Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Merry Month of May

 Cherry on Top is what I think I call this little liberated basket quilt.  I finished sewing the top yesterday.  

Here are a few other design ideas that I auditioned. 
I like the side element in the last photo and I'll use that in a future project I think.

At long last I have finished the machine quilting on Chernobyl.   I have decided to add embroidery stem stitching to the lettering to make them a little tidier.  Then on to binding.
Hand quilting is competed on my Whig Rose Quilt!  Just need to make and attaching binding.....and a sleeve......and oh yeah a label.  So you know still some work to be done.
Things have been pretty wild around here.  I spotted this beautiful male Oriole trying to drink my hummingbird nectar.
I quickly put an orange out and this sweet couple were coming every day for a while.  The male always went first!  
Coco and I spotted this juvenile fox on a walk this week in our neighborhood.  The photo isn't great because it was far away.
And this wild thing?   She went outside and stayed out for about 5 hours.   What's a mother to do?  She was quite pleased with herself and took an extra long nap.
Have you ever made a liberated basket quilt?  I'm thinking of offering it as a workshop because they are so fun and each one is unique.

Here is one I made many years ago.
And some blocks with African fabrics.  
And one of Gwen Marstons'.

Well that is all the news for now.  Have a great day!
xo


31 comments:

julieQ said...

Ooooo! Love your baskets...so pretty! Your quilting is marvelous! What pretty birds, coming for a visit. Don't you just wonder what your kitty was up to??

Frog Quilter said...

Everything you do is beautiful!

Cathy said...

I love the final decision for the baskets. The red in the border is perfect. I so enjoy all your quilts. Hugs

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Well you nailed it! I love your final iteration. The name is great too, although I still like the "Manhattan Project". It would after all be fitting on the heals of "Chernobyl". Nope, you are right, too much nuclear power for one month! Your Whig Rose looks sensational on the bed. Hope that will be in VT next year "in person". And yes, I think you should do a liberated basket workshop. I'd be first in line! Love your wildlife this week!

Nann said...

The pops of red in the border are perfect -- so are the cherries.

JustGail said...

Cherry on Top is very pretty! I think you got just the right red bits in it. No, I've never made a liberated basket quilt. Or liberated anything come to think of it. Right now, there's too many other things in the way for me to start yet another project.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

I really like Cherry on Top. I'm thinking I might have to try this.

The Cozy Quilter said...

We saw an oriole while out for a walk yesterday. Such pretty birds! Love your baskets..they are so much fun to make. The possibilities are endless. I have some liberated basket blocks made and need to get them put together into a quilt.

FlourishingPalms said...

What a diverse range of quilts you make! Those liberated baskets make me think of the look of purses and the way the handles sometimes slouch. Your Whig Rose quilt is striking in those bright, contrasting colors. So much work! And hand-quilted too! It's truly magnificent! As for those orioles... they're beautiful! I've never seen one, so the colors are surprisingly brilliant to me. I didn't know they like oranges, so it's great that you're in the know about that. I love the way nature can surprise us if we only pay attention.

Janet O. said...

Cherry On Yop is perfect! I do also like the side element. I will be watching to see how you use it down the road.
Oh, your Whig Rose is GORGEOUS!! You have created an heirloom, and I hope it receives the honors it deserves!
Love the wildlife shots.
Your African fabric liberated baskets especially caught my eye.

Judy in Michigan said...

Your Whig Rose is just breathtaking!!! Are you thinking about a wedding quilt these days?? Always fun to see what you are up to. Your new basket quilt makes me want to make one too. Happy May to you!

Nancy B said...

Absolutely beautiful beautiful work!

Quilting Babcia said...

So much eye candy here! There must be a liberated basket quilt in my future someday, your baskets are so striking, especially against those glowing golds and cheddar. Whig Rose is lovely, so close to a finish. One of my friends uses grape jelly to attract the Baltimore Orioles. We had one in our yard briefly the other day, hope he returns soon.

Kyle said...

Oh,my, the quilting on your Whig Rose is absolutely stunning. What a treasure. Love the name of your liberated baskets. 🥰 love seeing the splash of color of the birds. Your little Nutmeg must have been on quite the adventure.

Janet said...

Your Whig rose looks magnificent!! Absolutely amazing, lovely, exciting! I look forward to seeing your Chernobyl finish as well. I have never seen an oriole - such elegant looking birds. The cherries add some fun to your baskets. I like the thin red strips in the final border as well. Your blog posts never fail to inspire!

gladiquilts said...

I really like everything about Cherry On Top - the cheddar, indigo, and red color scheme, the alternating values of cheddar in the backgrounds, the perfect amount of red in the border, the cherries - it's all just right! I look forward to the finish. I think a class on the baskets would be popular. Your Whig Rose is incredible - an heirloom for sure! I hope to see it in a show one of these days! Thanks for including some outdoor wildlife pictures too!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Excellent progress, Barb! I really like the red strip inserts you added around the border.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

You have some beautiful birds visiting you! I saw a Pileated Woodpecker yesterday, they are so cool! We have one that hangs out in our woods. Basket quilts are one of my favorites, any kind and any colors! Your quilt is so fun with all the circles. It looks like you have a lot of finishes lined up, good for you. As usual, your hand quilting is amazing!

Chantal said...

Cherry on Top is as great as its name says. Love the side border with the red dots. Have to remember that to use it someday, somewhere. OH! MY! GORGEOUS!! Whig Rose is FABBUUUULous!! It's a Masterpiece! Love it to bits. What crazy wild life you have in your neck of the wood ... and sleeping indoor too! Whhhaaattt?? Lol. Mine loves to go outside so I bought a harness and a long leash. He was too miserable always cooped up. He knows what the word outside means and runs to the patio door. So funny. Love your other basket quilts too. Well done, Barb! ;^)

Lori said...

Oh my gracious! The border on your handquilting looks amazing! Nice work!
I love liberated baskets and your newest creation is adorable! Funny, I've been talking about doing a liberated basket class too! So many variations possibilities and none of them ugly!
Lots of wildlife!! Foxes are so beautiful!

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

I would love to take a liberated basket workshop with you (time difference permitting) - yours is fabulous. Your whig rose is simply, utterly stunning! Love your nature photos but my favorite is Nutmeg curled up for her nap.

CecileD said...

Ohhhh your whig rose quilting is fabulous !! Oh my... congrats on your wonderful work Barb !
I like your liberated baskets too !! And cheddar is sumptuous with black !
I wish you a wonderful week with lots of stitches !

Angie said...

I love the fun, liberated feeling of Cherry on Top! Whig Rose looks gorgeous - thanks for keeping me inspired to hand quilt!

Anonymous said...

Love the Cherry on Top! First word that came to mind is delightful! I have never made a liberated basket quilt. (I don't think my first comment went through).
Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net

Barbara said...

So much goodness in this post! Cherry on Top is the perfect name for your liberated baskets quilt. Like the cherries on the side, too, and know you will use that design in a future project. Whig Rose is absolutely stunning and I love that feather quilting. You take such good wildlife photos. Looks like little Nutmeg really tired herself out after being outside for a while :)

Marge said...

Since I'm a Nantucket basket maker, and I cross-stitch basket patterns, I've had it in my head to make a basket quilt ala Freddy and Gwen. Maybe my next project? Thanks for sharing your basket quilts. I love then!

QuiltGranma said...

I especially love the wild bright Whig Rose, but every thing else is beautiful too!

pandchintz said...

I love the side element too for your Cherry on Top Baskets. It looks fab!

Mcirishannie f/k/a quilt til you wilt said...

Amazing! I always loved her baskets

Tạp chí làm đẹp said...

Cảm ơn bài viết của bạn, mời các bạn tham khảo các kiến thức nha khoa >> Khi nào cho bé nhổ răng là phù hợp??

Randy D. said...

It's so interesting to see the difference in the birds between the West and East Coast. LOVE your birdies. And Nutmeg looks exhausted!!
Your Chernobyl quilt is fabulous. You did an amazing job.
And I can't believe that you did all that hand quilting on such a gorgeous quilt. The binding will be a nightly ritual, I suspect.
The baskets are so fun. I like the variations! And Gwen's is a great model.
xxx