Wednesday 24 December 2014

Merry Christmas!

I didn't think I'd manage it, but here it is ... a Christmas post. Nothing like a last minute deadline....

I finished the hand quilting on my Four Block applique quilt and bound it just in time to hang it with the Christmas tree.

I'm just so glad I returned to hand quilting again - different technique and tools - and finally found a way that is pain free for me and totally enjoyable. Here are some closeups of the quilting - not perfection in hand quilting, but it has the soft traditional look that I'm striving for.




And when I say "not perfection" that includes nicking the background with my scissors (insert ladylike expletive at the time) - not just once, but twice - making two little holes! So repairs were required - one I darned as it seemed easiest, and the other was too big and needed a patch. Here they are and the truth is that, in the big picture, they won't get noticed so why worry?

Hole darned

Hole patched
Stars meet Hexagons: 
I finished making daisy chains of hexagons and appliqued them around the border. With a red binding I think that will do. 
I'm thinking of trying big stitch hand quilting on this one. That will be my second venture back into hand quilting and I'm quite excited to try with the thicker thread - Aurifil no 12 perhaps. There are a gazillion seams in this top due to all the little English paper pieced diamonds and hexagons - so I am expecting it might be tougher to stitch through...we'll see. 


Benjamin Biggs wedding quilt:  Block 12 finished - a relatively simple one this time. 

A lot of December busyness has revolved around some landscaping work at home and I now have a wonderful new section of lawn rolled out. The original lawn in this part of the garden was really not a lawn - just an expanse of dust and weeds that the local rabbits had turned into a rabbit warren. Am so thrilled with it now:
The rabbits must have been in shock at the sudden change, but now they hop around on it and munch the grass - but no digging (touch wood). 
Hard to believe the difference the colour green makes - it sets off the hydrangeas like never before.


Hope all your Christmas preparations are going well. I've pretty much done all I'm going to do before The Big Day. After spying some wonderful creations on Pinterest I was going to be whipping up some 'easy' but very impressive Christmas cupcakes. That was the plan and this was my preparation - looks promising? 


Well they turned out either too dry, too moist or too flat, and I won't even start on the various icing failures... not good. Some clever people make it look so easy, sigh.

But I did manage to create a double batch of these (using my homegrown raspberries).

Thanks for all the encouragement and quilting inspiration throughout this year - it has been a wonderful adventure for me.

Have yourselves a Merry little Christmas and all the very best for the New Year. 
He feels like I felt after my cupcake failures!

40 comments:

  1. I love you four block quilt; it's amazing! And you are not alone with the "nicking a finished quilt with scissors and making a hole in the process"! Have a wonderful Christmas too and a happy and healthy New Year.

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  2. You do such beautiful work, and I'm really so happy that you have found a comfortable way to hand quilt. I think the two little repairs add some extra character to your Christmas quilt. I have really enjoyed your posts through the year, always so inspiring.

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  3. Forgot to add that your new lawn looks fantastic.

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  4. You are very inspiring, the four block quilt is gorgeous, love it to bits and well done on the hand quilting, how did you change your technique so your hands could cope? I'm positively drooling over your garden and the red quilt, I'd love to make one like that, it's stunning too.
    Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for the pleasure of your blog posts.

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  5. What a lovely Christmas post, filled with beautiful eye candy in red and green. Wishing you the best for the holidays. Thanks for all your inspiration this year,I look forward to seeing what comes next!

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  6. Oh my! Your four block applique is Gorgeous! So glad you are back to hand quilting. Your stitching looks great.
    Stars and Hexagons is so festive! I love the border.
    Lovely garden. Your hydrangeas are so pretty. Before I attempt anything I've seen on pinterest I try to remember to read the comments. It's a pretty good indication of other people's success with the offering. Home grown raspberries! Yum! Your treats look so tasty.
    Merry Christmas!

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  7. Lovely finish on your four block. It looks lovely by the tree. Have you seen those curved blade tiny spring scissors? I love them for clipping hand quilting thread :) The patch and repair take nothing away from your lovely work.
    Sorry about your cupcakes, but those mini pies are adorable.
    Merry Christmas and thanks for all the inspiring photos.

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  8. As usual a lovely post and gorgeous quilts. Loving your garden, the hydrangeas look wonderful.

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  9. I'm so happy for you that you gave found a pain-free way to hand quilt, your stitches are so tiny and neat! The four block quilt is just perfect for a Christmas display. Bummer about the cupcakes but love the raspberry tarts. I have so enjoyed following your inspirational blog and look forward to more of your quilty goodness in 2015.

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  10. Yum! I love anything with raspberries! Your Christmas quilt is stunning and the hexie is lovely. Merry Christmas!

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  11. All your quilts shown are beautiful and make me smile with appreciation. Especially the applique

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  12. love your post today - so many pretty photos - love the red and green quilt and the hexies!! love them the gardens etc - beautiful - what did you come up with to be pain free in hand sewing - Merry Christmas to you

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  13. I love your Christmasquilt in red and green, and the stars and hexagons are just stunning! Your garden looks beautiful.

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  14. Oh Hilda your red and green Christmas quilt is just lovely. Had quilting always makes a quilt special.
    I do so enjoy your blog.. The pictures are so wonderful to see and your work always very inspiring. I hope you have a blessed Christmas.

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  15. How lovely your quilt looks next to the Christmas tree! Your hand quilting is beautiful-- I can't wait to see what you do with Stars Meet Hexagons. Have a wonderful holiday!

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  16. Love the pictures, your quilts are lovely. Merry Christmas to you.

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  17. I have enjoyed seeing all your beautiful work throughout the year. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  18. All your projects are so pretty. Merry Christmas!

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  19. Oh Hilda I am so happy for you! Pain free handquilting and it looks fabulous! The soft texture of handquilting cannot be beat and it is so lovely for Christmas! Your hexi daisy chain looks wonderful as well. And the tarts, sigh... Raspberry is my favorite! Enjoy your beautiful garden - the flowers are gorgeous! My backyard is literally a skating rink and the kids play hockey pretty well everyday.
    Merry Christmas to you and thanks for all of your inspiring posts in 2014 - you make such beautiful quilts!

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  20. Your Christmas quilt is stunning. Beautiful stitching and so happy that you enjoyed the process! I love the daisy chain ...so pretty. And your garden. Fun to see THAT when it's wintertime here where I am

    Merry Christmas! :)

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  21. Well, your bunny has my sympathies. I guess we can't all be amazing at everything and your stitching work absolutely is the best!! Very inspirational! So sorry about the nicks in your quilt but the end result is so pretty. Love the look of the hand quilting, it finishes it off so perfectly. Very excited for you that you have found a way to include it back in your repertoire. Happy holidays!!

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  22. What a lovely post. Your red and green quilt is beautiful and your new part of your garden is fresh and so pretty. And, of course, your hexagons are delightful around your quilt. Glad you've found a way to hand quilt again. Your work is so inspirational. Merry Christmas. Hey, it's probably Christmas there already!

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  23. Your four block quilt looks magnificent by the tree. So glad that the spoon has got you back to hand quilting pain free! Merry Christmas, Hilda

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  24. I love your four patch quilt. There is nothing like hand quilting set things off. The red quilt is quite dazzling!

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  25. Lovely finish! Fantastic with your tree. Congratulations!
    Big stitching sounds like a good plan for the hexies. Keep us posted!
    Wonderful baking and a great garden.
    Merry Christmas - I am looking forward to lots of stitching adventures in 2015.

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  26. The red and green quilt looks beautiful displayed near your Christmas tree. You will treasure it for many Christmas seasons to come.
    I love raspberries. Your little desserts look oh so delicious.

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  27. Dear Hilda ! Congratulations for all the beautiful quilts you show us !!
    I just can tell you : you succeed in all your work and they are so awesome !!
    Congratulations again! ;)
    Merry Christmas for you and all your family....

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  28. Your new Christmas quilt looks wonderful! I'm so glad you've been able to find a new hand quilting technique and that you can revel in hand quilting again. The new lawn looks so lush - and your hydrangeas are beautiful. What scummy looking tarts - bet they tasted as good as they look. Your quilts are beautiful Hilda and I look forward to seeing more in 2015! Seasons greetings!!

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  29. How exciting to display your red and green quilt on Christmas. It is beautiful!
    The hexagon quilt is pretty amazing too.

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  30. Thank you for a year of lovely eye-candy! Your 4 patch is so beautiful and the hexagon stars is a spectacular feast for the eyes! I have loved following the progress of your Benjamin Biggs blocks. What a gorgeous garden you have! Your raspberry tarts are so impressive, particularly because you grew the raspberries! Best wishes for the Holiday Season, Rowena

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  31. Your quilting projects are always so beautiful! They are so inspiring too! I love your 4-block applique Christmas quilt. What pattern did you use? Happy New Year!

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  32. Your quilts are sensational and I LOVE your "nick" fix. That is actually how I learned to embroider - by fixing my mistakes. I have quite a few quilts with little lady bugs embroidered over unplanned holes! Happy New Year. And your lawn is lovely - ours is usually white this time of year.

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  33. Love the little 4 block Christmas Quilt. Great job. hope my "found" blocks end up looking half as good.

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  34. Love your four block quilt, everything is perfect about it! Tarts look great too :)

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  35. Congratulations on finishing your applique quilt... it is gorgeous!
    So glad to know that other people nick the fabric once in a while... I do that too. Great ideas for repairing!

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  36. I really love your red and green four block quilt. I am soooo pleased you got to manage to hand quilt it....and pain free!! Beautiful work!! :)
    Your Stars meets hexagons quilt sings!!! I think the hexagon border lifts the whole quilt!.

    Your garden looks serene and inviting. I hope those rabbits behave!!!

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  37. LOVE LOVE LOVE the hexie quilt!!!!! I notice you are from Australia---wondering if you might know Linda White....she plays with teensy hexies ((~.~)) her DEAR PRUDENCE comes to mind as I have started mine ;-) but now I need to make one similar to yours :-) you applique is exquisite and the garden are beautiful. *~* CAROLE *~* wippysplace(at) gmail.com

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  38. Love the Hexie Star quilt. Do you have a pattern or book for this? I have a pile of hexies and this would be perfect.

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  39. Oh My your quilts are awesome - and your repairs! I love the red hexie quilt it is fabulous. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Pauline
    perry94022 at hotmail dot com

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  40. I know this is an old post, but I just found you:) That 4 square is absolutely stunning!

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