Jubilee Tribute is Wearing Blue

Our Quilt Show opened today and my Jubilee quilt has won a blue ribbon.  I am so thrilled!!

I've written a longer post on www.nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com so you can pop in to read a little more.  I have loved being a part of The Jubilee Quilt Project and this quilt is the most wonderful thing. Thanks to all for the encouragement. It's been a wonderful journey.

Karen

Two down, one to go

Today I hit a milestone, two spools of quilting thread in my Jubilee quilt.

I should have known it would take a lot,

but even for me, this is a lot of hand quilting.

To read my complete post, see www.nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com.

I'm still on target to finish this, it's only taken me two years!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Karen

All the Little Stitches

I have finally finished quilting the 1 1/2" grid on Jubilee Tribute - yay!!!

And I've almost finished one corner of the 1/2" grid - happy dance :)!

You can see the complete blog post on www.nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com.

Thanks for letting me share.  I feel like the tortoise, slow and steady will hopefully get me to the finish line.

Karen

My Jubilee Quilt Update

Something wonderful happened today..... the last little berry got appliqued down and my Jubilee quilt is ready to be basted so I can start quilting!!  I am so happy.  I posted all about it on my blog.  Forgive me for adding the link, but I'm ready to call it a day. I welcome you to hop over and read all about it.  This has been such a wonderful journey for me.  I'm so glad I started this quilt and I know I will finish it.

www.nanagirlquilts.blogspot.com

 

 

Thanks for the encouragement along the way.  It's not done yet, but it's officially a flimsy :)!!!

Karen

Finally Four

Here are the 4 center blocks - done! Yay!!!  I used 2 different fabrics for the blocks and another fabric for the setting triangles.

Here is an early picture (it's not this yellow) - trying to get an idea what it would look like.  Seeing these laying on the floor, I was pretty sure I was on the right track.

At this stage, however, I had reservations that it would turn out. Between the small pieces and the reverse applique, it was slow going.

But now my center is done and I'm starting work on the vines and leaves - my favorite part!!  I've had a little trouble getting the vines into a layout that I like - each quandrant will be different.  There's been a lot of pinning and un-pinning, but it's definitely coming along - I'm still smitten :).

-Karen

A finished block and a new name

I have finally finished the first block with all its little parts.  Can I say I'm smitten??   I took this picture outside so the colors are pretty true.  The contrast of the pink and red is so pretty and the greens and cheddar totally balance it out I think.

Here's the picture of the block that inspired me.  Considering the fact that I drafted this block from this picture, I'm happy.  All I know about this quilt is that it was made in 1860, so the name of my quilt is Jubilee Tribute.

There's more to come, the other blocks are coming along :).

Have a great day,

Karen

The Next Step

Just a quick post to show you some progress.  Here's what the little triangles became :).  Isn't that neat??  Since I'm making this just by looking at a picture in a book, I can't really tell how the original quiltmaker constructed this in 1860, so I just appliqued the whole thing down.  It's good enough for me!!

Here is beginning of the blocks. I decided on just 2 different fabrics for the backgrounds and a single background for the corner triangles and the border.  See the first few leaves?

This whole thing is such a learning curve for me. It's been a while since I've done so much applique and such fussy work.  I am a folk art applique type of person, where if something is wonky it doesn't matter.

But I am having a ball!!

Have a great weekend.

Karen

Flowers are blooming

My little flowers are multiplying :). My technique is slowly improving.  I'm auditioning background fabrics to see how scrappy I want to get.

I've also found a good cheddar to go with this.  You won't see a lot of this color, but I didn't have anything in my stash that really looked good.  So I found a repro with a tiny red flower - hope it's the right shade.  Also auditioning greens.....

I'm really happy with the progress so far.

-Karen

The Beginning of My Jubilee Quilt

I am so excited to be joining in this Jubilee Quilt Project.  Thank you Barb for encouraging me.  When I turned 40, I was told it was the new 30.  When I turned 50 I was told it was the new 40.  A few months ago I turned 60 and was told it is the new 50 :)!!  So I'm good to go!  I've been searching for inspiration, and here are some of the blocks for the quilt I've finally decided on.

It all started when I saw this book last month at our quilt show.  As I flipped thru it this one quilt almost screamed out - "Make me"!!!  So I bought the book.

The second part of my Jubilee quilt will come from this book.  My mother paints theorems - paintings on velvet. It's very difficult and she is very good.  But she's given it up and has passed along her books. I was intrigued to see if any of them could be interpreted thru quilting.  I've picked a pattern and I guess I'll find out if it can.

Here are the templates I made for the flowers.  I have never done reverse applique before, but I think that's the only way these flowers can be made.

Another element of the block are these little darlings.  They are 1 1/4" cut and will finish at 3/4"!!!  I had to make 64 of them, so not too bad.

So this is where I am at the moment.  I'm happy to be along on this journey, I have a feeling this will be a very special quilt for me.

Until next time,

Karen