Thursday, February 24, 2011

A little of this and that

I can't show you what I'm up to this week because it's all secret stuff.  A few weeks ago I did manage to make a couple of blocks. The poor old Mary Mannakee project has been a bit abandoned so I added another block to the pile. Any guilty feelings for not working on it have now abated.
Still on the red and green theme but in modern fabrics, another one for the Cherry Trees quilt.
With all the turmoil going on in New Zealand, I decided I needed a break from the news so I spent the afternoon on the machine which was very calming and therapuetic. Sometimes one just needs to take some time out and t was great to get back into a little machine quilting.

43 comments:

Carrie P. said...

All your photos have some lovely pieces in them. Just beautiful.

Karen said...

You seem to have mastered the machine quilting. Your practice has paid off.
Always beautiful applique blocks on your blog!

Donna in SW PA said...

just beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your applique is so amazing and you are so fast! Your BTCT is looking good...I am working on my this weekend at the getaway...

Mimi said...

All three are absolutely beautiful.

Charlotte Scott said...

I think I need to stop watching the news updates on the web too. Can't stand too much more and my 3 yo doesn't need to see tears.

Your recipe for therapy sounds like a good one. Off to the sewing machine I go!

Anonymous said...

Janet this is stunning your work is just so beautiful.
cheers shez

Janet said...

Your machine quilting is perfect! Both of your red and green blocks are beautiful!!

Barb said...

Is that quilting done on your home machine...not a long arm?

Katie said...

I agree. The news is horrible. My husband's family is ok too.

I love your blocks and your quilting is beautifully done! :-)

Betsy said...

Janet, your applique is always so beautiful. Do you work on some type of hard surface?

Dorothy said...

Your Mary Mannakee block is wonderful and so is you quilting.

Oops-Lah said...

Gorgeous blocks and your machine stitching looks fantastic (have said it before, but have to say it again). I have the same machine but my tension is always very slightly off. What thread do you used?

Lori said...

Quilting and applique is good therapy. Glad you were able to get away from the awful news for a bit. The MM block is fabulous!

Ann at Prairie Primrose said...

Wow! It is inspiring to see such beautiful blocks and such wonderful machine quilting. To learn to do that well is on my list of things to do...my very large list! Thanks for the inspiration.

Eileen said...

Janet,
Your machine quilting is beautiful!! I am so sorry about NZ. You're right-quilting is therapeutic.

Lisa said...

Mary Manakee has never spoken to me, but after seeing your and Kim's fabric choices, I'm rethinking. Your BTCT block is also beautiful. And your quilting is flawless. What kind of machine do you have. Not that that has anything to do with it being so perfect. :) Just curious.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Janet. Your work just always leave me speechless. Can I come and live with you for a few years???

Diane said...

Exquisite work!

Janet said...

Just beautiful. Again, love your
fabric choices. You are doing
great on your machine quilting.
Janet

Nat Palaskas said...

Lovely work Janet. Your machine quilting is more than perfect now. Love it - Hugs Nat

Joan said...

Beautiful applique - is that by hand? Great quilting - do you use the BSR...

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I love your quilting! Secret stuff hey?!

Shirley said...

I can only echo what everyone else is saying. Love the new blocks and your machine quilting is fabulous. My thoughts have been with you and your family these last few days and of course friends still in NZ.
With Love, Shirley.x

Raewyn said...

I just wanted to add my bit - gorgeous!! beautiful!! your work and colour choices are exceptional.

Miriam said...

I love both your blocks. Your fabric and colour choices are great!
Your quilting is amazing!!!!!

Sewing is always therapeutic.

Abby and Stephanie said...

As always, perfectly pretty applique. I think you should make a whole cloth quilt with your gorgeous machine quilting!

quiltingnana said...

great work shown...wonder what the secret looks like

Crispy said...

Great blocks!! I love the close up of your quilting. The stitches look so nice and even, do you have a stitch regulator? Sure wish I had a nicer machine to try to learn to do this :0)

Crispy

ranette said...

Janet...never, ever abandon Mary Mannakee for very long ever again. Please, for my sake. I have studied the picture of your block for the longest time. I just love it!

Beyond the Cherry trees is looking good too and turning off the news and stitching is the very best therapy that I know of.

Ivory Spring said...

Janet,

Those blocks are absolutely scrumptious!!!! I so enjoy seeing your applique work. And your quilting is phenomenal too - just look at those even stitches.

Hugs.

Darlene said...

Once again you're leaving me totally speechless! Your work is beyond beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blocks and fabulous machine quilting! Sometimes we just can't go on watching the news coverage of tradegies .....

Wendy W said...

I have one of those abandoned Mary Mannakee quilts as well. Might see what I can do about it. Wendy

Ann Champion said...

Sewing is good therapy! I love your red and green blocks. they're beautiful.

Your machine quilting looks fabulous!

antique quilter said...

beautiful
I changed my header picture today and included my favorite MM block yes I have been thinking of getting back to it too
beautiful job on the block!
thanks for the inspiration
Kathie

Barb said...

Lovely work! the MM block is just gorgeous

Robin said...

Lovely blocks, Janet! And your machine quilting is gorgeous.

Sujata Shah said...

It is always such a treat to come and visit you! Gorgeous applique and perfect machine quilting.. Love it all!

Deb said...

Well everything here is just beautiful. I love the MM of course - I am missing mine too. And I just think that the contemporary cherry trees is also gorgeous. Your machine quilting is superb.

Dixie Howard said...

So pleased to see another of your MM blocks - they are so beautiful - do you have many more to finish? Just adore the fabrics you are using in the Cherry Trees block - you have really captured the whimsy in these blocks. Your machine quilting is looking fab!

Nifty Quilts said...

These are beautiful. I'm also very impressed by your lovely quilting.

imquilternity said...

Just gorgeous!!!!