Thursday, July 31, 2008

Taking Stock

A month ago I signed on to Peg's Finish 5 Challenge. Time's up. I was a little disappointed to have finished only 1, but when I reflected a bit more thoughtfully I had a great July. I finished Little Blue With a Kiss of Pink, and I made 4 other tops that were only ideas back then and are now completed and ready to quilt. (I have one yet to show you...still fussing over whether to add borders (sounds familiar, right?)

EDITED TO ADD: I finished 5 tops...forgot about this one!
My finishing is a bit handicapped due to the fact I'm back with my little old Singer. (My mom needed her Bernina so no machine quilting for me.) I will have a pile of tops to quilt, but it should be fun and with all that practice, maybe I'll improve those skills too.

Here is my completed top from AmandaJean's Seeing Stars quilt-a-long. I love it. I'm working on the back right now. I have some left over stars to incorporate into the back. Thanks AmandaJean for all the work you put into this quilt-along. You're the best!





















Here is a top I made last night and finished up this morning. It's a simple 4 patch made from two vintage sheets and a pillowcase. I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but the other fabric in the 4 patch is a wide pink and white stripe. It's so girly, I'm in love with it. With all the boys in this house I don't get many girly things so I made this for the fun of it. I think it would be a great baby quilt.

I say easy now, but 6 months ago when I started quilting again, this wouldn't have been easy. In fact, I made a top sort of like this and tossed it because it was so crooked and well, just plain bad. I'm happy with how far I've come and how my skills are coming back. I have the striped sheet and so I think that will be the back and the binding. Maybe there should be a striped border, hmmmm another border dilema? Ideas?

36 comments:

nettie said...

cute, cute! I totally want to copy your stars quilt. i love it!

The DO said...

Oh my! The seeing stars quilt is to die for. Amdajean's version if really sweet, but yours it so wonderful, I'm totally in love.

Kathleen said...

I love the baby quilt ....looks like the Laura Ashley fabric from the duvet I found at the charity shop recently!

The seeing stars is wonderful and am sure that three or more tops is a great accomplishment for the challenge.

Doris said...

I LOVE your seeing stars and I am shocked that you only started quilting six months ago! I've been reading your blog, that must have missed my notice!

Anonymous said...

They are just lovely (you know I love a good 4Patch) - and your photographs are fun also. How clever you are to take the quilt out of the house to photograph it!

Heidi said...

For the vintage sheet and pillow case border/binding, I would pull out the blue or green from the tulip print fabric :)

One Shabby Chick said...

They are all great - I love the seeing stars quilt - the colors you used are so pretty! It is just beautiful!

Amber

Shanna said...

I love your stars quilt!! It turned out great and the extra border around each one just makes it stand out! The fabric too is very pretty!! Great job

John said...

Both of these tops -- but especially the seeing stars -- are so, so beautiful. I might steal your setting idea for my quilt-a-long blocks!

MichelleB said...

That seeing stars quilt is fabulous! I love it. And such a sweet pink quilt.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Your seeing starts quilt is beautiful and fresh. Oh the pink sheet quilt is so delicate.

Trisha said...

Your star quilt looks wonderful!

Unknown said...

You've been busy! I love both tops, but I had no idea you had just gotten back into quilting 6mo ago...?! I find other bloggers and usually just pick up where they are - it would be overwhelming to go back and read every entry for all of them. . .

Oh and I use to machine quilt on a 3/4 size janome - challenging!

ellen said...

You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and productivity, not to mention your beautiful artistry!

Anonymous said...

I adore that pattern, what was it called??

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

All are just so beautiful.....so pleased your joined in...it has been so much fun...congratulations...

erica e said...

very pretty quilts. i think your blue and green stars is just about my favorite blog quilt i've seen this summer. and that's saying a lot with all the quilters in a tizzy to finish projects! beauitful work.

jovaliquilts said...

The seeing stars quilt is lovely, and I really like the one you linked back to. What a productive July!

Anonymous said...

Both of these quilts are wonderful! Nice work! :~)

Sarah said...

I love the color combination in the star quilt. It truely turned out beautiful!

Marie' said...

I love the borders you did for your stars and the fresh colors. you are motivating me to get right back into it once i move in and find my machine.

dutchcomfort said...

Totally love your seeing stars quilt!
I love Amandajeans’ version too, but I love the way yu played with the stars, the sashing and leaving out the setting blocks.

If you really want to add a border I should go for a white one so the stars will sparkle and it will not obviously be a border and maybe a dotty binding.

The girly quilt is very sweet and cute.
Advice on the border stuff? I don’t think you need to make a border, just a very delicate slightly darker pink binding.

QuiltedSimple said...

I love your tops - they look fantastic!
Kris

Bonus Mom said...

I wish I had the time. Your quilts are lovely. I have the info about the sheet swap up now if you are interested :)

Anonymous said...

Your quilt tops are gorgeous! You have a great eye for color. I love seeing your inspiring work! x

Anonymous said...

I love the stars quilt. Very pretty! I need to work on new square designs instead of just squares. I'd like to start a log cabin quilt. Soon.

Jen said...

I have to say, like everyone else, I love the seeing stars quilt. I love how it's traditional blocks with an unconventional twist. The fabrics are just terrific also.

Anonymous said...

It's always great to see what quilting others are up to...so inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

Amy said...

I really like what you have done with your stars. The settings are so simple and yet so very effective.

MightyMom said...

oh definitely a striped border!! it is lovely and girly and beautiful....so good in fact I won't even mention the lack of purple! (impressed huh?)

it's fabulous. great job.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for your comment...I just started my blog a few weeks ago, so it's pretty exciting for me when I get a new comment! Your quilt-a-long quilt on here is one of my favorites that I've seen...but I'm a sucker for green & blue combos! I love it!

Anonymous said...

I love the Seeing Stars top... great colors and fabrics. My own sewing has ground to a halt with the hot weather. It's a bit cooler so maybe I can fire up the machine again.

Allison said...

Your quilt is beautiful! My quilt is still were it was #4. I'm hoping to get it done after school starts. Rats I missed out on the vintage sheet swap.

Amanda Jean said...

I am so in LOVE with your seeing stars quilt. it's absolutely fantastic, jacquie!!!

Allison said...

Your quilt along quilt is beautiful.
I'm still very far behind on my quilt and on updating my blog. School's back in session so hopefully I'll be able to work on both. I like your vintage sheet quilt too. We live over off Shawnee Dr and 635 so we saw a few of the planes last weekend. We heard more than we saw.

Allison said...

Okay so the previous comment is my second comment on your quilt. Anyway I guess I should have commented on a newer post and I really must like your quilt. I'm a dork.