Saturday, June 8, 2013

Meet "The Barrister's Daughter"

That is what I have decided to name this eclectic bunch of blocks when they are finally assembled into a quilt.
When Randy was hosting her Barrister's SAL last year I was doing my first set out of shirts, and I did complete the top, which you can see here. But I had also started a second set out of Christmas fabrics. As the weeks went by I could barely keep up with the first set, so about 1/3 of the way through the year I dropped the ball on the Christmas set.

This year John'aLee is hosting the Rancher's Daughter QAL with a new block posted every Monday, along with a story from her life as a rancher's daughter. I wasn't going to join (when have my intentions ever meant anything?), but then decided I could just follow along at a slower pace, doing every other block, until I had enough blocks for the Christmas throw I had intended to create last year. I think six more blocks will give me what I need for the layout I have planned. I will be using alternating squares and currently I am thinking of red and green hourglass blocks.

This quilt finally got bound and is now winging its way across the country to its new home. I did give it a wash and it softened up nicely, as so many of you suggested.

The Crabapple blocks (a Bonnie Hunter pattern) are beginning to pile up. Almost halfway there. Still searching for the perfect sashing.


Finally, I was in the mood to do some "small" work and didn't have time to make another pineapple. When I first starting making mini ornaments I began with 2" basket blocks. After making two of them I switched to pineapples and haven't looked back. But my little sewing room tree needs some variety, and besides, I had some orphan 1" HSTs laying around in black and green. Just had to make a 1 1/2" HST for the corner and I was good to go!
This little jewel is not paper pieced, which means no papers to remove--yippee! : )

I am making progress on my Patriotic Picnic quilt and when I have it all back up on the wall I will get a photo to share. In the meantime, if you want to see a fun bunch of little Patriotic themed quilts, check out Doniene's post here. So many cute R/W/B quilts!

Happy stitching!
Janet O.

29 comments:

  1. Oh Janet, first up the wee tiny basket block......so tiny & cute! And not paper pieced!
    Love both other quilts, cool idea to make a second quilt in the Christmas fabrics.

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  2. Love your new little basket block...I agree your tree will look so cute with a variety. I always enjoy your post as you have many things in the works.

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  3. Such great stuff, friend! That tiny one is astonishing....

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  4. Wonderful projects! Love them all! And the ornaments bring back lots of memories for me...I planned a tree for our guild to show at the Festival of Trees in the State Capitol building in SD...we did little ornaments similar to yours!

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  5. You need a secretary to keep track of all your projects! Those tree blocks caught my eye. Good done in fall colors. The quilt you just finished......very good. I like how you have squares in some areas and the strips in others.

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  6. Again an a great post chock full of inspiration and beautiful projects. Well done, Janet.

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  7. Such a cute little basket block! Love your other projects too. Good idea on your Barrister's Daughter quilt - you will have it finished in no time.

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  8. At least you finished one Sow a long quilt. I have about a third of the blocks left to do. They just sit there staring at me making me feel guilty. That's a sweet little basket ornament.

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  9. I can't wait to see your tree this year with all those cute ornaments. As usual, you do not disappoint. Awesome eye candy!

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  10. This post is just what I needed this morning...beautiful!! Thank you!

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  11. It's impossible to imagine how you could piece that without papers ... ok, it's impossible to imagine how *I* could have pieced that without papers! ;-) Beautiful! That reminds me that I need to get back to work on my mini (or semi-mini when compared to yours) pineapple blocks. ;-)

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  12. You have a great jump start on a Christmas quilt this year, very nice! Love the tree blocks, have you tried a batik for the sashing? Great post today

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  13. I LOVE your Christmas blocks!! and red & green hour glass setting squares will be perfect!!! Your small quilt did soften up - looks wonderful!! and who wouldn't love your little basket blocks!!! So, so, so cute!! great job!! Thanks for the "atta girl"!! I did have fun making those rwb quilts!!

    Blessings

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  14. Love Barrister's Daughter Mom :) Can't wait to see it finished!
    You just can't keep your hands away from little projects can you? Darling new little ornament :)

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  15. Ahhh the perfect name for your quilt! It will evoke memories of both QALs :*) I'm really liking the sparkle of your Crabapple blocks - yum!!! Keep searching for that perfect sashing, because it will make or break these wonderful blocks. And your little basket ornament is simply adorable - but not quite as cute as my pineapple ornaments =^..^=

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  16. You so impress me with how many projects you can make progress on in a week! Congrats on the beautiful finished quilt. I'm sure it will be appreciated. The tiny basket ornament is adorable. Enjoyed seeing your other two projects in the works. I've been making 9-patches for my crabapple quilt the past few days, too. Need to get going on some finished blocks.

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  17. Love your new little basket block....2 inches now that is tiny!
    The Crabapple blocks are looking great...sashing fabric will jump out at you and you'll find the right one.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Julia

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  18. Janet, I love the idea of the Barrister's Daughter! You are amazing!!!

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  19. The Christmas blocks are beautiful on Barrister's Daughter, what a great theme to choose. I also admire the way you bound that little lap quilt with the green up against the charcoal grey borders. It looks great!

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  20. As always, you do such beautiful work!! I love your tree ornament - but ya, know, I would rather tear off a few papers!! :-)))

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  21. Is your father a Lawyer? I like your Christmas version. Way to make it all work together. Who gets the pretty quilt back east, your Daughter in VT? I like the mini that you made too. Baskets are always a good thing in my book.

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  22. Each time I open your blog, I smile at that fabulous rainbow! I really like the prints that you chose to use in your crabapple blocks, very nice. I never have made a basket quilt, I still have that one on my bucket list, lol.
    Looking forward to you Patriotic quilt, RWB are my favorites. Take a look at my blog when you have time, not too good at it but I am trying lol. Have a super week.

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  23. The Christmas Barrister's Daughter quilt will be as a beautiful as the shirting quilt you made! What a great idea to make those blocks using Christmas season fabrics, even if it meant they took a back seat for a while. The super mini basket block ornament is just plain precious... and not paper pieced! I can only imagine!!!

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  24. I remember thinking you we're slightly nuts to do two at once, but the ambition worked out for you:). Beautiful little basket and I'm glad your worry of too much quilting on that one quilt was eased!

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  25. Janet, Janet, Janet ... what do you do in your spare time?? LOL!! I declare, you are in the top ten most ambitious quilters I know! The Barrister's Daughter is especially fun in the Christmas colors. All fun stuff here, as per usual!! :)

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  26. janet, lovely quilt, nice blocks, a terrific accomplishment....and the little ornament is adorable and not paper pieced? i am impressed1

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  27. I love the QAL's but as an observer, no as a participant... for me it's a spectator sport! I applaud you and your Christmas quilt-to-be! The flying quilt and the Vermonty blocks are just spectacular, as are your piecing skills~ that basket block is amazing!

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  28. LOVE the basket ornament...I should steal your idea and make some :)

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