Sunday, April 1, 2012

Picnic time again!

My second rendition of the Primitive Gatherings Picnic Quilt is a flimsy now. I need to get the backing sewn together and get it to my LAQ next week. I know, I just got a midarm machine and am going to do my own quilting now, but this is a gift quilt and my skills are not up to snuff on full size quilts.
As this has been coming together I have been making more Spring Baskets as leader/enders. I will have 10 when I am finished. I've made mine a little smaller than the pattern.
Yes, I see the error in the top, middle basket. I have more trouble with
baskets than anything else!
 I think 9 of them will go in the above setting and the tenth may find its way into a little quilt that Kathie posted the link to earlier. You can download the free pattern for Baby Basket here.
Many of you are aware that Temecula Quilt Co. posted basket number five and the setting for their Blessings Baskets sew-along on Thursday. I was very anxious to get all of the fifth baskets made for my four versions and get them set, but time has not allowed. I did make the last basket for the batik set and cut the pieces for the setting. Here it is on the design wall. Can't wait to sew it up and get the others made.
As I said in a previous post, the sashing fabric was just a scrap. I had to cut the sashing strips 1/4" narrower than the pattern indicated and then piece the last two strips together lengthwise in order to make it work. It is a busy enough print that I don't think it shows. I'm really happy with how this little quilt is coming together, but I have no clue as to what I will do with it.
 I've been sewing like a madwoman to try and catch up on the Barrister's Block Sow-Along. I was behind by several blocks on the Christmas set. Now I am all caught up there--until Wednesday.


                                                                                     
These three are the latest two bonus blocks Randy has gifted to us (on either end) and the center block is one I had made incorrectly the first time around. I had totally missed the fact that there were double 4-patch blocks. I'm still going to use the first one I made--so I guess that means these are all bonus blocks! : )
Look how fun these plaids and stripes are when they all come together!

 I should never have signed on to the SewCalGal Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I am always squeaking in under the wire with my link. And I don't have a very good photo of my quilting. Everything turned out either blurry, washed out, or the quilting didn't show up. I haven't wanted to try out March's challenge on something I liked, so I postponed it as long as possible. Last night I was flipping through this book when I came across this design and it made me think of a table runner I had made years ago and never finished because I wasn't crazy about it.

So I pulled out the runner, bought some greyish purple thread today and started stitching these little tulips with some loops thrown in for good measure. It is really hard to see the stitching. I made lots of mistakes, but I am not extremely unhappy with it. I might even use it. 


Finally (sorry this is so long--I only seem to get around to posting once a week and then there is so much to share), I got my fabric winnings from Doniene's 15th Fabric Giveaway. She is posting a giveaway of a small bundle of fabric the 15th of each month throughout the year. If you link to follow her blog you won't miss any of them.
I'd better save the rest for later. I need to get this linked to the FMQ challenge before I turn into a pumpkin.
Until next time,
Janet O.

p.s. Happy April Fool's Day, and happy birthday, Chris! I actually have the pattern and fabric gathered for your gift! : )

25 comments:

  1. WOW, Janet; you've been busy. I do love, love, love all of your amazing piecing. Those plaids combine well, I have always been mad about plaid! Your free motion quilting looks great, well done! Today is a well-deserved day of rest for you.

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  2. Busy, busy girl...Love you Picnic quilt...and all of your baskets...I'm just crazy about them all! Your Farmer's Wife blocks are amazing...

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  3. I can't believe that you are doing all these different quilts! Everything looks wonderful!

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  4. Look at you go! I am in love with all of your projects.

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  5. You are amazing and a machine! Sewing up a storm lately and I'm loving every project!!!

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  6. I am lovin' those plaid blocks, makes me want to start a new project. Your quilting is looking good.

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  7. Love your Picnic Quilt... it's gorgeous!

    You've been very busy lately... and getting a LOT accomplished!

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  8. Wow Janet! You've been a busy little bee!! I'm just amazed at all your beautiful projects! Your picnic quilt is really fun and looks like a perfect quilt for friend chicken & potato salad on the grass on a warm spring day! And I am in LOVE with all your baskets!!! Especially the batiks ones of course - me and batiks have a love affair going :*) I am sure no one will ever notice where you had to piece it. And those plaids.... yum!!! I am really wanting to do one in plaids - soon - and your blocks are really encouraging me to get busy with it!

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  9. Always fun to finish a top and send it off to be quilted. Your baskets are coming along beautifully. I'm sure you'll find a use for the batik baskets or someone else who can. It's striking - almost has an amish look to it. Your tulip quilting is just what that table runner needed - just in time for spring, too!

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  10. You've had a very productive week - I'm impressed! I love everything you do - your taste in fabrics is 'spot on' in my book!

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  11. I love to see your progress each week. You are getting better at the FMQ. Glad I'm not the only one late at getting Birthday gifts made. Have a great week.

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  12. Busy, busy busy!!! Great progress on all your projects!! Can't wait to see all the baskets!! They are looking great! The plaids are scrumptious!! Talk to you soon!

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  13. Holy cow! You've been busy!!! OMG. You have done lots!! All your blocks are fabulous. I love the baskets...I love your FW's blocks, in both color ways!! Mine are in a bag and I haven't put them together at all so I can't imagine how they'd look. I have to say I do love the plaids!!
    The picnic quilt looks quick, but I'm a terrible piecer and all those little squares would have to match up...that would be a challenge!!

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  14. Thanks Janet! I don't think I've ever been wished a happy birthday on someone's blog before-- especially not a quilting blog! :)

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  15. So many of us could only wish to get as much done in a week as you did here. Wonderful, colorful progress in every project.
    Your plaid Sow-A-Long blocks continue to impress. That's going to be a spectacular quilt when you're done with it.
    The Picnic Quilt flimsy is impressive as can be. Love the colors and its bold look. Great project.
    You don't want to just take a deep breath and push it under your Sweet 16 and yell "GO" ? You'll know when you're ready for a larger one. Sending a big vote of confidence your way. Soon--very soon-- you'll be ready.

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  16. Wonderful finishes! Can't decide which is my favorite...all of them?
    Got all of my little Blessing Baskets pieced, hope to get them set together today! Yours turned out lovely!

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  17. I love that picnic quilt. What a lot of great checks and plaids you have in your stash, too. You have gotten a lot accomplished!

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  18. Love all the barrister blocks Mom. It will be a very fun quilt when it's all put together. Will there be any sashing or anything?

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  19. everything is totally gorgeous! love those plaids; the baskets, the picnic cloth....all simply beautiful! you put me to shame this week girl!

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  20. Look at you goin' a mile a minute! You certainly get a lot done. I've been lucky to get a couple of blocks a day sewn on my red & beige quilt. The other 4 projects I'm currently working on are waiting in the queue. (RS has been dictating my sewing schedule)

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  21. Wow, you have been a busy-sowing-along-kinda-gal. All your projects look terrific. I however am wanting to get going on a set of Sow-along-Christmas blocks as well. You are such an inspiration.

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  22. Janet, you just blow me away with every post. I could never make the Picnic Quilt without some pressing issues. I would love for you to share your technique with us...how do you keep everything so square, straight, steam or starch??? I also appreciate your clickable links. You are a very thorough blogger and beautiful quilter!

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  23. I absolutely adore your batik basket quilt and I'm thrilled there was just enough of your inspiration piece for the sashing. I had to biggiesize the photo to find the seam so no problem :)

    Thanks for another great basket pattern too. I really like how the border was quilted.

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  24. Yup. It's official ... your PGPQ is on my bucket list. I've looked for the book online and second hand shops, but no luck, yet. I may have to just order the pattern and keep an eye out for the book! :)

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