Thursday, September 10, 2020

Blurrsday? Already?

This week I'm back in the sewing room working on a fun new liberated basket project.
I love this process of making each basket with no pattern.
I'm using beautiful Indigo and Woven Japanese fabrics that Gladi sent me as a thank you for some fabric I sent her.  I got the better end of that deal.  She has wonderful blog you can see here.
I made these on Tuesday afternoon and was disappointed with the lack of contrast.  Everyone on Instagram thinks they are black and they do look black!
I made six more blocks yesterday on a light cheddar color.  (seen here under a very bright light).
It is so fun to make different shaped baskets.
I added this little fishy as a band on this basket.
I am using a quick method of top stitch applique' for the handles.
I had no intention of combining these blocks but while waiting to join a Zoom with friends, I arranged them on my wall and what they heck?  I like it!  Do you?   Stay tuned I plan to add more liberated blocks.

Quilting update:
 I'm quilting along on my Whig Rose when I can.
Here is the back.  I have just started my third block of outline stitching.
Here is the section where I've filled in the background cross-hatching.
Here is a little marker so I remember where I left off.  It is just a ribbon on a safety pin.
I've had my head down putting the final touches on my new Lecture:  Sensational Solids.   Which I'll be sharing Monday night with the Pen Oaks Guild.  Looking forward to it!
You can see a description at the top of the page on the Lectures/Workshops tab.  Your guild can contact me for information on my  ZOOM programs.

Please visit Janet's blog post about kindness and Loving your Neighbor.  I was so touched by her remarks and I think you will be.

Here is my quilt "Won't You Be My Neighbor".
In my quilt, and in my life I welcome anyone to be neighbor.  I make an extra effort when I do go out to be kind and thankful to all the people working in grocery stores, drug stores, post offect, doctors offices, etc.  There is no such thing as being too Kind.

I'm taking a morning workshop Saturday and then a 2-day workshop Saturday and Sunday afternoon.  Should be fun!

Have a Happy Blurrsday.
xo

27 comments:

Cathy said...

Your Liberated Baskets are beautiful. Gwen would love them. Great progress on your Whig Rose quilt. Any little bit of kindness and respect goes a long way. Hugs

Julierose said...

Thank you so much for the link to Gladys' blog--beautiful stuff.
Your liberated baskets are so neat...that is a fun pattern--so freeing...
Stay safe, enjoy the rainy day--so nice and calming I think;)))
Hugs, Julierose

Lori said...

Terrific liberated baskets!!
Your new lecture sounds great!!

Chantal said...

Awesome job with the liberated baskets. The fabrics used are so lovely. Looking forward to see more of that one. Your quilting is just perfect on the Whig Rose. Enjoy! ;^)

The Cozy Quilter said...

I have made lots of liberated baskets. So many variations! The quilting on Whig rose is gorgeous! Your new lecture sounds interesting too.

CecileD said...

I love your liberated blocks !! And the mix with japanese/cheddars !! WOW !
Good job !!
Your quilting is beautiful as ever !!

Sandy said...

Great, fun baskets! Do they only look black in the photos, or in real life as well? Kinda weird how that happens. Your hand quilting is amazing. Do you use a hoop, or do you have a frame? I like your marker idea.

Nancy said...

Oh, I do like the blocks combined. Aren't they the most fun! And I love to look at the back of a hand quilted piece- so soft and pretty. Front of course is lovely. I'll share your lecture list with our program planner- we are doing Zoom meetings currently. I'm off the see where your link takes me.

Joyful Quilter said...

I love the baskets! The fabrics are unique and beautiful. Your hand quilting is also fantastic; such patience.

Janet said...

How marvellous to see your handquilting progress! It’s so beautiful!! Enjoy your workshops :0)

Robin said...

The two different shades of background give your blocks a lot of dimension. Fun project! Are you quilting in a hoop or just free hand? I did a small quilt freehand (if that's the right term) and I loved doing it that way - so portable.

Anonymous said...

What a burden you have being so creative. I guess it never shuts off for you. For me, I’m waiting for some creative ideas that I can even implement! Seeing your baskets today has given me an idea —-yahoo!!! We’ll see where it takes me! Thanks again for yet another inspiration!
Norma

The Joyful Quilter said...

Wow! You certainly are having a busy week, Barb. Beautiful progress on your Whig Rose quilt!

gladiquilts said...

Love the liberated baskets. The pairing of the Japanese indigoes with the cheddar is inspired!!! Your hand quilting on the whig rose quilt is fabulous and you're making great progress!! I'm excited to see you are doing Zoom lectures and will see if I can interest my guild.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Wonderful work. Thanks for sharing all the scrumptious photos.

Quilting Babcia said...

Your liberated basket blocks glow! So very beautiful. I keep coming back to look at them again. The indigo fabrics are wonderful and the two cheddar backgrounds couldn't be more perfect. So if you're disappointed in any of them I'll send you my address, lol! I have a tiny piece of that fish fabric left after using it in a few special quilts. Wish I had more, it's such a neat print.

Kyle said...

Fabulous liberated baskets. The indigos and cheddars are the perfect combo.

Janet O. said...

I absolutely love the combination of the two different backgrounds on the baskets. It just came alive when you put those together!
That is a great "neighbor" quilt. I have no doubt that you are kind to all, Barb. You radiate fun AND kindness on your blog and Facebook group. Someday I hope to feel it in person! (Still can't believe we missed connecting when I flew into Connecticut for my son's reception 2 years ago.)

Chris said...

Hi Barb! I love the two different cheddars on your new basket quilt! When I am designing, often in my as-I-go-along style, I try to use what I have on hand. I think of my grandmother, and how she would never buy fabric for a quilt - friends would give her fabric, or clothes, or scraps, to use for her quilts. I find that when I use what is on hand, I will have to improvise when running out of something - and have those great "ah ha" moments! Even when I buy a selection for a specific quilt, I will end up supplementing with other choices from my stash. The scrappier the better! I couldn't agree more about being a neighbor to all. One of my favorite quotes is from the minister who married us (42 years ago this month, wow) - we don't have to like everyone, but we have to love everyone. And that is what it means to be a neighbor. Take care and stay safe!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Improv is such a fun way to work and you are a master! Your hand quilting is going to bring your quilt to the next level, you have such a good vision.
We are looking forward to seeing you next week!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Love these baskets--so fun! I think you found a great showcase for those fabrics!

Nancy B said...

I noticed your basket quilt last night on the Brownstone zoom meeting, it's great.

Yvonne said...

Love your Whig Rosé, very pretty! The baskets to me look more like fancy hand bags my Grandma and Mom used to have. Very cute!

cspoonquilt said...

OH! The handbags are wonderful. I love the fabrics and the alternating solid backgrounds set them off so well! Your hand quilting is exquisite as usual! Take Care!

QuiltGranma said...

loving your wild baskets! Will have to try making some myself!

Barbara said...

What fun liberated baskets and they look great with alternating different backgrounds. Beautiful quilting on Whig Rose. I absolutely love that quilt! You are the perfect example of being a good neighbor :)

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

I love this post and your neighbor philosophy! I would love to run into you at the post office or "around town"! Your indigo baskets are very dynamic - looking so good. And just wow to your quilting! I use a similar "marker" to keep track of where I left off and I just started doing that with my current quilt. What took me sooooo many years?? Ha ha.