Monday, December 8, 2014

Another Finish!


"Contentment"  49" x 49"
I've been going through my pile of flimsies, thinking about the ones I want to quilt.
This one cried out to me recently.  



I put it together a year or two ago, with leftover blocks from five different projects.
The words came from instructions in Tonya Ricucci's excellent book, Word Play Quilts.

On second look, the original house block seemed a bit muddy.
So I decided to do a little "home improvement."



Hmm, not exactly what I was looking for.




The third time was the charm.  Now for the quilting.




After stitching in every ditch, I sewed thin matchsticks around all the letters.
Then I added easy back and forth designs and small stippling.
I used puffy wool batting so the letters would pop out.



The half-square triangles got their own simple flower shapes.
Dark binding popped the colors.
Wa-la!

Don't you just love finishing?
I surely do!










42 comments:

Rachaeldaisy said...

It's wonderful to see this quilt finished!! It's such an uplifting quilt, not just the words you have chosen but the happy colours. Congratulations on another brilliant finish..

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love this quilt. Doris

Frog Quilter said...

It's beautiful and fun!

Sujata Shah said...

It's a great feeling to finish a quilt. I find a right balance of machine quilting and hand quilting with my tops. Some deserves to be hand stitched so i take my time.
I love the house you ended up with. It anchors the entire quilt! Another beauty!

Annemieke said...

Good improvement in that house, there is surely more contrast between the fabrics now. I think the quilt is great, lots of things to keep looking at. And I love the way you quilted it. I know the 'finish feeling'. I should try that myself more often;)
Groetjes
Annemieke

Nat Palaskas said...

It's gorgeous! I'm glad you choose to quilt this one. Nice feeling to finished it - Hugs Nat

Millie said...

Absolutely fabulous. I love it. It's grand and lovely and lively and full of verve and spunk!

Karen said...

This quilt has a very special vibe to it, great finish!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

love it love it love it. fantastic quilt. can't believe you changed the center block once, let alone twice. well worth the work.

Chris said...

Great finish LeeAnn! Your machine quilting is awesome, and don't you love wool batting? So soft and drapey, yet also lofty and so cozy. Nice home repair!

Heidi said...

Wonderful finish !
The third house is perfect.

beth s said...

One of my favorite quilts! Done is good.

Monica said...

Wow, I love this! What a great mix of fabrics, especially in the four patches. I really like the quilting, too -- interesting but not intrusive. A nice lift for a grey December day!

Quilting Stories said...

I do love finishing, especially when the result is as successful as your is! Congratulations on this finished marvel!

Barb said...

Yea!! I love this quilt. It is so funky and fun. The lettering is awesome.
Nice house and wonderful quilting -
enjoy your new finish

Brenda said...

fabulous! did you have to unpick the centre block?

Sharon said...

Another AMAZING quilt from you. I get so inspired seeing your work, thanks so much for sharing. Congrats to the book winners, it's on my list to purchase if Santa doesn't find it for me.

Jodi said...

Wow, this is GORGEOUS! You combine fabrics with such intensity!

em's scrapbag said...

Looks fabulous!

audrey said...

Love this quirky quilt! The words just make it sing.:) Beautiful work!

Diane said...

So worthy of the finish, it makes me smile.

Mystic Quilter said...

Lovely quilt and the combination of hand and machine stitching really adds to the individuality of this piece.

Quilter Kathy said...

I sure do love finishing when the quilt turns out as awesome as yours do!! Love it!

Terri said...

I did have a finish in 2013 - the quilt for my Granddaughter's wedding gift... in June. I know the glorious feeling. Love your quilt - good words!
Hugs

Penny said...

Quite simply, I love everything you do.

TakeMeThereTotes said...

Such a fun, bright quilt. A great finish. I really like how you quilted the blocks as well.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I'll say that the third time was the charm! This is a marvelous finish . . . happy, spirited, grounded, joyful and SO much more.

Congratulations on this finish - I LOVE IT!!!

SharynB said...

I just love the happy colours in the quilt, well done!!

meli B said...

Another wild one! Glad you pulled it out to finish. I like the way you treated all the different elements with different quilting. I think I remember you making the eyelash quilt and pulling out some of those blocks which are now in this beauty. Love it!

Quilteuse Forever said...

I remember this top but I did not know it had to be quilted. Your decision about the house is a good one, now it is a home!
Full of kind words, this is again a great quilt - and finished is far better :-) It will be a very good one each year for Thanksgiving, but such a quilt is good to see all year long!

Margaret said...

Chuckled when I read about your home improvements
because I just did something similar in a current project. Love those words in your quilt & how you fit in the lettering ... I feel they make the quilt.

Karen said...

I like the words on this quilt. Nice finish.

Helen said...

Truly yours in every respect...the colors, the whimsy, and the sentiments. Love, love, love it!

Mary said...

I do love to see a quilt finish! If for no other reason than that means I can start another...guilt free! This is a great quilt! And the home improvement is the icing on the cake!

Carla said...

LOVE! Do you have the quilt hanging anywhere in your home...it would be such a fun one to look at everyday! Oh, and your home improvements were worth the time!

Browndirtcottage said...

Clapping! Clapping! Clapping!

the girlfriend gap said...

Your creations are always inspiring :) Merry Christmas to you! A finished quilt is the best gift. Love the little house in the middle. Janita

janequiltsslowly said...

Love, love, love this! Tonya's book is a great resource and inspiration.

Janet said...

Hooray for your quilt finish, I love it and the house is now looking great with the renovation.

Victoria said...

So much good stuff going on in this delightful quilt! Love those corner fans and all the quilty textures!

sewyouquilt2 said...

love it those colors are so vibrant

Islandgirl said...

Love your finished quilt and the final house is so much better! I love Word Play Quilts and have used it extensively myself! From a fellow Seattleite!