Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Busy Times!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks here at The Painted Quilt and even amidst all the upheaval, I did manage to squeeze in some sewing.

I purchased a kit several years ago and had forgotten all about it until I started to rummage through some of the bins that I have piled in my studio closet. When I came across it, I immediately decided that it would be my next project.

I loved it then and still do now.



My plans are to add another border with machine appliquéd vines, leaves and flowers not only to make it a little larger but also to add some texture and interest.  I'll start on those the next time I'm at Debra's.



My friend Debra and I try to get together at least a couple of times a week to sew and here she is sewing on the binding on one of her pastel quilts that she will be selling in her shop.



Debra works full time as a paramedic but she also has a home-based shop where she sells her quilts.  She is by far the most prolific and talented quilter I know and if you'd like some inspiration, click HERE to see some of the quilts that she has for sale in her Etsy shop.

Beautiful work, huh?



I mentioned upheaval.

When we bought our house here in Nova Scotia almost three years ago, we found out shortly after moving in that our drilled well had a very slow recovery rate and as a result, had to be very prudent with our water consumption which was the absolute pits.  About a month ago Mr. PQ and I decided that it was time to bite the bullet, pay the money and have a new one drilled.

First the heavy machinery arrived...





and soon after, the drilling started.


We now have a 360' deep artesian well with enough water to supply the street!

However, the mess from the excavation will take us this summer and next to repair.  My poor flower beds.  *sigh*

But on the brighter side, we now have a decent water supply!


Happy stitching!

40 comments:

Terry said...

Your quilt is beautiful! We had to have our well worked on right after we bought this house...one night we literally ran out of water! LOL

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

OMGosh.............that quilt is GORGEOUS!!!!
I really do LOVE it Kaaren.
I can't wait to see it after it is quilted and the binding is on.
Janet

Darlene D said...

That quilt is a beauty for sure! The colours, the designs, I love it!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I really like this quilt - the appliqued border will be wonderful!

I'm sure it's a relief to have the water issues solved!

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

I LoVe that quilt Kaaren. It is BEAUTIFUL! There is something to be said for "Rooting through our sewing through our sewing room bins:)
Marg

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful quilt. I know the added border will be a special finishing touch. Glad your water issues is now resolved. Nothing worse than a trickle from a shower head.

Colleen G said...

I do love the sawtooth star and find when I save photos of "quilts to do", more stars are there than any other shape. Love your idea too of adding applique for interest. Sorry to hear about the damage to your garden beds. That's the tough part about infrastructure changes on older homes, so disruptive. We've had to drill wells in all three of our country homes, still not an expert but certainly a question I always ask when we're house hunting.

sunny said...

Love the quilt! Now go take a verrrrryy loooong shower!

Shuttle, Hook and Needle said...

I really like your quilt! Some day I would like to make this pattern. Some day after all the other projects I have piled up!
Can't wait to see it with your borders.

Connie said...

love this pattern and the colors, what pattern is this? here where we live is linestone rock and our well is 350 ft deep and with lots of water.

Connie said...

love this pattern and the colors, what pattern is this? here where we live is linestone rock and our well is 350 ft deep and with lots of water.

Needled Mom said...

I love that quilt and the applique will look fabulous.

I am sure in the end you will be thrilled with the new well. It's just the going through it all that is a nightmare.

Kindred Quilts said...

Love the pattern of the quilt kit you found buried... a real hidden treasure! Great fabrics, colors, etc. Debra is finishing a real beauty as well! Happy you have "new" water!!!

paulette said...

I LOVE the quilt that you are working on..stunning!! And your friend's quilts are AMAZING...and you are right...SEW many!! WOW!!
You will never again take water for granted...Enjoy!!
P

Saskia Smit said...

Very nice quilts

gracie said...

As we would expect, another lovely quilt from your expert hands. That is one deep deep well!

Unknown said...

Well...you do have a lovely quilt and your plans for it will make it a show stopper! Great work!...and your friend! What a woman, greatly talented!...and at least you now have water and do not have to worry!...so a positive post!!

Janet O. said...

I do love the quilt you made--was that design on a magazine cover? Seems like I bought a magazine because of the quilt on the cover that this quilt calls to mind. Your border will make a lovely finish!
Oh, wow. That is a deep well, but lucky you to have water. Our well has very low pressure, but when we drilled a new one years ago, it was still the same.

barcord said...

Lovely quilt Kaaren. I'm sure you were delighted to find it again among your treasures. Being a townie, I don't have to worry about a well. I do remember at my grandmother's when we were kids, the water from the well was the sweetest to drink. Hope your garden isn't too damaged. xx

nancy huggins said...

Beautiful quilts and I am sure you won't mind all the wotk as much when you need to use some water :). I do not make the quilts like that any more..My sewing room in this house is way to small to do anything but I do enjoy making Raggy quilts now and a great way to use up scraps and kind of fun to arrange how I will put them together and they sell better for me since they are simple (but time consuming)and can just sit and watch T V while I clip them. The next one I make has I love Lucy prints and some solids and should be fun to make. Happy quilting :)

Diane said...

Love the quilt, sorry about the flowers.

Linda said...

I love your scrappy star quilt. The applique border will make it totally amazing.

Susan Kane said...

Love quilt! I am re-doing a quilt top, as I made some sloppy mistakes. I kick myself as I cut replacements.

Sass said...

Love your quilt!!What a blessing to have an artesian well!!One never knows just how precious water is until you don't have it.

barbara woods said...

beautiful quilt

Jeanna said...

Very nice quilt Kaaren. I love the fabrics that came in the kit.

Great news about getting a new well, sorry to hear about the flower beds though. At least those can be easily repaired...only time consuming.

Your friend does amazing work on her quilts!

Pam in IL said...

You're quilt is beautiful!

Sorry about the flower beds, but it is good to have a new well.

Anonymous said...

Holy cats that is deep! They only had to go 97 feet for us... we were extremely lucky because the next door neighbor had theirs done at the same time and had to go down 309 feet. Phew!

Sharon said...

oh how I still remember those days of living on the farm with water rationing. Animals first, always. Love your new top and yes an appliqued border will be fab on this.

Bev said...

Love your taste in quilts and again another beautiful quilt completed. Very glad to see that you have a new well and your were sucessful in finding water. That is worth it' s weight in gold.

margaret said...

quilt looks wonderful and the applique will make it even more wonderful. Good to know you now have more water than you know what to do with. I have just had a water metre fitted as it is the cheapest way for water here, was paying £44 a month, it should go down to less that £20, more money for fabric etc!

Elizabeth said...

I love your quilt Kaaren, does it have a name and is it possible that there is a pattern available as I love triangles and stars. The colours are so pretty too. Happy stitching and thanks for inspiring me.

Sue SA said...

Love the kit pattern, can you please let us know the pattern name?

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Kaaren your quilt top is beautiful~ can't wait to see it all complete!
So nice to have a crafting buddy ~ I always wish I had someone to craft the day with. Enjoy!
Prim Blessings
Robin

onlymehere said...

How exciting to not worry about how much water you're using every time you turn on the faucet or take a shower. We've had to do that in severe drought years and it's so hard and frustrating. We use so much more than we realize. Congratulations on the artesian well!

Candace said...

I just love the quilt, Kaaren and I know your personal touches will be fantastic! Yikes - that is a big drill rig, but Mr. Squash approves - having been with the health dept all his life! I've also heard Artesian water is very therapeutic!
Cheers!

Bolts and Bobbins said...

I believe your quilt is the same as the one I just finished. It's at the longarmers right now and I can't wait to get it back. I didn't add any borders and I think your idea for an applique border would be beautiful.

John'aLee said...

What a beauty! And I love the one your friend is working on. So glad you shared her working on it. Inspires the rest of us!

Naum Franpos said...

a hard working girls
could you do also a handbag ???
I want a unique handbag because im investing for a handbag insurance

muhammad asim said...

http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/2013/08/busy-times.html