Apparently not. For me, at least. I tell you...I just cannot do random. I couldn't when I was hooking rugs and I cannot when I am quilting. argh!! What's up with that?
So. Here's the scoop. Lotta Jansdotter fabrics Echo and Bella. Love the colors...they play well together. I decided I wanted to do a simple patchwork quilt. I had twenty 10" squares of the Echo fabrics, 5 Kona cotton solids and then added in 2 more Kona cotton solids and seven of the Bella fabrics. I cut 182 five inch squares to make the quilt top 13 squares across and 13 squares down with some left over for a strip on the back. Okay...so random. I thought I would just put all the squares in a bag and pull them out and sew together. Truly random. Just wouldn't put two of the same print/solid next to each other. Not so easy as it may sound. I did okay with the rows...but when I started putting the rows together, I did not like what I had done. For one thing, there are some darks and some lights and I did want them somewhat evenly distributed throughout the quilt top. I ended up reverse sewing about half of what I had done and started over. Felt like I made this two times. ~sigh~
Anyway. Here is the quilt top...not quite how I wanted it, but certainly better than my first attempt...
I had a wonderful birthday last weekend...thank you to all of you for the well-wishes. I received a few more cards and gifts this past week...gotta love an extended celebration, hey?
Here's a special gift that arrived in yesterday's mail...
Sister Julie made this...she buys chicken stuff for my kitchen. Including the frame, this measures 15" square. I know - having done counted cross stitch for several years - how much time and effort went into this...she did a great job! The colors are so much more than this photo shows...very soft rich colors.
I am in the process of reading, "The Third Bullet" by Stephen Hunter. It's a Bob Lee Swagger book (remember "Shooter"...same character). This story involves the assassination of John F. Kennedy, so is based on fact, but it is so much more than that. Though the book is very technical in parts, I believe that those details are what makes the book all the more interesting. WOW! This guy really can write! A storyteller at the top of his game, in my opinion.
Work is becoming very stressful for me. Not sure how this can be good. Perhaps retirement will come sooner than I originally planned! I wouldn't mind that at all.
I hope you are having a great weekend!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11
6 comments:
Great little quilt! And Julie did a great job of stitching that rooster and blueberries! A family of talent! It seems that jobs are looking to get more work out of less people (so they can make more money) and as a result they are wearing out their employees quick... i hope you find a balance. I've been hooking on a rug today... will be quilting next weekend after the quilt show visit!
Love your quilt top. And that rooster cross stitch is gorgeous. I would love that in my kitchen, too :) I've been working on a cross-stitched heart pattern today. Just started it but it's nearly done. Love those quick projects! Thanks for sharing your inspiring quilts.
You quilt is very cool! Really I always call mine "organized random", I cannot be happy if too many pieces end up matching in the same area...you are not alone in that process. Great rooster, too, that will be nice in your collection ~
:-}pokey
Belated happy birthday :). I love your quilt top!!! I keep saying, with every 'random' quilt that I see, that I am going to make me one LOL---and I am---soon---I drool over these quilts. :D Wow, that cross-stitch that your sister did is fantastic!! I used to do this too so I know that one took some serious time and concentration. A beautiful sister gift. :)
Greetings Jacque, what a lovely quilt top, very pretty colors. BTW, do you still hook? I have always admired your header photo of the hooked sheep, am I right in thinking you hooked this rug? What a wonderful gift from Julie, lots of time put into this stitchery and very nicely done. Hope you are well and big chocolate puppy too...Sending blessings from snowy Maine, Julie.
Julie did a beautiful job on your piece and a wonderful gift. I love your quilt, it has a bit of randomness, but not too much that it makes it too busy.
Debbie
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