Sunday, January 8, 2012

Still having fun!

Big hugs to all of you who took the time to say thanks for my latest First Friday Freebie!  I really appreciate it!

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What a strange winter it has been so far.  If you recall, this was the view across the street just this past Thursday afternoon…

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and here is the same view this morning.

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It almost looks like spring, doesn’t it?  Wishful thinking!

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And here is what’s left of the snow!

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In the meantime, I’ve been spending some quality time in my studio.  I managed to finish my wonky pinwheels mini made from Kathie’s tutorial which you can read about here.

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And here’s the back.  I just love this reproduction fabric with the bees and have used it several times to back other quilts as well. 

I didn’t forget to add my new label either!

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This is my first finish that will go into a special bin that will house all my hand made finishes to be given as Christmas gifts this year.

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Darlene of Quilting Daze is taking over the hosting of the Christmas Through The Year challenge and I decided to join in as an incentive to try to make at least one project each month that will be used for a Christmas gift.  Click on the button below and you can read all about it.

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Lori is hosting a quilt-along on her blog called Humble Quilts.  She has reproduced an antique quilt and is providing us with the instructions so that we can make one of our own.  The pace is very leisurely and if you’d like to join in, you may read about it here.

You had me at the churn dash…or shoofly blocks, Lori!!

The first step is done!

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And now to tell you about my trials and tribulations with the 12 Days of Christmas mystery quilt that you see all over blogland.

I thoroughly enjoyed making the 12 little 3 1/2” blocks that make up this charming sampler.  Every one went together quickly and easily and finished at a perfect 3 1/2”.

Yesterday I decided be a good girl and to follow the instructions that were provided to finish piecing the top.

I cut the sashing and border strips precisely.  However, when I assembled the top, a few of the vertical 3 1/2” sashing strips did not line up with the ones below and this was the first of several incidents that started to make me crazy.  I should have stopped there and regrouped but I didn’t.

You’d think by now that I would have learned to trust my inner instincts. 

*sigh*

Then, to make matters worse, when I added the borders, I really had to ease them in to make them fit.  Just look at how wavy they turned out!  I know I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to perfection but this was just NOT ACCEPTABLE!

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So I walked away from it and made lunch for Mr. Painted Quilt and myself.

I was hoping that the quilting faeries would do their thing while I was in the kitchen, away from the studio….but…

I think they must have misplaced my address because nothing had changed when I returned. Drat!

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Solution? I unpicked the entire thing and redid it…with a few changes.

Using the fabric that I had cut for the borders above, I not only applied a sashing between the blocks but under them and down the entire length of the sides as well and connected them with cornerstones.  This allowed each piece to nest perfectly, without any easing at all.     I also increased the width of the sashing to 1 1/2” and decreased the size of the outer border to 2 1/2”.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Now I’m a happy camper quilter and will finish it rather than throw it in the trash like I was going to do.  I’m even going to make a second one to add to my ‘Christmas Through The Year’ container.

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This Friday I go to Halifax for the final consultation with the radiation oncologist before my treatments begin on the 23rd.  It’s going to be a long six weeks of treatments but I’m in it for the duration and continue to remain very positive.

Please continue to keep in in your thoughts and prayers.  I gather strength from you all.

Kaarenheartname

61 comments:

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

I like the redo on the quilt. The churn dash pattern and pinwheel are two of my favorite quilt patterns.
Good luck at the doctor's this week. I am praying for you.
(ooh, I can see the water now)

Blessings,
Susan

Phyllis said...

I like the sashing with the addition of cornerstones. I think I would like to make another on since it was fun. Sending prayers your way as you start your treatments. Please take care.

Bertie said...

A fabulous post Kaaren, so much to take in!!
Good luck with your consultation and treatment Kaaren, you are in my thoughts :)

Pokey said...

The weather differences are amazing, especially since we know there will be more winter storms.
I do hope your dr. visits bring you back to health, we've had you on our hearts.
Your remake of the 12 Day is worth the bother, you have a sweet little quilt to be proud of ~
:-}pokey

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

I like your setting version much more than the original instructions. Thanks for including the measurements you used. My hope and prayers are with you!

Darlene said...

Love your 12 days and mini quilts! You always have beautiful projects :-)

You continue to be in my prayers. <3

Blessings,
Darlene

Anonymous said...

Kaaren..So glad that you posted about the 12 days blocks. I finished the blocks and have been looking at the quilt all laid out. Something just wasn't right...but I hadn't stitched the blocks together yet, so maybe you helped me to not have an unstitching event. I am going to use additional borders to make the quilt a little larger. Am praying that your appointment this week goes well and that your treatments are as uneventful as my sisters have been.

Brenda said...

Your finished piece is beautiful! We have been having springtime weather here in Illinois too. Peculiar weather for sure, but I am not complaining. It makes the roads easier to drive on this winter! ;) I am looking forward to doing a Christmas project a month. It would be a great chance to use your Friday design... Thanks so much! :)

I will be praying for you Kaaren. The year 2012 will be the year for you be treated, be on the mend, and be well. Best wishes and safe travels...

Anneke said...

Our winter feels like spring for several weeks now. Trees are blooming and the birds are singing... Last spring was summer, summer was autumn, our climate is way out of the normal.

Love your first christmas gift finish! It's really cool! ;-)

Lesley said...

Beautiful projects! Love the shoofly blocks and really admire your patience with the sampler...it is beautiful and shows off your artistic creativity! Also love seeing the view from your house...a few days can sure change things! Thinking of you and sending prayers and positive thoughts your way!

Marsha B said...

My prayers are with you for your treatments, I wish you the best! The little wonky pinwheels quilt is adorable, it turned out really cute! Your little pink churn dashes are so pretty, too. You have some wonderful fabrics to play with. I didn't finish my 12 Days quilt exactly like the pattern either. I have one of the rows where the sashing doesn't line up with the row above but I decided to just let it go. Yours turned out very nice. It was a fun little project to start the year!

Delores said...

Like the new version a lot better - the blocks seem to stand out more.
Thoughts are with you as you start your treatment - I think you've got the #1 thing covered already - thinking positively!!

WoolenSails said...

I think your decision to redo it, was well worth it, the new version looks so much nicer and the added cornerstones really made it into a beautiful mini. My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Debbie

Jackie's Stitches said...

It's amazing how quickly all that snow melted. Of course, being from Florida I know nothing about such things but it did seem quick. I'd love to have a couple of white days!

Great job walking away and regrouping! I have slowly learned that sometimes walking away is sometimes the best way to come up with a solution - and often is far less frustrating.

Donna Keating said...

You solved the problems with the 12 Days quilt perfectly. There is a flickr.com page where you can upload your 12 days quilt photo. It's called Temecula Quilt Co. 12 Days of Christmas.

Like your other projects as well.

Sandi said...

Kaaren,

I like your adaption of the the quilt, the cornerstones make it just pop.

I think I may have to make one of these little beauties.

We are having a wet winter at this point despite La Nina predictions of snow. Mind you we often get more snow in February than December so we will wait and see.

All the best with your treatments, I know you will do well and feel better in the long term.

Your snowman First Friday Freebie is adorable, thank you so much for being YOU!

Mary said...

The way you changed the 12 days quilt makes it "yours". Best of luck with your treatments. You are in my prayers. I'm so happy I got to send a block for the fun quilt that was made for you! (((HUGS)))

Chocolate Cat said...

Grrr just what you didn't need! The remake is gorgeous though, worth the trouble. Best wishes for Friday.

sunny said...

I love your little Twister! I've made the blocks for 12 DOC, but havn'et finished it off yet. Hopefully today. Mine all came from my scrap basket, and I may make a second one to put in my Christmas Through the Year basket as well. Hugs and prayers as you approach your treatments. DH had 6 weeks of radiation this summer, so I know it's not an easy thing.

Mumbly52 said...

I like your finish of the 12-Day quilt better than the original! Very clever! Warmest thoughts for your upcoming therapy and beyond.

Heartsdesire said...

The wonky pinwheels quilt is sweet, sweet, sweet. I love it, but when I looked at the pattern and it called for templates, I decided it probably wasn't for me. The 12 Days of Christmas, however, was. I've finished all the blocks and am now working on choosing the borders and sashing. Thanks for showing your problems with the finishing. Saves me a few mistakes. I like your use of sashing and cornerstones. It's one of my favourite ways to finish a nine-patch quilt. I'm going to make the 12 Days again this month with some red and green fabrics I purchased from Fig Tree, and put it in the Christmas 2012 gift pile. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for you this week, and hoping the treatments go well.

Siobhán said...

Kaaren, you are always in my thoughts & prayers and will remain so. Good luck at the dr's!

Your quilt is beautiful--I love the changes that you made!

Phyllis in Minnesota said...

Best wishes and prayers on your radiation. One day at a time is basically your only choice. Love your redo quilt and thanks so much for the cute snowman and girl embroidery project. It's appreciated every month.
Best wishes and a lot of prayers..

Cotton Blossom said...

I think it turned out beautifully. I am glad to realise that someone beside me would consider putting something in the trash. I will continue to pray for you and Mr PQ as you face this trying time.

Taryn said...

I like you wonky pinwheel quilt; particularly since you hand quilted it. Great idea to start a Christmas gift bin. I might just have to attempt that myself. I have a couple of small ones nearly finished now and they have no particular purpose. I might collect mine in a basket. Wouldn't they look great tied with a bit of string or raffia? Keep working on sustaining your optimism. My prayers are that your body cooperates and you stay strong.

Abby and Stephanie said...

We're having the most amazing sunshine as well. I haven't had any measurable snow yet this Winter! I have a feeling we'll be paying for it though. Love the darling whirlygigs. I'm sure you'll feel the warmth of everyone thinking about you with your upcoming treatments.

Anonymous said...

Love your pinwheels and your other projects too.
FFF was adorable. Thank you.
Will keep praying for you.

Darlis

Jeanne said...

I'm glad you redid the 12 Days of Christmas quilt. It looks really cute. Your Pink Lemonade blocks are wonderful, too. Our weather here is just as screwy. It was in the 50s the other day! I hope we don't get snow into April and May.

Merilyn said...

You did have an adventure with the 12 Days...... mini LOL!! I hate that too, when the vertical sashing does not line up, it's happened to me before, now I put a tiny dot on each spot of the horizontal piece where the sashing is supposed to meet, that way I get it lined up properly, and yes using cornerstones is a sure fire way of getting things to line up they way they are supposed to!!
I had such fun putting that together, I think I will make one using Christmas farbics!
The little pinwheel quilt is so cute too!!!!
Continued prayers and positive thoughts for your next consultation and treatment Kaaren, take care.

Joan said...

Always like reading your posts! Such pretty fabrics! Sending healing thoughts your way. X0

marina said...

your mini's are just gorgeous. Will definitely go and check out that quilt, I love shoo fly blocks too.
Your 'fix up' is great, I wouldn't have been able to leave it either. You have to be happy with it.
Good luck with your visit to the doc.

Potpourri said...

Aah Kaaren you are experiencing a true Nova Scotia winter. Rain/snow/fog/drizzle/colder/warmer and come February we may get a couple of weeks worth of frigid. Then the no spring season arrives and suddenly about the end of June (or maybe May if we are lucky we get summer).
The very best of luck to you at the oncologists, I have nothing but praise for these folks. Been there , done that!
If you should need absolutely anything while in Metro please don't hesitate to contact me. jethree@gmail.com

Diane said...

love how you made the quilt your own and saved it from the trash too!
remembering you in prayer and sending a hug as well.

Mad about Craft said...

Thank you for the pattern.

I've had problems with this little quilt too. My sahings don't line up but day 5 block is slightly too big so I've got to unpick mine, remake the block and re sash - bah humbug!

Betsy said...

You made a lovely fix Kaaren.

Marilyn said...

I think it was meant to be that the quilting faeries lost your address, as the altered quilt looks even better than the first would have if the pieces had fitted. (oh dear, does that make sense?)
Definitely will be praying for you as you go to the appointment and while you go through your treatment.
Take care.

Sheila said...

Love the changes you made to the "12 Days of Xmas". We all have to remember that a pattern is kind of a "guide" and everything can be changed.

Love your FFF, thanks again for designing and sharing it with us. It will make a good project to do while watching TV with my husband.

Good luck on Friday

Sandi said...

I think your little mystery quilt turned out great. I like your Pink Lemonade blocks and thanks for the link to Humble Quilts. You are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the coming days. We are all with you in spirit, can you feel us.

Gail said...

Karen,
You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I really admire your spirit and attitude towards your disease. I know both will help you get back to good health.

Vicki said...

Kaaren, First I'd like to add my postive thoughts and prayers as you begin treatment.
I love your mini quilts! And I've fought those sashing strips forever until I recently figured out how to fix it, if you're interested here's my post http://sassypacks.blogspot.com/2011/08/always-last-to-know.html.
Best wishes,
Vicki :)

Sandy said...

Your 12 Days is stunning and thanks for the heads up on how you solved the finish. It really is darling now. Our weather is the same...we had 6 inches of snow last Tuesday and nothing as of now...quite warm temps for January in Ohio.

Needled Mom said...

Keeping you in my prayers as you enter the next phase of treatment, Kaaren.

I Love your little pinwheel quilt. It is so sweet.

I am sure that you are glad that you redid the 12 days of Christmas. You would have been so disappointed with it if it wasn't done right. Now it looks beautiful.

Kathleen said...

I really like the pinwheel quilt and the 12 days of Christmas...beautiful..I am keeping you in my prayers as you start your treatments...

Anonymous said...

I love the wonky pinwheels and your solution to the 12 Days of Christmas mini is an improvement to the design! Sometimes the boo-boos really can be turned into keepers!
Blessings to you with your treatments!

Miriam said...

I am very glad you stuck with your 12 Days of Christmas quilt. It looks wonderful!

Good luck with your radiation oncologist appointments. May 2012 bring you a return to good health.

Elzaan said...

Lovely fabrics in this post. Congratulations on the first finish for the year(?) as well as fixing your 12 Days of Christmas so well. Best of luck for the treatments. Keeping you and Mr. PQ in our thoughts!

Allie said...

Not only does it look like spring around here, it feels like it! Very strange. I think our grass is growing. And it should be completely covered with snow by now! Your little pinwheel quilt is adorable!! Love it next to the candlestick. Cute churn dash blocks, that's one of my favorite patterns. Someday I'll try it!

So were the measurements off on the mystery quilt? I think you were right to unpick it. It looks great now!

Praying for you daily hon, and especially on Friday!

Jenny's Place Online said...

I love the final colourway of your quilt :) Best wishes for Friday, and the following weeks. Happy crafting, Jenny

Vickie said...

I adore the wonky pinwheels! It is so cute! I am not a seasoned quilter but I will say one thing, I don't follow directions very well!!! In fact, following them is my last resort! I love your finished mystery quilt and am so happy that you decided to redo it!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

JudyCinNC said...

My first thought was to "iron it into submissionn" - I like your solution better and the light-color sashing is so much better. Thank you for keeping us all up to date on you and thoughts and prayers will be winging your way. Judy C

antique quilter said...

oh I just love your little quilts! ah yes first I may have tried ironing and starching those borders !!!! but in the end I would have done the same thing taken it apart and fixed it. So good to see you quilting and keeping busy, will be thinking of you and I know your going to pull thru this WE need you and your inspiration!
Kathie who will be making a repro now of the pinwheel quilt love yours and the way you quilted it thanks!

marian said...

don't you just HATE it when THAT happens!! your second attempt looks simply PERFECT!!!
I decided to make two, hard part is which one do i keep and which one do i give away LOL!!
Sending you warm sunny hugs for the weeks ahead, Kaaren..you're a wonderful inspiration :)) cheers, Marian xx

Lori said...

You've got some fun little quilts going!!
I like humble quilts, but the waves were even a bit much for me!! LOL It looks really cute now.

I'll be praying the 6 weeks flies by!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Kaaren!!!
Love the 2nd version of your quilt...well worth the do-over.
Even though I'm not 100%....thoughts are still with you!
XOXO
M

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I love your quilt and you were right to change the borders. The revised version is just perfect!

Grace in On said...

Hello Kaaren,
Yours is the first Blog I click on to read when I sign on the computer.I really enjoy your posts.
I will keep you in prayers and thoughts as you go through your treatments.
Stay strong
Happy thoughts only
Grace

Teresa said...

The Christmas quilt is quite charming after you made the changes. I will be remembering you in prayer during your treatments.

suz said...

Just caught up w/you and printed out the Friday Freebie. I absolutely love it! Thank you so much for doing this pattern. I'll be keeping you in my prayers during your treatments.

Anonymous said...

Well, your positive attitude is great for your new quilt and for the treatment to come. Will keep you in my prayers...and other quilty thoughts :-)

SueB said...

Oh love the pinwheels. Someone is very luckie to get that. I would have had to redo my little quilt also. Looks great now and ready for quilt. I am wishing you all the best on your treatment..

Anonymous said...

Kaaren, you did a wonderful job on the remake. I'm glad you had the patience to take it apart and put it back together. I probably would have thrown it away. I will be thinking about you and praying for you during your treatments. Just remember that our Heavenly Father is with you and will have his arms wrapped around you the whole time.God bless you.Joyce