Sunday, December 29, 2013

A Finish and a Start


Finally finished hand quilting "A Bold Expression."  It's been "in the hoop" for over a year.



It didn't take that long to quilt it.  I'd set it aside for several months between start and finish.




I started out with one of those large frames that's the size of a small table.  




I found it hurt my arm and neck to quilt that way.  




So I went back to the hoop, and finished it in a number of weeks.




I love the corduroy binding.  It's fun to rub your fingers on it.  



Next up, "Eyelashes."  



I'm hoping to get it finished for the local show in early March.  


WISHING YOU A FUN, HEALTHY, INSPIRED 2014!



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42 comments:

  1. TerryDecember 29, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Nice quilts. I enjoy seeing your quilting close up. Corduroy for binding now that's something I'd never seen or thought of. Might be really tactile for a little one's quilt.
    Happy New Year

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  2. KimDecember 29, 2013 at 2:33 PM

    Congrats on that finish! Oh I do love your eyelash quilt....it is on my "to do list"....love the black tiny stitches so far.....good luck!

    Happy New Year!

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  3. PamDecember 29, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    Your quilts make me feel happy! I hope you are planning to keep this one....definitely a keeper in my opinion. :)

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  4. StaceyDecember 29, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Fantastic.....both of quilts are great....thank you for your inspiration....and a Happy and Safe
    2014 to you too!

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  5. smazoochieDecember 29, 2013 at 4:14 PM

    To paraphrase Rhett Butler, you are on a hand-quilting jag! The fans are great!

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  6. audreyDecember 29, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    Love, love, love the vibrant colors you tend to use in your quilts! Wonderful finish. I've about given up quilting in a floor hoop too, the smaller hand quilt is so much more fun! Good luck meeting your deadline--your stitching is beautiful!

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  7. MonicaDecember 29, 2013 at 4:39 PM

    You have some great fabrics in there, LeeAnn! Is there a picture of the whole top somewhere?

    The quilting is perfect. Hand quilting is definitely on my list for next year!

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  8. QuiltdivajulieDecember 29, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    LOVE how Bold Expressions turned out - and I love the idea of corduroy binding!

    Enjoy the hand quilting on eyelashes . . .

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  9. UnknownDecember 29, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    A great finish! I am cheering you on to get Eyelashes done! You know I adore that quilt. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

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  10. LisaDecember 29, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    I just love your work! So fun and playful. I commend you on your hand quilting! I never have the patience. You inspire me!! ox

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  11. Lori R.December 29, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    Love what you've done. Do you quilt Baptist Fan free-form without marking like Tonya? I haven't been brave enough yet for that.

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  12. CarlaDecember 29, 2013 at 8:19 PM

    You quilts are always so fun! I love the Baptist fan quilting motif.

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  13. roccagalDecember 29, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    gorgeous as usual! I luv'em both! great finish with the corduroy!
    Eyelashes is a stunner!Luv the black thread too!

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  14. janequiltsslowlyDecember 29, 2013 at 11:56 PM

    Love seeing the quilts and hand quilting. What type of thread are you using. It's showing up so boldly, I really like it.

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  15. SharynBDecember 30, 2013 at 1:42 AM

    I absolutely love your quilt, the colours, and the hand quilting are beautiful!

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  16. Nat PalaskasDecember 30, 2013 at 2:00 AM

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and family. Thanks for your inspiration. Congrats on the finished quilt. I love it! Hugs Nat

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  17. meli BDecember 30, 2013 at 3:07 AM

    Looks like the cooler weather has been good for your stitching. Beautiful finish and great choice for the binding.

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  18. Sharon EDecember 30, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    I love it! The colors and quilting are fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsDecember 30, 2013 at 3:49 AM

    You know I am a huge fan of all your quilts, this is another beauty. The fabrics you use are incredible together, the colours make me happy just looking at them. Beautiful hand quilting too. Have a fabulous New Years xo

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  20. MargaretDecember 30, 2013 at 4:55 AM

    Thanks for close up photos ... love seeing your hand quilting. Both quilts are vibrant! I get inspired seeing your beautiful work.

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  21. Cynthia@wabisabiquiltsDecember 30, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    Your quilts are just fabulous - riotously so. And there's nothing like hand quilting! Eyelashes is looking great with those black stitches.

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  22. NancyDecember 30, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    Well congrats! It's always a wonderful feeling to complete a longterm project like this. Well done! Love all the color in your quilts.

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  23. Tonya RicucciDecember 30, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Fantastic!!! Happy New Year!

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  24. HelenDecember 30, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    Your hand quilting is so perfect for these timeless quilts. I would love to watch you while you work....

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  25. Sujata ShahDecember 30, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    I love that Bold expression quilt. It is so much fun to look at all the fabrics in there. Your hand quilting and corduroy binding make it even more fun! Fans are also coming alive with your hand quilting. Wish you an inspiring year as well.

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  26. Mary KeaslerDecember 30, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    Great finish, The corduroy binding is the bomb. I do so admire you exquisite hand quilting.
    happy healthy prosperous 2014

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  27. AnnemiekeDecember 30, 2013 at 12:26 PM

    Love your quilts and the binding. The way you quilt looks fun too. Wishing you all the best for 2014!!
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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  28. Pinkadot QuiltsDecember 30, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    You always make such fun and colorful quilts. You can't help but smile when you see them. I am very in awe of your hand quilting!

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  29. cinziaDecember 30, 2013 at 2:04 PM

    I love your hand quilting! Both quilts are lovely. I bought an old quilt at a flea market that has a corderoy binding. I think it's a great idea!

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  30. AnonymousDecember 30, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    What a wonderfully quirky quilt !! :) That is a good thing..

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  31. ElsbethDecember 31, 2013 at 12:28 AM

    Great fun, these quilts! I am working on a 'different' Christmas quilt and am stuck - but now that I see your quilt I feel inspired again. I was about to throw it in a drawer but..no! I am going to finish it! Thanks for sharing :-))

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  32. MaritDecember 31, 2013 at 1:41 AM

    Happy, happy glorious colors! Just what I need this time of the year. Congratulations on a beautify finish and wish you many, many happy stitches for 2014!
    xo

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  33. BarbDecember 31, 2013 at 6:15 AM

    congrats of your finish! I beth you are thrilled It looks amazing! Love the fan quilting.
    Happy New Year!

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  34. apiecefullifeDecember 31, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    I love those quilts, both of them!
    what sort of thread are you quilting with?
    Happy and productive new Year.

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  35. Deb RowdenJanuary 1, 2014 at 5:55 AM

    love love love! love the quilting, i echo the thread question, it seems to show up more than normal quilt thread. the binding idea is sheer genius, especially for a quilt for little ones.
    happy new year to you too, my ever inspiring friend from afar!

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  36. fiberchickJanuary 1, 2014 at 6:58 AM

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE both these quilts. I can't wait to see what you make in 2014!!!

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  37. JanetJanuary 2, 2014 at 2:50 AM

    I'd love to have a bit of your style of creativity because I love everything you make. Great to see eyelashes getting some quilting. Happy new year!

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  38. SharonJanuary 3, 2014 at 9:47 PM

    Congrats on such a super finish! I love this quilt - it makes me happy to look at it. And it reminds me of that wonderful exhibit that it's named for. The cord binding is an inspired choice - I need to remember that!

    Your hand quilting is really lovely and I admire anyone that spends the time to do it. I'm glad "eyelashes" is getting quilted too. I'm rooting for you to get it done in time for the show! I love your quilt show - it's one of my faves in the area.

    Have a healthy, happy "stitchy" New Year!

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  39. RachaeldaisyJanuary 5, 2014 at 3:31 AM

    Congratulations on getting Bold Expressions finished. Especially as the quilting sounds like a journey in itself. I'm glad you've found a more comfortable frame. The corduroy binding is genius! It's lovely to see Eyelashes as the next quilt to receive your wonderful stitches. You really seem to be getting your tops finished.

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  40. KarenJanuary 5, 2014 at 5:24 AM

    Yay for you, this looks fabulous!!

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  41. SharonJanuary 13, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    Great quilts! I love the hand quilting. Those eyelash quilts interest me but look very difficult. Is yours pieced or appliqué

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  42. VictoriaJanuary 17, 2014 at 6:34 AM

    Spectacular! Once again I am in awe of your bold, fearless and absolute fabulous way of combining pattern and color. And all that hand stitching!... love, love, love. Bless our hands for what they have allowed us to do all these years. (Let's hope we figure out how to keep it up, pain free, into the New Year and beyond!)

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