Monday, March 30, 2009

More Lollypop Trees

Here are some more of my lollypop tree blocks. Above is Block 3. I don't think I would have ever thought of putting some of these fabrics together but it does help to see combinations that are pleasing to my eyes and make me realize that I could do it with a blank slate. In fact, Ille and I have chosen many on our own because the photos were not too clear to even see what was used or we did not have that fabric available to us.
This was our first block, Block 1, above. And, even though we have sorted through many fabrics together, we each bring our own touch to the finished blocks, since we live in different cities. We are working together yet independently.
This next block is Block 11 - one of two predominantly blue blocks.
And last to show for today, Block 13.
Now I must get back to my quilted tablecloth which is being made with the Turning Twenty Again pattern, only using nine blocks and a border. It is being made with Valori Wells floral fabrics that I purchased sometime ago. I think they have aged long enough in my closet that I can finally use them!! BG

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Lollypops, Lollypops, Lifesaver Lollypops!

Wasn't there a commercial for Lifesaver Lollypops a few years ago? It seems to ring in my head when I type lollypops. My friend, Ille Waters and I decided to take on a giant applique project a little over a year ago. It is available at Glorious Color and is called Lollypop Trees by Kim McLean. It is mostly using Kaffe Fassett fabrics which we really like and we have done a lot of examining the pictures to make ours look very close to the designer's quilt. This is 'Block 8', according to our numbering, but we've skipped around so actually I have 9 completed! Over half........however there are many little blocks in the border with applique, too.

I do not hurry my applique by hand. I just take it stitch by stitch, relax in my chair with my Ott light beaming down on my work. Sondra had a lapboard she was giving away after college and I took it and it has been wonderful for when I do applique to give me a little table.

Just wanted to share this block.............many many circles. I love all the different fabrics and colors coming together!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Snow and Log Cabin Houses

Yes, we did have snow a week ago Sunday, but now it seems so far away. So much has happened in the last week and it was 80° here yesterday so it's hard to realize snow covered the ground the first few days of March. Above is our front yard.
This is our neighbor's house, as I did not venture out with the sidewalks covered and icy.
Here is my log cabin houses quilt - all finished and ready to hang. I did a pantograph, Feathered Frond, over the whole quilt in a variegated thread. See how much more exciting the quilt is just by adding those border squares! It really did make a difference! The quilt measures 36" wide by 45" long.....still pretty small.
Here are a couple of detail shots! All in all, I enjoyed the process of the quilt and wanted a challenge with the small strips and blocks but will wait a little while before I make another one with these tiny pieces.