Thursday, July 11, 2013

Lots of Little Finishes

This has finally been bordered and bound, according to popular vote. I'm calling it "Piney Stars". The stars are the handiwork of Karen Beigh (Log Cabin Quilter blog), and I did the other stuff.

 I used stencils for the quilting. Though I love doing FM overall designs, for more traditional looking quilts I lean toward stencils.

I surprised myself by getting this little thing completed and hung the morning of the Fourth--just in the nick of time! This has been dubbed "A Fleeced Fourth." I'm glad Lisa included striped fabric in her Old Glory Gatherings because I love making striped bias binding.
 Stripes aren't bad on the back, either. Like Lisa's quilt at her trunk show, I used the Valdani floss to "big stitch" around the wool appliques. On the other four blocks I used a Terry Twist (Sally Terry) stencil.


I have finished up another AAQI (Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative) quilt, but I won't be registering it until I get at least one more finished. Have to have them registered by August 1, 2013. There are still hundreds of little quilts available for sale, with more being added regularly. Some of them are even priced under $20. Check it out here to support a great cause. This all ends December 30, 2013.


The quilting process began with stitch-in-the-ditch with my walking foot along the color changes. I like quilting "furrow" type layouts with a diagonal pattern, but my stencil choices this size were limited. I used my favorite "rope" stencil in a large size on the furrows and used a smaller stencil of the same pattern in the border. Those corners are the "fast finish triangles" for hanging, recommended for AAQI quilts, in case you are wondering.

Okay, Kathie, you nudged me and I did it. I made a 2" log cabin ornament (not a great photo of it). After making that little thing, going back to the 3" log cabins in the AAQI quilt was a breeze! I left the opening a little tight and it stressed the seams when I turned it inside out, so this will stay with me, but I think I see a few more of them in my future, with some possible modifications.


We are cooling off today in our high mountain desert valley--instead of hitting 99-100 degrees, we are only supposed to reach 90 today. It will feel chilly (not really).
Janet O.

30 comments:

  1. Feels good out there today, huh? On my way home from SLC yesterday my car thermometer read 104 - YIKES! All your little quilts look so cute - I still haven't been able to find the pattern for the sheep quilt I printed off - sigh. I like that you combined hand quilting AND machine quilting on the same project - why not? Making that tiny log cabin block really gives you a feel for what Julie does on a daily basis - I can't imagine it!

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  2. Such fun finishes!!! Way to go!!! Your little log cabin ornament is adorable!! You continue to amaze me!!!! You always inspire me to "be a better FMQ"!! Such lovely work!!!

    Wow, ya'll have been hot!!! We have too, but that's not unusual for us. So, stay cool!

    Blessings

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  3. All your little quilts are beautiful! I love the little ornament too! :0)

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  4. Absolutely love the Piney Stars....what a novel combination of quilt blocks! And that little log cabin ornament is darling!

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  5. Beautiful little quilts Mom...and what a tiny little ornament!

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  6. Ooooh girl, these are all so lovely!! I will have one of each, please. :)

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  7. Janet, your little quilts are fabulous!!! I just love looking at them!! Thanks!

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  8. Beautiful little quilts! You do such a wonderful job and I just don't see how you work on those tiny ornaments! Amazing job

    Have a wonderful and Blessed day
    Kristie

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  9. Love your quilting. The stencils make them even better. I need to just get busy and Quilt something even if it is the "old-fashioned way, pushing it through the machine.

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  10. Great finishes Janet....and your quilting is lovely.
    2" log cabin., that's awesome Janet, I love it!
    Julia

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  11. Congratulations on so many stellar finishes! I'm particularly intrigued by the tiny log cabin ornament... paper-pieced, yes?

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  12. Lovely finishes! I adore Fleeced Fourth and your AAQI quilt will go quickly. Thanks for showing the quilting - you are getting to be a pro! Glad it is cooling off a bit for you. We need it to dry up here but more rain is in the forecast. We've had cooler than normal temps. Don't like this wacky weather!

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  13. So much fantastic quilting Janet! Amazing finishes!

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  14. Oh wonderful!! Love your quilting! I tend to use stencils too lately...take a lot of decisions off of my mind that way. Love your little quilts! You have quite a nice collection!

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  15. So many lovelies to look at Janet! I appreciate the close up pictures and descriptions of your quilting... especially like how you quilted on the diagonal. And a great combination of the two blocks for Piney Stars!

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  16. Janet - Your Piney Stars turned out perfect!! Love it!! The new AAQI quilt is incredible and that log cabin ornament is tiny and darling!! You got a lot done in all this heat!! Wasn't today, and especially tonight, delightful??

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  17. What great quilts! Love the striped binding and I look forward to seeing your AAQI quilts.

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  18. The loveliest little finishes.

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  19. I love Piney Stars - and your AAQI log cabin. And you've inspired me to make a log cabin ornament. ;-)

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  20. Another busy lady, all your quilts are so precious. Hard to just choose one? The colors really pop out with the patterns. Your quilting is beautiful. Don't think I will ever make that challenge. Have a great week.

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  21. You always have the greatest finishes. Very inspiring.

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  22. Love your little quilts! And that 2" log cabin ornament is really wonderful. We're having a couple of mid-70s days here after a stretch of 90+ and I'm enjoying summer a lot more with the windows open and the A/C turned off!

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  23. Lots of great finishes. Thanks for showing the quilting on the little log cabin that is impressive for such a little quilt!

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  24. Such lovely little quilts! I'm partial to that there log cabin.

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  25. I love Piney Stars, Janet - the combination of stars and pineapples is delicious - and the quilting on it oh so lovely. You are right, the stripes on your patriotic quilt are perfect - another lovely finish. Well done on another AAQI quilt - I love how you have quilted that one too - you and your machine seem to have a very enjoyable relationship :-) Hehehe love your tiny log cabin - very inspiring!! (sitting on my hands right now, fighting the urge to burst into life and try one myself!!) Lots of beautiful eye candy in this post.

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  26. I've all your finishes Janet!!! Especially the Log Cabin - I just love that design. And that little 2" ornament is too cute for words!!!!

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  27. Fabulous work from your studio as always! That dear little log cabin is so precious.

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  28. I am happy that you put some of my star blocks to use and in such a wonderful quilt.

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  29. Ummmm....whoa! That little log cabin ornament is tiny! I have never worked with pieces that small and so I just can't imagine the skill it takes! I love your little primitive piece -- you did a great job of it!! Lots of fabulous happenings here! :)

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