Auf'd

It seems like forever since I've spent serious time in the sewing room, but that changed this weekend.  Since I've got a bunch of new quilt projects in mind, I knew I had to get going on the bed quilt, which is threatening space up there like the Eggplant that Ate Chicago.  (What made that song pop into my head?  Darn, now I'll be humming it all day.) Anyhow, only 9 blocks to go.  This isn't the clearest update photo I have, but it's the closest in color and with the clouds that have just rolled in, it's the best I'll get today.

You know it kills me to post a blurred shot...

I wouldn't even bother since it's not that different from past progress shots, except for one thing which the eagle-eyed among you might have already seized on.  Sorry.  The darker blues (as well as several others) were auf'ed.

I wanted to keep the colors in the quilt within a range and these just didn't fit, but I'll keep them in mind for my next scrap project.  Have you seen Lucy's UFO quilt posts (here & here)?  What a great quilt! 

*Speaking of quilting*, I have a couple of questions for you, both from blogless readers.  One, Geri from Australia, will be moving to the Boston area with her husband & 7 yr old daughter in January and is looking to meet some like-minded quilters and knitters in the area.  She's a graphic designer who also enjoys painting & drawing.  They'll be in Boston for several years (lucky!) and it would make it so much easier to settle in if she had someone with shared interests to help her acclimate.  Leave a comment or email me if you'd like to contact her and I'll make sure to forward it on.  She sounds lovely from our short correspondence.  I wish she was coming to the heartland!

Also, Blogless Denise asked me recently about which book I'd recommend for someone who is interested in beginning to quilt.  Frankly, it's been so long since I looked at basic quilting books that I didn't have anything current to suggest.  Any recent beginners out there who can help her out?

Staying on theme, here are a few links I've accumulated that should keep you occupied while I go finish those last 9 blocks.

• I love this quilt by Kathy York! It caught my eye several months ago when she posted it and this week she announced it won a big prize at the Houston show.
• Vintage Collage & Quilts recently had several posts featuring interesting quilts from the Pacific International Quilt Festival.  Look at that Dear Jane quilt...I know there are a few of you out there working on one of these.  (What, are you nuts?  *wink*)
• Ever wish you could take a workshop with Kaffe and Brandon?  Anita at Rhubarb Patch (love that name) had the chance and wrote a short post about it in October.  Then last week, prompted by a reader's comment, she followed it up with another post further detailing her experience.  If you're a KF fan, I think you'll enjoy it! 

Comments

[carolyn]

that bed quilt is going to be glorious. i'll have to make a day trip so i can see it in person!

[Danielle]

Hi! I live in the Boston area and I'm a big knitter, and do a (very) little quilting. I'd love to be in touch with Geri, so feel free to send her my contact info!

[Cindra]

I love all the links you provide. Can't wait to see your new ideas.

[Kim]

What a happy quilt this is going to be!

And then I looked at Kathy's quilt -- oh, my!

[Frederique]

The quilt made by Kathy is really gorgious, but yours is so beautiful also! And working with all these small squares... what a job!!

[susan]

Jan, feel free to give Geri my info - of course we can talk about painting and such... she may have ideas for my little quilt project!

[susan]

p.s. and your lovely lovely quilt is just beautiful! thanks for the inspiring links as always!

[Anita]

One beginner quilting book that we recommend to folks in the shop where I work is Start Quilting by Alex Anderson. As far as beginner patterns and books in general, I've heard a lot of positive feedback about the ones from Atkinson Designs. They have excellent detailed instructions that beginners are able to understand.

[Hedgehog]

Still love this quilt!!

[dee]

I learned a lot from Fons & Porters Guide to quilting(Not sure about the actual name) It was released in '93 and has been re-printed many times since then with addendums. It's a really great intro to all different styles of quiltmaking with very detailed photos-I've gone and lent it to someone so I can't find my copy or I'd gladly send it to Geri.... dang, the memory fails me. Your quilt is breathtaking-I'm in awe...a...w...e..

[Amy]

I love the "holes" in your quilt top. (Are you going to fill them with new blocks?) I don't work with a design wall, so that concept is brand spankin new to me!

Thanks for the new URL's - I am liking the "bittersweet" quilt - that I found after following so many hperlinks, I could not remember who sent me looking! It is not my style, but....

[dorie]

that is beautiful!

[meg]

I live in Boston - Cambridge actually. I am a knitter and a spinner, (my mother is the quilter).

Feel free to give her my information!

[Carol]

Your quilt is just gorgeous! You do the best things with fabic really...

[Judy]

Well I will admit that the first thing I said was...where are the blue one?? But it's your quilt and you decide what goes and what stays!

It looks great! You should have the 9 left done in no time. Can't wait to see it on the bed!

[Lynn]

Very nice!! I'm loving all the colors in this quilt! And I agree, I love that block of blues, but it would be too dark for this quilt. And thanks for the link to Lucy's site!! what a gorgeous quilt!!

[Peg Schuler-Armstrong]

Thank you for your inspiration; I'm so glad you blog. To Denise: I'm a self-taught beginning quilter, and my textbook was (and I'll say it with a straight face) "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting," by Laura Ehrlich. Good luck!

[Kelli]

Holy moly Jan! Does that quilt officially have one gazillion pieces? What an amazing array of color. Beautiful.

[Kathie]

There are lots of great quilts with complicated designs and intricate piecing, but simple and restrained still always speaks volumes to me.

[Nancy]

The quilt it looking great! Good choices on the auf-ed ones (thanks for the def). The darkest reds do the job without being distracting and the medium purples and blues you've kept are restful (IMOHO). You must try to get it quilted for the dark days of January - that will look so beautiful in a room with snow outside (that's a special light I miss here in So Cal).

[Carla]

I have been out of town- just now catching up with RSS feeds that quilt is killer! I mean KILLER I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

[PattM]

Some books that helped me when I first started were Fons & Porter's Quilter's Complete Guide that dee mentioned and The Art of Classic Quiltmaking by Harriet Hargrave & Sharyn Craig. Both are very detailed in the construction aspect of assembling a quilt top. Harriet Hargrave's Heriloom Machine Quilting and Roxanne McElroy's That Perfect Stitch are great for the a beginner that wants to either hand quilt or machine quilt.

[Kate]

I live outside of Boston (Newton) and I'd be happy to show someone around and have a new friend to knit and quilt with!
:) Kate

[Denise]

Thank you all for all the wonderful book ideas! I love watching Simply Quilts so I would imagine her books are good..and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting," by Laura Ehrlich, Lynn I never thought of that!
Bottom line is I think it's time to begin at the beginning! Thank you again, I'll keep you posted!