Friday, August 27, 2010

Starts a lot

Prior to this year I must have been subconciously trying to take out the tiltle of Queen of Starts. I now call a lot of the projects practice pieces.

The Lollypop Trees is the first pattern I got of Kims and I didn't have any Kaffe fabrics so I ordered a pack and started a stash. The problem was that I didn't have a clue how to cut them up or use them to get a good effect. The fabrics were so different to what I'd worked with before.

I have to admit to being a copy cat and using Kim's quilt to guide me and that's my excuse for the blocks being pretty much the same. I know better now with the three quilts I have at various stages. I can cut away with gay abandon so I guess copying this one served a purpose.
This is the one that I want to go back to after Stars and Sprigs, I still love it and would like to see it finished.
I didn't do perfect circles, I did blobs and I loved not having to fuss over them. I think it adds to the whimsy of the quilt. Photos can be clicked on for a closer look.
The fabrics I used for the backgrounds are Moda Marbles. They fray a lot at the edges and you may notice the edges of the small untrimmed blocks. I like to use a wave blade to cut the backgrounds, it prevents the loose threads getting caught up with my sewing.

16 comments:

  1. Your blocks are beautiful, I've got a lot to learn.

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  2. Your circles look perfect to me. The blocks are
    beautiful. Still trying to decide which way to
    go with my Lollipop.
    Janet

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  3. these ROCK!!!! love every little bit!

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  4. ROFL, I knew this post was by you Janet, just by the title. I LOVE your Lollipop trees!!! I can hardly wait to order that one...and the others too :0)

    Crispy

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  5. You obviously were a "quick learner". Great fussy cutting.

    Mary

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  6. Your fussy cutting is really lovely! Your blocks would be lovely finished (assuming that would not jepardize your Queen of Starts title)

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  7. Great timing for this post Janet! I have just started my first Lollipop Trees block -first Kim Bradley quilt too! Very inspirational - I'm hoping that at least my last block will look pretty good, but number one is a steep learning curve, lol. I'm doing 'whimsically' wobbly circles, more by execution than design, lol. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.

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  8. Your lollypops are divine Janet. I love the subtle differences in the backgrounds too. You do have a lot of applique work on your plate, but you are so fast, I'm sure you will get them all done in the end!

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  9. oohh Lots of Eye Candy..I Just Love It and so Pleased that this Blog has been started..it's so Inspirational...Love seeing what you are doing Janet..not long before I will be settled to start mine...drum roll please!
    cheers

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  10. Love it all - beautiful!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  11. Janet - all of my art teachers say you learn more from 100 starts than from 100 finishes so I say keep on starting!!! You do beautiful work.

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  12. I love your blocks! I have to say I've admired how well you fussy cut your pieces to best effect from your fabrics on all of the projects you do. You were a fast learner. This one is so close to being finished it wouldn't take too much to get it done? :)

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  13. Fantastic pictures, thanks again for sharing

    Christine

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  14. While I'm waiting for my "lollipop trees" pattern (c'mon postman, hurry up;) I'm admiring yours which looks perfect to me!!!
    You seem to master the needleturn method:)

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  15. Lovely Lollys Janet, you must have ordered the BIGGEST stash of Kaffes!!! Doesn't that make life easier on the cutting table... Cheers, Kim McL

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  16. Stunning work, Janet. You are an inspiration to each one of us! Thank you for sharing your journeys. What a delight!

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