Lollipop Tree block #1

prepped and ready to be stitched.

It wasn't easy!  Although I've worked with Kaffe Fasett fabrics before it was in a different context, for a different sort of project.  Now I had to look at them in a new way, to try to see new things.  New color combinations.  Fussy cutting is fun, but....I like surprises too and just letting the quilt happen.  So lots to think about as to the approach to this quilt.  Still not sure about the peach large leaves.....

When all the pieces were complete and I saw the block in its entirety, I decided to glue the pieces down rather than to baste them onto the background.  The leaves are pre-basted, and for the circles I used Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles.

At least I'm ready for Saturday's Bee.

Now back to my clamshells....

Lollipop Trees Start

Yep, a new project.  And one that I've been excited to get started on.

The Lollipop Trees Quilt by Kim Mclean.  Some of you may remember that I had begun preparations on the Roseville Album Quilt, but other projects with deadlines got in the way.  In the meantime,  priorities have changed, and the "to do" list has been re-drafted.  Working on the Lollipops is a way for me to work with wonderful colors, and it's an easy quilt to applique, leaving some energy over to work on some other projects  ( or so she thinks...)

6 background blocks are prepared and stitched with a central cross done by machine to help with placement. I'm starting with block #1, and using the starter pack I purchased for the Roseville Album quilt.  Just a few minutes of play and I already know that I'll be adding to this pack!

...and now the hardest part of making this quilt I think....

color selection!

warm and cool?

oh my, low contrast...hmm...now what?

let the texture do the talking?

Lots to think about, lots to play with.  Easy?  Hmmm...nope!  Fun?  Yes!

Just hope I can get at least one block prepared so that I have something to bring to the Kim McClean Bee in Haarlem's De Sampler's next session.  I've missed two meetings and can't wait to finally join these kind and creative ladies again and share in the fun!

In the meantime, I'm off to ponder some more colors.....

Lollypop Trees

Here are the photos that I want to share with you. Kim asked for photos of her quilts that had been entered into quilt shows.I entered my quilt in the Ogallala Quilt Festival in Dimmitt, Texas, in April of 2012. It is a large regional show held in the upper panhandle of Texas.
I won 2^nd place.

Notice in the background of one of the quilt photos, the vendor booth behind my quilt has Kim’s Flowerpot quilt hanging to sell the patterns.

Mona Lagan
Midland, Texas

Jumping in

I've been following this group since it started and have enjoyed every post, watching all of your gorgeous quilts develop, block by block.  The Lollypop design has long been my favorite and once we got past the holidays, I decided to finally jump in.  I confess that I've been a little obsessed by Francoise's version on the red background since she first posted.  After careful consideration of several red solids, I found one that worked well with many of the contemporary Japanese prints that I've added to my stash over the last few years.  Although the value of the red is a challenge to work with, I am thoroughly enjoyed this project.  In fact, I'm a bit addicted!

Yesterday I finished my second block.  I have reduced the size of my blocks to 15½" so choosing prints with appropriate scale has been a challenge, with so many little pieces.  I guess this is what stash is for!  I've written a bit more about my blocks in several blog posts and hope to continue to update here (and there) as I continue.

~ Jan  (Be*mused)

One down...

and 15 to go!  I am so happy to have one block of my Lollypops finished and to determine it's a keeper!  I remain amazed and inspired by all of you that post pictures of your finished "Kim Quilts" -- they are incredible riots of color - and in the best possible way!

I hope you're finding time to work on your latest creation!  Jan

little lollypop blocks

Long time no see! I’ve been absent here for some time, but finally there’s something to share with you again.

Four cornerblocks for the Lollypop Tree quilt.

Two bigger borderblocks

Four smaller borderblocks. 

These little blocks are so much fun to work on! I’m using up some scraps for the lollypop’s and as I’m making the Lollypop Tree quilt at 75%, these blocks are also made at 75%, which is a bit fiddly at times.

After a whole year of Kim McLean club meetings, we (my quiltfriend and I) decided we needed a break, but it’s harder now to stay focussed on making the quiltblocks. 

Nicolette (from a very Wintery in snow covered and very cold Holland!)

LollyPop Trees Finished

I finished my LollyPop Trees quilt this week.  I started this quilt October 2010 so it took me  14 months working intermittently to complete.
Now on to Flower Garden.  I purchased grey clover to use as my background but now I notice the pattern is directional and I can't decide how to cut the top and bottom borders so the pattern will all go in the same direction.  Should I piece them ?  I think this is the fabric Kim used as her background - wonder what she did?    Nancy

purple, teal and some little border blocks

My purple Lollypop Tree

My teal Lollypop Tree with lots of Amy Butler fabrics

Two smaller borderblocks, love those little squares!

I have finished 9 large blocks and 2 smaller borderblocks now. I am still very much in love with this quilt and really happy with my turqoise dotted background.

Before I decide how many large blocks I want in my quilt, I will make all the borderblocks that are needed for a 9 x 9 blocks square quilt... though I would love to start working on my tenth block...

Nicolette

Finished my Lollypop Trees top...

 I love it!  I had quite a mix of old and new Kaffe prints as I just kept buying and buying them.  It does measure square, I put it on the grass and photographed it off the deck so this is from 15' up.  I started mine in February and finished it last night.  

When I did the sashing I made pairs of blocks, then sewed pairs of pairs together without cutting between them.  I continued down the line and that was helpful in the sewing to sew multiple strips at a time.  I did pin the sashing strips to the quilts because I wanted it to line up exactly.  Offset corners would show up with the black.

These are my Kaffe fabrics I have left - most are 1/8 of a yard or so.  I am going to cut them into 4.5" width strips and make the backing out of them.  The design I am going to use is based on this one:

Volume in Scraps from Scrap Republic by Emily Cier.  Her quilt in the book is only about 60", I think, so I am making 15 columns of 4" strips which should come out to 100".  I might add another strip in there so the machine quilter will have enough of a backing.  

Thanks for sharing this journey with me.  I don't know when I'm going to make another Kim McLean quilt - I need to do this backing, then I have Lilly Pilly to make.  

Summer @ Summer's Snippets.

Lollypop Trees Completed!

 I was thrilled to be honored with the Best of Show and Blue Ribbon for my Lollypop Trees this weekend at the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Show in North Augusta, SC. It has taken a while to complete this quilt but I enjoyed it so much, from choosing the fabrics with my friend, Ille (who is getting close to completion) to stitching the applique and finally, the machine quilting. That was difficult, even on a longarm, but worth the effort.

 Here are some close up pictures and I have many more on my blog if you'd like to view them. It was SO fun working with all these gorgeous fabrics and the pattern by Kim McLean. Thanks, Kim, for helping us see you can take a simple antique pattern with solid fabrics and totally change the look.

 The judge mentioned the block above as one that she particularly liked on the comment sheet. I just quilted what came to mind and what seemed to work for me through the different blocks.

Okay, now I need to get my Flower Pots completed! It's been a very enjoyable journey and thanks for those who made this blog possible so we can all share these wonderful quilts with each other!

living green

Looking at this finished block, you might not have guessed that I’m not a big lover of green. I’m really happy with the result though and even want to make another one in different shades of green.

It’s funny and maybe it’s caused by the fact the my love for these fabrics is growing. I had to learn to love them, or rather, to work with them, but now I’m hooked. Kaffe Fasset, Brandon Mably and Philips Jacobs design/develop the most wonderful colour combo’s.

Working with these fabrics is like having a ball and maybe even love for life. Last week during the Kim McLean club in Haarlem I left loaded with inspiration, so this certainly won’t be the last quilt I hope to make with these fabrics. Sometimes you succeed in finding a fat quarter from an old series. It has become a sports to collect them.

The next block will be purple. Not one of my favourites either, but so much fun to work on!

Nicolette

Three more blocks...

More progress.  I feel like I've gotten in a zone with these.  

They're coming along much more quickly.  

Summer at Summer's Snippets 

Two More Lollypop Blocks

Blues:

Reds:

Somethings going on with my flash - these look better in person.

Also! I finally made it over to Island Quilter on Vashon Island, Washington.  What a lovely shop and SO many Kaffe fabrics.  I bought bunches:

-Summer @ Summer's Snippets

http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/

Lollypop love

It all began with admiring the quilts on this gloriousapplique blog. Then I bought the pattern for the Lollypop Tree quilt and a little bit later a quiltstore in Holland started a Kim McLean club. I decided to join this club together with a friend. It became more and more fun to work on the Lollypop Tree blocks and to buy those gorgeous fabrics to work with.

Last month I started the blog Kim McLean in Holland, but I’m very happy to be able to show my work on this blog now as wel, thanks to Janet!!

I downsized the pattern to 70% of the original and the blocks I work on are downsized to 75%, so the appliqued forms fill have a bit more space around them. The squares in the sashings will therefore be made at 1,5" finished and I understood it’s better to start cutting all those little squares now!!


Nicolette

More Lollypop Trees Blocks...

I've been working on these for a few months now.  Slowly but surely I am making progress.  This is my first large applique project.

My most recent block is this blue and purple one.  My mother-in-law passed two weeks ago and she loved these colors, so I thought of her as I made this one.

You can see my other blocks at http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/search/label/lollypop%20trees

Summer @ Summer's Snippets

Lollypop Trees :: Block 3 finished

I think I was in a reddish mood:)

Next mood?

Tuquoise.......

See you soon!!!

Sonja

Lollypop Trees by Nancy Smith

I got some more photos from Nancy Smith and today I will show her Lollypop Trees. As you can see, Nancy chose her own fabrics, colors and border. Aren't they beautiful?
Nancy has also made over 110 full-sized quilts by hand with 60% of them being applique. She handquilted all but 4 that I machine quilted for her. She is very modest but has many many ribbons she has won for her quilts.
I will post some of her other quilts this week. Isn't this neat - two Nancys and two Lollypop Trees two days in a row! Judith Lockhart