Today is day 5 of May 2017!!! Can you believe it? It seems like the months fly by after May and June and before we know it – it’s Christmas! I hope this month goes by slower. Today is a great day – feeling like my old self! Did my stretches, walked, vacuumed the house, and made it out to the Studio by 10:45 to work on 2 post that were not finished Monday.
I have left Robin’s Nest for a few days (how about 5 days) to work on some applique and Brinton Hall. I am still wanting to work on some embroidery and knitting (someday). Now that I have RN started and know there may be pitfalls, I have had a nice break from it and will start sewing the 2nd ring tomorrow for sure.
I am working on a quilt called Nesting for the SA Show in September – BUT if I cannot get it completed it will be next year’s quilt to show. I have completed Block 1 and started on Block 2 – there are only 4 large blocks and a beautiful border.
Here is Block 1. It is an easy quilt to applique so I should be able to finish this by July.
When I appliqué, embroidery or sew my bindings and sleeves, I take small stitches – like 1/8″. Here is a picture of the back of this block. And of course I am a traditional needle-turn appliquér – no glue or starch. I cut about a 5/8″ of bias strips for the vines and sew one side down, trim and sew the other side – these are less than 1/4″ stems. I always trace the pattern on my background fabric with a pencil (lightly) so it makes it easy to follow a line when doing stems.
I finished the top and bottom hexagons on Briton Hall this afternoon (finally!). Next week I want to start working on the 4 left and right hexagon sections (probably more slowly). This hand work is definitely hard on the ole’ hands so I will take a day when I want to just sit and sew a section at a time. Maybe by the end of May I will be ready to start making the rest of the quilt – which MIGHT be easier! I love Batiks the colors really pop don’t they?
Each section will have to be laid out very carefully and sewn together even more carefully. I made a few mistakes and had to rip a couple of times and I do not like that because of the small stitches that I do.
I am going to load a quilt that I made in the 2003-2004 timeframe first thing in the morning! It was one of the first appliqué quilts I made. I used all different Christmas fabrics in it and thought it looked horrible. I was looking at some of the hearts and I had fussy cut some Santa’s for the hearts! Heck I did a scrappy quilt without even knowing what I was doing! Too funny.
Goals for May are to get the Christmas quilt finished, work on Nesting, Robin’s Nest and Brinton Hall. Only 26 days left! Have a great week-end!
Chopin - A Passionate Quilter From Texas 
All these projects should be your motivation to stay in your special diet so you feel well enough to work on them. Enjoy yourself.
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You are so right! The last three days have taught me a big big lesson. Thank you for the encouragement! Thx for commenting and enjoying your posts!
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Love the block with the red birds. I am drawn to applique blocks with birds.
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I love Nesting. It is a nice change from A Bountiful Life. Those are so intense! Thx for the comments.
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Your handwork is spectacular… and then I noticed you are a member of the Baltimore Appliqué Society. I hope you make it to a few meetings. I’ve many friends in the group but they all live around Baltimore
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Thank you so much. Yes I am a member, but live in La Vernia, Texas now. I did live in Sterliing VA from 93-96 but was working and never had time to quilt or really do much of anything but work! Thx for commenting.
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What beautiful neat stitching…an inspiration to me. I just love that block and of course your Christmas quilt too…
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Thank you so much. I have to laugh when I pull out my first applique block. I did not start quilting until I retired and it was in 2002 when I really started appliqueing. The small 1/8″ stitch in all hand work really makes a difference. I did not start piecing until 2004. Have a great Sunday and thank you for commenting. I always think I am not good with scrappy, but maybe I was on to something back then! LOL
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Love the Nesting block! You applique the same way that I do…needleturn. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of this project!
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I like Nesting also, it is a relaxing quilt to applique. Robin’s Nest is considered gone so now I will concentrate on hand work for a week to get over the stress I gave myself on that one! AND I never give up but on this one I have! Good to hear from you and thx for the comment.
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Lovely applique AND hexie projects to enjoy today!
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Thank you Kathy, I am going to enjoy quilting my hearts quilt too. Think it was one of my first needle turn projects
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What pretty projects. I really like your Christmas quilt. Those hearts are very pretty. I am quite impressed with your timeline for finishing that applique quilt. That block is wonderful.
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Thank you Cathie it will be fun quilting it – finally! I do hope to finish the quilt for the SA show in September. Have a great day and thx for commenting.
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Your Nesting appliqué is as precise on back as on the front. I love the flowers in Brinton Hall, that Asian so typical of the 1890’s. I pray your hands stay supple and trouble free.
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Thank you. I love to applique, but those darn hands! When I started Brinton Hall, I looked at my stash of Asian fabrics and thought – it is time to use them! Have a great day!
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They are all beautiful. Your applique work is exceptional.
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Thank you Lori. Being a perfectionist and Type A like me can drive one nuts! LOL. Have a great day and thx for the compliment. It is appreciated
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The block with the birds is so pretty – I think it’s the bit of curl on the leaves that makes it. Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers!
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Thank you so much. Have a great day!
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Very nice projects you have going. Very nice progress too. Congrats.
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Thank you very much, I had so much planned this month and it is looking slim to none! Ever have a month like that – called Unforeseen Requirements!
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