This is another fabulous blog hop thanks to Madame Samm. Jane of Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts has been a great cheerleader and organizer for this fun blog hop, so a huge thank you to her as well. There have already been … Continue reading
This idea has been in the works for a week or so. Mr. Q.O. draws some fabulously fun creatures, so I asked if some could be drawn for the little hexagon quilt. So far he has drawn four or five and I’ve then traced them on to 2″ hexagons, which I had already printed and cut out. Three got stitched last night – a turtle, fish and frog. There are other fish and various other creatures who will show up periodically as I turn them into little 2″ embroidered hexagons.
The final layout of this is still far from decided, but I’m thinking it will be a small cot quilt when it’s done. It’s fun to do a few stitchery blocks from time to time.
We ran into a former neighbour who had some really exciting news. She has been accepted into the Nurse Practitioner Ph.D. program at Yale. Mr. Q.O. knew, before I said it, that I was going to decide she needs a lap quilt to take along with her to remind her of her time in Toronto. I think a fair amount of time is going to be spent on the weekend looking at possible design ideas.
Mr. Q.O. captioned this shot, “The Critic.” The minute we start setting up to take photos, Baxter’s right there.
Two more Pickled Ladies blocks are done. I have about 10 arcs ready now to add to clamshells, so should have a fair number of the blocks finished by week’s end. One of the things I want to do over the next week or so is figure out just how big I really do want to make this and then sort out the exact number of blocks I’ll need. Perhaps it will end up as a lap quilt, but I’m having so much fun making them that I don’t think I’ll want to stop there but may just end up turning this into a bed-sized quilt.
Over the past few days some stitches were taken on the Cabin Quilt as well and two more of the stitchery blocks are done.
Tuesday was a grey rainy fall day. The kitties took full advantage of the snoozing opportunities. Smudge got himself really tucked into the kitty bed into an almost headless cat pose.
While Lester curled up with a teddy bear for a nap.
This is the first of 12 stitchery blocks for a lap quilt that is from the other kit that I had mentioned last week. Once the stitchery blocks are done, then it’s a matter of some quick machine stitching. I said quick machine stitching?? It involves cutting some flannel squares into triangles to surround the stitchery and pieced blocks and I’m a bit concerned about the flannel stretching. Mr. Q.O. really likes this quilt, though, so I’m going to give it a try.
I managed to do the first stitchery block last night. When we were at Sew Sisters on the weekend, I asked what they used behind fabric when doing stitcheries and they suggested either a fusible batt or fusible fleece. I got a small fusible batting and I’m sold! It makes it quite easy to travel thread for a bit when stitching without it shadowing through on the front. As the back shows, I took advantage of that capability a few times.
I have always loved doing a little hand embroidery but the hoop has been my biggest issue for the past few years as tightening and loosening it was almost impossible. So I found this hoop and tried using it. What an amazing difference! It’s easy and quick to use, holds the fabric perfectly for stitching and there’s no hardware on which to catch the thread.
This is what the quilt will look like when finished, although I’m not sure I’m going to do the tree appliques on the border. I’ll decide that when I get that far. The pattern calls for tea-dying the stitchery blocks when finished. As I like the look of the stitchery blocks in the photo of the quilt, I think I may try that as well.
Monday, like Friday, was a migraine day. While not quite as bad as Friday when I could barely move, yesterday was bad enough. Today is the bruised head feeling that always seems to follow. So once again I’m behind in replying to comments but hope to get caught up through the week.
Smudge curled up sound asleep.
I have to use an antique DOS program for work so, rather than cluttering up my Mac with any Windows software, I have an older laptop just for that purpose. Lester is constantly trying to “help” and I’m usually on guard for a paw on the laptop keys. I think he watches the cursor moving on the screen.
Quilt Obsession 