Work in Progress -- and Lots of It !

Hi all -- it's another Work in Progress day here at home -- I'm looking around and seeing all sorts of things that are "In Progress" - some have higher priorities than others (don't we all know that!).

** See a Family Tree Giveaway through November 11th here.

My Quilting the Garden blocks are moving along -- albeit a bit slowly.

You can read/see more about my long awaited Quilting the Garden journey here.

I just LOVE this quilt -- my friend Debbie has it done and it's a knock out finish -- absolutely stunning!  She is guiding a few of us through the process now - I'm so thrilled to finally be making it! 

Quilting the Garden -- Winter Bloom

In the last week I managed to get the holly pieces on the Winter Bloom block.

Progress -- added holly!

More holly

I promise to share more about Needle Turn Applique this month -- stay tuned for some tips and process.

I also started the 2nd Quilting the Garden block - Autumn's Hurrah (Block 8 in the book).  It uses the same vase as Winter's Bloom -- so when I prepared Winter Bloom I made the vase from template plastic to reuse it. 

I start the block by placing and basting the vase down.  Then I make a clear plastic overlay and with a dry erase pen I  mark all the stem locations on the overlay - this helps me place the vines and get them tucked under the top of the vase as necessary before I do my sewing.  

Quilting the Garden - Autumn's Hurrah - In Progress

There are more than 70! - Yes 70! stems in the 9 Quilting the Garden blocks -- I decided to incorporate some efficiency techniques this weekend and made a bunch of bias tape stems -- I bet I have 25 or more of varying fabric ready to go !  Yippee!

I'm a firm believer in basting things down -- sometimes (when I'm feeling lazy) I use applique pins to baste - but on large pieces or LONG pieces the pins really detract from my getting in the stitchin' groove!!   Nothing I dislike more than stopping to get my threads untangled from a pin head.  So, I take the time and baste.

Marked and basted for needle turn

I also avoid glue (if I can).... some would glue baste their pieces down... it's certainly an option.

All stitched - now to remove the basting threads

Here is an image of both blocks as they stand now -- Winter Bloom is still missing some stars ( and a bird I would say -- wouldn't you ?)

I also have my Winter Apple applique -- still in need of quilting the applique (and picking the back out :(

I've also got this little gem to work on -- a mock-up design for something I will share with you in the future...

Coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Linking up to some sweet parties -- check them out on my sidebar and be sure to stop over and see all the eye candy - beautiful stuff out there !

Hugs,
Karen