Saturday, April 30, 2011

I wonder!!!


If you are wondering...What have I been up to?
We all go through the ups and downs of daily life. When it get to a point when you have time to focus on less things than you normally do, we start prioritizing and some things have to get on the back burner..

In my case, it was blogging..

It has been almost a month since my last post. I have to thank each and everyone of you for spending your precious time reading, leaving wonderful comments of encouragement and sometimes even with personal emails just checking up. Your friendships means a lot to me and if you are a blogger, your posts and projects are also a constant source of inspiration to me. 

I have to admit that after the visit to NY Red and White show, I came home very inspired to make some quilts. Within  a week's time I also had opportunity to visit my friend Christine's home and got to see her beautiful collection of her handmade quilts... Finished quilts.... might I add!

It became clear to me that I needed to slow down.. I took a second look at my stash of tops.. Yes, I have stash of quilt tops and decided that it was time to change gears.. It was time to slow down and finish some of the tops into quilts.

So I went to the quilt shop and bought some batting.

Remember this?


I basted the top and started hand quilting the quilt. It has been little over three weeks and I have completed
hand quilting all 25 blocks. I decided to stitch in the ditch to preserve the pattern that is already heavy with texture. 


 Here is the close up of the block.


Now the border dilemma....
I am not sure how I want to quilt it. It is the only place where I can show case my hand quilting. But I am a lazy hand quilter that does not like marking the patterns. I started with this ivy but feel that the design is quite a contrast to the actual pattern of the quilt.. Some more pondering to do!


I know that these stitches are not perfect but having spent time with this quilt and being at peace has proven  to be more rewarding than fussing over the perfection. And any given time, perfection is the last thing on my mind so I am pretty happy.. 
My focus for this month was the echo of good old Nike slogan.. 'Just do it'
And it worked..





I will be back with more pictures once it is complete.
May be hanging on the fence or off the barn door.. 
This quilt will be fun to photograph outdoors in the country side. 

Spring is here... In my heart and everywhere I see!
Happy Spring!

27 comments:

  1. What a beautiful quilt! Your time was spent wisely. Nice to have you back & with such a beautiful colorful post!

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  2. That's how to get things done... Just do it! Thanks for the reminder!

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  3. Thanks for this post. I, too, have a hard time finishing. For me, it's quilting but more than that, it's binding.

    That said, I love your quilt. Have you thought about simple x crosshatching? It would be an echo of your blocks.

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  4. Sometimes we need that break from blogging to refresh ourselves, and it's clear you've made a beautiful quilt while you were on break. Your hand stitching inspires me. My stitches aren't so fine, but the love I put in them makes up for their irregularity, I hope! Thanks for sharing this...if only there were more hours in each day...

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  5. I'm glad to see you back, if even for a day now and then. I love this quilt, but then I love all of your quilts!

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  6. HI
    I love this quilt. Since Im still new to your blog, I hadn't seen it and it's wonderful!
    I love the way you quilted it.
    I've been feeling overwhelmed too lately and wondering what can be cut.
    Spring cleaning is taking the brunt of my business.
    Thanks for sharing this wonderful quilt today!

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  7. This quilt is such a successful combo of color and fabric. And please, don't be so critical of your hand stitching! I love it

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  8. Balance in life is a constant goal! Thanks for sharing your balance in such a beautiful way!!

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  9. This quilt is a real beauty.
    I was just thinking it's almost time for me to finish some quilt tops. I have a quilt top stash too.
    I'm glad you are back in blogland.

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  10. I really love your quilt and it deserves to be hand quilted. The flashes of yellow make it shine and you have used all my favourite reds and rusts.
    I had been wondering what you have been up to and I think it was worth the wait. Thanks for all the fabulous pictures

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  11. Your quilt is really beautiful...and you are so right to sit back and re-focus. If we leave no space in our over-busy lives everything begins to suffer... from our friends and family to our creativity.

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  12. Congratulations Sujata! I can feel your thrill in finishing a project. Have you thought about overlapping arcs in your border to contrast the angles in the body of your quilts. And you can mark it as you go!

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  13. This quilt is amazing!! I always say that you capture light in your quilts. Congratulations on getting onto the UFO pile. Its so easy to start new projects but even more rewarding to finish them.

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  14. Happy quilting, Sujata! Your top is so rich and warm in colors - just beautiful, and the quilting is a very nice complement to it. Sometimes slowing down is the only option. And what is better than being able to do that with a needle in hand? Please take your time, and enjoy the proses...
    ; )

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  15. wow, you got an amazing amount of quilting done. hurrah.continue to love the quilt. so wonderful. glad you're happy and getting things done.

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  16. Hello,Sujata.
    What a beautiful quilt!! I am so glad to see your post again. Your hand stitching surprised me. They are very fine. I love the composition and the color very much.
    Red rose.

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  17. A beautiful post. I love what you're doing with this quilt. Slowing down and paying special attention to make it even more rich.

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  18. Welcome back Sujata! Missed your posts - but happy to hear that you have been doing well, peacefully hand quilting your gorgeous top. I know whatever design you chose for the borders will be perfect.

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  19. Hi Sujata, so good to see you writing again and posting pictures of your luscious quilts. Your hand quilting is beautiful. The colors are so rich and vibrant in this gorgeous quilt and the pattern is fantastic! take care!

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  20. Sujata, I was thrilled to be able to see your Amish Impression quilt at the AQS quilt show this past week in Paducah! I recognized it immediatly and was so happy it was accepted. I have to say, I love the quilt in this post.....maybe I'll get to see it in Paducah next year :)

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  21. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on slowing down a busy life and taking the time to hand quilt. Sometimes that's just what is needed to enjoy life more. I know it is for me. Lovely, colorful quilt!

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  22. Oooh! This is so pretty and your hand quilting is stunning!

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  23. It's beautiful! Your hand quilting is exquisite! Keep up the good work!

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  24. I love this quilt. I keep coming back to see what you are up to, but sorry I don't always leave comment. I know how you are feeling about prioritizing your life. Blogging is always here to come back to at any time - Hugs Nat

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  25. I miss being able to hand quilt ... I love the texture and resulting look/feel.

    Your quilt is fabulous!

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  26. So VIBRANT and full of movement! Good work!

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