Playing with Baskets

Yesterday I decided to pull out these basket blocks that I have had for quite a while to THINK about putting this quilt together.  The receipt in the bag with the pattern, my finished blocks, and fabrics says November 2008.  Don't ya think it's time???  

This is a quilt pattern by Lori Smith, From My Heart to Your Hands, called Four Seasons: Spring Blooms.  The blocks are 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" finished. 

 I saw it at my LQS and had to make it.  Here is the photo of the original quilt from the front of the pattern. 

First I started playing around with the layout of my blocks.  Hmmm.. what would they look like without that green sashing? And with the little baskets around the sides, rather than in the middle?  Hmmmm.  I kind of like the busy-ness of this.

Then I cut some sashing strips and put them up on my design wall with the little baskets, like the original pattern.  Hmmmm.  Very soothing.

I have only made 4 of those green leaf appliques for the corners (see pattern photo) and probably will not use them after all. 

What if I added some green setting triangles with the little baskets?  Of course now I would have to make more little baskets. :-)  Green would also be used in the corners.

I even threw the border fabric up on the design wall to take a look...

Seems that I have created a design dilemma for myself...  What do you think?  I always appreciate feedback from my blog friends!

I have continued to quilt the red and white Oak and Reel quilt.  I am really loving hand quilting at night while watching TV.

Just a quarter inch around my design and in the triangles.  Next decision will be how to quilt the borders. 

Decisions, decisions, decisions.. I love it!

Happy Stitching,

Deb

Linking up at Kathy's Quilts on Sunday Slow Stitching. 

Mini-Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much for all your comments on the type of hand quilting thread you use.  Some of you even commented on what kind of thimble you use.  I really learned a lot and loved hearing all your preferences and the reason why you used the thread you use! 

Now... for the winner of the Gutermann thread....  Drum roll please!!

The random number generator chose number 9!!!  Comment number 9 came from Frog Quilter.  She said, "I use YLI to Hand quilt. It's made here in the south. Yay! "  You can check out her blog here.  

I hope you enjoy giving the Gutermann thread a try.  I will get this in the mail to you as soon as you send me your address.  Thanks again for your comment.

Lucy actually thought her Squeeky Geeky toy was a much better prize.....

But in the end...she decided she wanted to keep him.  Sorry Frog Quilter. LOL

Finally, today being the 15th anniversary of 911 - Let's not forget the people lost and the lives forever changed by this tragedy.  Fifteen years later I still find the images of that day very disturbing to look at, and it seems like yesterday.  RIP

Deb

Happy Labor Day Monday - Mini Giveaway!

I've been enjoying some time at home this week for an extended Labor Day weekend.  It's been nice to spend time in my studio everyday.. just doing what I want.  I don't have pictures of a lot of what I worked on....

 But on Friday I basted my red Oak & Reel quilt together.  Here is the quilt on the floor in my studio.. along with my basting thread.  I hate basting.  It is where my quilting process falls apart.  But I am happy to say I got 'er done.

 Thankfully tropical storm Hermine moved away from the coast and we had a perfect day yesterday.  Blue skies, low humidity.  It was the perfect day to sit on the deck and do some slow stitching.   I have decided to hand quilt this wall hanging....  I have not hand quilted something this large in a long, long time.  Wonder how many years this will take! LOL.  Right now I am loving the process and hope to spend part of this Labor Day doing more of this. 

I have always used Coats & Clark quilting thread.  Barb over at Fun with Barb uses Guterman.  So yesterday when I was in Jo Ann Fabrics I picked up a spool of natural.  I really do like this thread.  

Hilda at Every Stitch uses YLI.  I will have to look for that when I have the chance.

Thanks, for the recommendations Barb and Hilda! 

What quilting thread do you use for hand quilting? .. if you hand quilt.  Leave a comment below on your thread preference and you could win 2 spools of Gutermann quilting thread (white & natural) to try.

Someone on Instagram asked about my quilting thimble.  It is by Thimblelady.  The dimples are on the side  which makes it easier (for me anyway) to quilt without putting all the pressure on your fingertip and a more relaxed position for your hand.  While I have yet to master her technique, it is much better for my arthritic hands. :-) 

Lucy is taking the day off and is just going to relax.  She works so hard the other 364 days of the year.....

Hope you get some time to relax today and do some happy stitching!

Giveaway closes this Friday at midnight EDT.  Winner will be announced on Sunday, September 11th.  Good luck!

Deb