Saturday, January 14, 2012

Gratefully Done



I've been hand-quilting this for the last two months.  Finished at last!  
It's 40" x 40."   





It started with this block that I designed in an appliqué class with Gwen Marston.
I thought I'd be making the block into a pillow.

I'd also been fooling around with words, using Tonya Ricucci's book, Word Play Quilts.

Then Tonya visited in July, and designed this quilt with my orphan blocks.


Many of you helped with advice on dealing with hand pain.






And that got me through to the finish line!  




I like the way it looks over the fireplace, and it's a good reminder!

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40 comments:

  1. Maureen T.January 14, 2012 at 11:52 PM

    OMG! It's a beauty! Congratulations on the big finish. I'm glad that your hand is better too.

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  2. JanetJanuary 15, 2012 at 12:31 AM

    Congratulations, what a fantastic quilt and it looks so great on the wall. Big wow on the hand quilting which looks awesome.

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  3. BéaJanuary 15, 2012 at 1:06 AM

    I really love this quilt. Bravo !

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  4. sheila 77January 15, 2012 at 1:15 AM

    This is just amazing. There is so much to look at - the different blocks, the triangle squares, the lettering and the lovely tulips. It does look good above the fireplace. It has all come together beautifully.

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  5. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsJanuary 15, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    It is an incredible quilt. Congratulations on all your hard work, it was certainly worth it. It does look fabulous over your fireplace. xo

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  6. RachaeldaisyJanuary 15, 2012 at 2:12 AM

    What a joyful quilt!! Gratitude is such a great word. Congratulations on finishing!! I really love the spiral hand quilting over the wonky blocks!! I hope your hand pain has gotten better.

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  7. MaritJanuary 15, 2012 at 2:39 AM

    Congratulations on a beautiful finish! I love how the playfulness and whimsy all comes together. Very pretty colors with the one plaid really catching my attention.
    ; )

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  8. Sew Create It - JaneJanuary 15, 2012 at 2:49 AM

    Fantastic quilt...so bright and cheery...just the thing to lift one's spirits up in the cold winter!

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  9. Lori R.January 15, 2012 at 4:50 AM

    Spectacular. Love the picture of the quilt up on the wall - helps to see it "in context". Glad that you hand quilted. There is way too much fast quilting (fusing and machine quilting) going on these days. The hand work is lovely.

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  10. Sujata ShahJanuary 15, 2012 at 4:55 AM

    LeeAnn,
    Congratulations on another finish! It looks beautiful! I did not realize the size of it until you mentioned it. It looks great above the fireplace. So happy!

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  11. MicheleJanuary 15, 2012 at 5:43 AM

    Swoon!

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  12. JessicaJanuary 15, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    it looks lovely above the fireplace. Congrats on the finish~ I really should go hand quilt something...

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  13. AliceJanuary 15, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    When I saw that I thought 'Gwen Marston' - lucky you to have done a class with her. And what an inspirational friend you have with Tonya.
    I love your orphan blocks - since I saw your Christmas quilt I have been wanting some of my own - going to be my thing this year - when I see a block I like, make it!

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  14. UnknownJanuary 15, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    It looks just fabulous!! I love the color and also the color of the thread you chose to hand quilt this piece. Just gorgeous!

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  15. Pinkadot QuiltsJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    It's a wow look at me quilt! Beautiful and your hand quilting is very impressive.

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  16. HelenJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:13 AM

    Another wonder!!! I love all your solids with just a spark of plaid and that lettering print. Really gives great focus.

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  17. Ann MarieJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    That looks great. You picked a good spot for it too.

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  18. BridgetJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    I am looking at our quilt with a little smile. Thanks for my first smile of the day! Your quilt is bright, vibrant and fresh!

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  19. NancyJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Outstanding!

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    C'est magnifique ! Each quilt you show gives me new ideas... but how the time flies ?!

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  21. West Michigan QuilterJanuary 15, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    Beautiful quilt. Love the "gratitude." Great job.

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  22. QuiltdivajulieJanuary 15, 2012 at 7:51 AM

    Congratulations!!! What a perfect spot for your quilt to hang . . .

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  23. SharonJanuary 15, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    Fabulous finish. I love your quilting motifs and the turq sashing just makes this sing. What a beautiful finish for January!

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  24. Miki WillaJanuary 15, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    Congratulations on the finish. This is such a beautiful quilt. It looks wonderful above the fireplace. Very inspirational.

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  25. CarlaJanuary 15, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Your quilt sings to my heart...everything about it...from the fabrics, using stray blocks, hand quilting, the lettering and the sentiment. You inspire me!

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  26. KimJanuary 15, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Love it!
    It came together beautifully, it will just add another layer of love to your quilted nest. I can't get over how amazing your quilts look in your home!

    You are on a roll with finishes!

    Happy sewing

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  27. bethJanuary 15, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Beautiful! Just. Beautiful.

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  28. KarenJanuary 15, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    This is a fabulous quilt, congrats on the finish! And the story is as wonderful as the quilt. Love this.

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  29. Victoria Findlay WolfeJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Beautiful! Just fantastic!

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  30. antique quilterJanuary 16, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    I LOVE the way you hand quilted it so glad you were able to finish it. Beautiful quilt and hanging right there to see everyday is perfect! What a happy quilt and yes a reminder.
    congrats on another great finish
    Kathie

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  31. smazoochieJanuary 16, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    I love it. It is such an inspiration.

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  32. Bonnie HullJanuary 16, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Looks very good...glad the hand cooperated. xo

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  33. BarbJanuary 17, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Congrats on finishing this fun and happy quilt. The off center composition is wonderful! It's so fun to look at, and what a nice place to hang it!

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  34. Theodora quiltsJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    that is an amazing quilt ,I like how it looks over the fireplace also.

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  35. Selvage QuilterJanuary 17, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    Wonderful quilt!!

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  36. Mary KeaslerJanuary 17, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Fantastic! It looks perfect over the fireplace. And your hands are behaving so well it seems. So much gratitude, indeed.

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  37. SharonJanuary 18, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    Congratulations on your finish! Your quilt is super! I love your plaid vase, your word, and your hand quilting is wonderful. (How's the hand doing?) This looks so great over your fireplace. What a happy quilt, and so cheerful in our sometimes-gloomy winter. Good job!

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  38. Tonya RicucciJanuary 18, 2012 at 7:19 AM

    absolutely gorgeous!!!! love the hand quilting - really adds soooo much to it. oh, and I didn't help design, just pick blocks to add to it - you designed this gorgeous quilt yourself!

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  39. Carol E.January 18, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Gorgeous!!!

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  40. LynnJanuary 21, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Beautiful quilt, I love it!

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