Friday, September 2, 2016

Seeing Stars Again

Haven't touched a sewing machine for over a week, and even the hand stitching has been minimal. Instead, I have been busy making soap and testing some new-to-me gluten free flours.

I have managed a bit more stitching on Stars in the Garden.
There are two more flowers cut out and ready to stitch.
Trying really hard on this project NOT to make the flowers and stars all matchy-matchy.  I am combining fabrics I would normally never combine, in an effort to make this look like a real "make-do" quilt. On one of the stars I even used one hexagon of a different print from all the others in that round. I had enough of the original print, but I wanted it to appear that I hadn't. Can you spot it? : )

 Last night I felt like I should be stitching, but couldn't bring myself to drag out a work in progress. Then I remembered Lisa Bongean's recent block for the Splendid Sampler. I am not doing the sampler, but I really liked this pretty little applique block. Lisa did not do hers in wool. I did--and I changed the colorway.

At only 7" square, it is a sweet little block. Here I am auditioning Valdani flosses, and the possibility of adding tiny black buttons to the flower centers. Jury is still out on that.
I discovered that many of the wools I had chosen matched quite well with Lisa's Floral Gatherings line. I may need to piece a border to go around it--when I feel like it.
It is stitching up very quickly. Lisa named it Dedication Rose.

Fun mail today from my sweet friend, Pam Buda. Look at these wonderful scraps from her recent red/white/blue line of fabric. Love this line! Do you think I need to make a few more r/w/b minis? : )
 Maybe this will inspire me to get stitching again. I don't ever seem to stall with this color scheme!

I'll end with this photo of a photo of one of my Mother's quilts. Somehow the original photo became torn in half, but you can still see the lines of the feathered wreaths and diagonal lines Mom hand quilted. It is difficult to tell that the 9-patch blocks are double 9-patches.

She made this in 1991. It won Sweepstakes at our county fair and our state fair, and went to Houston that year. Just the quilt went--wish I had, too.
Until next time,
Janet O.





36 comments:

  1. First oh all, your Mom's quilt is amazing and the quilting awesome ! She was very talented...
    Your hexies project is beautiful and I love the flower in wool...
    Pam Buda knows you're the Queen of quilts in R/W/B !! ah ah !

    ReplyDelete
  2. i love your interpretation of the block...that is one of my SS faves as well...as for your hexies...wow! this is going to be one beautiful project...mine is coming along slow as well...and you ended with a real beauty....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your mom's quilt is spectacular! I love that little rose sampler you're making and those Valdani flosses are such amazing colors. Someday I'll work with some wool, even have some garments saved from thrift store finds waiting to be felted a bit, but so far don't seem to get away from the quilting cottons. Beautiful additions to your red, white and blue stash, congratulations on winning that little collection!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh you poor thing, not sewing. Are you twitching lol? Actually you seem to have things lined up. I have a very small wool collection when the urge strikes.

    Love the hexi project. How wonderful to receive scraps from a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes! more red white and blue! I can't wait to see what you do with it! Your mom's quilt is gorgeous. I like the wool block you made with such pretty colors. Your hexies are so pretty and no I could not find the mismatched hexie. Do tell me where to find it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fun, fun, fun post! Love your treasure fabrics from Pam...and your mom's quilt! How glorious!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! For not stitching much you had wonderful tidbits to share!! Your mom's quilt is stunning! I totally enjoy FMQ, but the look of a hand quilted one! Divine!!! Love the little wool block! I really would like to start a wool appliqué project, but alas way down on the docket! Scrumptious scraps from Pam! You'll make darling treasures from those!

    Have a blessed day my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, even if your fingers aren't stitching, your mind is obviously full of quilty stuff :*). Your stars are moving right along; love the "make do" attitude and choosing to consciously incorporate it into your blocks. As for that pile of tempting scraps, I'm thinking they may be calling out to you already - I haven't seen you resist a r/w/b scrap yet! It's obvious where you got your talent and love of quilting - your mom was a rockstar!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your flowers are looking soooo good!! And I looked and looked but could not find the different print!! Wow!! Can hardly believe you did that Pam Buda block in one night!! It is gorgeous!! Love the fun scraps from Pam!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't see a different fabric in the hexies unless maybe a solid black in the top left star?? For sure, your applique stitches are perfect! You know I would say you can't have too many R/W/B's! Your mother's stitching is incredible, and I love that double nine-patch! Got to make one someday! ---"Love"

    ReplyDelete
  11. I spotted it. I am glad that I am not the only one with Stars in the Garden partially done. I better get back at it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great Hexie project! I am getting ready to head back to our FAIR. Had to check out what you are stitching. SEW nice of Pam Buda to send scraps! YES, more RWB is in order.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Those are some yummy scraps from Pam--looking forward to seeing how you use them. My Stars in the Garden is totally scrappy. I got rid of a lot of 1.5" squares, but now I want to make the top bigger--I hope I can come up with some close colors!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lucky you, more red, (off) white and blue! I love the Lisa Bongean pattern. I hope you have inspired me enough to dig out some of many boxes of wool! I love your mother's quilt. Stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice to see what you are doing Janet. And good to hear you are experimenting with the GF flours - hope that was enjoyable! Love your 'Lisa' block and also lucky you with winning Pam's scraps - yummy! Your mother's quilt is beautiful, I'm not surprised it won a ribbon and went to Houston. Your hexagon project is looking great too - I'll have to have an even closer look to find your make-do hexagon....

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would be embarrassed to say how long it's been since I sat at my sewing machine! LOL! I love your take on the Splendid Sampler block! I've been collecting them, but nothing more. Translating that one to wool was brilliant! What a happy package to have arrive! And your mother's quilt is fantastic. A real stunner!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your Mothers hand quilting is beautiful! Seeing your stars gives me motivation to start working on mine and I like the idea of not matching

    ReplyDelete
  18. LOve your Mom's quilt. JUst beautiful. I like the hexie stars a lot. I really love handwork and paper piecing. I am trying my best to finish several paper piecing projects before I start another. Hard to control myself. I think we all suffer from this phenomena.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Driving me nuts, I cannot find the non matching fabric in the hexies! Love your hand work, looks like a nice slow burn project to me. Because I am sure you will be distracted very soon by that lovely stash of red, white and blue!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your mom's quilt is amazing. She really spent a lot of time on that quilt. Hmmmmm Red, white, and blue.... where have I seen that before? Your wool block is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your Mom's quilt is fabulous - exquisite quilting...it is very apparent that she passed her gift onto you with all your accomplishments. So many lovelies in the works - Think Inwould have a special basket filled with the Valdani threads just for presentation of color! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You always delight us with fabulous trunk shows! Pam has bestowed upon you enough fabrics for several r/w/b projects that I'll look forward to seeing in the future. Make certain you let her know that we thank her too. I think carrying that pink out would be perfect. I looked and looked for the "make do" hexies; the black hexies in the top left is my attempt at the find. You've got to pick something more obvious next time! The quilting in your Mom's quilt is more than fabulous. Still visiting my folks so not much stitching for me right now either. Hope everything looks sunnier for you soon. Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  23. Cute Dedication Rose block. I adore your Mum's quilt!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Some weeks are like that, but each tiny step is a step forward. Your hexies are delightful. I looked and looked but couldn't find the make do one.:0( Wool applique is a good pick me up and stitch kind of project and your wool rose is super cute. Your mom's quilt is lovely. Her hand quilting is done so traditionally making it absolutely gorgeous. Of course, you need more RW&B!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love, love, love your mom's quilt. I love nine patches and two color quilts. Your dedication rose block is gorgeous. I looked and looked but couldn't find the odd fabric - I even opened the picture to enlarge it. You chose wisely.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I studied the hexagon stars and cannot find the substitute fabric.
    Love the little wool block. I have not worked on wool much at all this year but hope to get back to it soon.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Just love the stars - wish I loved making hexies! I also love your wool version of Lisa's block - really pretty colors of wool and I like it on the black background. I like Pam's new fabric line - I had a weak moment and signed up for the BOM!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Have you tried almond flour? Being hypoglycemic I always look to reduce my carbs. I have had good success with substituting wheat flour for this one. Love your new projects.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I always love seeing all of your projects. Your Rose is coming along quickly and looks so nice.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh MY your mother's quilt is stunning! that hand quilting - wow. I love wreaths and those little nine patches are wonderful.
    Your wool piece pops with those colors on the dark background - so nice!
    Your EPP Star Garden is growing nicely!
    nice fun mail - looks like your favorites and yes, I see more minis in your future.

    ReplyDelete
  31. How did I NOT respond to your blog post??? I absolutely LOVE love love the little applique you did following Lisa B's pattern. ADORABLE!
    And your mom's quilt? Priceless!!!
    I think I'm really in trouble with our challenge. ;-))

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such great things in your post today! That Lisa block really sparkled and your mom's quilt is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your mums quilt is pretty darn beautiful!! Love your stars too.
    Are you going gluten-free? Did I miss that somewhere? So many great alternative flours.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I couldn't spot the different fabric in your stars so you came close to the original, Janet.

    Your Lisa Bongean applique is beautiful. Such perfect stitches. And lucky you to win the fabric from Pam.

    Your mom's quilt is gorgeous. It has so much quilting and with such detail. I guess you grew up with an excellent example of quilting in your home!
    --Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Glad you're still moving forward on your little hexie star project. I made another single star like this. Had my son-in-law make me a hexie frame and now I need to get it painted so I can assemble the whole thing. Your wool floral is so cute - I think the stitching always brings it to life, right? Can't wait to see your next RWB quilt made with the goodies Pam sent you. Your mom's quilt is breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BTW - I couldn't find the wayward hexie anywhere!!!.....

      Delete

I love to have your comments and feedback.