Friday, November 21, 2008

Handwork Ahead

Mom, STOP reading NOW. Turn off the computer if you want to be SURPRISED. You know you do!

The colorwheel quilt is progressing thanks to so many wonderful suggestions of how to proceed. Look at that nice smooth outside edge. Jackie and a couple of others suggested the method of sewing on fusible interfacing, turning it and there you go...a lovely edge to hand applique. The center circle is done with Cheryl's tutorial on her blog Naptime Quilter. It's not perfect but that's not due to Cheryl's method. I didn't have a compass so I traced the bottom of a vase, so my freezer paper circle wasn't perfect, but the method worked great. I'm so excited to quilt this one. It's bigger than I wanted, so it will be harder to find a place for it in my tiny studio...but it will find a place.
















Next, I forced myself (despite my painful neck and shoulders) to quilt and bind this table runner. I've been working on it for awhile. My mom's birthday is next week and it's for her, so I had to get it done. I still have the binding to hand stitch, but I can handle that in the next couple of days. She wanted a 20 x 20 square for the top of her round dining table and she wanted my houses. So here it is. I love that you can sit anywhere at the table and enjoy the houses right side up!

































And look what arrived (after an unintended stop at the neighbors)! This is a little quilt from Kris of Quilted Simple. I won this in her bloggy birthday celebration. It's taken its place on a hanger on my windows in the hall. Kris and I first got to know each other when she signed up for a pay it forward on my blog. She is a farm mom, cook, crafter, quilter, chicken raiser, and a million other things. If you think I get a lot done in a day, you should check her out! Thanks Kris!
















This little quilt is just one small example of the joy I get from having this blog and from having all of you visit and leave comments. With Thanksgiving around the corner I want to take a minute to say I'm thankful that I started blogging and that all of you have chosen to join me on my blog journey. I hope I have given you just a smidgen of the support and happiness you have given me. Thank you.

Edited to add:
It would be so nice to respond to you, many of my new visitors have "no reply" comments. You might want to check and see if you are one of those folks.

I'm off to get a little more Bengay, some good drugs and pack for a trip to Chicago this weekend to see the hubby. Later!

66 comments:

calicodaisy said...

Beautiful! You should make a pattern of those little houses to market. I love them.

Can you take Aleve? That always helps me, and a heating pad, and a few hours in the easy chair with nothing to do but veg in front of the TV.

-- Michele

Marie' said...

I just love, love, love EVERYTHING you do. What an inspiration you are!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

That little table centerpiece is just darling. It is hard to come up with a design to be seen perfectly from all angles and you did it.

Emily said...

WOW! That colorwheel is SOOOOO beautiful!

And your table runner is great in wintery colors (blues and greens) (not just Christmas red and green!)
Love them!

Anonymous said...

Wow, your color wheel is really coming together now. LOVE IT, and the House runner....LOVE IT too. I want to move into a neighborhood like that! There's an idea - a neighborhood of cool houses where we can all move, yeah all of us, and a huge barn community building where there are perpetual quilting and art classes. Well, and an aquatic center and the biggest library on earth. yeah!

Kat said...

My mom has terrible neck pain, so I know how hard it can be. Sometimes all you can really do is grin and bear it. Here's hoping it goes away soon!

I'm really loving your houses. They're so cute and I love the topsy-turvy feel that they have!

Two Dogs and a Quilt said...

Your mom is going to love the house table topper! Here's hoping your neck and shoulders feel better.

KateKwiltz said...

Look at you, free motion quilting all over the place! It wasn't too long ago that you were just beginning!
Have a fun weekend -- and dress warm! It was SIXTEEN DEGREES here (single digits with the wind chill) this morning!

MichelleB said...

That table topper is adorable! I just love it. And how lucky are you to win such a cute thing!

Sarah said...

Oooh, I love them all! Very nice work!

Unknown said...

Jacquie! I love what you made for you mom! She will love it! The colorwheel plate is fabulous! Sewing the fusible is a great plan - then it's stuck down right where you want it with a great edge :) I may have to give that a try - in January! Have a fab weekend

Cathi said...

The table topper is fabulous -- having a house facing the right way at every angle is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I am so blown away by your creations! That table runner is simply amazing - and you should totally make a pattern!!
I hope you feel better soon!! And I am so glad you share your creations with us :-)

Nanette Merrill said...

You mentioned my pet peeve - no reply commenters that ask questions! I can't answer. Do you know what that does to me? Well maybe.

Darling stuff as ALWAYS Jacquie. The table topper is my favorite. I can't get over it.

QuiltedSimple said...

I love the color wheel quilt and the table topper - you really need to do a tutorial on your houses!
And you're welcome - glad you like it!
Kris

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful color wheel. Don't you love asking for help and getting terrific advice. Well your mom will be thrilled. You are so clever and it's absolutely darling!!! Happy binding.

Abby and Stephanie said...

P.S. Your machine quilting on your houses looks wonderful.

em's scrapbag said...

The color wheel turned out great. Glad there are so many knowledgable quilters out there to help when we get stuck. Your little house as always are a favorite.

Rebekah said...

that quilt table topper is so cute and it is really great that you can see a house from any direction

Melanie O said...

I am so in love with that little house table topper - I can't stop looking at it! It is truly wonderful!

audreypawdrey said...

I love the house runner. It is so cute! I really like how they will be visible from all around the table. The colorwheel is gorgeous. I keep thinking of making something like that as a baby quilt.

I love the little quilt you received from Kris, too. So pretty! She is so sweet to send that to you. :)

driftwood said...

those houses are adorable, and lots of new links to explore too! off to meet new quilters!

Unknown said...

I love how your color wheel is turning out! I guess the fusible interfacing worked well for you... yay! I love your other little quilt so adorable. You are right it is great to blog and the people are quite friendly. Thanks for joining in on my challenge. I can't wait to see what you come up with. Feel better!

Lisa said...

I love your work, those houses are adorable. Your mom is very lucky!

Yummers! said...

The table runner for your mom is one of the most adorable thing you've ever made. How darling!! She'll love it! I love to applique... maybe in the cold. dark months following the holidays.

Thanks for the inspiration you clever lady!
Joni

Tanaya said...

Have fun in Chicago & say hi to my family while you're there! Oh wait, you don't know them.

I'm a bit jealous you know. Just because your MOM says she want a table runner with your houses on it she gets it...but I want a table runner with your houses on it too! But no, there were no adorable houses on my table at my birthday!

Just kidding of course. I wish your mother a super fantastic birthday and I wish you many pain-free days of happy quilt making! Thanks for sharing your creativity here, I just love it all.

Leanne said...

As always Jacquie your work is beautiful. I had a little chuckle wondering if your mum stopped scrolling down...I'm not sure if I would have the will power not to peek.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Your Mum's table runner is just gorgeous!! Love the sweet little houses - she is going to be thrilled with it. Hope you neck and shoulders settle down soon - I get similar symptoms and it is no fun!

Sherri said...

The color wheel looks fabulous...and the present for your Mom is terrific! Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Victoria said...

I adore your Mom's house quilt! What a great gift!

Donna said...

How cute is that, I love the houses.

Madge said...

they are all beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful color wheel, Jacquie...
I wanna ask you something, after I do basting, can I do quilt sewing by hand without a "round tool" like the one for hand embroidery (what's the name?haha...sorry for always bother you )?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful color wheel, Jacquie...
I wanna ask you something, after I do basting, can I do quilt sewing by hand without a "round tool" like the one for hand embroidery (what's the name?haha...sorry for always bother you )?

Amanda Jean said...

I really love the houses tabletopper for your mom. I'm sure she will LOVE it.

Kathi Thompson said...

I know I can always go to your blog for inspiration. Thank you.

Stephanie D said...

THat table topper is so clever! She got just what she asked for!

Have a good time with hubby this weekend!

Sharon said...

I LOVE your table mat for your mom! Your houses are so whimsical and charming - just joyful! I'm sure your mom will love this! And I love that you can see an upright one from any direction. I agree - you should make a pattern!
I really like your color wheel too. That looks like a tough one to do! So pretty!
Lucky you, winning that cute little quilt!
Try the alternating (15 min each) hot and cold packs on your neck and shoulders, and then give them a rest. Over the weekend should help - hope you feel better soon!

Tonya Ricucci said...

love the table topper. you have such a great eye for color and fabric. wonderful job. now stop overdoing it - you don't want to make it worse

syko kajsa said...

I love the color wheel! I have started a quilt with balls/wheels in different sizes and colors, this makes me really inspired to go on with it, maybe when Christmas is over...

Love the houses!

Rita said...

Your work is beautiful! Maybe one day I will take the leap on quilting. Your work inspires!

Tine said...

The tabletopper is fantastic!!

Anonymous said...

I love the houses!!! I have been so wanting to make some little ones myself. Yours are wonderful!!!
~Emily in Norway

Darcie said...

You're just full of pretty things, Jacquie! I would never guess that you're having pain or discomfort. Way to work through it all and find happiness.

Happy travels!

Cheryl Arkison said...

It looks like your free motion is taking off! I really like the table runner.

Lily Boot said...

your little house quilt is divine and I agree with calicodaisy - you should turn your hand to patternmaking! And your free motion quilting is looking very round and flowing - pretty!

Clare said...

That's the beauty of Wordpress. The commenters have to leave an email address. I get bad neck pain due to too much time on the computer and sewing. My neck pillow, which goes under the normal pillow, is my life saver.

The pink house is my favourite. I love the round windows.

And no - Thank You!

Dawn said...

Cute, cute houses! How adorable that they can be viewed from any angle -- your mom is going to love that for her tabletop.

Michaela said...

Oh, I can't wait to see what will happend with the color wheel next.
I love the table topper.
Do you have some kind of interfacing under the those houses?
If yes, what kind?

Shari said...

I LOVE the table runner for your Mum. She'll be so happy with it. I like the colour wheel quilt as well. Not sure of the scale on that as I'm new to visiting you and haven't check past posts. I'm visiting your site from Chookyblue. If you publish a pattern for the table runner I would be interested!
Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Wow, those houses are absolutely adorable! It turned out fantastic!

And the color wheel looks so cool! I love it!

Anonymous said...

hi, I'm with jackie i would love to live there, sewing, library, swimming, have been a fan of your blog for ages, love all you do keep up the inspiration. susan. (australia)

bonnie said...

your house table topper is beautitful, right along with all of your work. i am taking a class after the holidays to learn how to quilt (free motion) and i cant wait. i hope your shoulder is feeling better soon.
bonnie (sunflower43)

Cara said...

Oh my- I love the little houses table quilt! It is a great idea to have the houses right side up wherever you sit! Love it! Hope you feel better soon!

Rachel said...

Such a sweet table runner! You're mom will have a nice surprise!

The Calico Quilter said...

The color wheel is marvelous. And the table runner? Adorable. I read the other post about your break-in attempt. So sorry that they caused you and your family worry and work. They were just punks. There's something in the air about break-ins. I keep hearing about them. Joan's blog said her neighbor was robbed by 15 year olds - imagine that.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

The houses are amazing...your Mum will just love the table topper...

Anonymous said...

As always you have beautiful quilts. I love the Dresden plate and hope to one day actually make one too. For now it's just strips and squares.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I have always wanted to make a color wheel, it is wonderful! and I agree with calicodaisy, i would buy those house patterns in a flash, I just love that. Congrats also on you win! way to go girl!

Anonymous said...

Everything is just beautiful! I love the table runner most especially...those houses are so quaint and whimsical.

I hope you feel better soon! *hugs*

Doris said...

That table topper is so adorable! What a great way of making it!

You are so lucky with the bloggy giveaways...I know I still owe you a gift, I'm hoping to mail it this week!

Kristin L said...

The table runner is wonderful! I'm a sucker for houses and this is soooooo fresh and cute!

Finn said...

What great pictures! I love the table runner for your mom, it's really a great design. Hope all the aches are gone soon! Hugs, Finn Have a happy Turkey Day!

Katherine said...

Your colourwheel is looking so beautiful. Oh, how gorgeous! I love the houses table runner you made for your mom. The design, the fabrics... it's just perfect!

Congrats on the giveaway win from Kris!

Hope your shoulder gets to feeling better soon.

Kieny The Dutchlady said...

I love the houses, that's such a nice gift for your mum. I have to try one of those colorwheels.

Dallas said...

The houses are really cute. And the color wheel looks great. I hope your mom enjoys them and you feel better soon.