Friday, July 12, 2019

Which mini will win?

I had intended to finish this little quilt for my June mini. As you can see, I did not. 
So will it be July's? Yet to be determined. It is made from a pattern for a flag pin, by Diane Hansen of Flag Farm designs. This is an enlargement of the pattern, and I added  everything from the red border on out. I'd had it all squared up, but the triple sashing border is really crooked and I didn't notice it until I was pinning to quilt it. Just couldn't bring myself to do it--it will have to be unpicked and maybe just leave that border off altogether.

I could just quilt this up--another less-than-satisfactory assembly job.

A few months ago, on a hunt for something else, I came across a little bag that contained a bunch of purple scraps, with a few blacks, some tan, and a tiny bit of cheddar. They were leftovers from another mini a few years ago. I had put them in the bag together thinking one day I would challenge myself to make something just using those scraps. I've finished it, taken it apart, and reassembled it a couple of times. This last time I just decided to border it and call it done. I pulled out a lovely FQ of this black miniature print by Judie Rothermel that was a gift from dear Victoria, once upon a time. I have loved it and saved it for something special. But I thought that maybe putting it on this little piece would make me like the quilt  better. It was too much black, and the cheddar in the center looked really out of place. A dig through a couple of scrap baskets produced enough purple and cheddar to add the pinwheels to the corners. I do believe the black border makes me like it more, and the cheddar in the corners pulls out the center, but I don't know if I am ready to call it done and quilt it any more than I am the one above. You will just have to wait on pins and needles to see which one I actually finish before the month is out--or maybe it will be something entirely different. Can you handle the suspense? :)

Since I seem to be rolling out the old projects lately, here is another one--though not as old as my GFG, by any means. This one has only been around about 5 years. Meet Settler's Puzzle--a Pam Buda design.

I started this in January of 2014, when Pam Buda was our guest teacher at our winter retreat. I had come home with just a couple of blocks made, and every year I seem to eke out a couple more. So now all of the blocks are made. You can see I am auditioning a dark green inner border, and then there will be a sawtooth border, before a final wide border. This is supposed to be a 2 color quilt--and as much as I admire them, I struggle to make them. After too long with only two colors I start to get nervous, and I might even start to twitch--pretty soon I am grabbing other colors and throwing them in the mix. It is a miracle that I have only bumped this one up to 4 colors, after all those years. It feels good to be making progress on it.

Thank you to all who have contributed your thoughts and prayers for my Mom. They found a tumor in a lung when she was scanned for injuries after her fall in May. We are still learning what the future holds for her. One step at a time.

Until next time.
Janet O.

28 comments:

  1. OH, no.....more prayers for Mom. And for you and the family.
    As always your minis are great, you just see all those errors. Of course they are magnified in minis too. In other words, I have lots of those un-evens and missed points in my quilts, but due to size, they get missed because I overwhelm them with color and size. LOL....now you know my secret.

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  2. Quilt when you can, cause it is beneficial for the soul! One step at a time for your sweet momma.
    Love your UFO's!! 2 color quilts are a struggle for me too, but so effective!!

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  3. Being by your Mom’s side is such a blessing to her. Continuing to send prayers for you and your family across the miles...keep both those mini’s going Janet - taking time to quilt keeps us grounded and lots of worries can be stitched into the fabric and melt between the layers.

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  4. First of all, your mom is in my daily prayers. Always. I like both minis!!! I am sorry the borders are not what you wanted...they are perfect enough for me, as I just love that quilt! Your improv purple quilt is so darling...but I REALLY love your Pam Buda quilt! Delicious post, Janet!

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  5. Oh no--sorry to hear about your mom--hope everything works out for the best. I am going to be on pins and needles waiting to see your mini--lol!I love your little impromptu black and purple quilt--so fun to use up some leftovers and make a great project. Hugs to you and your mom.

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  6. Love that first patriotic cheddar quilt. I just sparkles. The purple and black is so pretty. It looks like a story could be written around it. There is so much going on and it makes my mind want to find out the secret. Hope you get good news about you Mom's health soon.

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  7. The little flag quilt looks good, I think if you quilt it heavily it will be fine! The Pam Buda quilt is great. I must admit that I too struggle with making two coloured quilts, even though I love the look of them. If they are scraps of two colours i am fine! This pattern is a cracker though, love the design and look forward to seeing it finished, hope you enjoy it rather then it being a chore.

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  8. Your Mom continues to be in my prayers. I like all three of the quilts you showed - overachiever for having two minis in the works. I really like the Pam Buda project! I too have trouble with making two color quilts, as much as I like them.

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  9. Asking your readers to vote would only confuse the issue, so I guess you're on your own! I love all three. Love and prayers for your mom and you. Keep stitching when you can, it is about the most peaceful thing I can think of when the stress level is high.

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  10. Well you are just too hard on yourself, dear! I think either would look fantastic quilted up and bound. Hard to tell the size of the Pam Buda blocks, are they also mini? Your accuracy is so good with these tiny pieces that it is deceiving to try to guess how large they are.

    Place my good thoughts for your mom with the others' xoxoxo

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  11. The two small quilts are both delightful, be happy! A good wash and dry and the crooked borders are gone, I bet.

    Prayers for your mom and for you.

    lizzy at gone to the beach lizzzz.d@gmail.com

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  12. Settler's Puzzle is a beauty as is that top quilt. As for your leader and enders--walk away from it for a few days and when you see it again, you will either like your choices or change them. Continued prayer for your Mom and you

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  13. Don't put any of those minis away. They're great. Only you see any flaws. The purple, black and cheddar one speaks to me. Once you have some time to add your beautiful quilting these quilts will be great. Thinking of you and your mom. Hugs to you both.

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  14. Quilting is a good therapy ! Your minis are awesome as always Janet !
    I'm very sorry for your sweet momma... I'm sending hugs from France.

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  15. Janet, I am sorry about your mom's tumor, but glad they were able to find it. I sure pray for a complete recovery for her. Your little quilts are wonderful... I especially like the first one!

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  16. Beautiful! 2-colors, many fabrics gives more texture to a Quilt. I love scrappy!! Love and hugs for you and your sweet momma.

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  17. I'm sorry to hear about your Mom! My Mom had a lung tumour but they got it out in time with a full recovery.
    Sending best wishes for a similar outcome for your Mom!

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  18. My motto is "Done is better than perfect." I'm not much of a perfectionist and agree with Kiyle and Annie. I did some work this week on an old UFO. Maybe I can finish it this year. Best wishes and prayers for your Mom.

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  19. Wow, I think your minis are wonderful and I would never unpick any of it! I did a double take on the first, because my eye read the quilt to be much larger in scale, until I registered the basting pins, which looked huge at first, ha ha. I have those same pins. Whichever you choose will be great. Best wishes as you tend to your Mom.

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  20. All three quilts -- even with the imperfections you see -- are fabulous. I think I like the last one best though (for me) it would not be as fun to stitch as the other two. I'm looking forward to seeing which you choose to finish first. Praying blessings for your mom and all of you who care for her.

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  21. sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she doesn't have pain.
    the little flag quilt is charming and so cute for summer. I always feel memorial day through Labor day is flag quilt season. The purple quilt is great. It is scrappy and fun to look at. Love all three ufos that you've shared today. your sewing room must be a treasure trove of fun!

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  22. Hi Janet - I've been working off several Pam Buda designs myself. Funny the patterns were all purchased from a lecture/class she held through our guild too. I am busy with a Bonnie Hunter design now. Via Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 15 her Sawtooth Flutter block was made using lots of leftover units. I'm trying to come up with a border since she hasn't yet designed one. Of course this is quite the challenge for the very busy block. Your triple border really adds to the first project. Don't you think you can quilt out the problem? Wishing for the best with your Mom.

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  23. Oh!! I adore the first mini! Me and my love for all things patriotic! ♥ I continue to keep you and your mom and all in my prayers. Hey -- I *am* in Barbara's guild. Anything you'd like me to keep an eye out for, for you? LOL! :)

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  24. Those are three wonderful minis! I'm partial to the first one as I love patriotic quilts. You'll be keeping us in suspense until we see which one you finish! Sending thoughts your way as you continue to care for your mom.

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  25. I missed this post. I especially like the flag mini quilt. I have been on a roll making patriotic pieces. Well, sort of a roll. Two things. Too late for the 4th of July display but flag quilts are always good.

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  26. Oh, my, you are just a getting things done!! I love that and I am trying to do the same!! You are a God send to your Mom and I love you for that!! Always in my thoughts and prayers, dearest friend!!

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  27. I've been thinking of you and wondering how things are going with your Mum's health. A great pile of little minis here - I do remember the Pam Buda one - was that the time you taught her how to make your fabulous pies? [Back in the days before Gluten became an issue :-(] I hope you're getting some creative time.

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  28. Hmm... I could swear I left a comment here when you first posted this - anyway, I really like both of your candidates, but I vote for the flag one, simply because it seems more fitting for July! They are both very intriguing, with lots of interesting elements to engage the viewer. Great use of color! I can't wait to see them quilted up!

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