Thursday, January 8, 2015

a new year - old projects

I'm not a big goal setter.  But so far this New Year I have been working on existing projects.  I finished all the blocks for my coffee table cover up and put them together on Monday (first day the kids went back to school) 
  I was worried it would be a bit boring compared to the other one I made but the variety of prints makes it for me.  I could enjoy a full sized quilt of these 2 blocks  :0)  It goes perfectly with the rug in my living room.  Now to decide how to quilt it.
 I tried forked pins for the first time.  Another quilter gave them to me for Christmas.  (Thanks Liz!) I just love them!  Why ever did I not get some before.  They are wonderful for matching seams and holding seam allowances down.  I include the picture for my Mom who will ask "What are forked pins?" 
 I am much less happy with my owl eyes.  My embroidery encouraging friend came over last night and I finally got to working on these eyes.  Now that I see them in the light of day - they are too small.  I will fix them up tonight now that I know how to do them.
 The other horse's embroidery I was much happier with.  I decided that the horses do not need eyes.  Who would notice eyes on a galloping horse?  This means that once the owl eyes are fixed I am done with embroidery for this border and I can start assembling the top - yippee!  This way I can design the side borders to fit.
I also stopped procrastinating about my vine quilt and started drawing panel #11.  I had an enlargement made of the picture in the Fons and Porter book and acquired a fabulous magnifying glass from my husband so I can see the details better.  Can you believe that he had this perfect tool just sitting around?  I have 3 branches drawn so far.  Its actually pretty fun!  Why do I put these things off so long?  I know I said I'm not a goal setter but I would really like to see both the Susan McCord Vine quilt and the Bird of Paradise tops finished in 2015. I am just dying to start a new big applique project or 2 and these are both pretty close.  Don't ask me how long ago I started them...

Happy Quilting!

15 comments:

Janet said...

Wow, you make the best use of your time. Loving all your projects, the horse looks amazing. I'm so proud of you doing the vine drawing, it looks perfect.

Lori said...

Great quilts cannot be rushed!
Love the magnifier!!

Kyle said...

Fantastic start for the year. Your Susan McCord quilt is stunning. I'm glad you're back working on it and that the drafting hasn't been a problem. Yea, for the giant magnifying glass.

sewyouquilt2 said...

beautiful quilt parts. love the horse. that vine quilt is on my bucket list too. but mine will be less structured and more willy nilly. I will piece some fabs first then cut out my leaves. then make the vine. I am a rebel like that! LOL

Elaine said...

Love your embroidery! I am focusing on wips too this year,I really want to finish a couple of projects so I can start something new!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

You have some great projects in the works! It is nice to just sit and stitch after the hustle and bustle of the holidays

Nancy said...

Lots of great projects going on. I feel the same way you do about embroidery but it does add a lot to the quilt. I need an embroidery friend.

Barb said...

finishing these two heirloom quilts would be amazing. I'm not a goal setting either really, so I really get it.
Your pieced quilt is very pretty and not boring at all. The embroidery on your CWB quilt is just lovely and you'll be so glad you did it.
That magnifying glass is awesome!

Karen said...

The horse is good!

Every Stitch said...

Wonderful progress pictures Janet. Nice that you have had a little help in the embroidery department :)

Cheri said...

I agree with Lori, great quilts can not be rushed. It is fun to go from one project to another and then suddenly one will gain some momentum and you see the finish line ahead. Happy Stitching Janet

Dawn said...

Don't think about the time, consider the beauty of,your work. My DH gave me a lighted magnifier. Handy things! Your trailing vine is just magnificent.

Karen said...

What a good post, enjoyed seeing your projects.

Carrie P. said...

I just love the coffee table quilt. Gorgeous fabrics. Definitely not boring at all.
Even though you might not be a goal setter I bet you finish those 2 quilts this year just so you can start another one.

Jane in Cumbria said...

Wonderful table top! And far from boring! I feel the same way, really wanting another big applique project! Both your CWB and the vine quilt will be wonderful when they are finished!