Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Finishing the Carnival Quilt and Back to Making Jewelry


Love close ups of  fabric showing its warp and weft... and texture...and varying colors of white and off white.  Love the little dimples the stitches make.


I used Gutterman 100% cotton black Quilting thread.. 2 full spools of 220 yds. Beautiful strong thread to work with... hardly ever tangled.


I was really happy about that little narrow 1/4" strip that runs all around in the middle of the border... such a small fabric slice makes such a difference.


The tools of the trade... pretty simple.


There were 7 rows of 7 blocks.. I kept winding it forward on one side and backward on the other side as my quilting frames were just a bit too small for it to be all wound out at once.


On the home run now and later that day I had it out of the frames. Good thing cause I had a bit of catching up on a few other things.. The thing is when I get myself into a project, I really hate to leave it till I'm done. I am always anxious to see how it will turn out.  I did get used to the brightness of it from spending so much time with it and it grew on me... and I was glad I kept pushing forward with each stage.


Had to pause from the quilting to work on some jewelry.
Lots of stones, Crystals, Jasper, Fresh Water Pearls... would up and ready for dangles on some designs in our Earth Collection.


They are all strung on a wire so they stay in order and don't get all messed up in the storage drawer.


A Girl and her Flower Garden design


Back to the quilt..  All the binding strips have been cut and stitched together, then folded and pressed double.
 I did that on my last quilt and I really liked the density of it and figure it will wear a good long time. I'm sure it will outlast me.


Working on the back side and hand-hemming the double thickness binding in place.  I am happy that I used the black quilting thread and how the stitching shows up on the pale gold patterned back. 
 I wasn't sure how it would look, as I never quilted any of my quilts with black before.. but I would do it again if the colors worked for it. 


It is easier to see the design here that runs all around the border of the quilt. It represents the waves along the Fundy shore ...  a connection to our landscape. 
I want to remember that it was made here.


Well here she is. Resting on the spare bed.  The quilt is fairly large, probably would fit on a queen size bed nicely but it is here draping down the sides of a 3/4.  
I think it looks best in a very spare room where there is nothing to clash with it... cause it wants to take over any room its in.


It will be a while before I can put all my effort into the next quilt... as making new designs and "building up jewelry stock" season is here. 
Cheers for now.
ps. That is John's painting above the bed... his interpretation of the recognizable "Hands",  of Adam and God from the Sistine Chapel.

22 comments:

A Heron's View said...

Quilt a beautiful piece of work that would be just right for the chilly climate that we find ourselves in just lately.

ELFI said...

fabuleux.. bravo!
aussi le choix des couleurs...

Guillaume said...

Oh I LOVE that quilt!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks so much Guillaume, Elfi, and Mel. Its been chilly here too.. almost tempted to steal it and cosy up with it for my own bed.

Faye Henry said...

That is just so lovely and looks wonderful on your old bed.. The headboard looks like one we have here..Your house is gorgeous as is everything you do.. Best wishes with your jewellery.. You inspire me.. xo

BumbleVee said...

Love the glow of the lovely fire in the previous post... and, love all the little people... you've been busy with all sorts of things Gwen.

My bloodlines list that was on my sidebar disappeared when they did whatever repairs they were up to....I have no idea how to retrieve it ...and, so I had to resort to my Reading List...which I hardly remember to go to.... and, now I'm so far behind....sigh.....and, waaahhhhhhhhhhh... also I am still playing with beads and pretty papers and teaching an older neighbour lady to do some of the origami.....
She finally managed to put one together all by herself.... a huge triumph! For her and for me!

Onward...more of same ..and some day I want to make a teensy origami swan.... if it's possible ... I tried a bigger one and even that is truly tricky...... .....

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Faye, I wish I could make quilts all the time.. so many patterns I would love to piece and quilt.. never enough time. Hope winter is treating you well, xo

Hi Vee, Nothing better than cosy-ing up by a fire in the depth of winter. I have a weird thing going on here on this blog too.. 1/2 way down the page my sidebar starts vibrating and won't stop.. I'm figuring it will just up and disappear one of these days. Cool to hear you are doing Origami, I have always loved that!and lovely that you are sharing it with a neighbor.

cathyswatercolors said...

The quilt is lovely,as is the post-perfection. The back of the quilt is so interesting.Thanks for taking the time to share.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Cathy. I was excited to see the back when I finally took the quilt out of the frames. It was the first time I used an allover pattern on the back.. I'd like to use one for another next time.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

The quilt is wonderful, Gwen. Your quilting is beautiful - I love the black, and the wave quilting to connect it to the landscape. Love the latest collection of semi precious stones too - delightful!

Unknown said...

Hi, I Love your new quilt and all the bright colours. The black quilting sets it all off. You did a wonderful job. I am getting to the end of the quilting on my "hockey Quilt" for my grandson so am anxious to start a new project. Good luck with your fabulous jewellery. Wish I could accomplish things as fast as you do.
Mary

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Janice... I feel like I can get on to other important things now that the textiles are all put away and not "Tempting" me with colours and textures and needles and threads and weaves and .......

Mary, I'd love to see your quilt.. do you have it posted anywhere online. Congrats for having it mostly all done.

Unknown said...

Hi Gwen, When it is finished I will probably put it on FB. I am aiming for Morgan's 9th birthday on Feb.8.Will let you know when I do.
Mary

Gwen Buchanan said...

Great Mary, I look forward to it.

Terra said...

I like that quilt and the jewelry you are making too.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Terra, That is so sweet of you to tell me.

sandy said...

Love all the photos in this post - the quilt looks so beautiful on the bed.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Sandy.. can't wait to make a new design, but I know it will be quite a while from now.

rachel said...

Oh, that lovely, LOVELY quilt!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Rachel I am so antsy to begin another right now.. but Have to wait till I have the time. Thanks for having a look.

Unknown said...

Hi, where can I buy your earrings at near Saint John? My wife has a few pairs and loves them but the store they came from has closed. Thanks!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Jeff, Please send me an email that you will find on my side barand I'll forward you the shops.Thanks