Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Hey, everybody, I really finished it!!

 That's what I felt like shouting when I took the last stitch on the binding of Black & Blooms (aka Little Buds from Primitive Gatherings). I still can't believe it is completed. When I took the wool applique class from Lisa Bongean last January, during one of our breaks she pulled out a bunch of quilts to show us. As she held up Little Buds we were all in awe of this tiny wool appliqued piece. I was fascinated by it and felt compelled to order the kit, all the while chiding myself, "Who are you kidding? You won't ever actually make that!"
I love to be wrong in such cases--and it really wasn't as hard to make as I had imagined. Just be prepared to paper piece those HSTs in the border--they are 1/2" finished!

So while we are talking small, these little log cabin blocks will finish at 3" (yes, they are paper pieced). They are going into my next AAQI quilt, if I can get it finished before the registration deadline. I'm tempted to just sew these four blocks together and put a couple of borders on it, but my original plan was for more blocks with a different setting. I just don't know if I have time to make that happen, with other deadlines I have looming. I wonder what it is like to quilt without deadlines?

Thanks to all who cast their vote in my border dilemma. It was a tricky election. At first the candidates seemed pretty evenly matched, but in the end, the red border won by a landslide. I won't be keeping this and I thought a majority vote had a better chance of getting a result the recipient would like, than just going by my opinion.

Finally, my last patriotic project for the time being (Old Glory Gatherings--Sheep Quilt), is all blanket stitched. I'm hoping to get it basted and start on the quilting tomorrow. I doubt it will be displayable by the 4th, but maybe it will see some moments in the spotlight before the fall decor goes up.

















I hope everyone in the U.S. has a safe and happy Independence Day, and everyone else--have a good day. : )
Janet O.

46 comments:

  1. you must be please with your tiny wool wonder, it is so pretty! yeah for the red borders!

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  2. Janet that wool quilt is amazing. But as always you amaze me with your work my friend!!

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  3. Janet your little tiny Black and Blooms is out of this world...I am clapping and cheering for you! Those tiny log cabins...WOW!

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  4. Yay Janet, the wool quilt is great....great to have a finish!
    3 inch log cabins...wow, amazing!
    Julia ♥

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  5. congrats on the finish ! ok love those little log cabin blocks.
    its going to be another wonderful donation quilt. oh yes enjoy that patriotic little quilt , looks like the perfect labor day quilt you can keep that out for a long time in mho ;)
    Kathie

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  6. Everything looks wonderful, but your Little Buds quilt is absolutely amazing! :0)

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  7. Wowza!! Absolutely wonderful!!! I missed your previous post - so sorry - not sure if I just didn't see it or what. You continue to amaze me!! What wonderful projects you complete! Deadline - isn't everything on a deadline!!! LOL

    Blessed 4th to you and all your family!

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  8. What a gorgeous finish!! I love your tiny woolie wonder...and Happy Fourth!

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  9. Love your projects! I have that little pattern too from Primitive Gatherings...one of these days... Your cabins are beautiful! Love the old look of the dark ivory fabrics! Great look! Keep at it girl! I too am in a bind for getting a quilt done for the Des Moines show...I hope to get started ASAP!! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Your wool flower quilt is wonderful. Now that you have your confidence, you will be doing all sorts of wool applique. I love the sheep on the patriotic fabrics. Is that from a pattern or your creation?

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  11. Happy Fourth to you, too! I adore the Little Buds quilt; visiting your blog always provides me with such wonderful inspiration! Well done, Janet, on the finish and especially on those miniscule HST's. Your other projects are all lovely, too; you are one busy lady!

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  12. Black and Blooms is totally awesome. And the tiny log cabin blocks are clearly little masterpieces.

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  13. Oh my! 1/2" finished HST? Oh my... but it was well worth paper piecing them... really sets off the lovely flowers! Congratulations!

    You've been busy with these small project... that's obvious. Now I know how you stay out of trouble... *lol*

    Happy Independence Day to you and yours, Janet!!!

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  14. Such gorgeous projects, Janet! By the way, I have brought the mug rug that you made for me to work at my new job, and it is on my desk as a resting place for my now-always-present water bottle. I think of you daily . . . .

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  15. I absolutely love Black & Blooms - every time you show it, I just want to make it! And those pineapples are awesome! It wouldn't matter which border you chose, it is a great little quilt! Hmmmm....still thinking about making my little patriotic sheep!

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  16. WOW, WOW, WOW! I just love it.
    Those little log cabins just get to me too. So cute!

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  17. My gosh! Janet, that is TINY!! I bet you are so happy to have finished that! Amazing job, it is so pretty. Love your log cabins and sheeps too. 3 inches is small for a log cabin block.

    Have a wonderful and Blessed day
    Kristie

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  18. The Black and Blooms is so precious!! I'm working on a larger log cabin block, but the small one sure looks tempting!!! I'm trying to focus on quilting without deadlines, so good luck with that one.... LOL!!!

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  19. I can't wait to see your black and blooms up close!
    The log cabin blocks are so sweet and I really love the sheep quilt...want to see that one up close too :)

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  20. Love all your projects, Janet!!

    Happy 4th to you too!!

    :) Carolyn

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  21. Hi Janet - All I can say is WOW! Your little quilt done on a black background is so much more spectacular that what Lisa's pattern cover shows with it done on tan - good choice! That houndstooth fabric is awesome. I can see why paper piecing that sawtooth border is the only way to go. Great little log cabins - is that Kansas Troubles fabrics?

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  22. Absolutely beautiful! Every time I see a new blog entry by you, I get inspired and want to go pull out a UFO. I am highly impressed by the size of your finished quilts and the tiny, tiny blocks. I feel pretty certain I would never be quite as dedicated as to make 1/2 inch finished half square triangles. Your pieces are wonderful! I hope you enjoy our Independence Day with your family. Hugs from Kentucky!

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  23. P.S. Be sure to send a picture of your Black & Blooms to Lisa!

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  24. At first glance I thought that the violet had to be a very happy plant, being so large...but then to my amazement it really wasn't that at all...your Black and Blooms was indeed tiny. Thank goodness for foundation piecing that makes it possible to sew those very, very tiny pieces. From the threads I see the sheep and corner stars must be in wool. I like how warm the sheep looks with it's blanket. You'd be cutting it real close to get this one quilted before tomorrow. Lovely work Janet! Good choice in Kubicles, sure hope they don't layer the one I sit in three days a week :)

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  25. It is always a pleasure to drop in and see your projects, Janet, and today's are no exception! Black & Blooms is just darling... here you go, tempting so many of us again! Love any size quilt made with log cabins... sewing those blocks together (to fit into your time frame), will make a cute mini that anyone would love to claim! Stay busy... it's always a treat to see your great "stuff!"

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  26. congrats on a finish! The little bloom wool project is wonderful...and the sheep can be displayed just the way it is for the 4th!

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  27. Hmm..I knew that black & blooms was small but not quit that small. It looks great especially with one of my fav flowers nearby. Congrats on lots of finishes. BTW - I always need deadlines too.

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  28. Great Finishes! Love the MINIs. Happy 4th to you TOO!

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  29. Black and Blooms is gorgeous! It looks great there with your pretty african violet.
    Those 3" pineapples are darling. Good luck with your deadline.
    I voted for the black border but this works, too. I'm sure this will be popular at the auction.
    Happy stitching on the little sheep quilt and enjoy the 4th!

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  30. A-dorable! Love that Little Buds in the black colorway! Great finish! Those pineapple blocks are awesome too. What's not to love about a 3" block with that many pieces lol be still my heart!!
    A wonderful 4th to you and yours! : )

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  31. Holy cow! That is so tiny....and SO ADORABLE! I love it! I'm so happy for you for your finish! Awesome!

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  32. The Black wool quilt is outstanding. I love your background choice. The half square triangles were worth the effort.
    Great Job!

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  33. Congrats on the adorable finish!!

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  34. Oh, Janet - you do such amazing work!! I hope to see Black and Blooms in person soon and I love how the red border worked so perfectly on the star quilt!! And I LOVE the log cabin blocks!! Please let me see that one before you send it off, ok!! Happy 4th!!!

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  35. Congratulations on another awesome finish! And i love the red borders on the small quilt, red is my neutral,lol!
    As for those pesky deadlines, remember who makes them and breathe deeply!
    That AAQI block set is so sweet how wonderful of you to contribute yet another one.

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  36. You deserve to shout out about your finish on Black and Blooms! It's absolutely gorgeous!!

    Once I finish up my mini pineapples, I think mini log cabins are in order! ;-)

    Have a happy Independence Day!

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  37. Omigosh--that is miniature! What a challenge you met and with a gorgeous payoff--congrats. Love your mini log cabins too! I leave my RWB things up all July and August--really through Labor Day--but our summer lingers here so no need to pull out all the acorns and leaves and pumpkins until October :) Enjoy your holiday, hope no deadlines are striking today!

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  38. Your little blooms are so darling! Did it come with triangle paper? those are such time HSTs! Other darling stuff as well you busy girl!

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  39. Gracious! I do LOVE your Black & Blooms -- glorious!! And hey, your little Sheep Quilt top is precious! Will it be time for fall, now?!? LOL! :)

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  40. the little blooms is beautiful...so tiny, a wonderful job and an heirloom for years to come no doubt...and i love you patriotic too!

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  41. Wow, that little black and bloom is a beauty! Congrats to you on finishing it! And those little log cabins, oh my, beautiful work!

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  42. ONG!!! Janet, you better put that little Buds quilt under lock and key - I SO want it! Can you send me a link to the pattern? It may have to get added to my To Do list ;-). The red border looks perfect in that quilt! I'm sure the lucky recipient will be thrilled with it! And what tiny log cabins!!!! Don't you wish we had time to do all our quilts exactly the way we would like? Too often I take shortcuts because of time.

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  43. Oh your little buds is gorgeous! I've always loved that quilt but was too afraid if all the little pieces! They just never look as good as Lisa's!

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  44. I'm a little late but I hope you had a good 4th.
    Love all your projects!

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  45. Can't tell you how much I have enjoyed looking at your beautiful quilts. I much prefer traditional block quilts like these and the colours are all so perfect together. xCathy

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