Sunday, April 11, 2021

I Just Want To Hand Quilt ❣



Good Morning lovely lovelies❣ 'Tis a sunny, with a little-bit-of-a-nip-in-the-air kinda day, here today. A perfect day for snuggling under a very big....and heavy quilt, enjoying a little hand quilting. Or perhaps a perfect day for quilting in the fernery where the sunshine embraces me with a warm hug. Yes.....me thinks that is how I will enjoy this lovely Sunday morning❣

But before I chat about all things quilting, I was wondering, how are you all?? Life down here has been rather pleasant of late. It is school holiday time so me and my good husband have been out and about; and entertaining some guests who we have not seen 'hide nor hair' for twenty years. My friend was our next door neighbour in Sydney, for many years.....until she sold her house to 'the neighbours from hell'.....but that is a whole other sordid story for another day. Actually, it is a dossier filled with many unbelievable and strange stories. Stuff worthy of a good crime novel.....indeed stranger than fiction.....but true. But enough about the illegal world of  chicane and devious people, let's just say we escaped (actually..... we flew out of there quicker than a bat out of hell) and headed way down to the bottom of the world, where ghastly neighbours are but a dreadful, distant memory. It was fun catching up with my friend though; all the family toings and froings that have gone down in twenty years. Isn't it funny, how when you don't see people for yonks, it really only seems like yesterday that we were sharing a cuppa (yes.....even in those days tea was enjoyed in a pretty fine bone teacup) and chatting about all things life.

The weather here in this far rural outpost has been lovely. Surely for those of you way up there north of the Equator, spring has sprung.....hasn't it???? Here, we have had beautiful sunny, Indian Summer kinda days, punctuated with enjoyable moments with the hand quilting of my pretty applique flower garden. BUT.....there is definitely a nip in the air, so I just know Jack Frost is not too far away.

Now.....about the border and backing fabrics. I purchased a beautiful fabric called Vibrant Garden a year ago, with the thought that I might use it for the border of this quilt. It is an all over print with hydrangeas flourishing all over. Perfect!! So, so happy that hydrangeas are dancing around my applique garden. It was just meant to be. You have seen it before as it has been the backdrop of many a flowery photo shoot. =) For the backing I have used a fabric with spring flowers smiling happily.......LOVE the daffodils❣ This fabric too, has popped up in many a photo shoot over the last year. When I saw all those happy flowers, I knew it would be perfect for the backing of my flower garden quilt.




Now to the quilting. I am quilting with Gutermann Sulky 100% cotton, size 30, variegated threads. As these threads are not coated, before I stitch I run them through a thread conditioner and protectant, (Thread Heaven) to prevent the thread from knotting. I am loving the variance of colours. Normally I use a plain coloured quilting thread but I decided to live precariously this time. I do not care one iota that my imperfect quilting stitches will be laid bare for the world to see. =)

For the flower section of the garden I am quilting leaves here, there and everywhere. No templates, just drawing the leaves as I go. I must say I am having the best fun making it up as I go. The leaves are giving the quilt the most fabulous texture and they seem to cause the flowers to pop. The leaves growing wherever they will are adding beautiful dimension and depth. The hand quilting is breathing life into my little applique flower garden. Love, love, LOVE the texture thus far. I have used a 60% wool 40% polyester batting which is giving this quilt a softer and warmer feel.



Sitting here in the sunshine-filled fernery I am going to enjoy more quilting of the leaves. As I look out to my little world beyond, to the distant hills kissing the blue sky, to the verdant paddocks....to my little autumnal garden, I cannot but smile at the beauty of the landscape which surrounds me; hugs me. Getting into the groove and quilting for a couple of hours will indeed be bliss. Hand quilted stitch, after hand quilted stitch; leaf after leaf....so relaxing. Yes indeed, I just want to hand quilt on this sunny Sunday morning. I just want to sit here, drink in all that is before me, giving thanks to God, that I am able to enjoy the beauty of His amazing handiwork beyond the windows of the little fernery. So thankful, too, for the gift of your beautiful visit. I hope I have sprinkled little smiles into your day. May your day be a lovely one, a blessed one; where a little sunshine and beauty causes you to smile.




Until the next time.........



Linking with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.





54 comments:

  1. You certainly seem to be going very well with your hand quilting already, as always, beautiful stitching on your gorgeous quilt. The fabrics chosen for the borders and backing are perfect!

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  2. Nothing better than being in the middle of a beautiful garden and gorgeous fabrics. Create gorgeous quilts and sharing with us ;)
    Have a lovely week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  3. I always wish I was sat there with you Kim you paint such a pretty picture, you have me intrigued with your neighbour's from hell, I hope some stories may e forthcoming. I'm pleased that you enjoyed the visit with your friend, there's nothing like meeting up with old friends and catching up over a cup of tea and perhaps a piece of cake. I love your quilt that backing material is heavenly, the whole thing is just perfect, enjoy your Sunday stitching. xx

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  4. Your applique and your quilting are so you and unique andlovely! I wish my quilting was so cool! Thanks for sharing... enjoy your quilt to keep your warm too as you head into wintertime and we head into summer. Kathi

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  5. What a splendid quilt; and beautifully hand stitched...wonderful to enjoy Nature while quilting your nature-inspired piece at the same time;)))
    I really think your quilt is gorgeous...beautiful work...

    Up here in SE CT Spring is showing signs of coming, but not quite warm enough to sit outside as yet==and no garden blooms with the exception of my frolicking daffodils in our sea breezes here...they are a joy to behold this year...
    Enjoy your handwork journey
    Hugs, Julierose

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  6. So true about visiting with a friend (or a relative) after a long absence - you can pick up where you left off. A wonderful feeling. Hand quilting posts are some of my favorites. Ever so clever to stitch a leaf pattern. I do like the variegated thread as it adds subtle interest. The appliqued flowers look dimensional against the quilted background. Perhaps someone is entertaining writing a suspenseful crime novel? Enjoy your sunny fall days!

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  7. A spot to escape to with all the natural light, heaven. Love the daffodils on the fabric. Enjoy the quilting with the leaves and thread, doing it just for the joy of it. Have not heard the word yonks in ages, lol. Lovely to hear it again.

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  8. Gorgeous stitching, as always, dear Kim. Why is the cotton sulky? Is someone being mean or not enough screen time?
    Amalia
    xo

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  9. Yes, how lucky are we all to visit each other's places via the internet and see all the beautiful pretties all of us are delighting in and making. It is lovely to see how others live in their little corner of the world. Thank you for your sweet visit and beautiful words. Kim Xx

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  10. That quilt is amazing, and the leaf motif really sets off the applique. And the border and backing fabrics are perfect.

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  11. That’s A perfect fabric for the backing of your garden quilt! The leaf quilting adds an extra dimension to your pretty quilt. You have a wonderful spot to sit and stitch while enjoying a cup of tea. I wish I could join you!

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  12. OMG your quilt is stunning and the leaves quilting is just perfect for it. You are making a work of art, Kim.
    Have a precious stitching/quilting week. Hugs

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  13. This quilt was already fabulous. Your hand quilting is taking it to the next level! Amazing!

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  14. Your unique artwork always amazes me,just stunning!Thank you for such beauty,you have brighten up my day. Greetings,my friend.

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    1. You are so very kind, lovely Maristella; thank you❣ Flowers and quilts always add a little beauty to one's day, don't they. Have a beautiful week, my lovely friend❣ Kim Xx

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  15. I love that backing fabric, Kim! Daffodils are my favorite flower, and mine are finally blooming here. Your quilting is adding even more beauty to your already beautiful quilt!

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  16. I knew you would come up with a design to enhance the beauty of your flower garden quilt. The organic leaves (for after all, leaves are certainly organic) are a perfect match to your appliqued flowers and birds. And, oh, to have such a wonderful perch in which to enjoy your quilting journey. Here, we are in the throes of an unseasonably warm and sunny spring. It is raining today, but we have been very dry, so the moisture is welcomed. The daffodils, forsythia, hyacinths and minor bulbs are blooming away. We'll just keep hoping a late season snow does not spoil the early arrival of the flowers. I shall be puttering away trying to straighten the studio. Oh, and a venture out to a restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday is on the agenda. We've both finished our vaccine regimen and feel it's time to gradually and carefully re-enter the world.
    Pat

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  17. Life is tough where I live these days with covid out of control and in a stay at home order for at least 28 days. But your lovely photographs really cheered me up! The texture of your hand stitching is so beautiful! I love the photo with the quilt in a hoop and the basket of threads and the sun shining in... makes me feel so relaxed!

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  18. Beautiful quilting Kim - it is just amazing how some quilting can bring a quilt to life. So glad you are hand quilting too, such a lovely texture. Gorgeous fabrics for backing an border. Well, spring had sprung here in France but then last week we had a couple of hard frosts. Sadly lots of tender young shoots have been damaged and I sure blossom too has been devasted. There is an amazing picture somewhere on the internet of vineyards with little fires burning between the rows of vines to prevent the frost touching them. Sadly there are another couple of frosts forecast for next week too.. xx

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  19. I love the look of your quilting spot and your hand quilting looks gorgeous! It sounds like you had fun catching up with past friends.

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  20. Hi,
    Awesome quilt. Love all those prtty
    colors. Have a great day!

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  21. Your leaf quilting is gorgeous! And I love the fabrics you’ve chosen for the border and backing. You’re making me want to do some hand quilting!

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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  22. Esas dos telas son casi tan hermosas como tu jardín, deseo irresistible..... y el acochado está quedando super-bien. Muchos BESICOS.

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  23. Oh my goodness! I adore the vibrant garden fabric. Wouldn’t a sundress be pretty made from the fabric??

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  24. By now, you've probably had your first snow. That Antarctic blast has found its way to Sydney. Good excuse to make comfort foods and snuggle under a quilt. Delighted to see that you have chosen variegated thread to quilt this joyous garden. Such a wonderful effect.

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  25. What a sweet post! Beautiful as usual.

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  26. Kim, you describe a perfect day doing what you love in the perfect spot! The border and backing fabric go wonderfully with this creation. Everything has come together, just as it should!! Enjoy this peaceful time in your lovely fernery your dear hubby created for you. It looks like a cozy spot to spend quilting (and potting in the spring!). Now, back to those nasty neighbors! You've teased us with such an 'interesting' story that you really MUST write a post about them sometime!! Ha! Wishing you a wonderful and cozy week quilting this beautiful quilt, dear Kim!! Zenda

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  27. I adore how you have decided to quilt leaves around your flowers. Your quilting looks beautiful and the threads that you've chosen are the perfect complement. Love that backing fabric too.

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  28. So wonderful to spend time with all friends and talk about the old days and what you have in mind for the years to come :)
    you have done quite a bit of quilting so far, I have not tried that stuff for my hand quilting, it seems like my mom used some kind of bees wax or something like that to run her thread through but I am not sure about that. Great choice for your backing fabric too! Enjoy the rest of your Indian summer!

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  29. Hi Kim
    Your hand quilting is wonderful. Love the daffodil fabric. So pretty. Will this quilt be a wall hanging,
    Lockdown is easing here today. Happy days.
    Best wishes Kay c XX

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    1. The daffodil fabric is pretty, isn't it. I dithered between this quilt being a wall hanging or for the bed and decided to make it as a bed quilt. It's a little large to display on our walls. I am glad for you, Kay, that lockdown is easing for you and you will be able to enjoy getting out and about. You must be excited at this lessening of restrictions. Have a great week and enjoy your freedom, lovely lady. Kim Xx

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  30. How sorry you have had such horror neighbors, our neighbors are nice and helpful.
    You thought it was spring here with us ???
    We keep getting winter showers, snow and hail, April with his white hat.
    You can quilt so fine and beautiful, the whole is so luxurious and opulent and a joy to see. This will be a very exclusive quilt.
    What did you say? Imperfect stitches? They are super and great, worth a compliment !!!
    Whis you a lovely week Dear Kim!

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    1. Aah....those neighbours; we hardly think of them now. They are but a bad memory. =) Our neighbours now are wonderful, Loes. No spring there yet??!! Surely it will show up soon. It is getting chilly here now. Jack Frost will soon show his horrid face. Oh, there are lots of imperfect stitches but the leaves swallow them all up. Love my leaves. I am loving quilting my flower garden. You have a lovely week, too, dear Loes. I hope that the snow, hail and winter showers will disappear for a very long time and all your days will be sunny and warm. Kim Xx

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  31. I enjoyed reading your memories of how you fled to the countryside, and your visit with your former neighbors. Your backing fabric is just stunning, and you always have a plan in the back of your creative mind. Now onto the quilt...oh, how I love appliqué work. How beautiful it is and I can picture you stitching in that setting of your lovely world. Thank you for sharing!

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  32. It really does look like leaves in the background with your subtle colored stitches...totally lovely. I am always amazed at your stunning work! Sandi

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    1. Thank you so much, Sandi. Loving my little leaves, Sandi. They are so forgiving. =) Kim Xx

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  33. Lovely stitching. Your corner of the world sounds lovely. We had some snow today! I hope the sun will be coming out way soon :)

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  34. It sounds as though you had a glorious day in your fernery. Your quilting is so pretty and love that you are freehanding the leaves- such texture and beauty in your quilt. Have a beautiful week, Kim and hope you get in lots of stitching.

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  35. I love the leaves you are quilting, perfect for behind your applique. Sitting in your fernery is the perfect place for quilting, lovely atmosphere and view. We are heading into autumn too, today is very windy, tomorrow rain is forecast. It is that time of the year.

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  36. I can relate to your heading! I just want to sit in my armchair and crochet! We've been on our second week of curfew here and we won't be able to wander much until the 20th, but with Ortodox Easter coming up, I think they will prolong it. I've been mainly stuck in the house (online teaching) and have greatly reduced going out. I look forward for the weekends when we go outside for long walks in nature and just fill our batteries. That is what keeps me sane. Thank you for beautifying my day with your gorgeous photos!

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  37. Nice to spend time with good friends, away from bad neighbors! Your hand quilting is beautiful, and makes pop up your pretty flowers and birds. Lovely!

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  38. Beautiful quilting Kim and such pretty fabric. I think this is going to be one of my favourites. I love the hidden birds and butterflies - gorgeous.

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  39. I totally love the fabrics you're using for the border and the backing to your quilt. Brilliant blooms and fabulous colors - how can you go wrong! If only I could spend some time watching you hand-quilt...that would be sublime. I'm contemplating hand-quilting the king-sized Patchwork of the Crosses quilt I've been working on. Oh yes, I have much to do before quilting begins but since the quilt is all hand-pieced it seems only fitting that the quilting stay in the same realm. I know I'll have a gazillion questions for you about hand-quilting but the one that has been occurring to me is "Where do you start with the quilting - center, one of the corners?"

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  40. I love your quilting! Perfect for this quilt.

    Spring is springing! We finally have the daffodils blooming. :-)

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  41. Kim - I have had a less than stellar week, but I feel better having read your post and seen your lovely photos!!! Spring is peeking out here, but barely. I am ready for it now. I so admire your "winging it" attitude - perfectionism is a devil that is constantly with me!

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  42. Your quilting is amazing! I am in awe of this project.

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  43. Yes, this quilt is all stitched by hand. Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoy a beautiful weekend. Kim Xx

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  44. It's a pleasure to see your work, dear Kim. Colorful and happy ... thank you, I'm very happy.
    We had snow yesterday falling on my planted pansies and daffodils, but I think they will be able to shine again when the sun comes up and spring is in its glory. You can watch a city walk with me on Wednesday ... it was beautiful, even if it was deserted - unfortunately still.
    Best regards to you and I wish you a lot of fun quilting ... I look forward to coming again. Viola

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    1. Thank you, Viola. Snow??!! Surely it will disappear soon. Kim Xx

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  45. oh no, bad neighbors, we have all had a small taste of that in one way or another. the hubs and i always say we should write a book about our past employees and the stories they told and the things they did - a best seller for sure!!

    indian summers are wonderful, aren't they?? unexpected pops of warmth and sunshine, perfect days to be outside before the cold sets in.

    the fabrics and designs you have chosen are nothing short of spectacular!! and your thread heaven sounds like something i could use for my embroidery work!!

    we are having a cold snap today, after temps in the 70's...the weather has been crazy!!

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  46. Truly lovely, Kim.
    I love the beautiful thread you have chosen too.

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  47. Sitting in your beautiful garden and hand quilting this beauty is the most wonderful way to spend the day. Loved seeing the close up photos!

    -Soma

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  48. The hydrangea fabric is indeed perfect! And variegated thread is an ideal choice too. To say nothing about your surroundings while you quilt. Ahhhh - nothing could be more perfect.

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