Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Thing About Applique...



is that the prep work takes me almost as long as the stitching! Once I get all that prepping done, I can't resist sitting in front of the TV and appliquing things down. I decided to get some more blocks ready for the 12 Days of Christmas wallie. Days 4, 6 and 7 were actually supposed to be pieced blocks but I decided I wanted the whole wallhanging to be applique. So the search was on. The four calling birds use a pattern from an old Country Threads book I have. The goose and stitchery swan were adapted from online coloring book patterns. The five golden rings are--surprisingly--what was suggested in the Saffiote book! I had intended to do these blocks in June for my "page-a-month" project but like a kid at Christmas, I was too antsy to wait!!! This little wallhanging will be a puzzle to put together LOL. I am waiting to square up the blocks till I see what conglomeration I can use. Such fun.



The Fiesta Quilt from Laurie Simpson's book, Modern Primitive Quilts, had to become a wallhanging! Reality set in when I realized how many "gifty" projects were waiting for me to complete!!! Another queen-sized quilt was just not practical right now. But I loved the idea so much of a quilt to complement my fiestaware that I at least had to make a wallie for the kitchen. I took some liberties with this pattern too. Can't seem to stop doing that. I added some letters at the top and some cups at the bottom to the block. It will need to be a skinny wallie as the only spot left in my kitchen for a quilt is pretty narrow. When it's all done and hung, I'll post a pic along with photos of some of my fiestaware and jadite. I have collected both for about 30 years and have plum run out of room for any more!!!!

11 comments:

Mama Spark said...

I love this. I collect Fiestaware too!! Small world.

Melanie said...

I totally agree. I love applique, I really love working with it, but the frustration and "Burnt" fingers involved in the prep work and ironing is incredible.

Hedgehog said...

Just love those four calling birds!!! Still getting up the nerve to do some applique!

Libby said...

I finally got tired of the prep and gave needleturn a try - it's not bad *s* And I get to start the enjoyable stitching part much sooner.
Your Fiesta piece turned out just right - can't wait to see how it looks with your collection.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my goodness, I love them all! I love what you did for the 5 golden rings! It is going to be wonderful!

MARCIE said...

Hi Vera, I just was cruising through your last few posts and saw the same book I posted about last week! (301) I am having a blast making those little primitive babies! Yours turned out adorable! I love the ones in this post also! Very sweet! Also your fiesta is great!

jovaliquilts said...

I love the fiesta quilt -- and I love fiesta ware! It's so much fun to play with the colorful pieces when I'm setting the table.
Your applique pieces are wonderful!
Cheri

Patti said...

You are creating new ideas right and left out of your creative head! It is so much fun to watch these things evolve. As far as applique prep work goes - I think that's one thing I love about needleturn. Very little prep work!

Ann said...

Trying to catch up with my favorite bloggers and I love your modge podge plates and your fiesta wallie! It's great. Can't wait to see it with your dishes. Very neat.

Finn said...

hi Vera, I read down through the 18th of May and let me save time by just saying "I love EVERYTHING"!! How about that for saving computer space!!!? Your 12 Days is going to be wonderful! Great idea to use all applique, allows for creativity and use of resources...good plan..the search is on..right?
The cheese ball recipe looks awfully familiar...from the 1960's or 70's..I think I have the same one..LOL
Great idea about the plates..my DD and step GD did those at christmas...a nice touch to giving cookies.
And your BOWL or basket, is just great..you dun good!!! Another thing that will give you a firmer basket is the width of the strips...try with some that are 1/4 to 1/2" wider...you get a really firm, solid looking basket.
The blue of yours is great!
Love the furry friend on that great quilt too...see, I just love everything today...LOL Big hugs, Finn

Feeling Simply Quilty said...

I want to collect fiesta ware. It's hard to justify buying new dishes though. If I lost them all tomorrow, I'd buy fiesta!