Tavern Green, A little review

May9

Green is my good friend. Green is soft and strong. Green is Earth Day and green is Christmas. Green is tropical tree tops and mossy forest floors. There are Little Green Men and The Green Lantern.  Then there’s Green-eyed lady by Sugarloaf which is a little distracting but its a cool tune…

Well, at any rate, green is the pretty Tavern Green Collection from Paula Barnes.

There are some real stunners in this line. I took this photo so you could get a better view of the pieces. Paula has a great talent with fabric. Going thru this its struck me how classic a few of these pieces really are. They’d work nicely with other lines. Also, I thought the quality of the fabric was nice. Lately I’ve noticed some of the Marcus Fabrics are less than what a girl likes. These are pretty good. Quality ladies, quality.

Here are a couple pieces that grabbed my attention…

This one (above) has a real brightness to it that the computer just doesn’t do justice to.  It’s almost a chrome yellow IMHO. You’ve got to see it to appreciate it.

…and because you’ve gotta see this one opened up, right?

Here’s the entire collection for you to see. It just feels like it wants to be happy in a Carpenters Wheel block or two and definitely a little gift at Christmas. First though, I’m going to take a much needed break. My blogging has been bland and I’ve got nothing to give. I need to walk away from quilting for a little bit and just open myself up to something different. I’m truly fried. I can keep on keeping on like I have but there’s no fire in my veins. So excuse me while I step back for a brief bit and see you soon. Be Repro!!  *karendianne.

A Bundle and a Stack

May6

This bundle has been safely resting in my hutch ever since it was passed on to me. I love this color combination so much I couldn’t open it. I was loving it to death poor fabric. I shared this murderous behavior of mine with another quilter and she did her job. I don’t know what it was she said but whatever it was, I busted it open with every intention of cutting into it.

Then I couldn’t decide what to make because I didn’t want to waste it without plan and I couldn’t settle on four colors or whether or not to add a background? I’m still not sure.  …and lord knows we certainly can’t cut an itty bitty piece off the corner of each FQ and just lay those out – well we couldn’t. I just thought of that writing. Talking helps. Look how you infused my creativity! I’ve got to put it up for now but I’ll remember this.

Happily found some time to start a little project that’s been in my heart. I won’t get this finished before the end of the week but I did whip out these 72 scrappy 2″ finished HST’s today. I don’t think I’ve ever made 72 HSTs in one day. I was focused!!!

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I did want to share the link to the Inklingo Blog with you. Lately the posts have been so dramatic and creative. If you get some time, take a look thru – don’t just stop at one. I thought the idea of using different size arcs in the Double Wedding Ring was awesome not to mention the variety of layouts. I hope you’ll stop in there and take a look. I just like sharing how neat it is. That’s all.

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Oh Wait! One last thing. For the first time I came close to doing serious damage to my left index finger with my 65mm Olfa. Yep. I walked away from that with a slit like a paper cut. Whew…

 

Applique

May1

Progress with Oak Leaf and Reel

Block Info:

Pattern from Antique Quilts 2010
One leaf – tip to tip/end 7″
Center – 3″ x 3″
Prep block 17″  - after appliqué 15.5″ finished

[click photos for close up]

If you want to see the original post with pattern click here

Once the reels were appliquéd down I began to understand how the block would build, piece upon piece, and how my wonky reel(s) were going to impact other pieces. I won’t go on about this but I found problems with my pattern as well. Lots of learning – oh goodie!

Then I received some support and got moving. I’ll tell ya, I luv my support. She teaches me things that you can’t know except by doing the work. Most of all though, she encourages me.

The directional (N/S, E/W) leaf was difficult. I wasn’t at my best I suppose and not a one came out well.

Where the fabric meets and creates bulk, well, I can only improve – sheesh.

I’m glad I’m doing a test block so I can make sure I can stitch the darn thing for one! and then get the feel for it. It’s sure a pretty block. Majestic and all that. I’m not entirely sure I would have picked this for my first block after class but I am using the techniques I learned – right out of the gate – so I reckon that’s good.

One thing I know for sure – I dig appliqué and that was a goal and a dream for me.  I couldn’t do this 18 mos. ago. Now I can. Hot dang, we all say it but isn’t being a quilter cool?!!! I want a Tshirt that says that!

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