Signs of Spring

There is something so exciting about starting a new project! And, although I enjoy involved projects, there is something to be said for the instant gratification of an easy project.

I started a class today at Pickering Farm called Signs of Spring. It is a sheep with a checkerboard on it's back. I'm using 1930's reproduction fabrics and it is bright and Springy and cheerful! Very helpful because it still looks like this outside:
Here's the checkerboard on the background:
Here's the pattern for the sheep with the checkerboard:
I'm loving it! Next week we're doing the embroidery on the sheep. I'm so glad that embroidery seems to be making a resurgence! It was one of the first things I learned and one of the things that made me fall in love with sewing and needle crafts.

Color Woes

I've struggled with the color selections from the first with Aster Blast (pattern from Quilter's Newsletter Magazine).

I purchased some of the fabric, the pink, blue and white with a different project in mind. But that project turned into something else and I soon decided to use these colors because I loved this pattern so much. I later picked up the brown for the stars and stems and the reddish-brown for the baskets. I was never easy about the color combo, but after putting together the star points, I was feeling better about it.

Then, I started working on the applique and ugh! Nothing was working anymore!

First of all, I had picked a lighter background fabric and when I put it next to the star points, the white fabric got lost ... so that had to go. I picked up the darker fabric and the star points "popped" better and I was happy. However, I didn't think about what this would do with the flowers ...

So, the other day, I put it all together and this is what I got:
UGH!!! Could it be any uglier? The basket fabric overwhelmed everything and had to go and then the flower centers overshadowed the flowers rather than blending in. So then I started thinking ... maybe pink or green for the baskets? Maybe the brown for the flower centers, but, no that would over power the flowers too ... such color woes!

So, I ended up at Pickering Farm yesterday to look for alternatives ... with Diana's help, this is what I ended up with:

Okay, better ... the sage green picks up on the green in the blue and white fabrics and the brown centers don't totally overwhelm the flowers ...

Something about it still bugs me though, but I'm charging ahead with this color scheme. It'll probably all look different by the time I get it together and put the border on anyway.

I have to say that I've struggled with color on this project more than any other ... I usually just pick the colors and charge forward and it works out. Do you ever struggle with the color like this? How do you solve your problems??

Well, back to it!

Happy Easter to those that celebrate the holiday!

Trip to Pickering Farm Quilt Shop

Let's go to Pickering Farm Quilt Shop. It's a gray and gloomy day, but once we're there we'll feel warm, welcomed and experience a touch of Spring! The shop is located in an old house and barn in Richmond, New Hampshire. Here is the welcoming entrance ...
Let me introduce you to the owners, Steve and Diana Gallagher. Diana creates tons of fun, folk art designs with an emphasis on penny rug quilt kits. You can see some of her designs on their website. The welcome here is always friendly and helpful ... any problems you are facing be solved ... well, quilting problems anyway. Actually, it's likely that you can get some advice on other problems too!

One of the things I love about coming here is that is so much to look at with a focus on the current and upcoming season ... right now, it feels like Spring! Ahhhh! That'll be a welcome sight! Let's step inside the door and take a look ... take your time and look carefully, because there is lots to see ....

That's Bonnie hiding behind the display in the first picture ...

Fabric are grouped by types and collections ... here's the 1930's reproduction fabric corner ... such delightful eye candy!

A view into the shop ...
and around the corner ...
Here's Stephanie cutting fabric in the primitive room ...
A partial view of the wool for penny rug projects in the primitive room and view into the main part of the shop ...

Well, mission accomplished ... we've gathered some happiness from being around friends and that wonderful fabric and caught a glimpse of Spring. Oh, and I exchanged the class I had signed up for to a different one. More on that in the future.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of the shop ...

Time to go, our traveling companion is waiting for us out in the car ....

Angels in my Garden

I promised more on Aster Blast, but I don’t have much to say at the moment. I confess that I am a very slow quilter … it takes me forever to do anything. Since I mentioned it the other day, I have started basting the flowers to appliqué them and cut the background pieces for the appliqué. These flowers will sit between the points of the star. I promise I will show more when I have something worth showing.

I do want to tell you about the block of the month I’m working on. This is a class I’m taking at Pickering Farm Quilt Shop in Richmond, NH. The quilt was designed by the owner Diana Gallagher (we will visit Diana at her shop sometime very soon). We started this project nearly a year ago and this is where we are today.
One of the wonderful things about meeting as a class is seeing the differences in each person’s work. Each person has picked such different colors and fabrics … they are all beautiful! I will do my best to convince the members of the class to allow me to take pictures of their work next month.

This is the first time I’ve done a lot of detailed appliqué. In the past, I limited myself to big pieces and was scared of the little stuff. However, I’m loving working on this quilt and have looked forward to each step along the way. And, my appliqué skills have improved terrifically during the process.

Not only is there lots of appliqué, but there is piecing as well. I have paper foundation pieced most of these parts and have really started to enjoy this method of piecing. Some of those pieces are teeny-tiny, so they are tough to hand piece.

I am trying to pick a favorite block and am struggling with this. They each have their own character and their little individual things that I love about them … like … the stars …

the watering cans …

the carrots …

the flag …

the bird house …

all the little birds (aka chickens) …

the stenciled words ...

and each angel has such a sweet little face ...

Okay, so I guess I have no favorite and I like every little piece of it ... although I have to say the fingers on those gloves were pure evil to appliqué.

The next step is to add the border. This has more appliqué and piecing so you’re going to have to wait to see the progress. We met last week to get the instruction for how to do these … they are now underway.

I love this quilt so much that I keep it hanging on the wall in my sewing room … it adds a lot of life and fun to the room! I can’t wait to have some progress on the borders to share with you!

In honor of National Quilt Day, March 15th, I'll be taking a trip to Pickering Farm and you're coming with me! Stay tuned ...

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