Turtles

I know I'm supposed to be getting ready for the holidays and I have a kabillion things to do.  But I've gotten sidetracked on a new project (of course!)  

It's another Hawaiian Applique', but it's a little different from what I've done in the past.  It uses two fabrics where the applique' fabric is laid on top of the background and the unneeded parts are cut away as I appliqué' thus exposing the background.  The pattern says it is designed for machine, raw-edge, or hand appliqué.

It's called "Herd of Turtles" and is created by Nancy Lee Chong of Pacific Rim Quilt Company.  At the same time, I got several spools of their Aurefil 50 wt cotton thread that is an absolute dream to appliqué with.  

And this one is my first using batik fabrics which made me a little nervous, but seems to be working out ok.

The rest of my Christmas shopping can wait until tomorrow.

Orchids Finally Finished!

I've been working on this Hawaiian Applique' off and on since May.  It's a wallhanging and  finished at 42" square.

I gifted it to a senior officer I work with.  He's been greatly supportive of my quilting, but, in a good natured way, always commented that I should be making him a Hawaiian quilt never once thinking I would actually do it!  At any rate, he was stunned when I gave it to him but he loved it.  Sometimes giving them away is the best part of making projects like these.

 I'm slowly getting better at consistent stitches and the points on the appliqué'.  But I have LOTS of work to do to improve the "valleys".

Now I have to find another project to do!

Orchids

I've been working hard on this Hawaiian Applique'.  I have the echo quilting around the border left to do and the binding.  This one is a wallhanging approximately 42 inches square.  I love doing this type of handquilting.  I just wish my stitches were more consistent!

When I get this one finished, there's about 3 other Hawaiian Applique' projects waiting to be stitched.  My aunt and I had a great time choosing batik fabrics for appliqué' when we visited Kapaia Stitchery in Lihue, Kauai, this summer.  Wonderful store!!

Orchids

Like many quilters, I have several projects in various stages of completion.  There's one on the frame.  It may be there awhile, because the darn sewing machine is NOT cooperating!  I've spent the last few days trying to fix tension and thread breakage issues.  My husband could hear me expressing my frustration from the garage!  And I just starting cutting out a black and white quilt as a gift for my eldest son.  

At the same time, I usually have a needle-turn applique project in the process.  I've got it nearly applique'd and will probably get it ready for the hoop this weekend if I can decide what color to use for the back!

Second Wallhanging

I just finished this wallhanging last night.  It's the second one of this pattern that I've done (and probably the last).  Called "You Are In Our Hearts," it's fun to do although my abused fingers will say otherwise.  This one has taken over a year to do only because I'd work on it for a couple of weeks and then put it away for a couple more.  There's something therapeutic about handstitching.

Now on to the next project (if I can find the sewing machine's power cord that is stored in a very safe place.....

Second Wallhanging

I just finished this wallhanging last night.  It's the second one of this pattern that I've done (and probably the last).  Called "You Are In Our Hearts," it's fun to do although my abused fingers will say otherwise.  This one has taken over a year to do only because I'd work on it for a couple of weeks and then put it away for a couple more.  There's something therapeutic about handstitching.

Now on to the next project (if I can find the sewing machine's power cord that is stored in a very safe place.....

Hawaiian Applique'

After moving to Honolulu, I wanted to learn the art of Hawaiian quilting, a form of needleturn appliqué and echo quilting. At the annual quilt show several years ago, I sat in on a demonstration by Nancy Chong of Pacific Rim Quilt Company and, subsequently purchased her DVD. 

With that, I was off and running! My first attempt was a pillow followed by a wall hanging entitled “You are In Our Hearts” gifted to my sister, Debra. My third is “Woodland Lei” and is nearly completed. My current project is a repeat of “Hearts” in blues and is three-quarter’s appliquéd. I have not yet become as proficient as I would like in the “rocking stitch” but I'm working on it.

Hawaiian Applique'

After moving to Honolulu, I wanted to learn the art of Hawaiian quilting, a form of needleturn appliqué and echo quilting. At the annual quilt show several years ago, I sat in on a demonstration by Nancy Chong of Pacific Rim Quilt Company and, subsequently purchased her DVD. 

With that, I was off and running! My first attempt was a pillow followed by a wall hanging entitled “You are In Our Hearts” gifted to my sister, Debra. My third is “Woodland Lei” and is nearly completed. My current project is a repeat of “Hearts” in blues and is three-quarter’s appliquéd. I have not yet become as proficient as I would like in the “rocking stitch” but I'm working on it.