12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS UPDATE 2 AND PRIMITIVE PORTRAITS

I have been busy, busy stitching.  I want to share with you a picture of "12 Days of Christmas".  It is about ready   for quilting.  The pattern shows some rail fence blocks appliqued down in the lower left corner.  I am thinking about whether I want to add them or leave it blank.  For a refresher, in case you have forgotten, the pattern is by Cheri of Wednesday's Quilts.

Next, I have completed two smaller size wall hangings.  The patterns I used are by Karen of Sew Primitive.  You can visit her blog here.  You can see the patterns she has for sale listed on the right hand side of the blog.  Karen has a very creative mind and has a lot of artistic talent.  Have a look when you have time.

The first one is from her "Berks County 1850" pattern.  The floral fabric in the background is from a line of fabric that Jo Morton designed.

I used the "Album Quilt 1870" pattern for the second quilt.  The album print is also a Jo Morton fabric.  The fabric is the same one Karen used in her sample quilt.  I think it is a very creative use for it.  The needlework piece the girl is holding is made using one of the squares taken from the print.  The square is placed over a cardboard circle which is glued to the background of the quilt.  The edges are loose.

Back to the sewing room.
Karen

BIRDS OF A FEATHER SMALL QUILT

A small quilt top finish.  I used a block from the "Birds of a Feather" quilt book by Blackbird Designs.  I don't think I will be making the whole quilt but I did enjoy making one of the blocks.

I did hand applique on this piece.  And I used a dark brown background.  I really like the brownish reds on the dark brown.

I am stitching as fast as my fingers will co-operate and will have more to share very soon.

Karen

TWO SMALL SIZE QUILT TOPS

I have been working on applique projects of a smaller size.  In my last post, I showed you two red, green, and yellow applique blocks from a Lori Smith pattern called "Heritage Sampler".  I have completed a total of five applique blocks and four of the nine patch blocks to set in between those.  The quilt top is about 22 inches square.

The block in the upper left hand corner was one I almost put in the reject block basket as I did not like the way it was coming together.  I did have all green leaves and it just looked too green heavy.  I changed the red buds to a different red.  Still I did not like the look.  I left it on the design wall with the first two completed blocks.  In the morning and in fresh perspective, I decided it would work just fine.  I made the nine patch blocks this evening.  My intentions are not to add a border and bind it in one of the greens after quilting.

I finished the applique this evening on another small project from a Lori Smith pattern called "Birds in the Air".  It is from her book called "Fat Quarter Quilting -Twenty-one Terrific 16" x 20" Projects".

This little quilt top has a more folk art look whereas the first one is done with reproduction fabrics.  These bright fabrics came from my stash.  Once quilted, I think I will bind it with a darker green.

I have prepared another small applique project to work on also.  But from a Blackbird Designs pattern this time.  More on that later.

Check back with me soon.

Karen

APPLIQUE BLOCKS FROM A LORI SMITH PATTERN

I have switched to another project as I have a short period of time to make a small quilt for a trade.  Here are the first two applique blocks that I have made.

I am using patterns from a Lori Smith pattern called "Heritage Sampler".  You can see the whole pattern on Lori's website here.  I am selecting five blocks from the pattern set.  I plan on using the red, green, and yellow color scheme on all.  I hope to stitch a block a day, if all goes well.

Have a good rest of your day and take time to stitch a bit.

Karen

ABE AND MARY LINCOLN

I did another applique block featuring Abe and Mary Lincoln.  I had an idea that I wanted to follow through on which was adding a pieced border around the block to make a small quilt.  This is what I came up with.

I thought a Log Cabin block would be appropriate for Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln.  I had a different setting in my mind's eye but ended up not using it.  My first thought was to start in the center of a side with two light sides facing each other followed by a dark facing a dark.  That made some areas of lights facing the outside.  I was not going to add an additional border and I did not like the look of some light and some dark on the outside edge.  My solution was to have all the blocks facing the same direction on a side and to add a plain block in each corner.  The logs finish at one-half inch.  That was going to make it difficult to square up the quilt, if needed, after quilting.  I decided to add a plain border log cabin style for a final finish.  Now I need to think about the quilting design..

Have a fun weekend and take time to sew!

Karen

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS UPDATE

I started Friday evening on the applique stitching.  This is where I was on Sunday.

This is where I am at today.

The applique part is getting close to being done.  Another turtle dove on a big leaf, some berries, and a big heart.  The drummer needs his sticks and the bucket needs a handle.  There are lots of embroidered words to be added, buttons for bird eyes, and face details for the people.  So still lots to do but a great deal closer to finishing that part.

Lori from Humble Quilts is working on the same quilt.  Hers is done in wool.  She has a picture on her blog today.  Take a peek here.

Enjoy your day and take time to sew.

Karen

CHRISTMAS SEW-ALONG

Today is the next to last Christmas Sew-Along for 2011.  I prepped "The Twelve Days of Christmas" applique pieces a few months ago.  I decided it was time to get busy on the project and started it yesterday evening.  This is where I am at this afternoon.  A lot of stitching to do yet plus adding the embroidered wording, etc.

The pattern I am using is by Cheri.  You can view a picture of the quilt here.  Select Winter patterns and scroll down looking on the left side.

We are having bunches and bunches of rain since last evening.  I don't know how many inches have already come down.  The lake behind our house has risen a good ways into our yard.  It is supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow.  I may need a boat!

Karen

VACATION STITCHING

I did get some stitching done the first week of vacation.  The first week was at the beach.  The second week in New England and that was a whirlwind of sight-seeing and family time.

First of all, I got the applique done on two Bible quilt blocks.  I had no way to mark the embroidery lines for the wording that needs to be added.  I will mark them yet this week for future stitching.

The feet on the second block bother me.  They seem to stand out too much.  But I think I will leave them as is and move on.

Next I did a redwork Santa block.  Embroidery like this is a bit hard to photograph well so that the stitching can be seen.

Then I finished the Civil War applique block that I had previously had so much trouble with.  It is still not perfect but I am leaving it as is.  The horse is my favorite part of the block.

Since coming home from vacation, I have not been sewing.  I have been cutting 1 1/2 inch squares for a postage stamp style quilt.  Kathie from "Inspired by Antique Quilts" has inspired me to make one.  Look at her post of September 28 and you will see how much she has done on her postage stamp quilt.  I am cutting squares from reproduction fabrics only just as Kathie is.  I have no plan as to how large I want to make the quilt.  Kathie says that she needs over 10,000 squares for hers and that it is a long term project.

I have lots more fabric to cut.  All those little squares take time.  It is interesting to pull out all the fabrics from the shelves and revisit those I have forgotten about.

That's all for today's post.  Have a good sewing day!

Karen