Wednesday, January 22, 2014

African quilt, poppy quilt, embellished Soupcon blocks and a give away

I finished quilting my Mom's African quilt. All that is needed is to apply the facing.


I kept the quilting simple at the top and bottom. With my darning foot I just free motion quilted straight(ish) lines. I prefer to use the darning foot because the lines tend to have a more organic feel to them. I think Mom will be pleased. Once it is embellished I'll post another picture.

All of the organic straight line quilting reminded me of another quilt that is pinned. The quilt was started in a workshop that I took with Elaine Quehl. The name of the workshop is In Full Bloom. We had our choice of flower patterns that were created by Elaine based on photographs she had taken. I chose the oriental poppy; it is a great reminder of my childhood. My Mom grew beautiful, big, blouey poppies in her garden. I used mostly my own fabrics but also incorporated some hand dyed fabrics that I purchased from Elaine. One of them was a velvet which I used for the center of the poppy. Here is my poppy quilt pinned. The background fabric is one of Elaine's lovely fabrics.


Here is a close-up of the center. I decided to add the mottled green bits to the plum background to add some highlights.


I hate the sound and feel of the needle going through fusible web but decided it was time to bite the bullet and get this poppy quilted. Here is a close-up of the quilting I did first thing this morning. It actually went better that I recalled so I think it will be clear sailing from here on in (fingers crossed)!


So it sits on my machine waiting for me! It measures 42" by 40". A big wall hanging!


There are some more Soupcon blocks on the Soupcon FLICKR page and they are amazing!

Jean has been busy; she has embellished two blocks. They are so different but they are equally beautiful. She clearly has a love for flowers! I love the little red berries in this one and the variegated green floss shimmers!


Her second block is delicate and loaded with understated elegance. I think it really has a depression era feel about it. I am in love with her colour scheme!

Deb had selected the perfect colours of floss to make her block sing! I still say this block makes me think of a pretty bone china teacup! Don't forget Deb has some old fashion embroidery and applique alphabet blocks on offer on her block. The most recent block is the letter T.


Angie is on Step 1 and had picked a great blue print. She posted both arrangements on her blog. I think she might have settled on the first which is this picture she posted on FLICKR. She was looking for options on her blog last week. You can see what people had to say here. My vote was for the first block!


To give you and idea of what it looks like with the points facing out, here it is from her blog.


Finally Kat has posted a picture but she is stuck and looking for suggestions on how to embroider the block. So far he has fussy cut some butterflies. If you have any suggestions you can leave a comment on her photo in the Soupcon FLICKR Group or you could leave a comment below.


I used my computer to sketch out a bunch of ideas on the block. She can use them or not - I'm not bothered but I am always willing to share! I can't wait to see what Kath does!


And last but not least, Bunny has made a great start on her block! I'm looking forward to seeing it finished! This is such a great fabric!


Last two bits of news. I will post more tutorials on making hexagons using my foundation pieced English paper piecing. I'll try to get one ready for you tomorrow but if not tomorrow then on the weekend for sure!

Finally January 25th is grown your blog day and my giveaway will be a hardcover needle book. The winner will have her choice of a needle book with a pink leaf or a teal leaf. To win all you will need to do is leave a comment telling me which needle book you would like if you were to win. The post will go up late on January 24th so be sure to visit and leave a comment on January 25th. I'll announce the winner on the morning of January 27.

   

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

23 comments:

  1. That is a gorgeous poppy! The quilting is perfect for it.

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    1. Thanks Brandie! I'm happy with it so far although I doubt I will make another large piece with fusible web.

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  2. Wow that Poppy wallhanging is just beautiful! nice job. thanks for mentioning my blog too!
    Everyones blocks are so cool and so different-I love them all!

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    1. I hope people visit your blog. The patterns and stories are so charming! I'm really enjoying seeing everyone's Soupcon blocks. You are right, they are all so different and each is beautiful!

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  3. Fabulous poppy!

    Those are wonderful ideas for embellishing Kat's block. You've sparked a few for mine with your doodles. Thank you.

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    1. I'm so excited that I've sparked some new ideas for you because you are so inventive. I look forward to see what you come up with!

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  4. I love this blog, there are such wonderful beautiful inspirations here. I love your poppy project and all the soupcon blocks are wonderful. If I were to choose between the two needle cases it would have to be the teal one. Thanks for the opportunity

    Blessings,
    Jodi
    mtnfamily2013@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks Jodi! I hope you'll be back on the 25th to leave a comment so that you are entered in the draw!

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  5. some lovely work on the hexies. I am a bit stuck, I did one section in 2 shades of blue, but wasn't thrilled with it, so its un-picked and waiting. Kat will be spoiled for choice with the ideas you have drawn around her butterflies

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    1. I sent you off some ideas and I hope they were helpful. If not feel free to use or modify the sketches on Kat's block! They are there for all to use!

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  6. What a stunning poppy hanging that will be WoW!
    Remind me I have a smaller flower UFO pieced in a workshop, ohhh maybe 2 years ago : (
    That too would benefit from machine stitchign in the style you have used, itv was fused fabric shapes laid onto a background and like you, we used original photo shots as inspiration. Blow me, cant recall the tutors name but she was lovely too and so informative.
    Im also in the Grow Your Blog and intend looking for a Giveaway amongst the 2 x shopping bags of items bought at shows - cough cough - that didnt come out of the carrier lol best get my finger out if the blog post is to go out on late friday night!
    Can I ask what software you use to draw the stitching suggestions onto the blocks? The butterfly block is completely lifted to another level with the choice of additions youve suggested!

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    1. Hi Liniecat! I just used Paint to draw on my photos. I'm a bit of a Neanderthal when it comes to computers so Paint was the second easiest thing for me. The easiest would be to print the photo, draw on it, scan it and post it. Paint seemed like a little less labour intensive! I'll be visiting your blog on the 25th for the Grow Your Blog event!

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  7. Oh that poppy is gorgeous. Wish she sold her patterns. She is not going to be in our area that would be a fun class to take. It looks much like doing portraits. Only using larger pieces. Your quilting is lovely.
    Bunny

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    1. It really was a fun workshop. We got quite a bit done but there was plenty to do when we got home! I love your portraits - they are wonderful!

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  8. Your poppy is gorgeous. lots of thread work! I have my hexies prepared and will post on flickr soon. so looking forward to the soupcon BOM. as for the needle books, I could never choose, they are both lovely Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan! Drop by on the 25th and leave a comment to be entered in the draw. You are a no-reply blogger so be sure to leave your email address in your comment to be entered to win!

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  9. That poppy is stunning! I am just about to start sketching some ideas from your suggestions, thankyou for your input!
    Which needle case? ooh I am a turquoise gal :-D

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    1. Thanks Kath - can't wait to see what you do with your block!

      Don't forget to leave your comment on the 25th to be entered in the draw!

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  10. WOW! the quilting on the poppy is just perfect.
    I am enjoying seeing the blocks again from other bloggers. The butterflys will be a nice touch on the one block.
    I finally picked out my background fabric and stitched the star on. Today I am going to start the embroidery.

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    1. It really is fun to see what others are doing - it gives me more ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing your star stitched to the background and embellished!

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  11. I love your flower-just so lovely! and your students pieces are amazing.

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  13. How kind of you to have another give-away! My favorite color is pink and it would be a joy to receive a needlebook made by you.

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