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Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Civil War Bride and a round-up of 2014

Silly Season is over and it's back to work for me in a couple of days but it has been a treat catching up with family and friends, feasting, shopping, movies, relaxing...and stitching. 

Another block finished for my red Civil War Bride :

And here's another started - guess which one?
It's like dressing a doll and growing a garden - all needle turn applique (with back basting prep).



And now she is dressed and tending her garden:


I have changed a little from the Threadbear pattern - longer hair, appliqued all stems and not added facial features. My embroidery has been shocking disappointing in the past so I avoid it ...and I quite like this look.

I've really enjoyed the 2014 reviews on so many quilt blogs. The year seems to just fly by doesn't it? But looking at these reviews there were so many inspirations and achievements enjoyed along the way! They certainly kept me going...always looking to the next project.

My quilting 2014:
It's been a year of learning challenges with two particular 'quilty' achievements for me :
  • a fascination with exploring clam shell piecing - hence there was a lot of clam shell work!
  • a return to comfortable hand quilting - with a better technique and better tools - yay!

Here's a collage of my year's worth of purses and pouches ( mostly gifted) - the start of the clam shell learning curve:


In February I finished Simon (Dutch pattern, started 2013), hand EPP, appliqued and machine quilted:

In May I finished my Medallion (my own design, started 2013) with a sadly faded chintz - hand pieced, appliqued and machine quilted....note the clam shells:

 There was just a little start made on an EPP Grandmother's Garden in July - must get back to this:


In August I finished Double X (started 2013, a wedding gift)- machine pieced and quilted:

Started Auntie Green in neutrals (Irene Blanck's pattern) -  still in progress but now 'secret sewing' till it is gifted. This was the progress photo shared on my blog in August:

In October completed the top for my Ann Randoll coverlet version (started in a workshop in January) -  still to be sandwiched and quilted. Plenty more clam shell practice in there too :)

In December finished  my Four Block applique - a joyful return to hand quilting


...and finished the top of Stars meet Hexagons - EPP by hand and appliqued, still to be sandwiched and quilted:

Over the year 12 blocks of Benjamin Biggs BOM were completed bit by bit. I had a some fun making a collage of them all. They're actually all 12 inch blocks, and all on the same background - just photographed in different light at different times. There are still another 13 blocks and a border to go so no finish for a long time yet!


At the end of the year I felt as if I had spent the whole year working in reds - just because I had four red projects going at the time.  But now, on looking back, I see that wasn't so. There was quite a lot of brown and blue happening during the year too!

 Looking forward to a 2015 of inspiring quilt blogging - with lots more to learn and create - and maybe finish as well!

49 comments:

  1. A big year Hilda! Will your Bride quilt be in the Sydney quilt show red and white section this year?

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  2. Your appliqué is beautiful--and that red!

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  3. wonderful year you had - all are very beautiful!

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  4. Just lovely! What technique do you use to piece your clamshells?

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  5. Your work is an inspiration.

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  6. Your 2014 recap was very inspirational to all your followers. It's a great big WOW! The red Civil War Bride quilt is so beautiful done in just "two colors" and the use of your fabrics adds an incredible layer of interest. I loved watching your block grow.

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  7. Such beauty Hilda - truly inspirational.

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  8. wow, you did very well last year and all such beautifully done. I'm especially intrigued by your Auntie Green's Garden in neutrals as I'm working on that as well. I can't wait to see more.

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  9. I am amazed by your stitching output in 2014, I hope 2015 offers plenty of stitching time.

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  10. Wonderful all those different red fabrics together.

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  11. It was lovely to revisit your 2014 projects. I always find your blog so inspiring. your red blocks, especially the first one, are stunning.

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  12. What a wonderfully productive year you had. I thoroughly enjoyed every single project you've worked on. I'm loving the red and white look of the brides quilt.

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  13. Wonderful applique blocks.
    In 2104 you have made beautiful works

    Greetings, Manuela

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  14. Great quilt collection and all beautiful. Your Aunty Green is outstanding in the soft colours.

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  15. So lovely to look back at a year of inspirational quilting. Love seeing your work as it progresses.

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  16. Wow, your work is just gorgeous! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration on this cold morning. The Ann Randoll coverlet is spectacular! Your "secret" quilt reminds me of so many "taupe" quilts I saw in Japan - very textural and calm. Happy New Year!

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  17. Your work is always so inspiring and beautiful ! I enjoyed the review very much :)

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  18. I've never been much for red and white quilts, but your Civil War Bride has changed me completely. Simply wonderful. It makes me want to start one right away. I LOVE your polka dot flower centers. How clever. You have had quite a year of accomplishments! Happy quilting in 2015.

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  19. what an incredible year of beauty! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful work and inspiration with us.

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  20. Enjoy viewing your quilts, they are ALL beautiful. I look forward to viewing your creations in 2015.

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  21. You really get a lot done! Amazing! Love the two you showed in one color way. Very nice!

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  22. Fantastic Hilda! What a year of beautiful quilts. Your CWB in reds is stunning.
    Here's to a great 2015 and another year of your beautiful work!

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  23. I am just simply blown away by all you have accomplished this year. I can’t say enough about your work - Just beautiful. Looking forward to following you progress on the red Civil war bride.

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  24. My goodness, Hilda! Your list of finished quilts is amazing.

    I love what you are doing with the Civil War Bride quilt. Quite a challenge to do it all in reds and creams, but it is working beautifully.

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  25. Hilda,your CWB is AWESOME !!!!!!

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  26. And the rest also but this one ....Yammie !!!!

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  27. Dear Hilda, you're a great artist !!
    Thank you for sharing these awesome quilts with us...it's a real pleasure to read your blog !!
    You inspired me a lot....... :)

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  28. Oh my, Hilda, your work is amazing! Your CWB quilt captured my attention because I am getting ready to start one. Your choice of fabric for this 2 color quilt is completely inspired. Each of your projects is just beyond words. You have an amazing body of work.

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  29. A definite sense of achievement for you Hilda in 2014 how wonderful. Auntie Green looks intriguing.
    Keep up the fantastic work.

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  30. Wow--such an amazing group of quilts! I am loving your red Civil War Bride blocks--very charming and wonderful workmanship!

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  31. What a wonderful year! Your Civil War Bride quilt wants me to start collecting some red fabrics. Just absolutely gorgeous!

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  32. Great finishes, Hilda! Love your appliqué blocks too - beautiful work.

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  33. So much eye candy in one post. Hilda you make such gorgeous quilts! I love your 2 new CWB blocks - especially the vase and cherry fabrics. Your bride is beautiful as well and it is so interesting to see how you manage the contrast with light and dark red and white fabrics. How many blocks have you finished now? I will confess I can't wait to see how they all look together :0)

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  34. I really can't tell you how inspiring your work is. Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see your secret reveal.

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  35. Your work is simply stunning! I love that first red civil war block and all your finished quilts/tops are amazing. Ann Randolph is still one of my very favorites though! You obviously spend a tremendous amount of time quilting.:)

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  36. Lovely work Hilda, I hope that you are very proud of your achievements for 2014. I am totally in love with your Auntie Green quilt.

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  37. Totally stunning Hilda, I loved seeing all the quilts. You can be so proud of all your achievements.
    Julia ♥

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  38. The vase is very pretty on your newly finished block. I like the way you focused a fabric design element for it.

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  39. All of your work us so pretty. The CWBQ in reds is a beauty.

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  40. I can't get over how beautiful your red & white CWBQ is. I like it better than any other CWBQ I've seen! It is going to be stunning!

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  41. Congratulations on such a productive year of quilting and stitching!!! I cannot pick a favourite, they are all stunning!!! Your stitching is impecable!!!

    You have an enviable stash of red fabrics for your CWBQ!!!

    Looking forward to more inspiring posts from you in 2015. Happy New Year!!!




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  42. Hilda, I loved seeing the progression of your applique block. The reds are amazing!
    You accomplished so much in 2014- it was a good quilting year!! That panel center washout is so sad. Did you ever figure out that it was defective or what?

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  43. I really enjoyed following your process with that gorgeous CWB block!
    You have a remarkable year of accomplishments - your work is just stunning and inspiring!

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  44. I've loved reading this post, I knew it was going it was going to be a goody so I saved it up to savour on a Saturday morning. I just love the CWB blocks, great use of fabrics and use of light, medium and dark tones with the 2 colours. It was inspirational to see all that you had achieved in 2014, all so amazing - many thanks!

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  45. oh my I have to tell you how much I love your CWB in red and white. wow makes me want to make that quilt now too. And then the tease with the neutrals Auntie Green quilt another one now I want to make it too! your 4 block appliqué quilt its beautiful…...
    Great post, as always great work, always so happy to visit your blog. Happy New Year….
    Kathie

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  46. That is a very impressive year! Lovely work.

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  47. You must be stitching every spare second! I am so impressed by all your beautiful finishes!

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  48. I was amazed to see how many beautiful quiltprojects you managed to end. This is the first time I visited your blog and I loved what you showed us. I am very inpressed !

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  49. I'm late commenting . . . I think you should have a jigsaw puzzle made of your Stars Meet Hexagons quilt!

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