Yawn
I woke up early this morning (5:00!) and decided to have my Morning Joe in the sewing room. In a 'grab a needle and try something immediately' moment the other day, I started appliqueing at my worktable, as opposed to my usual handwork habit...sitting in my comfy chair in the evening...and it's been a revelation. Technically, I'm finding it easier, sitting at a table, to stitch pieces down nice and flat and I've been much more productive. I almost never plop myself down in the family room during the day, but I'm always in and out of the sewing room. I've adapted a quilting habit to my applique...that of always leaving my work with a needle freshly threaded and the next piece in place...and it's definitely resulted in lots of progress on my new project.
When I decided to applique that first piece on the background fabric at the worktable, instead of running downstairs to raid my hand-sewing basket, I grabbed this random packet from a box of extra needles I keep by the sewing machine. I have no idea when or where I picked them up...at a show?..as a giveaway?...but they are my new favorite. John James Gold'nGlide Applique needles. Fabulous!
This photo's for those of you who seem to think that my workspace is always pristine. Choosing fabrics that will work on a red background is a real job so I've been playing with lots of options until I've found prints, patterns and values that work. I've spent a whole lot more time this week cutting and pondering than stitching.
My plan was to use colors that I loved so much from these blocks, so I put them back up on the board for reference. It's a lot easier to pick three or four fabrics for a pieced block than all the pieces needed for just one of Kim McLean's lollypop trees. I'm trying to remind myself that adjacent blocks will help even out the mix. What a challenge!
I'm still kicking around creative plans for the new year. How about this Building Houses from Scraps sew-along I stumbled onto last week? A house block a day, for a year. I don't think you can officially *join* at this point, but the PDF for the paper-pieced house block is only available until January 16th, so I wanted to mention it for those of you who might be interested. How about a house a week? Jeanneke, the host, has certainly put a lot of effort into this project (multilingual!). It's entertaining just to follow along.
Fun to see the red background used for the Lollipop Tree quilt!
Thanks for the tip about the applique needles. Somehow my package of straw needles disappeared so I need to buy some new ones. I will see if the LQS has the JJ when I go.
Also, always nice to see someone else's space when they are working!
I have been reading your blog for quite a while - just never posted. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Judy | January 06, 2012 at 01:57 PM
Lovely color choices on that red! I've been eying that lollipop tree patten for a while- don't know if I'd have the patience for it (or the skill). I'd love to see your work on it as you progress.
My machine is in for a tune-up for the next 2 weeks, which would be a good time to try my had at some applique, but I may just end up doing more paper piecing.
Posted by: Jenny G. | January 06, 2012 at 03:42 PM
Your Lollypop block is a stunner! Love those blocks on the wall as well, you have a great taste in colours!
Posted by: nicolette | January 06, 2012 at 04:39 PM
I love seeing your creative process! I love that lollypop block -- not to even mention those other blocks you've been working on. I saw that house project too -- I'm thinking about it. I know I'll never do a house a day, but it would sure be fun to try and get a few of them done. Are you going to play?
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 06, 2012 at 11:00 PM
GORGEOUS work. Thank you too for the house quilt along link. It looks fun!
Posted by: Susannah | January 06, 2012 at 11:43 PM
It looks like you cleaned up for that "messy" shot!! I love all the dots though (of course).
Posted by: molly | January 07, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Love the red block. And thanks for the "houses" link. I am so tempted but there are so many things on my list this year!
Posted by: homeschooled | January 07, 2012 at 03:02 AM
Sweet piles of fabric!
Those houses are adorable--thanks for the link!
Posted by: Melanie | January 07, 2012 at 01:34 PM
Your red applique project looks wonderful! I stumbled across a similiar idea recently at a hand quilting class. Propping my hoop on the side of the table and laying the quilt out on top worked so well for hand quilting! Dont you love "aha" moments?
Posted by: Dixie | January 08, 2012 at 01:03 PM
beautiful block in progress!!!! red is such a great background - really makes the flowers pop. as always, I want to roll around in your fabrics - love 'em!!!! and the fab blocks in progress - yummy. this year I'm pushing for you to make some orphan quilts - I love all your blocks. those tiny houses are awfully cute though!
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | January 09, 2012 at 02:59 PM
I love the red background.
Posted by: Lynn Dykstra | January 13, 2012 at 06:40 PM