Thursday, March 31, 2011

This one is a headache.

I decided that I really must knuckle down and get the last three Baltimore blocks done. I think I must be right out of the groove after leaving them for so long. This Cornucopia is giving me attitude. I blame the fruit and the fruit is to blame for the fabric tornado in the sewing room.

I decided to draw on the background to place my pieces but because of the layering, I've reverted back to using a vinyl overlay as well. The more small pieces that get sewn on the block, the more distortion there is so using both has been a good idea for placement.

It's still a work in progress, I've done a bit of switching around with a few leaf colours and the fruit is going to get a makeover too. The orange could turn into another apple.
I had to refer back to the fruit in this block to look at my colours and fabrics, I'm so out of practice!

46 comments:

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

It's lovely, but looks like so much work.

Betsy said...

wow! just stunning!

carol fun said...

Oh these take my breath away - simply gorgeous!

Dorothy said...

Has time with your 'brights' changed your view on softer colours for the fruit/leaves.Your finished vase looks wonderful.

Nat Palaskas said...

I know you will get it done Janet. Looking gorgeous so far - Love the colour of the urn - Hugs Nat

Unknown said...

Too funny! I often blame the fruit, but for totally different reasons... LOL! Your fruit looks totally amazing and it will look just gorgeous when it is complete.

Unknown said...

It Still is a Beautiful Block..Hang in There..
cheers

liz said...

Such a clever use of fabric. Is that watermelon all one piece? Keep on going, it's definitely worth it.

Marjorie said...

Your second block made me smile as it is the first Baltimore style block I ever made! (Ok...so I forgot to reverse the pattern and left out things I didn't like). The cornucopia is looking great! Keep going!

Thimbleanna said...

Holy Cow Woman! Another amazing applique project -- and, as always, a beautiful one!!!

M and M plus 3 said...

Seeing your work puts me at awe. I'm working on a beginning needle turn project, I so admire your work plus you give me courage to continue. Thank you once again for sharing.

Janet said...

Wow that's a gorgeous block in the making! I'm admiring how nice the cornicopia itself has turned out.

Julia said...

Looks amazing Janet...love the urn..
keep going, it's really worth a finish..
Julia ♥

Darlene said...

OMG, OMG, this is stunning! You continue to keep me in awe!!!!

Adele said...

Keep on going your nearly there. Your work as always "Just Beautiful". I hope that is a washout pen your using????

Anonymous said...

i have full faith in you that you will get it right and it will look a million bucks,well done Janet.

Joan said...

That really is so beautiful Janet. I have a Baltimore that I started years ago...and really need to re-do some blocks as it was made when I first began to quilt. Your work looks so perfect... such lovey colours.

Anonymous said...

It looks fabulous to me!

Rachaeldaisy said...

What a luscious cornacopia of fruit. I know you'll tame those misbehaving fruit. This is another example of your beautiful work.

Shirley said...

Janet you just improve with every stitch and every post. I am just going to go and lie down in a darkened room and try not to cry. Your work is just so amazing. I think I might start a Quiltsalott fan club.

antique quilter said...

beautiful, I know exactly what you mean I took out a Mary Mannakee block the other day and started choosing reds and greens , a bit rusty with the exact placement thing after working on the flower garden blocks!
keep going its beautiful and will be worth all the trouble!

Annemieke said...

Beautiful but I can imagine that it takes some time to get used to this work again. It is so different from your blocks in the previous post. I like them both very much. I also read your post about the trapunto. It certainly makes a lot of difference in the end result, beautiful !

Groetjes
Annemieke

Abby and Stephanie said...

You get a blue ribbon for patience and for your gorgeous work. You are always a problem solver and nothing seems to defeat you.

Crispy said...

Beautiful block Janet :0) It must feel weird working with these calm fabrics after all of Kim's patterns LOL.

Crispy

Ivory Spring said...

Oh my, Janet.... simply gorgeous! I have a question, how did you get the seeds onto the what I assumed to be the watermelon seeds shown in the second picture? Are they also appliqued?

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

you are so amazing! GORGEOUS WORK!!!

Teresa Rawson said...

WOW! I just love the traditional blocks...wow! I need to go back and look at your other ones! Nice eye candy. The fabrics are spot on, especially the grapes, pears and that beautiful blue urn.

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Barb said...

What amazing work....

Barb said...

Oh, Lovely!
I really love the cornucopia brown area - wonderful.
What a lovely quilt this will be and worth it. I made an album quilt almost 18 years ago and I still cherish it.

judy12 said...

Just beautiful..what a switch after spending time with Kaffe..love this and love that

Ann Champion said...

Just beautiful! I think I would have to have the older blocks out to retrain my eye for choosing colors? You seem to swith styles so flawlessly.
Your applique is gorgeous. It's fun seeing a block come to life. I love the cornocopia and the urn from the older block. Amazing!

Karen said...

Sometimes, don't you wonder why, if we're not having fun, we continue to do something. I have a feeling when all this is behind you, you will be really glad you pressed on. It looks wonderful!

Meredith said...

Thanks for the laugh. I feel your pain. I blame the fruit !!!!You will do a great job in the end. Fabric tornado--I can identify.

Janet said...

Looking good to me. Your cornucopia
is perfect. I love the watermelon
on the other block too. I look forward to the next installment on these blocks.

Oops-Lah said...

"From where I'm standing" it's looking pretty much perfect to me. All the colours are gorgeous and looking lovely together.

Oops-Lah said...

.... and I'm going to join Shirley's "Quiltsalott Fan Club"!!!

Nedra said...

I like seeing your works in progress. Best of luck getting back in the groove.

kim mclean said...

Cornucopia is looking great, keep at it Janet!! Love the blue vase.I admire your persistence Mrs Q. Kim McL

Lori said...

Some blocks do not like to behave. I'm sure when you are finished with it, it will be fantastic!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your plum is shaded beautifully! Is the blue vase fabric a hand dye? The color is so rich and I think it sets off the rest of the block perfectly.
It will be worth all the hard work you are putting into it!

Sewjournal said...

Janet have you tried back basting? It makes placement a breeze.

Mitt lille rosa syrom said...

It is lovely!

Sujata Shah said...

Janet,

Simply beautiful..

Dixie Howard said...

Your post made me chuckle as I think we have all had blocks "with attitude." I'm sure you will tame it as it is looking so lovely already. Beautiful fabrics and stitching - the fruit looks so real. And the blue urn block is just beyond fabulous!

Carrie P. said...

wow, I don't think I have seen those blocks before. They are stunning.

I agree with the UFO guilt. I go through that at times too. I am really trying hard not to start new things even though there are so many I would like to do. We just have to do what works for us.
Stitchery is good to do sometimes too. Really cute.

Robin said...

Stunning, Janet! I am just blown away. But I also know what you mean about having to re-find your groove on a project after having been away from it for awhile. But, boy, your Baltimore blocks are so wonderful, and you are so close to the end-- it is definitely worth going back!