Irish Lake Quilter

......snippets and quilts, family, pets and friends....

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Windy Progress

The blizzard went through last night leaving us with some icy and treacherous driving and about 6" of a very heavy, wet snow. But now it is warmer and raining and quite dreary looking and the snow is melting. A great day for staying in and quilting! However, tomorrow is my birthday and the kids are coming home today for dinner. We could have gone out, but having been out the past 2 days, I opted for staying home and enjoying my company.


The bright Hearts and Stars now has a backing. A LQS is reducing their inventory and everything is 70% off until Feb 28. I found this one as well as another one that isn't quite so bright that I'll use in a quilt made from this ones leftovers and also found a very nice green backing for the Bee tree quilt that I need to get going on. A $15 backing works for me any day!! I was good and didn't buy anything else that would create another project!


So on to another UFO....... the picture shows some nearly-finished applique blocks that I did using the backbasting method. These were started about a year ago and still need a few circles or bits completed. I had never used the backbasting method before, always using needleturn or freezer paper underneath and I have found that I like that method. It is very accurate, there are no pins or paper to catch the thread and is very portable. After doing 6 out of 16 blocks .... Lori Smith's Love Always patterns..(www.frommyhearttoyourhands.com) , I decided to get on with it and find a way to call it quits. Originally, I had chosen the black fabric as the border, matched the pinks and greens and was going to applique all the blocks. After they were laid out on the floor, I realized that the black was much too strong for them and that I should do pieced blocks to go along with the appliqued ones. The pieced blocks were quickly whipped together last night along with the decision to replace the black with cream and maybe add some applique on the border, or do a border that will go along with the pieced blocks. I'll have to give it some thought. Now you can understand why I work on 5 or more projects at one time! I rarely follow a pattern from start to finish....am I the only one who has that problem? In any case, it won't be long until another UFO is done done done.










8 comments:

Angie said...

Happy Birthday, tomorrow, Judy :D to BOTH of us---we share the same birthday!! So I'm sending you a wish for a lovely day a little early. :) Both of these quilts are gorgeous!! And I love the backing fabic you have shown for the Hearts and Stars as well as that black floral fabric!! :)

Sweet P said...

Great deal on the backing fabric. I love those applique blocks. Lori does have some incredible patterns.

Carolyn said...

Happy Birthday Judy! I hope you enjoy your time with the family. Your applique blocks are beautiful. I'll have to look up backbasting...I've heard of it but don't know how to do it. Haven't done much applique lately. Your storm has arrived here, right now we have snow and sleet falling. Tomorrow is supposed to be treacherous on the roads. Maybe we'll have a snow day and I can stay home and sew? :o)

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

No you're not the only one with that "problem" (is it a problem?) of working on 5 (at least) projects simultaneous;y and not following a pattern start to finish... I recognize the fact that this is the way I operate and eventually things do get finished, happily!

Libby said...

Happy Birthday! Hope it is a stupendous one *s*

Wow - 70% off. I could fall in love with alot of things at those prices.

Darlene said...

Belated Happy Birthday wishes. I hope that you had a wonderful day with your family!

I love your Buggy Barn quilt - it's beyond cute!

swooze said...

Happy Birthday! Love the pink and green applique quilt. Can't wait to see it finished. Hope you enjoyed your day!

Carole said...

Happy belated birthday! Hum... what is the back stitch method? I use the needle turn method. I glue all my pieces to the block and take where ever I go. Looking forward to seeing and reading about your work. Keep well!