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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Hot Spots


"Hot Spots'...cute name for a quilt, don't you think? The name was inspired by where I am right now. I'm in the car somewhere in the middle of Iowa traveling on I 35. The coolest thing about my mifi (the internet we use at home) is that I can pop it into my purse and turn myself into my own mobile hot spot. How fun is that!

We're on our way with Jon to take possession of his new studio apartment in St. Paul. 16 hours of driving in 24 hours. What I will do for my children!

Back to the quilt. It was originally simply 'Circle Experiments.' I told myself one day that I wanted to learn how to piece circles and make the templates for circle blocks, so I did. Half circles, quarter circles and circle within a circle are all in this quilt. They're really not that difficult at all. I love the look of pieced circles and I didn't want the blocks to go to waste so I made this quilt. That said, I'm not really thrilled with this quilt. It's pretty static...for as much as I love circles, I could have done better with this.
I did some more of my organic line quilting on this one. I adore the texture and the movement created by that kind of quilting.
The back is pretty, but also just ok in my book.
At least it's off my list and off my mind. I'm not sure what to do with this one. I'm hoping I'll have time for one more finish after I get home. Wish me luck!
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53 comments:

  1. JeanDecember 29, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    Well, it looks good to me. I love red and I love circles. Thanks for sharing. I am about to start some sort of circle quilt for my grandson, so I like seeing this. I'd really like to see the whole thing.

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  2. karen @ badlandsquiltsDecember 29, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    I like the red & ivory fabrics in the quilt...safe driving to you...the roads are much better now than last week I'm sure (I live in a MN burb). Check out Treadle Yard goods in St. Paul if you have time!

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  3. AnnaDecember 29, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    they look amazing. Tell your son good luck in St. Paul (i'm only a couple hours drive south - hehe, not that he cares). Anyway, it's a great town.

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  4. kimlandDecember 29, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Ok, I guess there is something wrong with me. I like this, big dots amoungst the litlle dots and the quilting ia a compliment. I could help this quilt find a home if need be! just kidding, it's good...really!

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  5. carolDecember 29, 2009 at 10:26 PM

    Actually, I'm thinkin' that your circle quilt is quite spectacular! LOVE the colors!!! So, if you really hate it that much, or don't know what to do with it, I can supply my address and you can ship it right here. (I'll love it for you!)

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  6. Cheryl ArkisonDecember 29, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    I'm sure there will be a baby somewhere that will enjoy that quilt one day!

    The circles work for me, but that Denyse Schmidt does not. Good finish all the same!

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  7. AnyoneCanQuiltDecember 29, 2009 at 11:08 PM

    Oh Jacquie I love love LOVE this quilt! Love the circles, love the colors, love the quilting. It's gorgeous!! x

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  8. Abby and StephanieDecember 29, 2009 at 11:16 PM

    Circles are my favorite so I'm loving this quilt. As for the children...the moving and the driving and the hauling...it's my life now but so happy to be able to help.

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  9. Exuberantcolor/Wanda S HansonDecember 29, 2009 at 11:29 PM

    If you didn't experiment you would always wonder, what if? I think you will like this one later. I've often made one I thought was HO HUM and then later when I came across it I wondered what didn't I like about it in the first place.

    I remember driving the high school cheerleaders to camp in WI and IA. We had the air conditioning go out on the car in 90+ degree weather on one of the trips. Yes, what we do for our kids.......... and we love every minute of it.

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  10. RoseDecember 29, 2009 at 11:33 PM

    Ugh, my finishes are nonexistent, so I suppose I'll be counted out for this round!! Just no time for sewing these last few weeks. I don't know what you're talking about though, that quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! Love love love it!!

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  11. BrowndirtcottageDecember 30, 2009 at 1:02 AM

    TERRIFIC QUILT!!! I think you are
    being too hard on yourself about this one! It's so unusual and I
    think extremely interesting!!
    I just can't seem to quit looking
    at it....and since you don't know
    what to do with it...you can send
    it my way....HA!!!
    Good luck and be safe on your long
    haul with Jon!!

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  12. MightyMomDecember 30, 2009 at 5:44 AM

    CUTE!!

    instead of "static" think "calm".

    calm is good.

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  13. LunaDecember 30, 2009 at 6:28 AM

    I think it is great! If it needs a home ;-) I'm here!

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  14. Twisted QuiltsDecember 30, 2009 at 6:31 AM

    Love the circles and the back. How many times have we moved a child from one place to the other. Every time my husband says never again! They will always be our babies no matter how old they get.

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  15. MarieDecember 30, 2009 at 6:40 AM

    cool! be careful lots of snow / ice / crap on the way thru So Minneota -- trust me I've shoveled most of it!

    love the cicles & dots!

    M

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  16. ValerieDecember 30, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    You're so tough on yourself, I think it's a marvelous quilt! WTG on those circles, I'm not brave enough to even try...

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  17. JessicaDecember 30, 2009 at 8:23 AM

    Let me just chime in to disagree with you here...I think this quilt is just gorgeous. Especially like how the red sashing on two sides offsets it a bit. Really, I love it!

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  18. AimeeDecember 30, 2009 at 8:29 AM

    Gorgeous! I love it!

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  19. CrystalDecember 30, 2009 at 8:31 AM

    I'm stunned by this quilt! I love the tiny circles paired with the huge circles! I've wanted to try a circle quilt (or just one block, knowing me) for a long time now. If you say it's not that hard, maybe now is the time to give it a try! :)

    Also, I work in St. Paul and I highly suggest your son take a tour of the State Capitol someday. It's spectacular and free! And the tour takes you up on the roof to see the golden horses which is awesome.

    Good luck with the move, it's really icy here this week!

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  20. nettieDecember 30, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    well i LOve it. your circles are perfect.

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  21. CarlaDecember 30, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    You make me challenge myself to try circles now. You quilt is very lovely.

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  22. VictoriaDecember 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    Well, I like it, and think it's pretty damn cool looking!

    Safe and happy travels, you are indeed a good Mom!

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  23. MichelleBDecember 30, 2009 at 10:37 AM

    It's a lovely quilt, and it certainly looks as if you've mastered circles!

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  24. Iowa LindaDecember 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    I'm in Iowa waving to you! Love love love this blog! So inspiring.

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  25. em's scrapbagDecember 30, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    Good luck with another finish. I posted the journal cover I made for a prize for your motivating challenge on my blog today if you want to check it out.

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  26. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsDecember 30, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Love, love, love it!! The back is great silly girl!
    And you are right, what we will do for our "babies"

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  27. SharonDecember 30, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    Absolutely FAB! You are too hard on yourself, I love the placement of the dots fabrics and your quilting really compliments the design. LOVE IT!!

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  28. AnonymousDecember 30, 2009 at 11:28 AM

    I think it is lovely!!!

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  29. AlissaDecember 30, 2009 at 11:45 AM

    Well if this is your "just ok" then clearly your standards are high! I love it. Beautiful work. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Kelly O.December 30, 2009 at 1:06 PM

    hmmm... you're having trouble deciding what to do with this one, eh?
    Well,I could send you my address?
    I mean to help you out, after all...
    I'd pay postage :)

    p.s. seriously though, you could give it to a charity to raffle off...

    ReplyDelete
  31. dutchcomfortDecember 30, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    It’s OK to be not that easily satisfied when making quilts, but they don’t all need to be 120%, do they?

    I do love your circular quilt and the backing is gorgeous too!

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  32. DianeDecember 30, 2009 at 3:39 PM

    My mom always said that children were born with wings---to fly off into their own lives and become who they are meant to be---without us. Now and then they just need a little help with the navigation....And yes, there are things I wouldn't have done for anyone EXCEPT for my children.

    The quilt is lovely. I think Wanda is right. You may come back to this quilt in the future and really like it. I have had a few like that---much to my surprise. Safe and happy traveling!!!!

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  33. Vicki WDecember 30, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Cool quilt!

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  34. RebekahDecember 30, 2009 at 6:21 PM

    love this quilt! You really nailed the positive and negative circles...I pulled out some of this flea market fancy fabric today to admire it...it's such a cute pattern and colorway

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  35. UnknownDecember 30, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    Terrific quilt! Circles and curves are a cinch! Aren't they great? I kind of find them addictive after a while. If you are not sure what to do with it, I know where it can find a home...

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  36. Stephanie DDecember 31, 2009 at 12:58 AM

    Well, I like it and I don't think it's too static.

    If it's feeling a little unappreciated, I know a really therapeutic place for it.

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  37. julieDecember 31, 2009 at 5:08 AM

    I too love it, round and red, can't get any better than that.

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  38. saraDecember 31, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    love the quilting on this and the colors. I'm sad to say that I only got 1 project done for the joy in the new year, with family in town for the last few weeks it is hard to find the energy or time. I would love to see you do another challenge in the new year to ward off the doldrums of winter. I know it may not be as hard to get projects done, but the encouragement would be great! I have some big projects I'd like to start in 2010!

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  39. Sweet Baby JamieDecember 31, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    I love it!! I have yet to try to accomplish circles. Hey, if you don't know what to do with it, I'd be happy to take it off your hands :)

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  40. AdinaDecember 31, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    AWESOME!
    Prospero año nuevo!

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  41. aSprinklingDecember 31, 2009 at 10:27 AM

    So great! I love it! I'm into solids right now and that red is my favorite! I'm also thinking of making a circle quilt. Are you going to put up some tips (or a tutorial)?

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  42. peaknitsDecember 31, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    Wow - this is so fun! I love it - and your circle inspirations!

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  43. ThimbleannaDecember 31, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    It's beautiful Jacquie -- I love all the circles! Good Luck with that one more! Happy New Year!!!

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  44. JuliejazDecember 31, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Yes, what we won't do for our children? My answer is - not much.

    I love the circles! It's a beautiful quilt.

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  45. Gigi's ThimbleDecember 31, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    It's a beautiful quilt! I love the circles. It's very striking!

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  46. DebJanuary 1, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    Fantabulous as always! If this is one you don't like too well I'd love to see one you think is awful haha! Your work is amazing and upbeat. Happy New Year!

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  47. GingerJanuary 1, 2010 at 11:05 AM

    I love this circle quilt. It looks great. I have started trying to work more with circles too after seeing a sewing show put them together. It was not as hard as I thought it would be either, but I still need to work on it some more. I love your quilts!

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  48. brigetteJanuary 2, 2010 at 3:54 PM

    looks fantastic!!
    and, BIG and...
    you now know how to make circles and templates!
    :applauds

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  49. A Spoonful Of SugarJanuary 2, 2010 at 6:31 PM

    Love the quilt name! I have a circle quilt on my list of quilts to make this year - yours has been most inspiring Jacquie!

    Hope the move for Jon went smoothly.

    Best wishes for an extra special 2010 - we look forward to following your quilting adventures this year.

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  50. ShelinaJanuary 3, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    I like the quilt, and the name. Sounds very appropriate to your travels and your mifi connection.

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  51. Julie @ Jaybird QuiltsJanuary 3, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    cute name & adorable quilt!!

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  52. Stevens FamilyJanuary 3, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    I LOVE this quilt. I want to try my hand at one. Mind sharing a tutorial how you did it and how it came together?

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  53. DebJanuary 3, 2010 at 10:32 PM

    I second that...a circle tutorial would be fun :D

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So, what are you thinking? (please don't put links in your comments...the spam police like to grab them and hide them away! if you want to share a link, feel free to email me.