Monday, January 18, 2010

An Unscheduled Blog Break

I have been taking an unscheduled break from blogging. I haven't had much time for sewing, blogging or even "Me" time. Between Holiday preparations, obligatory traveling to visit relatives and friends, having children home on holiday school break and catching up on Doctor appointments and now half days of school and sharing my computer. Phew! I have had no time or even opportunity to blog. My apologies to all whom I have not gotten back to yet. I am also trying to catch up on my e-mails. But, most importantly, I have enjoyed every minute of being with all my friends and family!! :o)

Thank-you to my "well wishers"!! and those who sent Christmas blessings! I am hoping all of you also had a wonderful holiday season and will have a great New Year!! Enough said.

OK. I started a new project back in September. It is a Hockey quilt for my husband. I thought I was going to be able to have it finished by Christmas. Hahahahah. No such luck. (Maybe I'll have it done by July for his birthday).

This pattern has been very challenging for me. As my High School "Junior" year daughter said to me; "Mom, this is your AP course in quilting!!!" I had to laugh!! Yes indeed this is most definitely my AP course in quilting. Tee hee. :0) This pattern seems to have a little of everything in it. Oh Boy! What have I gotten myself into!

I have had this pattern for about two years. I was searching for the right fabrics all this time. I didn't want this quilt to seem too immature. I wanted it to have a more masculine feel to it.

The instructions are not very clear. I have had to take apart and put back together more times then I care to remember. Measure once cut twice. Wrong color choice. Not matching up properly. Paper piecing, Applique.
I am doing this for my Husband! I can do this this. ;o)
This is the right leg of the hockey player. It took me over 3 hours just to do one leg! I still have another leg, the body, the head and the arms to do. That will probably be at least another 12 hours of work to do on this "Special " quilt for my Dear Hubby. Between cutting and sewing, and most definitely measuring twice! I do not want to do this part twice! This is the last major part of the quilt then I just need to add the border. (I am determined to measure that properly this time also!!!!)
As you can see I have started the Left leg here.
This is the full image of the "Hockey Player" that I am Appliqueing by hand each and every single little piece. I decided that if I had already put this much time and effort into this quilt, that I was not going to take a chance and use fusible material that may end up dissolving and no longer adhere in a couple of years!!
I have the quilt top all finished except for the borders and the applique part. It's getting there!!! :o)

10 comments:

  1. That is an ambitious project but it is going to be oh so good!

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  2. Karen, I love the background that you have pieced for this quilt. Remember, you can use self adhesive for the applique but I also machine buttonhole around those pieces so they won't come undone.

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  3. Most certainly is getting there and very well I might add! This is going to be an awesome quilt ~ hubby is going to be blown away when he sees it finished. Keep at it, well worth the effort. :-)

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  4. Whoa! If I don't stop right this moment and leave a comment and tell you how amazed I am I may miss the chance. Karen - goodness you are amazingly talented and you have such a beautiful heart. You amaze me. I was going to pay bills, too. See what you did. :)

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  5. Phew - that's a BIG project to undertake. But it certainly looks like you're well on your way. Handstitching the applique? You're my idol..LOL Hubby will most likely not only hug you but also give you a BIG kiss.

    Glad to see you're back to us.

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  6. WOW Karen this is going to be one great quilt. Does your hubby know about it or is it supposed to be a surprise? I think hand appliqué will look so much nicer on this quilt than fusible appliqué, I look forward to seeing the finished quilt
    Jenny

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  7. Wow, you are doing a challenging quilt! The background looks fabulous and I think you are going to get this done this year. You go, girl!

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  8. I think it is wonderful you will hand applique this quilt in addition to all the hours you have already spent on it. The background looks amazing as is too! This will be one fantastic quilt for the guy you love!

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  9. Wow! That will be a dynamic quilt. Your husband will love it! And made with so much love!

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  10. That is a big challenge, but I'm sure you will get it done and your husband will be so happy!

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