Flower Garden Blocks

 I began this quilt in January 2012, but as you know, I get sidetracked easily and have many projects going at once. I did lots of tracing, months later I chose many fabrics, and even stitched a couple of blocks and then set it aside.

 However, I picked it back up and now have six blocks completed. I had even debated on whether to try the starch appliqué method that works so well for others but I already had my freezer paper cut for needle turn so decided to stick with that.

 I suppose the only drawback to my method is that occasionally the freezer paper comes off a little. I try to get it ironed on well the first time and then leave the paper on and use the edge as a guide.

 As usual with most of my appliqué, I am trying to use the fabrics just as are pictured on the pattern. That is often what draws me to it.

 Happy fabrics is what these are and they make me smile!

That's all for now. I do have many more quilts to show if I'll just get back to blogging!

Lollypop Trees Best of Show!

 Yes, it is true, I finished my Lollypop Trees, put the quilt in the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Guild Show this past weekend in North Augusta, SC, and won Best of Show! Wahoo! I am excited as I had worked on this quilt over a period of 3 or 4 years. In fact, I finished the top a year ago and it took another year to get up the courage to quilt it.

But, here it is!! It was such a pleasure to make this quilt, from choosing all the different fabrics with my friend, Ille Waters, shopping for the fabrics, trying to discern exactly what had been used on the pattern, to slowly hand stitching each circle, leaf or flower.

 Here is a portion of the border and sashing. I did just a continual swirl through all those squares and then treated the other little baby lollypops with lots of quilting like the large blocks.

 This green block below was the Judge's Choice on her comment sheet. I think the quilting showed up in it better than many others.

 Below is another closer view of this block.

 Just another block. I did all the quilting just as each block 'spoke to me' you might say. I stitched in the ditch around all the blocks and the applique, then filled in with swirls, feathers, whatever seemed to fit that block. I will not deny that it was very tedious work, even on a longarm.

 Another close up.

 One more block!

 This was a fun center. Oh, and I ended up stitching a lot on the applique as the shapes were so large they needed to be quilted to balance out the heavy background quilting.

 The above block in full view.

 And yet another!

 And another. . .

 And one of the corner blocks! What can I say? I really enjoyed this quilt and so appreciate the ribbons awarded me for my effort in time. Hope you enjoy looking at these pictures!! I know from seeing this quilt in the show that there will be more Lollypop Trees started. You can find this lovely pattern by Kim McLean at Glorious Color.com.

Lollypop Trees Quilted!

It may not be very easy to see these pictures, but I have completed my Lollypop Trees quilt! That is very exciting for me as this project has been ongoing for several years, but such an enjoyable journey. I enjoyed every applique stitch. Wish I could say the same about the quilting as it was quite a difficult quilt but worth the effort.

Lollypop Trees is in a quilt show this weekend in North Augusta, SC at the North Augusta Activities Center. I hope to get some better pictures with it hung properly.
Here are just a couple of close-ups of the blocks. Now, let's see what project I'll work on next! Oh, I know, I'll finish my Flower Pots that are just lacking a few tiny circles.

Lollypop Trees

I have finally loaded my Lollypop Trees Quilt on my longarm and have begun the quilting process. Just took me a year to finally get to it but I want to put it in the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Show in North Augusta, SC in October so . . . . . .it must be quilted.Deciding on how to quilt it has been a dilemma but I went for swirls in the border and sashing squares, SID with the blocks and applique - which is a lot of SID, and my version of mctavishing.
It is slow going but so was the applique. Love this quilt!!

Flower Pots Border

Here is just a partial row of one of the borders of Flower Pots by Kim McLean. I first sewed the large circles and now am going back and appliqueing the flowers on top. It is so fun to pull the freezer paper off when I have finished stitching and see how beautiful the flowers are on the backgrounds. Below see several close up views!
As usual, just a few stitches a day but eventually it all gets done!

Flower Pots Updated

I have one more panel of the Flower Pots applique completed. I really am enjoying this quilt - such pretty fabrics and easy stitching for the most part.
Here are some really close-up views. Again, this pattern is by Kim McLean and can be purchased at Glorious Color along with all the wonderful Kaffe + fabrics.
I am now working on the border which are large circles and really easy stitching.

Flower Pots, Finally!

Hmm, I know it's been a while since I posted but I have finally completed the left side pot of flowers on my current applique project, Flower Pots by Kim McLean. I am happy with all these flowers except for one and I keep debating on whether to change it. Do you see one that stands out and could use some improvement? I usually don't like to 'unsew' but I may have to do it to please my eyes. Maybe I've just looked at it too long. Thanks for any comments!

Lollypop Trees

I'm finally posting the full picture of my Lollypop Trees quilt, (well, it will be a quilt once I get it quilted) the pattern designed by Kim McLean. I recently joined the blog, Glorious Applique, and posted it over there. If you've not been to that blog, you should visit - all applique projects by Kim McLean using some fabulous fabrics, not only by Kaffe but many other inspiring choices.The quilt is so large I could barely get it all in the picture and had to stand out in the foyer. I enjoyed every stitch taken. Btw, I think they have greatly improved the pattern from when I bought it 3 years ago. It was half a pattern and the circles were hand-drawn. My friend, Ille Waters, and I remedied that by making our tracing overlays and using Staedtler plastic circles for our templates.
Here are some close-ups for a better view. One of my favorites was the pastel block above.
If you want a long-term project with very easy applique, this is the one for you! So fun!