Thursday, May 13, 2010

What a week.

I had a crummy week last week,  but this week is more than making up for it. I felt like a bit of wool therapy, just enough so that my blinkers would stay on my current projects. It only took a couple of hours to whip up this gnome and it makes me smile so what better reason could I have to make it?
The pattern is free here and if you want to see what one hundred of them look like check this out. 
I had wanted to buy some flowers last Sunday and couldn't find anything that I wanted to bring home. Mr Quiltsalott bought this gorgeous Moth Orchid home for me on Monday. He heard me a long time ago when I said I was looking for the huge original classic white one with it's big blooms.
Then my cactus decided to flower.
That's not all folks, I got luscious mail from Liz at Broderie. I had won a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post and I nearly fainted when I opened the surprise package. Be still my heart! Check out the perle threads. Their varigated loveliness had me playing, arranging them according to colour, sigh, talk about overwhelmed.
That wasn't all, there's more. Kaffes, and one I didn't have and another that I'd run out of, double sigh, doing the happy dance.
If that wasn't amazing enough, there was this cute panel too. Something to make for the grandchildren. Thanks Liz, you made my week extra, extra special.
On the sewing front,  I finished three applique blocks.
I'm so happy with the progress I'm making, those blinkers are working. Four rows, five to go.
This one funny photo of a portion of the back of my work is for another Janet (no blog) who asked to see it.
I've been hanging out with handsome men too, Richard Armitage.
And Patrick Swayze, from the miniseries, North and South. Yup, he's in 24 hours of period drama with amazing costumes to boot.

63 comments:

Lurline said...

Oh, all those little gnomes make me laugh - your applique, just fantastic! - well, I don't really want to, but I will share Patrick as he was never really mine!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, glad you are having a better week.
How wonderful are all those threads, can you use them for large quilting?

Love your current projects, just beautiful.
cheers
Christine

Anonymous said...

What a great post! Love your wool wee little man! :)

And your applique blocks are stunning as always. When I grow up, I want to be able to applique just like you!

I enjoyed North and South when we watched it a few months back.

Pinky said...

Hi Janet,

I'm curious, is that the kind of thread that you would use for the big stitch quilting? I've seen lots of quilts quilted that way, but not quite sure about what thread??

broderie said...

i am happy that you liked your parcel of goodies janet, enjoy!
to answer the questions of the other commenters, you can use perle 12,8 or 5 for quilting, 12 being the finest and 5 being the thickest, 12 is good on fine fabrics such as liberty, 8 is good for almost anything and 5 is good for courser fabrics such as linens etc. perle 5 is also good for cross stitch on 18 count floba or permin linen. hope this helps, maybe i will do a post about it !

Shirley said...

Oh yummy to everything. Lucky girl.
Shirley.x

Copper Patch said...

Your quilt is looking wonderful. Love your colour combos and fabric choices. Happy stitching!
Abbe

Theresa said...

So many gorgeous things in this post I don't know where to start! Richard Armitage - delicious. All those perle threads - gorgeous, will you do big stitch quilting with those? I'm looking forward to trying that myself...just need to finish a quilt first! and your applique is, as always, stunning.

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a great post! There's a bit of everything! Love the gnomes! Awesome prize- lucky you! Your appliqué blocks are so beautiful! And I wrote about moth orchids on my blog last night! Hope your week keeps bringing fun surprises!

Sue-Anne said...

Those threads are wonderful, you are going to have so much fun with them. Your applique is beautiful and you have made a lots of blocks already. That cactus flower is divine. Glad you are having a better week this week.

Nat Palaskas said...

Oh Janet, what a lovely giveaway you've won. I can imagine them in the thimbles and pincushions. The appliqué blocks are very very lovely. Yes what a week! A very busy one! Hugs Nat

Abby and Stephanie said...

When feeling crummy eat cookies or stitch and sew something happy. All of your projects are happy and colorful but that gnome is fun. I have that baby panel in blue.

Sarah Vanderburgh said...

Beautiful winnings. Congratulations. Your blocks are just stunning. I love seeing your work. Inspiring colour and projects. Glad you're having a good week. The orchid - I almost forgot about the orchid! Can I use 'beautiful' twice?!Thanks for sharing.

Nedra said...

Those little gnomes are so cute. Loved seeing them all lined up in the snow in rows of color.
Your applique blocks are stunning, especially when they are together.
Have you seen Elizabeth Gaskell's 2other movies: Wives and Daughters, and Cranford?

alobsiger said...

Your beautiful blocks all lined up and that perle cotton all lined up? Took my breath away! Sumptuous! What lovely winnings!! Gorgeous Kaffes to boot. That will turn a frown upside down! Such gorgeous flowers...

Janet said...

Janet, Thank you for the back shot. Very neat. Mine not so.
I love your Sprigs and Stars. So
happy looking.
Patrick Swayze, what a handsome
man. I loved N&S. I do miss him.
You must have felt like a kid on
Christmas morning with all of your goodies. Hope to get to making a blog soon. Have a great day/night.
Janet

Terry said...

So many lovely things in your post! Your orchid is just beautiful! And that perle cotton is so pretty! Love your applique blocks too! :0)

Unknown said...

What a fabulous win!! I can see why you were ecstatic! Kaffes and perle cottons, wow!! Your applique for quilt is just stunning. I love how it alternates with the stars. Just fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great week you've had this week. I hope it has made up for the crummy one you had. :o)

Love your little gnome. They are a favourite character of mine.

Barb said...

Hi
My husband and I just started north and south - funny - Love the dark and brooding Richard character.
Another coincidence, I was just looking at that same quilt in an old Quilt Engagement Calendar. I love the new fresh look with the Kaffes'
very nice.
That thread is to dye for - lucky you!

Kim said...

Love the eye candy I always am treated to when I check your blog! Patrick Swayze included! ;o) Those blocks are looking stunning! I just love that quilt!

Karen said...

I have spent many an hour with Patrick in North and South. I own both sets and watch them every so often.
Lucky win on those threads. And they look so pretty all laid out. You will find some good use for them.
Your applique project is moving along. Always a pleasure to see your projects.

Lori said...

You are staying so focused and getting so much done!! The gnome is so cute and the winnings are the best!! I'm drooling over the terrific thread!!
You are almost halfway on your quilt. Woo-Hoo!! It's fabulous!

Barb said...

Alot of eye candy today....love your applique.

*karendianne. said...

I really like seeing the back of your applique. I'm always interested to see the front and back of our (quilters) work. Thank you for sharing that.

Oh and Janet, so happy that DH brought you home such a lovely Orchid. So kind and loving. You must have felt very cared for. Makes me happy for you.

It's really really getting to be exciting to see Stars and Sprigs coming together. I love it when you wear those blinkers. ...and you sneak in a gnome! :)

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Your applique was JOYOUS to look at all together! what a beauty of a quilt!

Patrick Swayze in costume drama.. he he that made me giggle... might need to investigate further!

Dixie Howard said...

Those little gnomes would make adorable ornaments! Congrats on your win - you will put those items to good use. Your latest applique blocks are gorgeous as usual! Thanks so much for showing the back of your block. We were so sad when Patrick Swazye passed so young - loved his acting and he seemed to be such a good guy.

Darlene said...

Love the cute gnome. :-)

Once again, beautiful applique - Sigh! :-)

I'm glad you've having a better week.

Karen said...

That quilt is absoulutely breathtaking. What's the pattern again?? Can not wait to see the whole thing!!

Janet said...

Your 4 rows look wonderful!! Such beautiful blocks! What a great giveaway - you'll make good use of it all. our flowers are lovely as well. Glad you're having a better week. :0)

imquilternity said...

Well, you really meant it when you said, "what a week." WOW. I love it all and don't even know where to begin to comment. Gorgeous orchid, lovely perle thread, great Kaffes, beautiful applique blocks, cute panel, stunning quilt top you're working on, and -swoon- Patrick Swayze. My life is very dull in comparison! LOL

Quilting Queen said...

Hi Janet...love the gnomes(might make a few of those for fun) and your applique, as always, is wonderful.. Went to the plantation where North & South was filmed..I'm a Swayze fan as well...it is a beautiful property and is open to the public in the late spring and summer. I was amazed at how small people were then..I'm 5'10" and had to stoop in places.

Doris said...

Holy Moley! That is the best giveaway prize, ever! Unbelievably generous... Enjoy!

I remember watching North & South as a teenager on TV, I was in love with P. Swayze. His sister (in the show) Ashton drove me crazy though, she was too over the top bratty for me!

DebbyMc said...

Oh,my...beautiful...everything...so many things to look at... Swayze's No and So is one of my very favorite series. Now I am going to want to watch the other one...What a delicious post! =-)

Dolly said...

That giveaway prize was made for you........YOU had to win !

Congratulations !

Crispy said...

Wow a super fantastic win!! I love the sprig and stars project!!

Crispy

Kaaren said...

Wow, Janet. What a week is right!

Glorious threads and fabric, a little bit of gnome R & R, more blocks finished and a date with Patrick Swayze, albeit in your dreams.

Do you think if I close my eyes all this goodness can happen to me as well? Heck, I'd settle for the 4 completed applique blocks.

Sharon said...

What a win, perfect for you. And your Kim project is really coming along nicely!

Fiona said...

Love the little gnome - very tempting as my next knitting project. It would make a great Christmas decoration hanging from a tree.

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Janet,
Oh wow, you are the spoilt gal. You surely deserve it tooo!
I love the flowers, threads and fabrics.
Those blocks look fantastic.
Happy creating,
Hugs,
Anna

FlourishingPalms said...

"What a week," are my sentiments exactly! But yours were much more fun than mine. Nasty flying business, and I'm trying to adjust to a 15 hour time difference. Not good stuff.

Your applique and pieced-blocks combination is simply divine. You are truly blessed with an eye for colors and a skill for beautifully putting things together. And you have time to watch DVDs too? You're simply amazing. You make me tired, just observing!

Anonymous said...

Glad you're feeling better this week Janet. What a lovely lot goodies. The gnomes are really cute, especially a hundred, multi-coloured ones in the snow!
Congratulations on winning a give away! And what a give-away to win. It was gorgeous.

Your new blocks look stunning, this is going to be a fabulous quilt. I love the way you fussy cut the leaves.
Munaiba

Julia said...

What a week Janet...fanastic wins and lovely applique..
I have just ordered North and South DVD set...it's on the way...can't wait!
Isn't Patrick gorgeous..

Mimi said...

I know I have told you before, but your floral blocks just make my heart sing. Your fabric choices are just perfectly beautiful. ....and your winnings! WoW! How fortunate you are to get those beautiful threads and fabric. Lucky you. Congrats.

Anonymous said...

Mouth hanging open in awe. Divine post!!! I like that Mr. Quiltsalott too...a LOT! ; )

Ann at Prairie Primrose said...

You had me at the cute little gnome but it just kept getting better! What a wonderful surprise package to come just when you need it! And your quilt is coming along beautifully!

mbroider said...

That is a great win!! Enjoy that floss. OMG. Your heart did stop a beat, right!!??!!

Enjoy your very special week!
Sharmila

Unknown said...

Lovely Post..TFS all your Gorgeous work..soo love your Applique Quilt so far..just Gorgeous..Congrats on a Great Giveaway Win...Fab Prize...Have a Good Weekend.
cheers

Katherine said...

Congrats on the fabulous giveaway win. Wow.

Look how busy you've been making fun and beautiful projects. Is the secret to being this productive, hanging out with handsome Richard and Patrick???? ;o)

Marieke said...

Congrats on your beautiful winnings of the give away! And you've made beautiful blocks! I love the colours you use. And North and South: who does not know the series?!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

This post is perfect to start my weekend Janet. Absolutely love the gnome - too cute! Amazing win and perfect for you! And I can't say enough about the most recent applique blocks!!!! Wow!

Sheri Howard said...

I remember those North and South movies and you are right those were/are handsome men!!! Loved those movies!

Deb said...

Oh what a fabulous package. Can't wait to see what you do with the threads. The stars and sprigs looks absolutely glorious. Really enjoying watching your progress.

PatchworkRose said...

What a wonderful Surprise :-) Lots and lots of wonderful colour. Enjoy
Have a great weekend.
Cheers
Lynne

Marina said...

I think I need to borrow your blinkers -- you're getting so much done! Beautiful applique.

Lynn S said...

I just saw your cute little quilting thread/needle case on "Inspired by Antique Quilts". This lead me to your blog and I have added to my favorites. Anyway you could share a tutorial on this? Love it!!!!

wishes, true and kind said...

That is some fabulous fussy cutting on that first appliqué block! Really wonderful!

I love that BBC North and South!

MARCIE said...

I am dying over your fabric choices on your applique blocks. Amaaazing! I love that funny little guy at the top also! I would love to have a bunch of those on a tree! Lovely stuff here!

Anonymous said...

Lovely as always, Janet.

If you ever feel like it, I'd just LOVE to see a tutorial on how you do your fussy cutting.

I"m stuck on my K McL Flower Medallion because I can't get the effect I'm looking for in my central flower.

Rainey

ErkerM said...

Beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid - if you need any tips on taking care if it, let me know.
The floss that you received in the mail - what kind are those - they are lovely!
Take care, Michele in Alabama

Anonymous said...

Janet,

I have been reading your older post to learn more about how you do your hand applique. Quick question: I noticed you iron the freezer paper on the right side of the fabric, instead of the wrong side. I would love to read a post on how you actually prep your applique pieces.

Gisele said...

oh what gorgeous threads, lucky you! Loving your stars & sprigs blocks, this quilt is going to be really stunning!

Terrie Sandelin said...

I love those stars and applique blocks. And the gnomes! Of course, Richard Armitage is a work of art as well.