except for the acorns. They are quite small, but I asked my husband if he could tell what they were and they passed the test.  I will be posting my next block on Sunday, a  pineapple block. The pineapple block I chose is a much easier block, so it will be a breeze to stitch.  I decided I needed a break after all those little berries I  added on this one. The process has also started for the final block of the quilt. I have come up with a design, now I just need to get it stitched!

Slow Stitching Sunday

I really enjoy hand stitching and came across a great blog. Kathy's Quilts has been sponsoring Slow stitching Sundays so if you want to see what others are doing check out her blog.

This applique block is called oak leaves and acorns.  I was a bit apprehensive about starting it, but due to good techniques it has really been a very enjoyable block to stitch. I also was able to try reverse applique with this block, which is something I have only tried once before.

Once this block is completed, I will start the final block of my red and green quilt.  I want to design this final block my self including some new techniques that I have been dying to try.

Block 10 Prairie Rose Wreath

Block number ten is complete!  A bit off center but complete!  

Progressing!

I know it has been a while since I have posted progress on my Red and Green Traditional Quilt, but I have been working on it diligently!  I am feeling more and more comfortable with needle turn applique and find it as enjoyable as hand quilting or reading a great book.

The current and coxcomb block I posted about earlier was designed by Janet of Quiltsalott. She does fabulous needle turn applique and also offers tutorials and patterns to inspire anyone who would be interested in making an applique quilt.  I decided to make four of her blocks to put in each corner of my quilt, they were such a joy to stitch at one point I was wishing I had done a whole quilt out of them as Janet is doing.

I just love the contrast of color and can't wait to start hand quilting this quilt. It is going to be so much fun to quilt.  This last week I finished up a prairie rose block because of my midwest heritage.  I have almost finished another prairie rose wreath block but you will have to wait for next post on that one.

I know I said I was going to do a oakleaf and acorn block in tribute to all the oaktrees in our yard, but it is a bit more difficult and I have to admit it has scared me a abit.  Yesterday I figured out which method I would use to make a stem that splits in two, and tried one, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, now if I can do three more symetrically on the same block.  The final block is going to be a pot of flowers that I hope to put together with bits and pieces of flowers and techniques I have seen and want to  try, so it is going to be a total experiment. Wish me luck!