Sunday, August 20, 2017

Happiness is a finished quilt

Happiness is indeed a finished quilt. Finally......the last stitch of my of my quilt-as-you-go, scrappy hexagon quilt has been stitched; so excited!! I know, I know, it doesn't take much to excite this gal.


I started this quilt two years ago. You have probably seen one too many posts of me waxing lyrical about this pretty; sorry about that. I prattled on about this pretty here and here, where Esmeralda and her sweet, sweet family took up residence in our Forget-me-nots and then the Hydrangeas, in their cute as cute, little teapot. 




Remember the tale.....Doris fashioned some hexagons and donated them to the cause. Alas, they up-sticks a little while later and I haven't seen or heard of them since; more's the pity, as Doris' help with the stitching of the hexies was invaluable. =) That magical tale just got curioser and curioser!

But back to my scrappy hexie. I started stitching this pretty during a very dark period in both my husband's and my life. My husband had just been diagnosed with cancer and we didn't really know what walking down that difficult, scary and shadowy path would entail. I found the slow, hand stitching of my hexie during my husband's weeks and weeks of horrible radiation therapy, undergoing major surgery and a long convalescence, helped to calm my soul and to some degree muffle my troubled spirit. Indeed the stitching of this pretty in some ways, helped prevent me from falling down that slippery slope of uncertainty and fear. The slow stitching of this pretty gave my fingers and mind something to focus on during those very long days and nights.

I know I have said it before, but I really love hand stitching. I love the slowness of it. I love the exactness of it, and, as you have probably cottoned onto by now, I love stitching QAYG hexie quilts. If I live to be 100 I will never, never tire of looking at or fashioning a hexie quilt.


Why I love scrappy quilts so much is the random abundance of fabrics. I love the pastiche of fabrics, the mishmosh nature of these quilts, so to speak. I love the fact that I can use any fabric from my stash, even little leftovers from projects dating back over 30 years. I love the fact that I don't have to be too fussy with the placement of each hexagon. In this hexie pretty there are remnants of fabric that I acquired many, many moons ago, and alas, are no more.


Aah....all those lovely fabrics sitting ever so prettily in my armoire. Such a pretty sight. What say you??


The front.






The back.



This QAYG hexie quilt is a queen bed size with the quilt draping generously over the sides and the bottom of the bed. There are 550 hexagons (which involved cutting out 1,100 individual hexagons) which were individually machine stitched around the frame of each one and then hand stitched together with  tiny stitches on the back. I stitched strips of fabric, covering every seam on the back, which in essence really gives me two quilts. This of course meant a lot of  work, but I always think the covering of the back seams gives the quilt added beauty and charm.






So, another finished quilt to grace the bed in the boudoir. This pretty hexie is not one for the colour-phobe! Indeed it glows with bright and happy chromaticity and each individual hexagon sings with gorgeous pattern and vibrancy. 





The sides of my hexie pretty.

The bottom of my hexie pretty.




Sometimes early in the mornings; on those now-and-then lazy, sunny mornings I laze in bed with my morning cuppa (in a teacup with a pretty hexagon pattern, of course.......who would've thought) and sit and gaze at the multifarious fabrics. They look pretty playing ever so nicely with each other. Each one of them truly do sing in unison, combining in the most delightful of songs. Actually, I am here on this bright and sunny Sunday morning with my quilt wrapped around me typing this post. This quilt really does bring a smile to my dial. I cannot but be joyful at the sight of it. Love, love, love this quilt! Love, love, love the bright, happy and colourful essence of it.


For now I will put my hexie templates away for a little while,  but I have no doubt, given my penchant for a hexie quilt or two, they will make another appearance sometime down my yellow brick road of stitching. This hexie pretty has travelled with me on many trips in our jalopy, whilst meandering around the countryside, over hill and dale. Indeed, so many times I have been buried under this pretty, slowly stitching many a stitch while enjoying the surrounding vistas which enveloped me.


Yes indeedy, each happy, smidgen of fabric, each individual hexagon and the slow hand stitching really did get me through some very dark days. The stitching of this quilt has nourished my soul, throughout many, many an hour during the last couple of years. So many memories are wrapped around this quilt. So many stitches were stitched whilst walking down that path towards my husband's wellness. So many prayers whispered to my Heavenly Father, and loving thoughts are stitched into this quilt.

So.......another finished quilt to add to that pile of scrappy happiness in my bedside cupboard. Can one ever have too many scrappy quilts?? This gal thinks most definitely not!


What can I say, except to say that happiness is a finished quilt; especially if that quilt oozes oodles and oodles of scrappy loveliness. Until the next time.......




45 comments:

  1. Hi Kim !!!
    Gorgeous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Your quilt is a beauty !!!! You must be very happy but also very proud !!!
    Love your sceneries and your teapot !!!
    Have a lovely week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  2. Kim, I am left speechless looking at your swooning quilt. It's an absolute, staggering beauty in every sense of the word! And I know it means a ton to you for all the feelings it has woven into itself, so many memories and prayers with each stitch - it really touches the soul when you hear the story behind it! You should really be proud with this keepsake. It really makes your bedroom radiate with light, love and beauty!

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  3. Bellissimo lavoro ,sei bravissima!!
    Buona settimana

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  4. Yes indeed, happiness is a finished quilt! I truly enjoyed this post and oh MY GOSH, what a gorgeous work of art. A reader of mine sent me over here after reading my post on quilts today. I used to quilt all the time, but a car accident in the late nineties brought about hand surgeries and arthritis. I have one thing else to say: Sure wish you posted more!
    Brenda

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  5. Hello Kim, I do so hope your husband has made a full recovery from his terrible illness and you have many happy years together.
    Your scrappy hexie is stunning and it looks perfect in your beautifully colourful happy home. It truly does have so much meaning.
    Have a wonderful new week with plenty of colour and lovely laughter :)

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    1. Thank you, Prunella; yes my husband is well....so very thankful for that. I must admit this pretty hexie is my new favourite quilt. Not only does it sing with happy colour, pattern and design, there are so many meaningful memories which surround it. You too, enjoy a wonderful week filled with colour and lovely laughter. Thank you so much for popping by. Kim Xx

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  6. W.O.W. this is pure luscious loveliness, Kim!!!

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  7. You're done! I've loved watching this come together; it looks lovely. Enjoy it!

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  8. So many memories just in making this quilt. I squill with delight for you that now it is done and ready to cuddle under.

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  9. It's a fast-paced world, so taking the time to stitch such a lovely project is a good thing. This quilt is so much more than the sum of its parts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings as well as some lovely images.

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    1. The world does move a little too quickly for my liking, Ann. =) A li'l slow stitching is always a joy for me. Hope you are enjoying a lovely week. Hope you find time to stitch a little. Kim Xx

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  10. Hello Kim, that is absolutely stunning & gorgeous!! How do you ever drift off to sleep under such a beautiful quilt?! I just adore it & think it looks stunning on your bed in your flower filled boudoir. I spy a vase of alstromeria .... dont tell me you have them flowering already in your part of the world? Happy week & tea drinking in that gorgeous hexie cup my dear friend Xxx

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  11. Oh my...Gorgeous!
    How lovely to see your finished work of art gracing that beautiful bed and in the room you have put much love into.
    What an accomplishment, and all done during a chapter of your life that you will remember forever more of the hand of God in His grace and mercy.
    Such a beautiful post, dear Kim, and your photos are lovely as always.

    God bless you~

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  12. No words! The scrappy goodness of this beauty is evident!

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  13. This is simply stunning. I would love to make one of these one day, perhaps when I finish sewing my present hexie quilt together. x

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    1. You will have to stitch one of these hexie pretties one day, Kay. I am quite certain you would love it. Oooh....so you are working on a hexie quilt at the moment; how wonderful. I would love to see it when it is finished. Thank you for visiting. Have the most wonderful day. Kim Xx

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  14. Oh, Kim! Your hexie is truly a work of art! I'm so happy it brought you hours of calmness and peace. I'm glad your hubby is working toward wellness, too! Bless you!!

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  15. I can't believe how beautiful your quilt is! Gorgeous. I am so glad you weathered such a huge personal storm. I think our handwork does help us process some of the buzz that comes from stress. I am so glad your hubby is okay.

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  16. Wow! Wow! Wow! You have created another miracle quilt Kim! Oh I hear you so clearly on the times you worked on this by hand to calm your fears. I'm a little surprised that two years have slipped past already from when you first started talking about it. For all the prayers you have said over this quilt, I'm sure it will always bless the person that uses it. Because I think this beauty will outlive quite a lot of us as it's passed down through the generations. You have taken so many wonderful shots of the quilt, and the photos from outside with the advancing storm?! All I could think was "Get the quilt inside Kim! A storm's coming!" But it looks like the quilt is just dancing in the wind there, so happy and bright. Hugs to you on your finish dear friend. I'm so glad that all your prayers were answered.
    Wendy xox

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  17. Kim it is just amazinly beautiful with love Janice

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    1. Thank you so much, Janice. May you have a beautiful week. Kim Xx

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  18. Absolutely stunning! I love the colors and designs. I think it is now my favorite pattern on a quilt. I was admiring your cupboard full of colorful fabrics just before you mentioned it in this post. I say, fabulous!! I am so happy that you are on the other, happy, side of your husbands health scare and that you have something beautiful, besides his good health, that came of it.

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  19. That is gorgeous, such a labor of love. I'm so glad that your husband is well, coming through that terrible illness. I love the picture of your armoire with all the happy fabrics.

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  20. Love the beautiful photos of your gorgeous quilt, Kim! And thank you for sharing how the stitching of this quilt helped you through those dark days as your husband went through those treatments. Love, love, love the little teapot house...it's delightful! xx💕

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  21. Ooh Kim....you know how much I ooh and ahh over your hexie quilts, my dear one!!! I am just enthralled by the gorgeousness of this latest, finished one. I can see why there were so many prayers to Our Heavenly Father as you worked on this one during those dark times with your dear hubby's cancer and treatments. What happiness evolved from all of that. Why, oh why, have I not started a hexie quilt???!! I must just make some templates and get going, for heaven's sakes!! Thank you for all your inspiration. xxoo

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  22. I am glad things are going well with your dear husband.
    You have made this absolutely gorgeous hexagon quilt stitch to stitch in difficult hours. It is so beautiful on both sides.
    I love the teapot and I love this blogpost, you are a very special woman,
    hugs,
    Loes

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  23. This is a gorgeous quilt, Kim. Such a variety of the most beautiful colours and prints. It really is a quilt of happiness. And very kind, too, of Doris to help! I hope Mr Kim is properly well now :)

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  24. Stunning! Congratulations on a gorgeous finish Kim, I love all the fabrics, it is so joyful you can't help but smile when you see it :)

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  25. What a beautiful, happy quilt! I love the flowers and the candy colors. It is a wonderful quilt!

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  26. I can't help but squeal with delight, my friend! Your creations leave me breathless everytime. The love, care, and detail you put into the things you make is so very evident. Congratulations on finishing such a stunning masterpiece.

    Love and hugs to you!

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  27. oooooh i have enjoyed every post about this amazing quilt. a work of art, beautifully displayed on the clothes line, it is so bright and vibrant!!

    stitched with love, no two are the same...the fabrics you have chosen are just perfect!!

    best wishes to the mr.!!!

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  28. You are so right - your quilt does absolutely glow! And so much more special in that it glows on BOTH sides!!! Best of all though, is that your dear husband is feeling better.

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  29. i am speechless dear Sara!!!!!!!!

    never saw such passion of quilt before though i belong to a village where girls made all the bed sheets ,chair and table covers and wall mural for their dowry before marriage but such passion is rare as you do it as an artist and they did it as duty

    Lovely display of your wonderful and remarkable art work .
    i can imagine when you put it on the bed and looked at it with pride and gratitude

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  30. Oh my goodness this is just Beautiful, what a wonderful feeling of accomplishment that must be!! Every time you look at it you will remember all that you went through while making it and that you came out the other side. Such a gorgeous job with your stitching and NO I don't think anyone can have to many scrappy quilts at all, you have me wanting to get out my scrappy quilt and get working on it again :)

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  31. Speechless, yes, that's the word....I don't know which is more beautiful, the quilt itself or the story behind it. What a magnificent work of art...a masterpiece! Your photos of it are just wonderful. Beautiful, beautiful post, dear Kim! HUGS!

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  32. Dearest Kim, this is just a feast for the eyes. The workmanship and patient stitching that has gone into this beauty is astounding. You amaze me. Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. How very kind you are, Mimi, thank you. Yes, this pretty took a very long time to stitch...so, so happy it is finished and resting atop my bed. Everytime I gaze upon all those colours and patterns, I smile. Kim Xx

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  33. I tried to leave a message a couple of days ago, but I don't think it went through. My iPad does that at times.
    However, O, Kim what a gorgeous quilt! Congratulations on such a beautiful finish! I love the colours. They sing of all that's bright, happy, and good!

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    1. Aah technology! How lovely of you to take time out of your day and leave such a heart warming comment, thank you Dixie. Your comments have put a li'l sunshine into my day. Kim Xx

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  34. The joy of a finished quilt - the happiness of the journey - be it rough or smooth - it is a treasure beyond treasures. I love hexie quilts and have started one for my dolls the hexies are about half an inch across - what fun to play with pretty colors in such a small scale (for a while anyway) I do love your talent for display and photography - I want to be you when I grow up. Happy days ahead my dear friend.

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  35. Oh my goodness! Every time I see something you've created and I think it is the loveliest yet, but really - this quilt really is! The memories sewn into every inch of this quilt are ones that make it the most memorable for me. So amazing that as you walked through the difficult situation with your husband's health that this quilt helped to get you through those times. A truly remarkable memorial for you! It is so beautiful, I love all the gorgeous colors that you used, oh my, I wish I could make a hexie! You are so talented, and it makes me want to try my hand at making them. Have you ever done a tutorial that I could refer to, to make some hexies? I would need to start at ground zero, because I have little to no quilting experience. Coming here to your happy place always is like a joy. I hope winter ends soon for you, and that your happy flowers of springtime return very soon. With love and hugs :)

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  36. Gorgeous work and such a lot of stitching Kim. Wonderful quilt, what a beauty.

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  37. I just discovered your blog, Kim, and am loving each and every word and picture I have seen. This hexie quilt is just amazing! You have truly made a work of art, and it is obvious you stitched much love into every inch. The colors and fabric selections are perfect.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Mickie

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    1. Welcome to my little place, Mickie, it is a delight to have you visit my colourful world. Your lovely comments have warmed my heart and have put the sunniest smile into my day...thank you. Kim Xx

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