Sunday, January 8, 2023

Hydrangea Cobblestones....A Quilt Finish♡


Hello lovely lovelies♡ A lovely welcome to you♡ A new year♡ A new year filled with imagining and dreaming; and the enjoyment of stitching new pretties♡ A new year for lots of slow stitching on Sundays♡

Why, I have a finished quilt to reveal.  Hydrangea Cobblestones is finished. Actually, my hydrangea pretty was completed in early spring last year when the blossom trees, the pendulous wisteria, daffodils, bluebells and irises were sashaying in the spring air; but I have left it till now to showcase it because, well, a quilt with the moniker of Hydrangea Cobblestones really needs to have a photo or two taken with real, ridgy didge; bonafide hydrangea blooms. It really needs to be photographed with a hydrangea or two. It really truly does.

This queen sized quilt was imagined after happening upon some gorgeous Robin Pickens fabric called Cottage Bleu. A beautiful collection with big, bold hydrangeas flourishing all over with a flutter of butterflies scattered here and there. The complementary fabrics are sweet little dimity prints. On the selvedge is printed "How calmly blue soothes and sings softly in the sky." Yes indeedy, this gal's heart is forever blue and the hue blue will always soothes my soul.....as do blue hydrangeas.

Way, way back in 2021 when I purchased metre upon metre I had no thoughts as to what I would fashion from it. I just had to, had to have it! Inspiration though, didn't take long to grab my imagination. 

I tossed up ideas in my muddly mind finally deciding upon a simple quilt with hydrangea-filled octagons and little squares of a 1930's fabric. Both the fabrics evoke a vintage aesthetic which always pleases my little ol' vintage heart. So the english paper piecing begun placing hydrangea-filled octagons wherever they fell. As I stitched the octagons and squares into a central panel I was reminded of cobblestones; hence the name. With the central panel finished I then designed a border with stylised hydrangea flowers dancing around the edge. I remember this process taking an age but once I had made up my mind as to the design, it really didn't take very long at all. After a lot of botheration re working out the border it was well worth all the angst as I must say I love it.

The quilting was simple, simple and even more simple! I hand quilted diagonally in both directions through the octagons with the quilting stitches kissing the corners of the squares as they skip by. For the border, with the hydrangea flowers do-si-do-ing around on the butterfly fabric, I quilted randomly around the outline of some of the butterflies with meandering quilting every which way giving a sense of the butterflies fluttering here, there and everywhere. Then I quilted around the octagon hydrangea flowers, the leaves and the stems on the border. I enjoyed hand quilting this quilt. I love the simple design; loved skipping along the quilting lines with the needle burrowing down and up again....in, out, in, out; in a meditative fashion. The binding is a Kona fabric; the same blue which is in the quilt. So, so very happy with this quilt.

So grab a cuppa, nestle down into a comfy sofa and enjoy a happy snap or two of my hydrangea pretty. I must say though, there are a 'few' photos as 'she' (my quilted pretty) did want to sashay through spring and summer being snapped with all the pretty flowers. Never let it be said that I do not take advantage of flowers, a finished quilt and a photo or two. =)

Shall we perhaps have a little look???? =)

















I must say I'm rather glad I brought metre upon metre of this gorgeous fabric on a whim. I must say too, that having used the fabric for the backing as well, all the fabrics have been used. 'Tis always a good feeling, isn't it, when a quilt uses up the fabrics? Love, love, love this quilt. LOVE the hydrangea fabric and all the other complementary fabrics which dance a happy dance. What's not to love about summer and beautiful, blue hydrangeas??!! What's not to love about my happy Hydrangea Cobblestones??!! But then....I am just a wee bit biased. =)

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





42 comments:

  1. Such a pretty, pretty, gorgeous quilt Kim. Stunning. And of course amazing photographs and beautiful garden shots. Thank you for taking us round your lovely garden again. xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely gorgeous quilt ! But with a garden full of hydrangeas ( and flowers ) like yours, the inspiration comes just looking outside...
    Lovely pictures too.
    Have a great Sunday and week !
    Hug
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  3. She's a beauty, so colorful and happy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Of course, your quilt needed to be photographed with the hydrangeas! Such a beautiful finish, Kim. Congratulations! Will This Quilt take a turn on your bed? That’s what happens here. I just love a pieced backing too. Gail at the Cozy Quilter

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy New Year Kim! another masterpiece it's absolutely beautiful. xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too love love love this quilt! And looks so nice nestled amongst the hydrangeas. I'm also a bit in love with your iris china! Happy new year.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OWO It is GORGEOUS, Kim!!!
    A New Year full of blessings to you and Pete.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hydrangea Cobblestones is gorgeous. Even the back is pretty. I can't wait to see what you decide to stitch next.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a gorgeous finish to your "Hydrangea Cobblestones" quilt!! Super photos, too ...wonderful work Congratulations on a beauty hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous post ..... the quilt, the flowers ...... I'm drooling ....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so very much♡ Your beautiful words have blessed my day. Kim Xx

      Delete
  11. Wow! Waiting until the garden was blooming and taking pictures when it is in full bloom is the best compliment to pay such a beautiful quilt. You honour the beauty and art that surrounds you in the best way. Love how you used every piece of fabric and quilted so much love, fun and joy into this wonderful piece of art!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Maggie♡ 'She' really needed to be photographed dancing among the summer hydrangeas....to be seen at 'her' best. =) Thank you for sprinkling sunshine into my day with your beautiful words. Your sweet visit has caused me to smile. Kim Xx

      Delete
  12. Stunning! The back is also very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  13. breathtakingly beautiful - and with 6 inches of snow on the ground for the past week, i truly needed to see some blue hydrangeas

    ReplyDelete
  14. A gorgeous quilt and your blog post is a visual feast for my eyes!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Dearest Kim,
    Your atworks amaze me more and more, and your wonderful garden is always such a gorgeous frame to present them in every season!
    In the hope you hade a happy Christmastide, I'm wishing you a lovely New Year,
    Sending my dearest hug
    XO Daniela

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love everything about Hydrangea Cobblestones Kim, it is absolutely stunning, as are your gorgeous pictures. Hydrangeas are my favorite flower and blue is my favorite as you can tell from house color and most of the walls in my house. Lovely posts, brought a smile to my face as always. I can't wait to see my hydrangeas again. We had a frost a couple of months ago and everything turned black. Hopefully my poor bushes are still alive.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my! It is absolutely gorgeous! Happy New Year my dear friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, lovely Maristella. A Happy New Year to you, too. Kim Xx

      Delete
  18. So lovely. And now you can enjoy those blue hydrangeas all year long. Amazing how the real ones merge so effortlessly with the fabric ones. Brings sweet reminders of the summer days to come. Yay, the daylight hours are now increasing here. Sorry that yours are moving in the opposite direction.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  19. Las fotos me han dejado "in love total" 💙💚💙💚💙 tu colcha ha quedado maravillosa y emplear tantas telas en la trasera es genial, reconforta mucho. Un gran abrazo y muchos BESICOS.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a lovely quilt, Kim! I loved all your photos with the beautiful flowers and your hydrangea quilt. It's cold and snowy in the northern hemisphere, so any warmth and color, even virtually, are so enjoyable. Congratulations on your finish!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just beautiful Kim & a visual treat for all of us. I am guessing you took some of your photos a couple of months ago as I surely no longer have iris's flowering or maybe they are later ones?? I especially love the photo of it alongside your hydrangea hedge. 💙💜💙

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is a beautiful quilt! Once again, you spoil us with your gorgeous displays and photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lovely to see all the pictures of your quilt, Kim! It’s really beautiful! Your pretty garden is the ideal background!
    Wishing you a Happy New Year with lots more stitching!
    Hugs,
    Barbara (The Flashing Scissors.blogspot.com) xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Barbara, for your sweet visit and kind words. May your new year be filled with many happy hours of delightful stitching, too. Kim Xx

      Delete
  24. Oh my Kim it is just lovely and I understand wanting the right backdrop to showcase it. Front and Back are equally as gorgeous, you explained how you quilted it so lovely and as always your pictures are just wonderful!!
    Enjoy those beautiful flowers and your lovely quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  25. A wonderful finish, and I'm glad you waited for the pretty flowers to bloom for the reveal. Sometimes simple is the best thing to do! I think I've said it before, but those colors make me want to dive right into that quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your hydrangea quilt is amazing! Also the way you arrange quilts, flowers, beautiful things when you photograph in your beautiful garden. It is so beautiful! I am speechless. Thank you so much for sharing these beauties with us.
    Hugs Birthe https://birthesrom.blogspot.com/?m=0

    ReplyDelete
  27. Simply beautiful, as always. I love the glorious summery photos you have taken, they show the quilt to perfection.

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a gorgeous quilt with hydrangeas and butterflies in the border. Also the flowers, lilies are beautiful. Happy New Year. Thelma.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Thelma, for your kind words and sweet visit. Wishing you a Happy New Year, too. Kim Xx

      Delete
  29. Hi Kim
    Love your beautiful quilt, especially like the hydrangeas round the border. Great photos with your beautiful garden.
    Best wishes Kay c Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, lovely Kay. The garden is looking beautiful at the moment. I had to take a few happy snaps of it. =) It took a while to dream up the hydrangea border, but happy I persisted. I rather like it, too. As ever, it is always a joy to have you visit my little place. Kim Xx

      Delete
  30. Absolutely a gorgeous quilt! And gorgeous flowers and photos!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Beautiful finish! All the photos are so lovely. Congrats on lovely finish. Now you'll have spring in the middle of next winter.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Of course, I had to research the Cottage Bleu fabrics; you always entice me with thoughts and questions. Thank you, btw. It is a gorgeous quilt and I enjoyed all the fabulous photos and your flourishing words, Did you applique the hydrangeas in the border? Even though I enlarged the pictures, I couldn't tell for sure. Yes, I do feel good about using up every inch of 'favorite' quilt fabrics but I always have a bit of reluctance, too. Toooo weird but true. The end is always a bit difficult for me.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Such a beautiful quilt, photos and post, thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Happy new year, Kim! Love, love, love your new quilt, absolutely gorgeous! I am all for simple quilting :-) And those beautiful pictures from your garden, I am so envious right now, hibernating in our cold and wet weather, I am basking in the warmth of your pictures! xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. You are more than allowed to be a wee bit biased over this quilt! Of course you know blue is my favourite colour of all so that alone will make me like it - but then you add hydrangeas AND flutter-byes and that just adds a whole element of putting it over the top.
    Having said that, I have gained a whole new appreciation for the fact that you hand quilt. I have been struggling for far too long to quilt a small lap sized quilt and simply can't imagine doing anything larger. As it is, this one is proving to be a life's work!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Another gorgeous creation. I love all those blues and I'm enjoying your Summertime :)

    ReplyDelete