Sunday, January 29, 2012

What Passes for Normal

That's what we're back to around here now that most of the excitement has died down.  So, I managed to get some progress on the I Spy Disappearing Nine-Patch done!  That's good, as I need to have it done in 2 weeks.


Here it is at flimsy stage.  I ran into a little roadblock trying to decide what to do in the corners.  I tried a couple of things, like a free-pieced star that took me an hour!  That was too much!  So, I thought "simple is best" and just did 4-patches with more I Spy blocks.  Now, it's time to come up with something for the back.  I have a couple of ideas, so that's a good start.

I've been working on the crumb quilt and am ready to add the final borders.  Sorry, no photos yet.  Next time!


Here's the next project on my design wall.  It's "Spring" and the pattern is from Country Threads.  I'm embarrassed to tell you how many years this one has been lurking in the UFO pile.  


Here is where the hold-up was.  This wagon block really had me stumped.  I couldn't figure out how to do those wheels.  Just could not wrap my brain around it. All the applique on this quilt is done with fusible and then buttonhole stitched by hand.  Those spokes are so small!  I finally ended up doing the wheel in two parts - first the spokes and then the outer round part, and stitched it on the machine.  It took me 10 years to come up with that.  Doh!  Do you ever get that kind of brain fart?  Drives me crazy when something hangs me up like that.

Next up for this is piecing - my comfort zone!  All the applique is done. Whew!  Hopefully the rest won't take me that long!


Remember the Plum tree that I showed in the last post?  It had uprooted and fallen into the pond from the ice.  Well, we had a landscaper come in and he thought it could be saved.  So, now it's re-planted and staked to hold it.  Our fingers are crossed that this will "take".


There was a broken branch too.  This is the recommended fix.  DH wrapped it with clear duct tape, just like you would do for grafting a branch.  More fingers crossed!

I'm off to find a quilt back!  Happy quilting!





8 comments:

  1. So glad things are getting back to normal, that was a horrible storm you went through! I don't mind so much losing power in summer, but winter you can get pretty cold. Your I-Spy is darling, great corners! And I really love that applique quilt. I'm surprised the pattern didn't tell you to do the spokes first.
    Hope your plum tree survives!!

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  2. Like what you did with that border.
    I totally understand your 10 year issue - though it seems like some explanation could have been given in the pattern. Cute pattern.
    Glad there is still hope for your trees. Please give us an update in the summer.

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  3. I like the corners on your I-spy quilt. The quilt turned out great! Keep us posted on that tree. It would be something if it survives and if the branch heals!

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  4. I-spy looks great just the way you did it. The keep it simple plan worked well. Ahh...Country Threads. I have so many of their patterns and books. It has been many years since my last visit there, even though it is only 30-something miles away. Hope all the tree doctoring works. I am thinking it will!

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  5. The I-Spy is great. Using a D9P is a wonderful idea. I have done 2 I-spys and it drove me crazy trying to distribute the squares throughout the quilt top. What size are your blocks?

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  6. glad you can save the tree, heres hoping it takes! ok for the wheels I had to laugh yes this has happened to me too
    and then finally the light bulb comes on and you figure out how to do it!
    nice quilt!
    Kathie
    love the i spy quilt too, they always intrigued me

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  7. Here's hoping you can save your plum tree. Wow did you ever have a lot of cleanup to do, but like you said, no house/car/life damage. Your Spring quilt is super cute, can't wait to see it all together. I too, had a disappearing 9 patch is a basket, it's close to the top of my UFO's that will get tackled this year, I now have a purpose for this piece so I need it finished in 2 years!

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  8. Amazing how it always takes so long for the light bulb to suddenly switch on. I too have that problem.

    Hope the plum tree takes.

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