Sunday, April 25, 2021

'Tis The Season To Be Quilting ❣



Hello lovely lovelies❣ 'Tis a delight to have you visit my little autumnal place❣ Those Indian summer days have handed the baton over to the season of autumn; and where those balmy days have disappeared to, I do not know. The days have been decidedly cooler; after all Old Man Winter is nearly here. Jack Frost has showed up in the wee hours of some mornings, giving all of us who live down here at the bottom of the world a taste of those frigid tricks of his. The dahlias are no more, and though the cosmos and hydrangeas, with a few roses, are still hanging in there, the flower-filled garden of a month ago is no more. But that's okay as the cooler days have resulted in the landscape slowing down, preparing for a long rest, but in the process changing into a celebration of glorious hues  for which autumn is renowned. The falling leaves catch a ride on the wind, floating to the ground, covering the earth in a mosaic-like carpet of many patterns and colours. 'Tis the season to be snuggled under a rather large and heavy, and might I say, a very warm quilt......hand quilting❣

I have sat a lot this week enjoying  the quilting of the little leaves. All the leaves are finished. They sit happily among the fabric flowers, jostling for space; and I must say I do love them❣ The texture the leaves give to this quilt is amazing. I wish you could feel it. I will say it for time eternal, there is nothing quite like the squishy, squashy texture of a hand quilted quilt. Quilting these leaves has lulled my mind into a rhythm of needle down, needle up, skipping around the shape of a leaf  in a happy but at times imperfect way. Love the band of little leaves in all their perfect imperfectness.

I was struck by a comment from my last post. Angie wrote "I so admire your 'winging it' attitude - perfectionism is a devil that is constantly with me." I have thought a lot about these words this week. I know the devil of perfectionism a little too well. He and me have been lifelong acquaintances. I was that little girl who coloured very neatly within the lines and if per chance the pencil grasped by my chubby little fingers slipped over the precipice of a line, well, I would simply rip out the offending page and start again. I was that little girl who moved my mother's lamps, cushions, tchotchkes; anything that could be moved, around to a more eye pleasing arrangement. I know!!!! Just as well my mother tolerated her 'just so' daughter' . She just threw her hands up to the heavens, accepting and encouraging her arty-farty daughter. Though I do remember many a humdinger of  a conversation between the two of us on the subject of "Just So-ishness". So, re the subject of the devil of perfectionism sitting on my shoulder constantly, when it comes to hand quilting, I flick him off, glad to be rid of him. Actually, that horrid little devil chanting the incessant and irritating mantra of perfection spends less time sitting  on my shoulders these days. Those niggling, whispered jibes of his "it's not perfect....it's not perfect" in my ear are simply not tolerated. I don't care for his company. He is a tiresome pest! 

I have read recently of a lady who quilts just to enter them into shows. Oh, she is an amazing quilter. Beyond belief actually. Every stitch perfect! Every stitch marching in unison behind each other, of perfect length. I imagine she goes home with a wheelbarrow teeter-tottering with blue ribbons. Good on her......to each her own! But that will never be me. For me, stitching along hand drawn lines.....shapes, with no help from templates is freeing........imperfect, but freeing.....unfettering. The unspoken expectation of perfect hand quilted stitches does not weigh heavily on my shoulders. Now please do not misunderstand me. I love those quilts which showcase amazing quilting excellence. 'Their' perfect quilting does indeed maketh the quilt! I can look at them for hours astonished by the superb stitching before me; it's just that I will never be that gal. 'Tis a funny thing, but when I go to quilt shows and see which quilt has won 'the grand prize', I never seem to agree. I understand totally why the perfectly stitched quilt has won all the judges' accolades; it's just my heart always seems to love 'that' quilt where a stitch here and there has gone AWOL. What can I say??!! It is a frivolous gal that I am!!  Aah....the subjectiveness of art!

But enough of my ho-hummish musings. Let's see those happy little quilted leaves. Well.......a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words. =)






Today was a glorious sunny-ish, but cool Sunday. This afternoon I spent delightful moments in the fernery writing this post, and beginning to stitch quilting stitches across the sky of my quilt. Again, lines drawn freehand across the quilt, stitched with variegated threads. I don't want perfectly straight lines, but rather lines streaming across in an uneven fashion, as one would see replicated in nature. I want streamers of different colours partying across the watercolour fabric; a pastiche glowing with pinks, blues, mauves, lemons and aquas. Such a lovely way to spend a sunny, Sunday afternoon, don't you think?? I wonder what amazing stitching the band of  'Slow Sunday Stitchers' have enjoyed...when indeed Sunday arrives at their door??


Thank you for stopping by my little place. I know some of you have had the most difficult of  times this week. This season of your life you would rather not experience. Please know I am thinking of you and sending many a prayerful thought and hug your way. Please take care❣

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






56 comments:

  1. Oh , Kim your quilt is amazing.It was alive before with all of the beautiful applique but boy does the quilting bring such movement and texture . - Such a beauty. I am enjoying seeing your progress on this piece. And of course I always love your fernery . Happy quilting and have a lovely week.

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  2. Autumn can be outside but Spring is always by your side...with your beautiful quilts ! Lovely pics ! My favorite is with your husband looking at you with a smile...
    Here, Spring look like Autumn with cold and rainy days.
    Hug
    Anna

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  3. What I would give to spend time with you learning how you applique so lovely! Perfectionism is overrated and can be dangerous to your mental health... I am glad you don'tlisten to those old perfectionistic ways of the quilt police and others... your quilting and applique is divine as is :) Stay warm and blessed Anzac day to you I guess now it is a day late too! Kathi

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  4. OWO Sarah you are doing a work of love, we can see this in all and each detail. My hat is off for you! Please tell me something about those beutiful small blue birds, They look like the one we have here know as Saí Azul, with wonderful blue and black feathers. I think they are distant cousins.(LOL) Nature is fantastic. And your quilt is showing it so well. Have a wonderful new week. Hugs

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  5. So do you cut free hand right from the fabric? Or draw your shapes onto the fabrics? I love the idea of that freedom you talk about; I, too was that "color within the line" gal. And still am I guess...
    Your quilting is beautiful on this gorgeous quilt...just lovely work, Sarah
    Hugs, Julierose

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  6. I love your freehand quilted leaves, just beautiful! You have such a lovely inspiring fernery to quilt in, happy stitching!

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  7. Gosh it looks heavenly in your fernery with all the greenery of the outdoors peeping in along with your hubby as he passes by. Your quilt is beyond words everything you make is exquisite, you must have so much patience sewing those tiny stitches, I wonder how many there are. As for perfection if this is not perfection then what is? everyone's idea of perfection is different, I do try to do my best but nothing is ever perfect and do you know no one cares so why stress about it. If those who are of a competitive nature want to win the prize then I say good luck to them, each to their own. Enjoy your lazy stitching day and have a fabulous week. xx

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  8. Kim, I agree with Melisa, your quilt was “alive” before you started quilting but now it is almost in motion! You are truly creating a moving picture as one’s mind picks up all the element placements and quilting that brings your quilt to life! This quilt is quite incredible! You are right, perfectionism is quite overrated and something most of us get hung-up on. You’ve showed us how much more beautiful free handing can be. What a lovely way to spend your colorful days, in that gorgeous fernery quilting away! I’d love to sit and work with you one afternoon. I’m afraid, though, I’d be distracted from my work often to watch your incredible handiwork...oh, well! Ha! Enjoy your lovely week as your world begins settling down for its winter slumber. Zenda

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  9. Your quilting is just beautiful, Kim! I love the way you add realistic details to the leaves and flowers. Enjoy some quilting time today!

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  10. Kim. It’s always such a treat to see your lovely projects. You live in a beautiful place. I’m still puttering away with a bit of sewing, lots of knitting, and my garden

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  11. This quilt is fabulous! Someone once said 'Done is better than perfect'. I agree. Perfect isn't all that interesting after all.

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  12. I think lots of us like stopping by your warm, sunny, inviting garden! Your quilt is so lovely and your free hand leaves are the perfect backdrop for your quilt.

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  13. Absolutely beautiful, Kim! I love the leaves as a quilting pattern. Brilliant! Like you, the perfection at the quilt shows amazes me, but I have no desire to make any of my own. My art doesn’t include draftsmanship of these award winners.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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  14. Pues mira yo amo la perfección de las cosas imperfectas, siempre intento luchar por hacerlo mejor, que las terminaciones de los trabajos queden lo mejor posible, aunque a veces las cosas se revelan y no salen como nos gustaría, también suelo improvisar.............
    Tu acolchado es estupendo, si viviera cerca de tí seguro que aprendería cosas nuevas cada día.
    Ya estamos vacunados con la primera dosis contra COVID es un gran paso.
    Cuídate mucho y muchos BESICOS.

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  15. Such beauty...Balm to the soul.Hugs,my dear friend.

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    1. You are very kind, lovely Maristella; thank you so much❣ Thinking of you and sending you a hug❣ Take care, lovely lady❣ Kim Xx

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  16. Gorgeous quilt. I too started over a lot if something wasn't right. I try not to do that anymore, but I still find myself leaning toward perfection, though I am by no ways doing things perfect. Thanks again for a lovely visit to your side of the world Kim!

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  17. I love your approach to quilting. I always feel so rigid with what "should be", but your quilt looks so pretty I know I have to ease up a little bit. I loved all those quilt photos. You put a smile on my face. Have a wonderful week!

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  18. I have so enjoyed watching this quilt progress along it’s path and have also enjoyed reading your journey with it. It is perfectly “imperfect “ in every way. I love it and wish I could feel it in person.

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  19. What a beautiful post as usual. You never disappoint me. Gorgeous quilting in a gorgeous setting and a hot beverage too. Perfect!

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  20. Gosh Kim - I am in awe of all those tiny stitches! Just beautiful my friend. You have bought those flowers & leaves to life. What a wonderful place to sit & do some slow quilting. Yes its turned cooler here now too & I think I might have to light the fire soon. Have a wonderful week dear Kim. xx

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  21. This is such a cool quilt. Jack Frost hasn't quite left here yet - we had a few flurries last week! Enjoy your change in seasons! :-)

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  22. So sad to see the flowers go but there is nothing like the beautiful colors of Autumn too :) I love that we live in an area that sees all the seasons :)
    Your quilt is just gorgeous, I agree it is amazing the work that some people can do but sometimes you can feel the love that goes into an imperfect quilt more, and that is the kind I love and I feel that with yours, so beautiful, with each stitch lovingly done. Such a lovely place to do your stitching with all that great natural light, so wonderful to look out at all that nature as you do your stitching!

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  23. I love how you are working on a summery quilt in the autumn. There is enough quilt there to keep you warm while you stitch. Looking just beautiful!

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  24. Cosmos, they are so special and the quilting is just amazing. Love the sunshine shining through the windows.

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  25. Hi Kim
    Your quilt looks truly amazing. Love all the leaves, they really add to the garden.Your hand quilting is lovely, wish I could quilt half as good but I keep trying.
    Have a great week look forward to seeing more photos of your quilt.
    Best wishes Kay cXx

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    1. Those leaves are a delightful happenstance, aren't they. I didn't know whether or not they would work, but thankfully they do. They are a lovely surprise. You keep "trying" with your quilting, Kay, and so will I. We will both get 'there' one day. =) Thank you for the gift of your visit and beautiful words, lovely Kay. Enjoy a fabulous week❣ Kim Xx

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  26. I love your philosophy and handwork! And it's nice to read of and see peeks of my second favorite season while I'm enjoying my most favorite here in the northern hemisphere!

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  27. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. It's a work of art. I admire those who have the patience and skills to create quilts like these.

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  28. Your quilt and all it’s beauty is coming along, every little stitch at a time. I loved reading your memories of perfectionism and how you’ve transformed your thinking. I still am constantly tweaking things in my hone, but I have learned that with sewing, people don’t really notice imperfections in the big picture. Happy stitching, Kim! ❤️

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  29. I agree totally with your outlook on perfectionism and quilting. That said, I find your perfectly imperfect free hand quilting to be --- well, perfect. I am also sure that were you to enter your exquisite quilts in a juried show, you would win ribbons, too. Jack Frost is having a hard time letting go here, as we had snow last week that flattened some of the spring blooms. But the flowering trees and the awakening greenery bring hope that warmer temps will be here to stay shortly.
    Pat

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  30. You have won all the accolades in my book, Kim! No project has been hurt by taking a non-conformist(ic) approach and / or technique, so you just keep doing what you do best!

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  31. Just stunning! Beautiful quilting and bringing the whole quilt to life. xxx

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  32. Your stitches are so small and lovely, Kim.
    What a truly beautiful garden of delights!

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  33. Thank you so much, Svetlana for your sweet comment. I have often wondered how my ramblings are translated into another language. I suppose a lot gets lost in translation. =) Thank you for your beautiful visit. Hoping you are enjoying a pleasant week in your little spring-like corner of the world. Kim Xx

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  34. What a wonderful place to stitch the day away, Kim! I love the flowery bench and the old windows - be still my green-house loving heart! I have collected old windows to have one of my own someday, I hope. But on to your lovely stitching - my goodness, who could tell if there was imperfection? There is none that I can see - the quilt is stunning and it is like sitting in a wildflower meadow, surrounded by birds and butterflies and cozy, warm sunshine. I see your Mr. peeking in at you - such a sweet moment, and the little pitcher of flowers and teacup and saucer are so perfect, too. There is a certain art to imperfection that the Japanese call it Wabi-Sabi. I think that is real beauty. Enjoy your lovely autumn season - it is my favorite. Sending hugs xo Karen

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  35. I am very relieved about that. =) I do tend to go on and on.........! Xx

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  36. What a beautiful and spectacular work, a thousand congratulations, you can see how he enjoys it.
    Greetings.

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    1. Thank you so much, Carmen, for your beautiful words❣ You have sprinkled much joy into my day❣ Kim Xx

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  37. Oh, Kim. I know the comments are 'aglow' with your fabulous quilt. The hand-quilting is truly impressive. As I saw the texture the leaves added I did wonder what you'd planned for the sky. Of course, you handled that beautifully. I know I'll be pleasantly surprised when I see what you've planned for that yummy border. Thank you for all your words on hand-quilting - I know that's what I need to learn enough to do my POTCs quilt. Tchotchkes - what?? Oh, Kim must have misspelled the word but I did have to look it up at Merriam-Webster. Lo and behold, it was a real word! I love learning new words even if I'm not so good at using them. Knick-knack is usually what I use. Did you know that the word, tchotchkes, has a Jewish and a Polish connection? Your struggle with perfectionism does follow my own journey. Aren't we hit by contradictions from all around us? My most favorite contradiction is, "It's not worth doing unless you do it well." I usually run my life according to that adage but I also go by, "Only God makes no mistakes." So when I make a mistake, I try to slough it off and leave it as a reminder that I am not God. :) Your fernery is a wonderful place to enjoy stitching, writing, whatever you wish to do. Happy stitching.

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  38. An abundance of loveliness, as always, dear Kim. I especially enjoyed the photos of your studio with the clear windows and lovely views. A magical place.
    Amalia
    xo

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  39. Your pretty little leaves are perfectly perfect being random!

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  40. I enjoy your lovely writings, the way you describe your changing weather!! Do you enter your quilts in a show?? This one is gorgeous, so colorful, and quilted with so much love!!!

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  41. I have enjoyed wandering through your lovely quilted garden, to your poetic descriptions. Wow, even the cup has flowers! I was reminded of some of the quilts I have seen entered in Japanese quilt shows ... such tiny stitches and detail that I wonder if that quilter ever sleeps or eats or anything but stitch.

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  42. Kim - I was slightly astonished and thoroughly honored that you should quote me in your post - thank you. I am a "work in progress" when it comes to shedding my perfectionism, and I take great inspiration and encouragement from folks like you! I love imagining you in the fernery, snuggled under your quilt and stitching away ... Enjoy the coming weekend!

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  43. Go on quilting that way, my darling friend, in your so wonderful greenhouse, and enjoy your Autumn, for me the most wonderful season at all!
    Sending blessings on your Sunday
    Dany
    P.S. Every quilt you sew is more wonderful than the one before!

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  44. The Fernery looks like a tranquil retreat to quilt, sew, contemplate and create. Your fabric spring garden will see you through the wintry months ahead.

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  45. Your quilt is a work of art, perfect stitching or not. It looks like a prize winner to me!

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  46. Amazingly beautiful work Kim, love seeing so much colour and pretty details. Quilts with flowers have always been my favourites and I love the way you add little details sprinkled and mixed within.

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  47. Lovely hand quilting, as always with your pretty quilts. You can enter to contest your quilts too!

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  48. I'm with you in appreciating AWOL stitches on a quilt - they speak to the true origins of quilts. Personally I would be voting for your quilt if it were in a show because to me there would be no contest between it and the 'perfect' ones. I can appreciate their expertise but nothing beats being real.

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  49. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful, a painting with stitches.
    Would be so beautiful to see that on your bed every day.
    Wendy

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  50. Oh, I love the way you enjoy your quilting! Yes, I have also met those who quilt for shows and competitions, forever dreading the "quilting police" who come and count the stitches. That has never been me. I remember being asked once by a new convert to this craft: "So, you just make quilts for a fun?" "Yes" I shouted quietly, "doesn't everyone?" Yes, she was a perfectionist, one of those who just could not imagine that I just possibly couldn't care about the stitch count. I sew because I find a great deal of pleasure in it. The same way I blog, because now and then I come across something amazing, like just now :-)

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  51. Totally love your bag...how fun to make something someone has cast off---I do have pieces my Grandmother never finished. The Quilt is gorgeous, and I'm always amazed of our flip-flop seasons. You are going into Fall, and here we are finally awakening to Spring. Hugs, Sandi

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    1. You will have to fashion those pieces of your grandmother into something pretty, Sandi. Yes, autumn is now finishing here...winter next. =( How fabulous you are experiencing the joys of spring/summer there. Thank you for visiting. Kim Xx

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