I had a busy week. Our family took up a lot of the time and that was awesome. I’ll tell you more about that in another post.
I gave up cross-stitching one night in favor of sewing. I ended up getting the quilt top done for Karl…
But I hated that bottom blue square. It’s too blue.
I ended up ripping it out and replacing it.
After that, it was time to…iron.
The top is simple but perfect for Karl. When he was little I made him plain squares quilt tops of first dinosaurs, then Harry Potter…then music instruments. The other day he told me he was afraid that all three were getting to the point they needed to be tossed. That didn’t surprise me. At the time I made them I didn’t have a long arm and they were tied. I don’t think tied quilts last quite as long.
After that, it was time for the backing. This came from my stash. I’m not sure if it was a thrift store or auction find. I was a bit fussy and worked to match the plaids.
Onto my tulip quilt for American Patchwork and Quilting…
The alternate blocks are finished…Yahoo!! That means I’m almost halfway done with the block-making. That’s awesome. I’m going to have to keep plugging along or I’ll not make my deadline though.
Here is my first tulip block. Sad news…it’s just a test block. UGH. Can you believe I submitted a quit without first making a test block? Especially with a more complicated block like this. The truth is, I am lazy. If I had to first make a test block, I likely wouldn’t have submitted the quilt…
Sometimes I have to force myself to do things. This was one of those times. Submitting the quilt, the quilt getting accepted and me having a deadline was what I needed. I have everything in order now and I’ll likely be able to speed through these blocks now. YAHOO!! Now all I need is the time!!
Sorry for the short post. When I have a deadline and one I can’t completely show, short posts happen…that and when the family is here too. I’m off. I’m going to try to get some quilting time in tonight so these blocks get another step closer to finished. March 15th isn’t too far away.
Thank you for the update. It’s fun to see the different projects take shape. I take solace in the fact that, like me, you have a number of things going at once and fit them into time slots based on self awareness of how you work best. I enjoy hearing your thought process as you decide upon aspects of each project to finish. Once when I was a little girl, I heard my mother say about me: “Julie is like a chicken who runs all around the barnyard deciding where to lay her eggs.” She was right, but I do manage to get those eggs laid and hatched.
I’m just like you!! I’m that chicken running around!
At least she didn’t say what my mom said about running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off.
I have a couple of deadlines I’m working on too…just have to find the space to lay them all out and get them pinned! To me, that’s the hard part.
Love your blocks – and Karl’s quilt!
Love the egg comment, Julie! The family quilts made by my great grandmother and mom have all been tied. The secret is to tie very close together. I’ve been lazy and tied too far apart before and those are the quilts that fall apart.
Thanks for the update on what you’re doing. Karl’s quilt is great for a couch quilt to curl up and take a nap! I’m sure he will be pleased with it.
The quilt for publication is going to be lovely! I can hardly wait until it’s published to see how you put it together. Using various shades of red makes it scrappy but more coordinated at the same time. I wonder how it would look with various colored tulips?
Hi Jo… Love the layout and variety in Karl’s quilt. How did you determine block placement? Did you lay it all out before you started sewing? Thank you
I am answering this an upcoming Ask Jo.
I am so glad to see the tulip square! I know I will really like the quilt since I like all things with tulips. Last year I just had to make a tulip square, but then I needed three, so now just have a small wall hanging. I really like the red and green in the square.
Oh, I do love that tulip block–can’t wait to see it in a beautiful quilt top. It’s amazing how popular tulip designs have been thru the years, one of my favorites also!
I’m loving Karl’s cozy new quilt, Jo!! Best of luck on meeting those looming deadlines.
I have a whole bag of tulip pieces i cut out and started sewing. Then things happened and they just sit there. Jo no apologies needed we all run short on time sooner or later.
You’ll make up for it when everything gets squared away
I’m glad you updated us on your Amazon finds. At the holidays I bought several items from Amazon and remembered to use your web site, I hope it helped your budget !
I really like all those plaids that you are working into Karl’s quilt and the simple pattern really works with them. I need to watch for shirts in plaid fabrics and see about trying one with shirts. Julie your comment about the chicken gave me a chuckle, thank you.