Saturday, April 9, 2011

The blinkers are back.

I think I found my blinkers! I'm nearly at the end of the Baltimore blocks, this one is the latest. It's one of my favourites, possibly because of the colours and the fact that it's asymmetrical. I did change it a bit from the pattern which had all the green done in one piece of fabric. I separated the leaves for a more precise look that was simpler to stitch. One more block to go and that will be twenty five done.
The only other thing I've been working on is the border quilting for the double wedding ring. It takes a long time to go around each piece of applique and then echo quilt it. I'm just tackling the inside part of the borders for now.
I dug out my pattern because I'd forgotten how wide the border needs to be. I love my extra large square ruler for squaring up the corners. I've marked a line 8" from the edge of the rings so that I don't have to do more quilting than necessary. I'm sure it'll distort and I'll have to mark again down the track to square and block it.

There's not much else going on since these two are taking all my time at the moment. I feel bad that I haven't been around blog land much in the last couple of weeks to do much visiting. My apologies, the reason is that I've had headaches every day for that length of time and I can't seem to shake them.

39 comments:

Susan said...

I'm sorry hear your experiencing frequent headaches..I don't want to suggest you have a rest from the hand quilting..it is SO beautiful! I hope you feel better soon!

Mitt lille rosa syrom said...

It is a lovely Baltimore block, and the DWR is so beautiful!
I hope you feel better soon. Have a nice weekend!
Best wishes from Berit in Norway

liz said...

Your quilting is impeccable. I am glad you are quilting this gorgeous quilt by hand. We have all been watching it with bated breath. I hope it will go into a show one day.

antique quilter said...

beautiful block
sorry your not feeling well...hopefully soon they will just go away...
Kathie

Oops-Lah said...

Not only do you do gorgeous quilting by machine but also by hand. I too love your second last Baltimore block. I hope you are feeling better soon. Look after yourself and rest a little.

Anonymous said...

what a clever lady you are Janet they are looking great

Sewjournal said...

Sorry to hear about the headaches. If you've had them for a week you should think about getting them checked out. Your quilt looks stunning, - as usual.

Unknown said...

You Really are Making Great progress on your stitching lately...
are the headaches from your neck...mine come when I've been stitching with my neck down for too long...
Hope they go soon...
Beautiful Work.
cheers

Sue-Anne said...

Hi Janet, Your applique is absolutely stunning and so is your hand quilting. Computer screens don't mix too well with headaches - I hope they go away soon and you feel better.

Spice said...

I love your work.

Mimi said...

If you can do this kind of work with a headache, I am impressed. Your quilting is beautiful. Now....feel better.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Your applique and quilting looks amazing! I hope you feel better soon. Hugs XO

Crispy said...

I love the applique block. Great decision to do the leaves separately. It amazes me how much quilting you are doing on the WR quilt....I bet you wished you didn't go 1/8th inch when you started it LOL.

I hope your head feels better soon. I just went through a series of those too and it's not fun!!

Crispy

Janet said...

Love this block. Simple but elegant. Your applique is so pretty.
Can't wait to see all the blocks together. You are really coming along on your quilting. Beautiful.
Hope your headaches go away.

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Janet, I'm sorry to hear about your headaches. I hope this post is a sign that maybe they're getting a little better. I can't believe you only have one more block to go -- that's wonderful. And I can't wait to see your wedding ring -- it's looking gorgeous!

Lori said...

So sorry to hear about the headaches. I hope you get some relief soon.

I love your red and green block and 25! Woo-hoo!! Fantastic!!

Love the quilting going on the db wedding ring.

Pat said...

So sorry to hear you have been dealing with headaches - (I have suffered with migraines all of my adult life & now have a miracle pill on hand - it gave me my life back) Sure hope they have gone away by now! Could be weather, food or related to a position you take while quilting...
Your newest block is perfection and I just visited your tutorial on how to take care of knots and threads on the back of applique. Excellent pictures and instructions! Thank you and do take care of yourself.

Joan said...

Dont feel bad Janet - I havnt been about much either. Your appoique is so beautifu. Is that ruler large one - I have to go pick up one that is 20" x 20" - its waiting for me :) What brand are they?

Quilting Queen said...

Sorry to hear about the headaches. I know what you're going through. My sinuses cause mine and sometimes nothing helps but a good sleep...often hard to come by with two noisy Shelties. Your applique is so beautiful...inspiring to say the least...

Barb said...

What a wonderful block!

Mary said...

Headaches can be debilitating. No apologies needed. Your top block is one I used in my first Baltimore-style applique quilt and has always been a favorite. I made mine like you did, separate pieces. Your double wedding ring is gorgeous, just gorgeous!!! Feel better.

Nedra said...

I hope the headaches are getting better. From your beautiful handwork, you look in top form.

Janet said...

Another very pretty Baltimore block! They are such happy looking flowers :0)
You are doing such amazing quilting on your wedding ring quilt - does this mean you finished the trapunto already?
Headaches are so frusterating I do hope you're feeling better soon.
You do very well with blinkers!

Angela said...

I enjoy seeing your hand-quilting progress - that quilt is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Blanca Abreu González said...

I really like your work

Pinkadot Quilts said...

You are almost done, congratulations! Your hand quilting is so beautiful it is going to be a gorgeous quilt.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Headaches are no fun!

Donna~~ said...

I love your Baltimore block! Something about it really appeals to me. And your quilt is going to be absolutely stunning with all that quilting! I hope you find the cause for your headaches--I've had them for years, and they are no fun to struggle with. If they persist, or are new to you, please see about them.

Charlotte Scott said...

Bummer about your headaches - I've been having some lately too and I think it's because I'm spending too much time reading. Oh dear, I'll have to spend more time quilting instead ;) Hope you shake them soon so you can continue your stunning work.

Julia said...

Beautiful block, Janet
sorry your not feeling well...hope today is a better day for you..
Julia ♥

Katie said...

Love your block! Sorry about your headaches. It's headache time in our house too. The spring and fall change of season gets me every year and the last few weeks have been bad. Hope you feel better soon!

Katherine said...

Hope your headaches stop, can't imagine how awful it would be to have one last so long. Get better soon!

Love your Baltimore block, it's so gorgeous!

Dixie Howard said...

Beautiful Baltimore block - how wonderful to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hope you feel better soon!

Nat Palaskas said...

Your echo quilting is blowing me away. So lovely and even I love it. The last block of your Baltimore quilt is gorgeous too. I love that red too - Hugs Nat

Rachaeldaisy said...

Janet, I hope your headaches go away soon. Look after yourself. Your sewing is as amazing as always, so, so beautiful.

Kaaren said...

Take care of yourself first and foremost, Janet. That's most important.

Both of your quilts are incredible and it never ceases to amaze me how you can jump from one to another with such ease. You're on the home stretch now and I can't wait for the finale!

Sarah said...

The Baltimore is going to be soooo beautiful. Ooooohh, can't wait to see it all come together. And you already know how I feel about your double wedding ring!!! Please go to see your GP about your headaches. Don't leave it. Cheers Sarah (PS I'm a GP, so I know what I'm talking about!).

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Your work is stunning!

Hope you are feeling better soon...but I have to second Sarah's comment, please go and see your GP about your headaches. Better safe than sorry... ((hugs))

Barb said...

Hope you feel better soon!
your stitching is absolutely lovely.
beautiful applique block, one of my favorites.

Robin said...

Your work is so beautiful, Janet. It is fun seeing your projects progress, and reading about your various approaches. I hope you are feeling better!