Thursday, October 31, 2013

A Little "Season"-ing

Fall
Lest you think all I ever do is work on tiny things, I thought I would show you the progress I have made on my "It's So Vermonty" quilt. (The inspiration for this quilt and its name are explained in this post.)
Yes, this really is made from Bonnie Hunter's Crabapple pattern in her Adventures With Leaders and Enders book. I wanted it to fit my Queen size bed, but I didn't want to make more trees than originally called for (see all the ones I have yet to sew are lined up at the bottom on design boards). So I cut up some fall colored batik yardage to make setting squares. If you enlarge the photo you may be able to see that I have fussy-cut swirls that are in the batik. Haven't yet decided on what to use for the setting triangles, but I will wait until I have the trees finished before I worry about that.

Halloween
I never did get the Halloween decorations out this month. I mostly use scarecrows and pumpkins (Halloween is not scary at my house), but they are still in their boxes. The only decor I managed to muster was stitched stuff--the collection of little black and orange quilts I made last year, plus the Flying Scarecrow pillow designed and stitched by the very talented  Kaaren (The Painted Quilt blog) that I won in her drawing last year. Fun bit of trivia (for me, anyway)--Kaaren and I discovered that we share the same birthday. We already knew that we share a similar taste in fabric. : )

One of my little Halloween quilts never got quilted. I had every intention of quilting it this year, but as the holiday approached and I could see it wasn't going to happen, I hung it up anyway. Maybe I should have trimmed the fraying threads first.
This quilt was based on Julie Letvin's Pool Lil' Punky Pincushion pattern. I made a bunch of those, and managed to keep one for me.
Once I had made those I felt the urge to incorporate the happy little gourd into a small quilt. I wanted to make it in Halloween colors, but use repro fabrics. This is what materialized--and maybe one day I will actually get it quilted.

Christmas
This summer I saw a cute set of "wool" ornaments hanging in a LQS, but there were no patterns nearby. Upon inquiry I learned that they came as a kit, and you could not get the pattern by itself. I didn't want the kit--I have plenty of wool, and it appeared that the kit included felt, not felted wool. I decided I could live without them. Fast forward a few months and I found myself in another, more obscure, LQS. My mother had asked me to take her to try to match a fabric, that she had been unable to match in the other local shops. As she decided on a fabric, I browsed the notions and patterns. Lo, and behold, there was the ornament pattern without the kit. I nabbed it. This evening I was not in the mood to stitch, though there is plenty of stitching I should be doing, so I grabbed some wool and the pattern and started tracing and cutting. I made a good start. They aren't as dark as this photo makes them appear. Even with a flash, the colors wouldn't lighten up. I am trying to make them just a bit more primitive looking, so I am adapting some things. I probably won't get to stitch these up until December, but it was a nice diversion for me to cut them out.
BTW, the pattern, by Rachel of Greenfield, is available online here.

I'm pooped. I wasn't going to write this post in the wee hours, but when I looked at my schedule for the coming day, I thought I'd better get it done. Now I'll be a zombie all day for lack of sleep, but I guess I can get away with that on Halloween.

Until next time,
Janet O.


32 comments:

  1. Your Vermonty quilt is gorgeous! Love those scrappy trees and the setting... very autumnal.

    You've been busy with lots of projects. Congrats on NOT buying the kit for the pattern and then... finding the pattern elsewhere when do a good deed! Those mitten ornaments are tres cute!


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  2. love that little pumpkin and pineapple quilt...so beautiful and precise...so very like you janet....

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  3. Wow, I'm with Freda, Vermonty is gorgeous and really captures the feel of that great state in its glory. The little pumpkin top is adorable too - one of my friends has had top displayed in her house for about 5 years now, draped over a chair. (She says she's going to get to it soon. We'll see...) Rachel Pellman spoke to our quilt guild about 6 years ago. She talked about living and quilting with the Amish. She's from the Lancaster, PA area. It was a wonderful talk. She brought quite a few of her designs, all prepackaged with material so you could recreate her quilt. I didn't use the polyester batting from the basket quilt kit I bought. It's good to know she sells her patterns without the materials sometimes. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Janet, I am so, so sorry. I missed your last post on Saturday! I am so sorry about your MIL. You have been on my mind ALOT lately, so I've been praying!!! Now I know why! Blessings sweet friend - If I lived closer, I'd be right over taking care of things for you!!!

    As usual all your quilting makes me drool, then feel intimidated and then highly encouraged and inspired!!! Those little ornaments will be darling - I nearly bought them too, but alas have to finish up a gillion projects without adding any more!!!

    Blessings, hugs and prayers!!!

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  5. Your Vermonty is coming along :)..and I sure do like those little ornaments :) Can't wait to see them all stitched up!

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  6. yipper...today is as good a day as any to be a zombie :)
    Your felted wool ornaments are adorable...glad you found the pattern.

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  7. Voila! My 2014 Christmas ornaments for my children. I make them one each year. Just ordered one off of the site you recommended. Not the exact same as yours, but pretty close!

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  8. If you're going to be a Zombie, then Halloween is the day for it! Good to see 'Vermont' again. I was wondering how it was coming along. And all you stitched decorations are adorable....no surprise there.

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  9. Janet, the batik based on Bonnie's pattern is fabulous! I love the colors! And of course your little unfinished Halloween paper pieced top is adorable. I think the threads add charm to its look!! Hope you have a fun day! We are getting ready for the onslaught of kiddies who trick or treat in our area, by the busload!

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  10. Well ZOMBIE I for one am glad that you stayed up to let us know what you have going on this spooky day in your studio! Happy Halloween.. I had wondered recently how your crab apple was coming along. It fits so well with your blog's wall paper. I think kits should always be optional. The ornaments are really cute. Hope today your MIL is continuing to improve. Sandi

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  11. Your Vermont quilt is just delicious. It makes me feel the same way I do when I see a fire in a fireplace on a cool evening. I just want to get closer. The ornaments are going to be darling.

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  12. I didn't plan on being a Zombie, but after my late NAP yesterday I was up in the middle of the night wondering why I wasn't tired. You are in Good Company. Love your idea for solid squares alternating with your Trees, the colors are pretty, even though I'm not a fan of BATIKS! My Halloween Decorations didn't get put out either. TOO late now!

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  13. I love the Vermonty quilt! Also the little Halloween wall hanging. It and the wool ornaments are just darling!

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  14. I love the Vermonty quilt...we don't do Halloween here down under, but at that hour your posting this, you picked the right day to be a zombie.
    Your little decorations are just gorgeous.
    Julia ♥

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  15. Great Vermonty quilt - It'll be fun to see it all finished!! I love both the Halloween ornaments and the felt Christmas ornaments!! Hope you and your MIL are doing good!!

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  16. Wow Janet! Your Vermonty quilt just shines in the thumbnail photo on my blog roll :*) LOVE IT!!! And of course you know I love your little ornaments - and I may have to copy you and make a little Fall quilt like yours with the little jack-o-lantern in the middle - too darn cute! I don't do Halloweeen, but I love jack-o-lanterns and black kitties. I love your Fall picture on your header and the leaves in the background too - absolutely awesome!!!

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  17. Wow! Your Vermont quilt is beautiful...looks like a lot of work but very stunning result! Love your Halloween quilts too and especially happy to see the Christmas projects!

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  18. the batik is perfect for your crabapple quilt - looks warm and pulls it together.
    Love the pineapple blocks on the pumpkin quilt - so effective.
    Your wooly mittens are adorable!
    You'll appreciate your decorations next year. Sometimes I take a year off too ;)

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  19. Those trees are so pretty - no matter what size you make them! I'd love to try that block myself sometime. Your new wool project is so cute - you'll have those all stitched up by Christmas, I'm sure. Fun pumpkin projects too. Thanks for the great pictures.

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  20. I like what you are doing with the tree quilt!! The muted tones remind me so much of the colorful trees in my neighborhood. It's perfect!
    Love your wool ornaments.

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  21. Love catching up with all the quilty goodness and yummy fabrics you use, Janet! I intended to get some Halloween things done too but can no longer use the wee hours I used to! This working full time thing really sucks my free time up! Get some rest, you:)

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  22. I just love the pumpkins, pin cushions and quilt. Nice job!

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  23. Your 'Vermonty' quilt is going to be gorgeous, Janet. That little scarecrow pillow is adorable, and I want one too :D. Love those little wool ornaments, and knowing you, you will have that little Halloween quiltlet quilted before the next Holiday rolls around. I am always so in awe of how much sewing you accomplish. You go, girl. :D

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  24. You always have so many beautiful things going on that you put most of us to shame. I love your "Vermonty"

    Have a wonderful and Blessed day
    Kristie

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  25. I have a Crabapple tree in progress (Bonnie Hunter's pattern) too!! Love how you are doing yours...You have been a busy girl Janet.
    Mary

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  26. I love your fall trees and those little houses from the other post. You always have such great projects on the go!

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  27. WOW Janet! That tree quilt is amazing! Bonnie is going to go crazy when she sees that! (in a good way!) LOL Love your other projects too!

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  28. Beautiful Vermont quilt! Love your little Halloween quilt based on the pumpkin pin cushion pattern. I finally made my pin cushion this year and love it. The ornaments are darling, too. You do so many of the patterns I have! LOL

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  29. Love your Vermonty quilt - so different from others of that pattern. You are more than a step ahead of me on decorating for the fall. I think an flimsy is a fine decoration. You can look forward to quilting it next year. The Christmas woolens are adorable! You last statement made me smile ; c )

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  30. Lots of festive fun! Great seasonal projects. Love your FMQing in the previous post. You are always so productive - with projects big and small.

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  31. Janet,

    I've tried to send you a couple of emails - they are being rejected! Hoping this gets through. Please respond if it does.

    Doniene

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