Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Orphans, UFO's and new plantings...

kind of a blue plate special today..*VBS* I've decided that my Orphan Challenge blocks will be the odds and ends leftover from Christmas quilts and wall hangings. In the picture, the Bear Paw is an 8" block and the others are 5". And that's how it will go with this quilt. Really odds and ends of sizes...many blocks made from Little Quilts directions, and they aren't usually 3, 6,9 and 12". But that's not a problem..*G* I've been gathering Yuletide Orphans from hither and yon, and will layout all that I have found for a picture tomorrow. I have a VERY large rubbermaid of smallish scraps, and want to get some of them used. And I counted up the Christmas quilts I've made, about 13 according to my recollection, and I'd like to use(will have to make)a block from each quilt if I can. With some that will really be a challenge!! If it's left over I'll probably use it 'as is'. If not, I may make the copy in a smaller size. I'm NOT fond of 12" blocks anymore. If it sounds like I WANT to
piece for this challenge, it's because I DO! I love playing in my scraps, and more blocks is a good thing! I encourage making assorted sizes to enhance your orphan blocks. As Tonya said about the Fragments quilt, "thank goodness for so many pieced blocks in there with the crumb blocks"...I totally agree!
Second picture here; I dragged this UFO out to see about finishing it up. It's just 'top of the bed' in size, and I have more of the blocks made up. I'm thinking about going to queen with it, as it would give me a nice change of quilts. I only have 3 or 4 queen size to switch between. I'd like to be like Jeanne at http://spiralj2.blogspot.com/ and have one for each month!! *VBS* This pattern is in "101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts", by Judy Hopkins and Nancy Martin. Mine is mostly plaids and shirtings. The red is a red/black check from Marcus used with a plain black.
In the newly planted department, I'm running slow, but I got the blue Salvia I bought last week into this lovely old pitcher. It has just been sitting around, since I no longer have cut flowers from the garden to put into it. I think the Salvia will be happy in there. And then I used the old brown bowl that was holding the new plants in water to plant the DustyMiller. I'm not sure how it will work out height wise, but I'm giving it a try. Libby, at http://simplylibby.blogspot.com/ continues to inspire me to use more and more of my old things in new and unusual ways...*VBS* Thanks Libby!! And I wanted to mention one of my favorite blogs because she makes many of her quilts and tops from recycled things, and does it soooooo beautifully and with such class. That would be Lynn at http://kleinmeisjequilts.blogspot.com/ Using re-purposed fabrics is often as challenging as working with orphans..*VBS* Fiona at http://scraps-in-progress.blogspot.com/ also works with recycled fabrics, as does Bonnie at http://quiltville.blogspot.com/ Both do it with great ease and talent !! And it could be that I just love the plaids they use...*VBS*

8 comments:

Fiona said...

I saw the Flying Geese UFO and straightaway thought 'that's my kind of top', I've got a Yellow Brick Road all cut entirely out of old shirts waiting to be made up. I'm saving it for when I've got a couple of days to do nothing but sew (hmmm, could be a while). Thinking about it, I,m sure that every quilt I've ever made has had some recycled fabric in it, sometimes it's only a couple of pieces, sometimes it's more or less the whole top.

Paula, the quilter said...

You can add me to the drawing again, Finn. Did you get the postcard yet? Libby got hers on Saturday. Love the flying geese. I have to make king size quilts for our bed and the last one was a string quilt that had some recycled fabric in it.

Libby said...

Oh Finn - I'm so glad to know that you are enjoying your things in new ways. When my mom passed away, I knew that I would miss her terribly. But the thing that made so very sad was to go through her belongings and see all the wonderful pieces she and my grandma had not used and enjoyed because they were "being saved for 'good'" That was a legacy that I surely didn't want to pass on. So I proudly display and use things - which means I sometimes have to be creative *s* Sure there have been some stains, bumps, chips, cracks and down right breakage. There are pieces that I am strictly careful with to avoid damage. But daily use brings such happiness and reminders of the women who have gone before me.

meggie said...

I agree about using things. When my Grandmother died we found all her treasures wrapped in tissues. It seeme such a shame she had never used them & had pleasure from them. Though, perhaps she did in her way, who can say. I use my gifts, & am proud to enjoy them.
Love love your scrap quilts.

Maggie Ann said...

An interesting and fun post dear Finn...hope you are having a serene and lazy June. Don't you just love all the sunshine and warm weather! I sure do...even though its raining like anything here tonight. I'm going to do down to the family room and spin a while. My goal is to have enough yarn to knit a shawl or something! Fairly soon anyway...=)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Just checking in quick from my mom's house. And boy did that flying geese quilt catch my eye! I love flying geese. That is a great one!

Rose Johnston said...

Your flying geese quilt is adorable, i love the colours (they r my sort of colours) and the layout is great!!!

Magpie Sue said...

I love that flying geese quilt too. I've loved that pattern ever since I first saw the antique one made of silk in some book or magazine. Have I made one yet? No. But someday!!

And thanks, in advance, for the rescued orphan quilt top!