Well I had planned on taking a whole week off of quilting but that didn’t happen. I did sit down at the frame a couple days ago to look it over and start to decide a quilting design – I even started and then actually picked stitches out because I didn’t care for it. I am settling into it though and have decided some of it.
For those that haven’t see all of Alaska this is what it looks like – I am on the first row of blocks – done with the first border
This is the area I picked out the other night and then settled in on it off and on Friday – the light colors as you can see from the above photo I consider background and I am doing the diagonal lines there – then starting with the darker colors I wanted a start affect radiating out to the stars – or I guess you could say that the opposite way but on a three roller hand quilting frame you do not start from the middle but from the top or bottom depending on how you put it on the frame and then quilt all the way across and then keep rolling it down.
blue pen doesn’t always give perfect lines as the pen gets used up the tip flares out a little so you need to watch it if you want perfectly straight lines and adjust your quilting and not always go exactly with the lines. So anyhow it is a start – I am not putting in 2 hours a night right now for sure with the summer evenings being nicer outside then the daytime. I will sit occasionally in the hot afternoon at the quilting frame instead like I used to do.
One more diamond finished – this one took 3 days to do as I kept sitting it aside
The second red block of Country Charmer was finished and added to the wall – photo taken and then all stacked back up in the box until next time.
And for those that have asked about the pattern this is it – if you are interested you can go to Lynn’s blog and access her pattern shop from there – and yes the block layout sheet comes with the pattern – I love it and it is so helpful to keep your pieces organize and play with color. If I remember right Lynn says they are included with all her patterns but I could be wrong on that so don’t hold me to that. My sashing and nine patches will have the newsprint type of fabric and black like this – it is one thing that really attracted me to the pattern.
Linking to Slow Sunday Stitching — Quilting is More Fun than Housework — Life in Pieces —
I love Alaska and am glad you found a way to quilt the center sections of this wonderful quilt… and the info on Country Charmer is nice since I have asked for it before myself… 🙂
I love your hexi diamond that you completed this week too <3 Have a wonderful Weekend friend Kathi
Thanks for the link to the Country Charmer pattern. I like the designer’s other patterns, too, and will keep them in mind. There are some very tempting ones on her etsy shop!
Sounds like Alaska spoke to you and conveyed how she wanted to be quilted. Some quilting progress is better than none. Summer evenings are meant to be enjoyed outdoors.
Dear Karen,
Your quilt is looking good. With the nicer weather we are all taking advantage of it and it is so good to just being outside. You had a busy week with the making of masks, quilts, cooking and everything else that needs doing. So taking some time to relax is perfect. Country Charmer is a great pattern with that layout sheet.
I’m continually amazed at how much you get accomplished Karen.
The second red block looks great! I saw Alaska in the photo and my first thought was… I thought she was taking a week or two off from quilting! Looking good.
Even taking some time off from quilting you have accomplished a lot. I like the blocks you have made for your Country Charmer.
Your Alaska quilt is lovely and oh my those Country Charmer blocks look sublime up there on your design wall.
You must have gotten just the right amount of time off that you needed to start thinking about the quilting on Alaska again! Your ideas for those diamonds in the blocks look great! Pretty reds in your second RSC block, and I like the sashing plan, too. That adds so much to those blocks! Enjoy your Sunday, Karen!
I love how you are quilting the diamonds — and it’s funny how similar your hand quilting on a frame is to my machine quilting on a frame, in terms of the planning, the portion of the quilt that you get to see while you’re working on it, and the starting at one end and working your way down the quilt rather than starting in the middle as you would with a hooped quilt or machine quilting on a sit-down machine. Thanks for showing the pattern for your Country Charmer RSC — I can definitely see why it appealed to you and I look forward to watching it all come together here. Enjoy those mild summer evenings!
I love your quilting on Alaska – you’re adding a whole ‘nother level of gorgeousness!
Country Charmer is going to be another beauty! I’m looking forward to seeing that finish, too!
I’m really liking the Country Charmer pattern. If I didn’t have so many old quilts in progress…. Maybe just buy the pattern? Yours is lovely and I really like the Christmas one you did, too. Alaska is lovely.
I like the quilting plan for Alaska. You’ve done well this year at keeping projects moving, the ones on the frame and the ones on the design wall. Love your Country Charmer blocks. Hope you get in lots more stitching time this week.
CC is going to be so pretty and it’s perfect for a RSC project. I love the starburst plan for Alaska.
The Country Charmer pattern is so pretty, will be fun to see yours continue to come together. The break from Alaska was apparently good for giving you inspiration. Another pretty hexie diamond too!
Love Alaska and the hexies. The Country Charmer is beautiful, and love seeing how yours is coming along
I love what you are doing with Alaska!! So pretty.
All your projects are so gorgeous!
Your Alaska quilt is stunning and your hand quilting will only enhance it. Sure to be an heirloom. Country Charmer will be another beauty. We all should enjoy the outdoors whenever we can.
The country Charmer is a great scrap block. Looking forward to watching this one. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
Love the fussy cut piece in the middle of your hexie! It’s good that you are adjusting your quilting for the weather. Got to take advantage of the nice parts of the day when you can. I may need to check out the Country Charmer pattern. I’m looking for a new one. The elephant flimsy is complete except got the outer border. I’m waiting on some fabric I ordered for it.