Blackberry Creek

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Showing posts from August, 2020

Pentagon Progress

August 31, 2020

When I first looked at this photo, I thought I would just have to remove that rosette at bottom left (which is really the top). It looks so pokey-outey in the photo. But when I look at the actual quilt top, it doesn’t look that way, so I guess I’ll leave it where it is.

I haven’t counted, but it looks like I’m a little more than halfway around with my inner border. I can’t believe it has taken a week to do this much. And I’ve been working hard. I only missed on day of stitching in the last week, and that was because my hands were in a lot of pain.

So I’ll miss the deadline that I had set for myself, which was to have the top finished by August 31, today. I’m thinking now mid-September. I still have to add my outer border when I finish with the pentagon.

Autumn is in the air here. By that, I don’t mean it’s cooler or dryer. But there comes a time in late summer when I can feel autumn in the air, in spite of the still uncomfortable heat and humidity. I think it has something to do with light and/or the tilt of the earth. Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking.

There are definite signs of autumn though. The little yellow butterflies arrived a couple of weeks ago. And I can see dabs of color on a few leaves here and there.

When I saw the first little yellow butterflies, I came in and immediately took my autumn dish towels out of the drawer and hung them on my oven door.

This well might be the only autumn decorating I do. Well, except for hanging and autumn quilt in the foyer. I might have Jesse do that. I’m getting really antsy about falling these days. As my back continues to give me more and bigger problems, my balance is no longer trustworthy.

OK, enough chit chat. Back to stitching.

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On 08/31/2020, Ann D. said ...

I really love the dark blue border. It makes the rosettes sing!

On 08/31/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

This amazing quilt i looking most excellent and you've made good progress!! I understand your hands needing a break from all of that careful hand stitching and am surprised only one day of rest was all your hands needed.

Hope your back and balance improve so you're not bothered. It's probably still a good idea to have Jesse's help in hanging your larger quilts.

Happy September! hugs!

On 09/01/2020, Sandrs Clarke said ...

This quilt is looking so pretty, but I know I could never tackle this one! What is the name of the pattern? Great persistence & it’s definitely paying off; stunning!!!

On 09/02/2020, Judy Cloe said ...

The blue fabric you chose for the edge is absolutely perfect. It looks beautiful. I am very impressed with your diligence.
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Inner Border Begun

August 24, 2020

I got a good start last night on adding the pentagons for the inner border. I had to stop pretty early and wrap both hands in braces and compression gloves and take some ibuprofen for the pain. When this is over, I’m retiring my hands from hand sewing(except for stitching down binding). I think the warranty is definitely up on them.

I really thought I had found and removed all the paper templates. But as I was posting the above photo, I saw one sneaky little star point winking at me. The star points are the hardest to find because the seam allowances cover most of them completely. I’m sure one or two will stow away when I take this to my quilter.

The enlargement is awfully fuzzy, but I definitely see a little paper template peaking out from the yellow star point in the center of the photo.

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On 08/24/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Well done with progress on the inner border! Is the blue you're using for the inner border the same blue in last Tuesday's post (the 18th)? It looks darker in this photo.

Good luck in finding and removing those sneaky hidden papers and hope your hands hold out until you're finished with this project and many more thereafter (not hand sewn!).

Hugs!

On 08/28/2020, Pat said ...

Awesome quilt. I admire your skill, creativity and tenacity!

On 08/28/2020, Kathy said ...

Loving the blue.
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Pain in the Posterier

August 22, 2020

I didn’t dream how long this part of the project would take. I pulled templates most of the day yesterday and much of last night. And I still am not close to being finished. I should have removed the interior ones as I went. I did remove lots of them since I reused the larger ones. I’m beginning to think they’re reproducing. This is the only part of this project that I haven’t enjoyed.

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On 08/22/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Into each paper-piecing project, QuiltSmart project, and hexies made this way comes an eternity of removing those paper bits. Sigh! Of course you can leave the papers as many quiltmakers have done in the past, but then - if you finish the quilt - your quilt crinkles when moved and feels oddly stiff. I can tell you've already made good progress in taking the paper hexies out but if the quilt is large enough, you can invite 2 mask-earing quilting friends over to help you take the papers out (if you feed them, too, from a socially proper distance).

You could also count the remaining paper bits and sing a modified version of the 99 Bottles of Beer song.

Hang in there and don't forget to take time to move around or do the Hokey-Pokey or Monster Mash to keep from getting stove up. his quilt is going to be dynamite!!

Big hugs!

On 08/22/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Please add a 'w' in front of the "mask-earing" bit and a 'T' in front of the "his quilt" in the last sentence.
Thanks! :)
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Milestone

August 20, 2020

All the rosettes are joined. At last. I’m ready to start making pentagons for my inner border. Don’t know how many I’ll have to make yet. I haven’t counted. Looks like maybe 100.

All right, Taco, you can get back on the bed now. I removed the quilt top.

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On 08/20/2020, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Oh, that is so lovely! Good job.

On 08/20/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

How glorious this happy, colorful quilt is and with all of its fussy cut fabrics, it will be a delight for all who see it up close! Applause for your brilliant progress!!!!

Big hugs!

On 08/20/2020, Mary Saxon said ...

Wow Susan! What a beautiful, awesome quilt! I cannot even to begin to imagine myself doing something like that. Ever! But I love it!

On 08/21/2020, Kathy said ...

What a fabulous project! So far out of my wheelhouse! I have been enjoying your blog(from Canada) for a few years. I just had to comment on this intricate project. You must be so happy with the progress so far.

On 08/21/2020, Julie in WA said ...

It takes my breath away!

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Bordering on Borders

August 18, 2020

I have thought about borders for the thing so much that I just can’t think about borders anymore. Taking seriously what some of you suggested, this is where I am. But don’t be surprised if it changes. I’m working on joining the top and bottom halves of the quilt top, so it won’t be long till I’ll need to finalize bordering.

According to my plan at this point, I’ll use the dark blue for the pentagon inner border and the light brown rose print for the outer border. The pentagons will be appliqued onto the outer border.

Judy C., it’s dark; Barbara H., it’s tone and tone. Thank you both for your help.

The blue tone-on-tone leaf print is the leftover that I had from the backing of Jesse’s quilt that I made a couple of years ago. There’s plenty of it to make the pentagons that I’ll need.

This is the quilt, before it was quilted, from which the blue backing fabric is left over.

All right, back to stitching now.

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On 08/19/2020, Judy Cloe said ...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I like the blue tone on tone very much. Since there is a lot of blue in the rosettes, this will be perfect.

On 08/19/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Perfect border choices and I LOVE that delicious TOT blue inner border fabric. Yum!

Since the quilt show is many months away, hope you can relax a bit with your marathon sewing. Your hands may need to to work on a machine pieced project some of the time and then there is just taking time to breathe.

Hugs!
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Skipper and the Rosies

August 16, 2020

All the quarters are pieced. I still have some joining to do before I start on the borders, but I’m happy with my progress. This thing might be finished in time for next summer’s quilt show after all.

After Skipper walked all over the pieces on the floor, he crashed on his sewing room bed and slept until I was ready to come back downstairs. He was a good dog. (He’s hard to see, but he’s there.)

Border Business

Thanks to all who commented on my border. You were very helpful. However, I don’t have enough of the bee fabric (which was the majority vote) for a proper border. I went back to the Etsy site I had found, and somebody beat me to it. It was already sold. I’ve searched and searched and can’t find any more of it. And since nobody, including me, is crazy about the other choice, I went back to the drawing board, or back to the fabric stash in this case.

I came upon this floral, which I sort of like. And there’s plenty of it (5 yards) to make a wide-enough border. It came from Sister Joanne’s stash.

And I’m considering making the inner pentagon border from this bee fabric.

So what are your thoughts on these fabrics? I think the brown is low-key enough so as not to overwhelm the rosettes and also let the stars that I’ll appliqué onto the border pop.

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On 08/17/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

The floral from Joanne's stash might work well as an outer border but I still think an almost solid (TOT) next to the rosettes would look best.

Will the 1st border follow the curving edges of the quilt center on the inside edge and be straight on its outer edge? I'm just trying to visualize it. Come to think of it, you mentioned early on in this process that you might applique the edges of the outer rosettes to the border fabric. Is that still the plan?

It's good to hear that the quilt show this is destined for will be held next summer! I think this glorious quilt could be juried into the Paducah Quilt show, the Houston International Quilt show and many other state shows. You're making a winner in my book and I'll get to say we're friends!!

Hugs!

On 08/18/2020, Bonnie said ...

Susan, I've been meaning to comment to say what a masterpiece this will be. I still can't comprehend the scope of the work on this rosette quilt, it boggles my mind! I salute you!
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Quad 4 and Border Thoughts

August 13, 2020

Quad 4 pinned and ready to stitch

I got the rosettes of the last quarter pinned in place and ready to stitch this morning. Maybe I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I can hear the choo choo coming.

I also did a little bit of border auditioning with yardage I have in my stash. I don’t have yardage of anything bright that will do for borders. The two in the photos below are not bright at all, but I’m thinking one of them might work. I’m also thinking that when all the rosettes are joined into a top, I’m going to stitch a border all around with same color pentagons--maybe either yellow or red or even black, although I do hate sewing black.

Take a look at the photos and see what you think. If you have time and are so inclined, I’d like to hear your thoughts on 1) Does either of these fabrics work (considering there will be a colorful pentagon inner border, 2) There will be appliquéd stars of many colors and fabrics in the outer border, 3) If I use the bee fabric, I’ll need some more; but I’ve already found some on Etsy. I have plenty of the blue floral, and 4) If you don’t like either of these borders, what color do you think would work?

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On 08/13/2020, Julie Stellingwerff said ...

Definitely the bee fabric! It is brighter and picks up the brightness of the colors of the rosettes. The first one is too dull, in my opinion.

On 08/13/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Since all the rosettes have many fabrics with many colors and many designs, I hope you can find a tone-on-tone or even a solid color fabric to use for the borders. A TOT fabric will let the appliques you plan to add shine! IMHO, print fabric in the borders would detract from the quilt's joyous center.

Enjoy auditioning your border possibilities!

Hugs!

On 08/13/2020, Trudy Abernathy-Neill said ...

I think I like the idea of a solid color to give balance to the prints used. The entire thing is beyond my skills that is for sure and I love to paper piece grandmothers flower garden blocks....this is way above that time involved to make mine I am sure. Carry on my friend, you are there to see it in person and I trust your eye! :)

On 08/14/2020, Judy Cloe said ...

I love the bee fabric and your idea to add a border around all the rosettes before appliqueing to the background. Picking the color for those extra pentagons will be the challenge. Maybe a darker neutral that is not a stark black like a tone on tone with grey or some black in it. I think red or yellow would detract from all the rosettes. Would have to see it.
As I struggle with my small EPP project, I am in awe of what you have accomplished. It is most impresive.

On 08/15/2020, Julie said ...

Yes, the bee fabric!
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Binge Stitching

August 11, 2020

I’ve been stopping to cook, shower, and sleep a few hours. Otherwise, I’m stitching up a storm. I had to stop for a couple of hours this morning to participate in our monthly book club meeting, which for the past few months has been conducted on Zoom. Thank God for Zoom. Without it, I would not have seen any of my friends for some five months. (We do quilt bee on Zoom too.)

Except for Zoom book club, I haven’t seen my sister Ramey since March. We talk by phone a few times a week, but that’s getting difficult since we don’t do anything to talk about. We mostly talk now about our childhood. I miss her. We were used to going to church together, going out to lunch a couple of times a week, trips to the thrift store, crafts stores, and fabric stores. I miss all of that, and the sad thing is that it doesn’t look like we’re going to be able to go back to normal life for a long time.

I’ve been so busy with this quilt that I haven’t felt the mental and emotional effects of it all until just the past few days. It might be depression; it might be anxiety; it might be (as it sometimes feels) anger. I just want my life back. My symptoms are lots of nostalgic thoughts and I’m quick to tear up. I had to call the Merry Maids office yesterday to complain about the lack of cleaning I got on Friday. And while I was talking to the lady, Brenda, explaining the problem to her, I burst into tears. I guess she thought i was a mental case Anyway, they refunded my money for the last cleaning and promised to do better next time. If I’m not happy with the next cleaning, I’m canceling. No more crying over a dirty house.

Well, I’m going back to stitching now. Everyone be safe.

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On 08/12/2020, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Sounds like you're having the same reactions a lot of us are having these days. So know that you are not alone. I'm loving that quilt top.

On 08/12/2020, Julie Stellingwerff said ...

Oh how I can relate to your feelings!

On the bright side, I am so inspired by your Millefiori quilt, I am going to begin one as well. I think my biggest hesitation has been fabric selection. As I watched yours grow, I was so curious to see how it would look when put together. It looks GREAT! I love the little peeks of fussy cut pictures, different in each rosette. So much to see, so much to love! Thanks for sharing the ongoing progress.

On 08/12/2020, Patty McDonald said ...

Lately I've had the same feelings. Since March, the only place I've gone is grocery shopping and a rare visit to Home Depot or Lowe's for repair supplies. Each week I speak to friends in my sewing group but it isn't the same as sewing together. Of course there is cooking and cleaning to keep me busy, but that is at the bottom of my list. Just trying to keep up my spirits with sewing, reading, and cross stitching. My 2 dogs make me laugh out loud. Your quilt is beautiful.

On 08/12/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

What wonderful progress you're making on this WOW quilt!! Applause, applause. :)

Can't your sister come to visit as long as you both wear masks or stay 6 feet apart? You two could also share a meal from opposite ends of an indoor or outdoor table. If she comes to your house, you can keep sewing as I know you need to finish this quilt soon.

Big hugs!

On 08/13/2020, Trudy Abernathy-Neill said ...

Susan, the only thing that is keeping me going and sane is the farm...chores, flowers, weeding the gardens of which there are many,animal care, walks to our woods, and now as of recent days, getting on the 7 speed bike, by myself and just peddling down our country road, in spite of back pain and other issues. My sewing has been put on hold and I must get busy with that as Christmas gifts are waiting to be started. I have also been reading and staying in touch with family members who also do family tree work like I do. Sending comfort your way.
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Quad 3 Pinned

August 09, 2020

Today I got the lower left quarter fitted and pinned, and I’ve been stitching it most of the day. Had to stop and go to Walmart for a grocery pickup. I also picked up Taco Bell for dinner. The only thing on the Taco Bell menu that i really liked was the Fiesta Taco Salad. So they don’t have it anymore. I got a Burrito. Meh. But it was filling. Jesse to a Taco Party Pack.

So now I’m watching “Tombstone” for at least the umpteenth time and getting back to stitching.

Stay safe, everyone.

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On 08/09/2020, Doris Miller said ...

I always get the chicken power bowl at Taco Bell.

On 08/11/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Applause for your progress on the third quarter of this glorious quilt!

Since I cannot have beef due to that blasted Lone Star tick bite, I cannot take a chance on eating out or picking up fast food because there could have been cross-contamination of chicken or pork dishes with beef.

Today I cut fusible batting for the 5 small Twinkling Star Christmas gift wall quilts.

Hugs!
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Top Half Almost Done

August 07, 2020

We’re getting close, boys and girls. We’re getting close. Well, closer at least.

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On 08/07/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

Virtual cartwheels in jubilation at your progress on this glorious quilt top (these days I don't do real cartwheels and haven't in decades).

You should be well pleased with yourself!!!!!!

Happy hugs!

On 08/08/2020, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Oh, this is turning out to be one lovely work of art. Way to go!! CAn't wait to see the whole thing.
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I’m Back

August 05, 2020

I know I’ve been off the grid for quite a while. But putting this quilt together has proved way more complicated than I had expected. That’s the first quadrant in the photo, finally done. I was so confused about placement of the rosettes, even with several versions of the diagram that I printed out--from the book and online--that I had to unsew and resew at least half of them. Actually, I got so confused with one of them that I thought it was placed wrong and unsewed it only to find that it had been correct in the first place.

My hope is that Quad 2 will go much more easily and quickly than the first one. I have it laid out, numbered, and tagged, and I’ll start sewing today.

I’m still happy that I chose this project to do. I was very pleased at how easy I found putting the rosettes together to be. But I never expected joining them to so flummox me.

I’ll try keep up with my blog posts now. But don’t hold your breath till this thing is done.

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On 08/05/2020, Pat Nichols said ...

Amazing and beautiful. You really challenge yourself. Look forward to seeing it all together.

On 08/05/2020, Barbara Anne said ...

As you made the many and wonderfully varied rosettes, I wondered how on earth you'd keep track of how to sew them together. Applause that you managed to get part of the quilt sewn and I wish you well on the remainder. This quilt is going to be amazing - as are you in successfully making it!

Big hugs!
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