I can't believe it is Wednesday again! Time sure flys when you are happy and busy.
Today I am working on the first block for the Home Sweet Home quilt. I'm going "the long way around the barn" on this block! A few posts ago I reported that I was trying invisible machine applique. Actually two different ways. First I used mono filament thread and wasn't satisfied with the look(even though I love how it looks on others quilts). So, I took what I had done out! Then I tried using matching thread and a machine buttonhole stitch. I just wasn't liking that either so I took that out! Now I am hand appliqueing the block and I feel so much better about it. The reason I started machine appliqueing in the first place was because I didn't need another hand quilting project since I have two in the works right now and I'm pretty slow at hand quilting. See, I figure if I put all that hand work in appliqueing something I think it deserves to be hand quilted. Do you all feel the same? I love the way my friend Ty machine quilts my quilts and she would do a good job on an applique quilt but there is something stuck in my head about hand applique/hand quilt or machine piece or applique/machine quilt. I just don't know~
So, instead of a quilting picture today I am posting a few corners of my home. I don't know what order these will come out in so I'll tell you a little bit about each one in the order I hope they show up.
Last week my DD gave me some beautiful roses. As you know, there comes a time in a cut roses life that it just plain says goodbye! Not at my house! I always try to dry the spent flowers. Today I made a ring around the little box on my antique cake plate. Romantic and valentine-y!
Next are the cake plates I just bought on Monday. I love these two because I can change the ribbon for different occasions. Plus, I like them stacked up on the sideboard.
Finally, this is the amaryllis bulb I have in my kitchen window. This is the first time I've tried to grow one. I think it is beautiful. I also have two hyacinths, one pink and one purple, just about to bud. They will smell so wonderful!
Everyone have a great day. Try to fit some quilting time into your schedule. It will make you smile!
Your cake plates are adorable -- love the ribbon that can be changed. I agree with you on the hand quilting for hand applique. Do I follow the rule? Not always, but I do feel a little guilty when I don't.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely pictures! Love those cake stands.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love the cake stands...the whole layout is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI've done machine quilting on hand applique quilts before, both for myself, and for customers. It's hard. I always have to stop and remember to breathe...it comes out nicer than on machine appliqued quilts, though, the edges of the appliques plump up all pretty, giving them beautiful relief.
:)
I love your cake plates. They are gorgeous. Your shower curtain is fantastic. I should make one of those for me.
ReplyDeleteI just love your cake stands and the fact that you can change the ribbons -- too cute.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way as you, if it's hand appliqued, then it has to be hand quilted. No matter how hard I try, my machine quilting just never looks good enough to me. I know they say, practice, practice, practice, but I prefer hand quilting.
That is one of my Honey's favorite flowers and I love cake plates. What lovely pictures that we can share.
ReplyDeleteI just started Birds of a Feather quilt and decided to do my first machine applique because I have 2 others started by hand. We'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteThe cake stands are adorable.