Tuesday, 12 January 2016

Star in the East

Just because I'm trying to be a better quilting-person (at least at the beginning of the year haha!) and avoid the last minute rush for my BOM deadlines ...here is this month's Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album block - Star in the East.


I found the applique less fiddly than the last block but I'm not sure that my making the yellow centre in two strips was a great idea. It has given it a bit of a 'bumpy bottom' in the middle there -  with all the layers over the background join. Ho hum - I wanted to fussy cut that yellow fabric and it fitted best as two strips to make the cross.

Benjamin Biggs : first border completed


The size adjustments I made to the border (last post) seem to have worked - so far so good.

By the way I am now on Instagram (everystitchpics) and you may see more process photos there (see top of Blog side bar). Instagram is so, so quick to update! My IG posts reveals a bad case of 'Quilters ADD' - working on a different project almost every day! Hmm, how many will I finish this year at this rate?

A new feature on my blog - nifty page tabs:
I quite often need to refer back to previous quilts and photos and find it quite cumbersome to find the saved folders or posts. So I have made some pages on the Blog with a summary of quilts completed each year. The tabs to click on are just below my blog header.  It only took half a day to sort that lot - gasp.

My quilting Finish Rate has slowed down since I got back to hand quilting last year! I'm still so glad I did but there could be a traffic jam in the quilting queue in the not too distant future :)

25 comments:

  1. very pretty block - I didn't get started on that one although I have seen plenty working on this new quilt - I have enough started!!

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  2. Your blog always gives me too much temptation, I love your indigo circles, BB border and latest SVBA block. I guess you've tried cutting back some of the bulk under the centre - particularly from the green stems? I'm so glad that you put the tabs for your previous finishes, looking at these again have really cheered me up!

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  3. I love the centre yellow cross - it's a beautiful block! Your appliqué border looks wonderful. Working on a variety of projects is something a lot of us do I think. I know about the queue - I've never had that problem before either. Good thing there is no rush and I like hand quilting - I'm glad you do too :0)

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  4. Your Block looks great.
    Martina

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  5. Always something beautiful on your blog. I can't wait to open it to see what amazing things you are up to now and it always makes me envious.

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  6. WI always enjoy your beauiful appliqué on your blog and Instagram!

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  7. "To be a better quilting-person" ? Uuuh ?
    You certainly are , no doubt about that Hilda ! I enjoy to read you on IG ! Yesss !
    Your work is amazing and gorgeous as usual.....

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  8. Now I know how it is called, this thing I have too: a quilters ADD (I suppose there is no cure?). Nevertheless, who minds, when you are having so much fun with all your wonderfull projects! I love the new block you made for the Shenandoah Valley album-quilt!

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  9. Beautiful applique as always. Great idea to keep "tabs" on your finished quilts. You always accomplish so much!

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  10. I guess you never sleep otherwise how would you ever get so much stitching done. Your Star in the East block is so pretty, I like the fussy cut center. I stitched mine in one piece and it is still looks a little lumpy. Yellows are always difficult for me because they seem to show what’s under more than other colors. I enjoyed going back and looking at all your finishes, such beautiful work.

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  11. The bumpy bottom doesn't appear very noticeable with the fussy cut yellow. It's a wonderful block. The applique border is lovely especially with the petunias. With all the applique you do, it's a wonder you have time to do anything else. I love the thought of a traffic jam of quilts waiting in a queue

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  12. The background looks very interesting on the Shenandoah block with using pieces instead of one large one.

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  13. Your Star in the East is beautiful Hilda! It doesn't look bumpy from here. When quilted, their will be wonderful quilty texture all over the quilt. Great job on your border. I think working on multiple projects is healthy, a plan I live for!

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  14. Beautiful work as always. Quilters ADD made me laugh because I know for sure I suffer from a bad case of it. My thoughts are if it makes you happy just do what you do. The quilt police are fictitious folk!!!! Anyway, who can help it with all those cute projects out there and all the new BOM's for the new year.

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  15. First of all, I can't imagine you being a "better" quilting person. You already quilt circles (and I don't mean Quilty 365) around a lot of us. I love your Star in the East block. I used one piece for the center and I still had a lump, so I think yours is perfect. I may be the only person left in the free world who does not have a smart phone, but as soon as I cave in, I will check out your Instagram.

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  16. Your applique and photos are always so stunning! Happy New Year

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  17. Your applique work is beautiful! Hehe traffic jam in the quilting queue - love it!

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  18. Great block - nothing wrong with a bit of texture! Off to follow you on Instagram!

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  19. I love your fussy cuts - your Star in the East is Beautiful!
    Congratulations on the border progress for Ben Biggs.
    That too is looking stunning.

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  20. Beautiful block. The border is brilliant!
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  21. I LOVE the 4 patch background on your Star in the East! Love love love :-)

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  22. This one has me wanting to start mine. I did get some background fabric. I haven't been very good about keeping up with my favorite blogs. Trying to get in more stitching time as I get side tracked on line. Yes hand work sure does slow the process down but I think the trade off is worth it!

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  23. Love your current Shenandoah Valley block. Such a fascinating quilt - if I only download the pattern for reference, I could follow along more closely. So tempting to jump in but must not with this being a year of finishes. My roots are in Virginia and therefore, the quilt calls to me. Your BB border looks perfect - beautiful applique as always.

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  24. Love your Shenandoah Valley applique block Hilda, and your BB border looks great.

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  25. I love these blocks so much! I probably should've started this project, but I'm still so busy with other quilts on the go. I will enjoy watching other stitchers make these masterpieces!

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