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Monday, February 10, 2014

Design Wall Monday - 2/10/14

Today, let me show you a few things that are NOT on my Design Wall ....   because they are FINISHED!!!!

The First Noel

29" X 29"
Gotta LOVE classic blue and white!!!  This was a Guild Mystery quilt a few years ago, designed by Melissa Gann of the Doodlehead Stitches blog.  She gave us instructions for both a large and small wall quilt - of course I chose the small :)  This has been a pieced flimsy for several years now, and I'm delighted to have it finished!!!

Our Guild started a new UFO Challenge this year.  We were to make a list of twelve UFO projects we wanted to accomplish this year.  Then the VP calls out a number each month, and we are to complete the item listed on that number.  The thing I really like about this challenge is that you don't have to list an entire quilt project.  We could list, "finish 5 blocks" on a UFO, or "apply borders" to another - which is much easier than "finish my Dear Jane!"  Getting The First Noel quilted was my #5 for February.


I did a lot of stitch-in-the-ditch around the blocks because I liked the design a lot!  Then I used a Lori Kennedy (Inbox Jaunt blog) snowflake motif around the tree in an iridescent metallic thread - I really liked that effect, although the thread gave me fits!!!



Below is a look at the back which gives a good view of the quilting.  It was draped over the back of a chair, so it's not laying flat :)



The next finish is probably one of my oldest Dinosaur UFO's.....

Indian Summer

Trimming it up for the binding :*)

This was one of the first quilts I ever lusted after LOL!!!  

In my first year of quilting - really in the first few months - one of the ladies in my sit-n-sew group who lived near me asked if I wanted to go with her to The Quilters Attic, a quilt shop in Goodlettsville.  Of course I said yes!!!   This quilt shop is located in an old building with a lovely upstairs display room.  Their Indian Summer was hung up really high, overlooking the room, and it simply took my breath away!  I just stood there, mouth agape, and stared at it!  I told myself if I ever made a quilt that beautiful, I would then consider myself a "real quilter"!!!


So, I suppose I am now a "real quilter" LOL!!!  Within the year I had purchased the Judy Niemeyer pattern and some lovely batiks to make it.  But I couldn't start right away because I had not yet learned how to paper-piece.  Soon after, a lady in my Guild offered to teach us how to paper-piece during one of our scheduled sit-n-sews.  Paper-piecing was love at first stitch for me!

This was my first true paper-piecing project, and it is still one of my favorite quilts!  However, the finished quilt top sat again - for years! - waiting for me to grow my FMQ skills.


A couple of weeks ago, my friend Joanne let me know that I could have a day on her longarm if I wanted it - did I ever!!!!  I had this quilt and backing already in a bag, ready to go.....


And now it's a finished quilt!!!!


Well, okay..... it's all trimmed up and the binding strips are cut - I'll have it bound and done by the end of the week :*)  GOSH!!!  Isn't it nice to have FINISHES?  This Dinosaur UFO is now extinct and has been marked off my list.

What's on your Design Wall?  
Check out all the great projects at Judy's Patchwork Times!!!

Also linking up with:
Freemotion by the River - Tuesday Linky Party
Confessions of a Fabric Addict - Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!


Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=




35 comments:

  1. Your Dinasaurs are just lovely!! Oh, that metallic thread is like trying to use tinsel, know the feeling. But your succeeded and it looks ownderful. Just love your Indian Summer and see why you lusted over it.

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  2. I don't think I've seen the Indian Summer pattern before. It's beautiful! Give yourself a great big pat on the back for that one.

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  3. Your First Noel quilt is just beautiful. The blues and white just pop and the quilting is gorgeous. Just lovely!

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  4. Love the quilting on THe First Noel and Indian Summer is amazing. I love it xx


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  5. Congratulations on both your finishes! What a feeling to have two "new" quilts in your house. I love both of them. You are very accomplished for having quilted for just a couple of years. Kudos.

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  6. Two beautiful finishes, Teresa. You should be mighty proud!!
    That thread looks gorgeous--and intimidating. I have never quilted with any fancy-shmancy thread. This looks so pretty, but if it gave you fits, maybe I will steer clear!
    Congrats on your progress!!

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  7. Wow wonderful finishes. I love your work every time.

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  8. Both of those quilts are beautiful, Teresa.

    I used to quilt on my domestic machine with the same thread. I found if I used a 90/14 needle with a long eye (often sold as "Metallica") it was pretty easy.

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  9. Oh my word I understand 'love at first sight" for Indian summer. I'm off to try and track the pattern down! Thanks.

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  10. I am in total awe of your quilts! Each one is stunning and makes such a statement of your skill and expertise! Thanks for sharing such wonderful accomplishments!

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  11. Absolutely beautiful! Can't wait to see Indian Summer up close and personal!

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  12. Your First Noel is fabulous -- every aspect of it from pattern, fabric choice, and quilting. Everything works together perfectly!

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  13. WHOA!!!! These are both gorgeous, Teresa!!! I'm so excited for you! Whooohooo!!!!! :)

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  14. Gotta love the blue 'n' white! And Indian Summer is probably my favorite Judy N design. Both are gorgeous. Congrats on two finishes!

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  15. That quilt takes my breath away too. It is incredible.

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  16. Love both your finishes! Wish there was a pattern for the first Noel, it seems like a fun quilt to make :) congrats on your finishes!

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  17. WOW! Now you are a REAL quilter! Love both of your finishes... congrats!

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  18. Beautiful! A real quilter to be sure : )

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  19. Oh MY!! Both of your finishes are beautiful. I can see how you would fall in love with the Indian Summer one too. I love it! Your quilting perfect on your First Noel quilt. I'd say you have definitely grown into your FMQ skills very nicely. Did you mark any of that before FMQ it? It is just beautiful. Bet you are doing the happy dance -- I would be for sure.

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  20. The Mystery quilt is gorgeous. I had the same experience using a glitter type thread this winter too. Tried everything, a metallic thread needle, loosen my tension, still. Grrr. Love the Indian Summer quilt it is gorgeous.

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  21. Well done!! I love the classic blue and white. Machine quilting with metallic thread? You're a brave woman and it turned out quite nice. I like the combination of the warm tones of the yellows/oranges set against the cooler colors in the Indian Summer. Nice fabric choices!

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  22. Absolutely love the Snowflakes on your quilt! I love the look of the Mylar thread! Fabulous! Thanks for the shout-out to The Inbox Jaunt!

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  23. Uhhh LOVE the quilting on that blue one and love the colors in the 2nd one.... on my design wall is a top for my GO! challenge for the 15th, need to cut binding strips for it, though I don't think I'll have it quilted by then....

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  24. I just LOVE that First Noel ... in part because I just love blue and white quilts ... but it's an absolutely gorgeous quilt, too! I wonder if that pattern is available online anywhere??

    And I love that Indian Summer quilt, too! I love that border and will have to remember it for a future quilt.

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  25. yes, it is nice to have finishes and beautiful ones they are.

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  26. Both great quilts but that blue and white - stunning! blessings, marlene

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  27. Indian Summer is a stunner! Wow... Great pattern and great colors too.

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  28. Hi Teresa - I came ove from Denise's blog!! Both of your finishes are wonderful - my fave is your Indian Summer and yes, you are a REAL quilter!! Fabulous job!!

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  29. Teresa what amazing quilts! The snowflake quilting is precious and how neat that you have a friend with a longarm that you can use! Beautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  30. Your Indian Summer quilt is just gorgeous., but so is the other one. Beautiful quilts.

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  31. Did you hear me? I literally screamed with delight as I saw your finishes! Both so beautiful you real quilter you! I love the idea of your guild finishing things up like this! Isn't it great having friends with long arms???? I will have one of my own......SOMEDAY!!!!

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  32. All are great!! You got a lot done. The border on the Indian Summer - it's is fabulous!!!

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