Wednesday, January 3, 2018

2018

Well here we are, 2018! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I actually had a few decadent days of delightful quilting. In fact, there was so much peace and quiet in our house that I decided there would be no New Year’s resolutions for me. I’m going to head straight on into the new year with reckless abandon!

Here are a few of my accomplishments this past week.:

Noah and Matilda Block 4C - Wow, look at that purple! A bit bold (even for me) but oh so effective with this wonderful neon print. The backing on this one is one of my favorite reproduction neons. It is from an old Pilgrim Roy collection.
I've mentioned before, the fact that with a potholder quilt, the back can be as interesting as the front. This is why my backing fabric choices (42 different antique or reproduction neon prints) do not necessarily coincide with the front of each individual block. In the end, you will never notice!

Block 5C – I really cheated with this one and once again let the fabric work for me. The yellow & pink flower fabric is from a piece of Pierre Deux fabric I bought on St. Barts in 1993! At nearly $60.00 a meter, I did not cut into it for almost 20 years. I have savored every tiny scrid of it since then.
The original pattern has lots of layers in these outer flowers. See Dawn’s reproduction block (here) for the proper way to make this block. Her buttonhole stitch is superb!


I stitched the binding on my Sapphire Stars mystery quilt (with Kevin the Quilter), but I won’t show the picture yet as this is going to a special veteran and I want to get my picture with him before I post it.


I finished my Moda Blockheads block #42 and stitched the next to the last row together. One more row and this fun sew-a-long will be over.
back of row 5

I decided to join PatchworkInspirations’ basket block sew-a-long for January through March. I know, I know, what was I thinking? I need another “challenge” like I need another hole in my head. But, this is with sweet Cecile and, it is only 2 blocks per week and, they can be any size and, I love baskets, and…

You get the picture! So here is my first block. O.k., it is really a Cake Stand, but I have a plan for the overall quilt. Of course we all know how “plans” work. Mine are always subject to change.

We will be posting and linking up with Cecile (Patchwork Inspirations) at the end of each month. Stay tuned to see all the delightful creations.

And speaking of creations, well “creativity” really -  PrimitiveQuilts and Projects had a great article (here) to help boost the creative spirit. I rarely have a creativity problem, in fact I often find it difficult to squelch my creative brain from beginning too many projects! But, this article was interesting and helpful to me in channeling my energies toward what I feel to be most important. Hope it inspires you in your New Year quilting!

16 comments:

  1. Wow, Wendy, that first block blew me away, even when I just saw it in thumbnail format! Look at all that lovely purple. That was calling to me even before I noticed the beautiful stitching, and the oh-so-precise appliqued circle! Love, love, love!!!
    The second block is just as lovely, with the clever use of the (*sputter* *gasp*) pricey fabric.
    Your little basket is so cute (I know it is a cake stand block, but I always call it a basket, too). What size are you making?
    Looking forward to seeing your Sapphire Stars finish.

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  2. Happy new year dear Wendy and "No resolutions"is the best ! Ha ha !
    I love your blocks and you know that purple is the new colour of Pantome for this year !
    Thank you again for joining into the QAL ! I adore your basket !

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  3. so many say they will do "this and this and this" and life throws you a curve ball and you get off track almost right away - I always tell myself - I would like to accomplish so many different things but really know I will change my mind and that it is ok to do so.

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  4. I very much like the quilting you did on the mostly puple Noah & Matilda block.

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  5. Wendy, the applique blocks are fabulous! Love the fabrics. And the Pierre Deux? I remember buying that fabric in Paris decades ago and hated to use it!
    I also am going to do the basket quilt with Cecile this year. I did the log cabin one last year and loved it.
    Thanks so much for your warm thoughts on inspiration!
    Happy New Year to your darling house in Bath, Maine!!

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  6. Oh my goodness! The purple and neon in your Noah & Matilda block is wonderful - but then purple is my favorite color! I also love how you used the Pierre Deux fabric to create flowers in block #2. Glad I'm not the only one to hold on to special fabrics for years & years! Wishing you lots of enjoyable stitching in 2018!

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  7. Wow Wendy you do such beautiful work,well done and thankyou for sharing xx

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  8. Wow! You did rush headlong into 2018! Love the blocks!! So glad you found an opportunity to use the Pierre Duex fabric- it looks lovely!

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  9. You are already on a roll! Love watching your progress and all the wonderful fabrics you've chosen for your blocks! Sweet Cake Stand :) Can't wait to see more.

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  10. love your new block especially the center quilting motif. Just love seeing how you are doing these.
    You are working on so many nice things - you just amaze me. Have fun with Cecile's sal - baskets are such nice quilts. Your cake stand is sweet.
    Looking forward to seeing your finished SS QOV quilt.
    happy new year my friend

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  11. Another beauty in the works with wonderful colors and thoughtful choices not to mention gorgeous quilting - each block a treasure, no wonder your quilts are so amazing! I’m tempted to join in on Cecile’s sal ... but trying to “be realistic” about number of new projects ... that’s no fun though;). Happy New Year Wendy!

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  12. What a treat to use that lovely fabric in your N&M block. Hope you're staying warm and not buried too deep in snow. It looks like great stitching weather.

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  13. I love that block with your Pierre Deux fabric! I think that little piece of personalization is just so much more interesting. It's going to be a real beauty!

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  14. Love that tiny basket.....it sure looks tiny in the photo! CakeStand is one of my favorites.....have Lots of Favorites! Made a small CakeStand quilt a few years ago and never tire of looking at it!

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  15. All your blocks are so beautiful but the quilting is terrific!

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  16. Beautiful blocks! I am so impressed with your echo quilting! Congratulations on keeping up with the Blockhead blocks.

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