My "Country Cousins"
This was one of my first projects when I took the hand applique plunge not long after I started blogging. This is "Baltimore's Country Cousins" by Susan McKelvey and it was being offered as a block of the month by The Quilted Crow. I was thrilled about working on this because the pieces were large and I felt I could do it and do it well. So what happened? I wish I knew - three blocks done and the rest have been kept in the dark - silently and patiently waiting.Do you remember when I let it all hang out and showed you all my UFO applique projects - here (scroll down)! Well, fast forward to June 2009 - chatting via e-mail with Karen at Log Cabin Quilter and I gave her a good laugh one day when I admitted to her that I have yet to finish one applique project! She does beautiful applique projects! Anyway, I started looking through the 'projects in waiting' and decided that this was the one I needed to finish. I spent Tuesday afternoon prepping a new block and last night I started stitching. There are 12 blocks so I'll be sharing more of this project over the next couple of months. This is assuming that I don't decide to abandon it again! LOL
I've been spending quite a bit of time focusing on a variety of hand work projects (hand quilting practice, assembling my GFG blocks, embroidery projects, and hand applique). This doesn't mean that I've abandoned my machine piecing - there is a project in the works as we speak. :-)
Thanks for your visit and comments! Come again soon.
In Friendship!
26 comments:
Go, girl, go... you can do it!!
Oh, good choice, I love that book. I've never even started one, though eek.
Good for you Darlene. Stitch those blocks! I have the patterns too but have never done anything with them. I purchased a background for them but just don't know if it is what I would actually use. I don't have time right now to stitch on the project along with you but know you can get yours done.
It will be great to see your work on this quilt! I seem to go in spurts working on either handwork or machine work...haven't done much handwork lately other than try to keep up with some BOM's!
It is always fun to see what you are working on. I have been doing mostly handwork lately.
I love all your applique projects. You've done much better than me, I haven't even started the fall Bunnyhill pattern. The Rabbits Prefer Chocolate is stunning, it looks like all the blocks are appliqued and you only need to finish the piecing....you are on a roll now.
I love the blocks-- well worth the finish. I'll be cheering you on....
One thing for sure about blogging in the inspiration we receive from others. Your blocks are too pretty not to press on!
These are lovely and are just begging to be worked on ... keep it going!
The blocks are really gorgeous! I'm so glad you aren't letting them languish any longer:)
They are very pretty blocks. Good for you to pull out a UFO and make some progress! I need to do that too!!
I won't even tell you how long my BCC blocks have been waiting ... Your work is beautiful--can't wait to see your progress!
OMG those blocks are beautiful! I'm cheering you on!
I always start a project with such good intentions! LOL....I have one applique project in particular that I just love but it has been relegated to the WIP pile.....you have given me the incentive to get it out and start again...I have all the patterns and fabric...just need some time...which I will make this weekend....once the blocks are prepped they can be stitched while "watching" TV or anytime one has a spare few minutes...so thanks for the inspiration/motivation.....!
Must confess now I have the book and the dream so you are one step ahead of me as I have not even started yet. Same goes for the wonderful Barbara Brackman quilt Book Carries Sampler. Go for it girl and enjoy.
Those are such beautiful blocks. Just keep pluggin' along, and it'll be finished before you know it.
Very nice Miss Darlene!!! I wish I liked to applique but.........I'll leave that to you. You do a great job.
Beautiful! Perhaps pulling them out and sharing them with us will be the boost you need to get going and finish.
I'm heading toward the all handwork boat, too. I love your applique blocks - they are my kind of Baltimore blocks . . . and they are from my soon-to-be new LQS *s*
I had the best intentions on doing the bunny tales BOM and teaching myself to applique...I'm so behind now. Your blocks look great, maybe I should have started with bigger pieces too.
Sorry for my tardy comments, Darlene but DH and I have been away since Thursday at the Vermont Quilt Festival and we just got back late this afternoon.
I got to do a lot of thinking on the drive down and back and in the hotel room as well. I cam to the realization that as much as I love quilts and making them, I also love to stitch, work with wool, create new "small" projects, applique and knit sox. I also love vintage looking cross stitch samplers and I'm committed to learning how to do them.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't feel guilty about not sitting at my machine and piecing simply because there are other things I love to do as well.
Now, if the soooo many miles didn't separate us, I'd say come on over to stitch and drink some tea. Instead, we'll just have to do it via the internet.
Hugs to you my friend.
They are beautiful blocks. Okay we want to see the rest.
I love your blocks. I can't wait to see them all as you finish.
Really lovely Darlene. I took a Baltimore applique class. I felt like I flunked. It was an all day thing. I did learn but I'm certainly not up to that!!!
Hurray for getting them out again, Darlene! I love Baltimore album and maybe I'll get the courage to do one after being inspired from seeing yours - it's going to be gorgeous!
Cheers!
Darlene you are much further ahead than me.. I have the patterns copied to a larger size and am waiting till I finished my "scroll down list of UFO's" before I start it.. but you are making it very tempting!! they look lovely and hope to see your progress to the finish line..
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