January 30, 2014

WIP or UFO!

WIP or UFO whatever you like to call it. I have many of them to try and get them done this year. A year of finishing. I know it's a great last word, but since New Year I have finished and hand quilted a small quilt. I'm working on another hand quilting project and I am almost half way on that. I also finished piecing a quilt top I started last Christmas and I finished some small stitching eco-hearts. It's working well and I'm motivated to keep-up. 

I'm a quilter at heart. I started as a sane quilter, but after 10 years of quilting I started to branch out into other forms of textile creations. Having that basic quilting and stitching skill help me along nicely in every stitching project I have done. I haven't bought quilting fabric for many years now. The quilts that I made lately are made from fabric in my stash. I used Mr Notjustnat's business shirts when the trend of shirting fabric comes in. I have never been one to follow quilt patterns to the 'T'. I'm a quilter outside of that 1/4", but I'm enjoying it. These days the Gee's Bend quilts are drawing my attention. I like making do and improvising so "made fabric" really attracts my attention. Of course natural dyeing is my other love!




We make a lot of road trips to visit our grandkids that live 800 kilometers away. I get a lot of hand stitching done on those trips. Last year I randomly stitched some heart shapes. It was really fun not having any pre-planned patterns. The hearts are stuffed and ready for Valentine's Day this year. Another tick for the finished! 



I got inspired by a quilt in the American Patchwork and Quilting magazine issue ... 2012. I gathered the fabric and made a few blocks of the Candy Cane quilt early in 2013. It has been sitting on the sewing table starring at me ever since. It's a simple quilt, but unfortunately it doesn't make itself! Another tick for the finished. Big stitch quilting, I'm thinking!


  

Still had the shirting fabric left over from the Candy cane quilt when I saw LeeAnn from Nifty Quilts make the reproduction Courthouse steps quilt in Gee's Bend style. All LeeAnn quilts are very inspiring so I thought I would quickly whip one up. That wasn't a tick of finish, but a tick of start!


Lucky find: A full set of D.M.C. Library, cross stitch and hand embroidery pattern books in full colour. Printed in France in early 19th century. I already had one of them that my DMIL gave me 25 years ago. I was hoping that one day I would use some of the patterns from the book. Now I have a full set of them I really need to use them! I found them at my local op-shop. I like sharing my lucky finds with you so I will keep this section going at the end of a post.

Well, I can't end without wishing you all a Happy Chinese New Year [31 January]. It is the  year of the wooden horse in the Chinese calendar. I came across this interesting reading about the year of the horse here. If you were born in other animal year click here and choose the right animal for the year you were born in conjunction with the horse year. Each of the animal years is displayed with the western calendar year. The Chinese calendar cycle goes for 12 years.

Until next time
Nat

18 comments:

Betty said...

Your quilts are so pretty. I love the hearts you made, so cute.

neki desu said...

that quilt is so very pretty!
happy new year to you to

Nedra said...

Your stitching is always so beautiful. I always set goals to finish up when a new year begins too. Very interesting article on Year of The Horse. I was born year of the Goat/Ram. Happy New Year!

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

A good year for Year of the Finish Nat...I'm hoping for that too!

Ginny Huber said...

Always love to read your postings and blogs, Nat! So much information, enthusiasm and loveliness together! For me it turns out that I was born in the year of the horse but didn't know that until I checked your link here! Happy year of the horse! For me, stitching is new and I am inspired by your combining it with ny kinds of projects!Maybe I'll even get back to my blog soon! :)

Sweetpea said...

I can see why quilting is your *first* love ;>]]

"Finish" is my word for the year ... wanted to stop this time to leave a comment to say that I understand. Good goals for the year, I think ...

Christi

Janet said...

Happy year of the horse and finishes Nat. I just love your hearts so much, they're sure to be a hit on Valentines. It's such a treat to see your quilts, of course I love anything red and polky dotty. Loving your improvised quilt too, so much fun and it'll look amazing with perle quilting.

deanna7trees said...

finishing ufos....that's what i should be doing but i seem to just be creating more of them. love your quilt in the style of gees bend....and how lucky to have found those dmc books.

Jeanie said...

I had heard of year of the horse but never the Wooden Horse. I'll have to check your links. I think I'm a rabbit, if I remember right.

Seeing your hearts reminds me that I must start on Valentine cards and projects. They are simply lovely.

As is your fabulous red an white quilt. I don't have the patience to do that, but oh! How I appreciate it all!

Nancy said...

Finishing is a great plan! I lost my one little DMC booklet a long time ago. Those are surely a find!

Jeannie said...

Your hearts will be a huge hit this year. They are so personal and beautiful. The quilts make me happy with their bright, cheery colors. Exactly what is needed on a gray, cold day. I had never heard of the DMC library. What a find! Happy New Year! We went to our favorite Oriental restaurant tonight and it was so much fun to celebrate the Chinese New Year with them. Happy weekend!!!

Tracy said...

These hearts are so lovely, Nat! I just love all the hand stitching and details. :o) The red & white quilt is such fun--such a cheerful piece! Last year I made a return to quilting and have been so happy I did...I'm still a novice, but growing with each stitch. And nothing more satisfying than crossing off a big project on one's list. ;o) Happy Chinese New Year... off to read about that wood horse! Happy Days ((HUGS))

Terry said...

Your finishes are diverse and reflect your many talents. The heartsp are very delicate.
Red quilts are always so cheerful as is yours with DH's shirts.

Unknown said...

I was just mulling over the idea of doing a Gee's Bend inspired quilt myself. Seems like we're on the same wavelength. :)


I adore your hearts. They have Personality (with a capital P!)

ARTISUN said...

Loving those sweet heart Nat, I saw them in another post last year and fell in love, was wondering if you have any for sale?

Peggy said...

Hi Nat, there is something about your Gee's Bend-style quilt that I am so drawn to. I just love it.

That set was a lucky find, indeed -- looking forward to seeing future finds -- good idea! xo

Needled Mom said...

I'm just catching up on posts after being away. Your hearts are sooooo pretty.

I LOVE the red quilt too. You are so right.....these projects do not finish themselves. The Gees Bend quilts really do have a great look to them.

Nifty Quilts said...

Your scrappy Courthouse Steps is coming together so well! I love all the shirt plaids and red gingham. Looking forward to seeing it grow!

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