alice’s stars
2008
Oh dear! I tried so hard last week to post each day – and I did! And I was sure I would manage this week too, but it’s Wednesday and I haven’t posted since Sunday – and that was produced after I’d worked all day! Where’s that energy gone!
Alas, I’ve been slowed up by Alice. I have sewed and sewed and sewed all day – and then been too worn out after dinner – and too consumed with sewing – to make my way over to the bookshelf in the corner that is now my blogging home.
So! Let’s pretend it’s Monday, okay!? And then Tuesday! And then today! And then I shall feel a wee bit, sneakily virtuous. (Ha!ha!ha! who am I kidding!)
Monday, 10th November 2008
getting on with the stars!
The child was at school, the husband was in Sydney, I’d been to the gym (otherwise I’ll be a bit clothe-less this summer) and Alice’s stars were calling. But I was jumping ahead in my mind – consumed with how to set the stars.
I’d tried red setting squares – but the combination would have induced psychotic episodes in the mildest of my family members! Then white with blue polka dots – but despite it being a colour match for the marvellous Sikh holy men who marched in celebration through the streets of Brisbane on Sunday, it looked a little harsh.
Hmmmm …. then I remembered some cream with tiny orange spots – ooh yes! Good-o! But it kind of washed out the blocks and made the blocks look screamy and vulgar at the same time. So I plonked an orange square in the middle – almost but not quite. Then after several dithering hours, the lightbulb went on, and I framed the same fabrics used for the star points in narrow orange, then wider cream. Yes!
My day was spent stitching setting squares – and it was lovely.
Don’t you love the feel of a thick wodgy book of blocks. Now I really must sew some more stars!
Tuesday, 11th November 2008
okay, now I’ll make stars
The setting blocks are done, 7 more stars are done, but there’s still 7 to go. So get to it lily!
Actually – and Jessica understands this – I’m a bit sick of making stars. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but because the setting squares are all done and I’m keen to lay it out and see how it looks and I’ve already made 18 stars, I’m a bit over making the stars. I’m piecing them nice and efficiently. Cut out 7, use the no-waste flying geese method for the points, then chain piece them in stages … plod, plod, plod.
Hey! I could try making half a star for a pieced border – that could look sweet?
Oh my gosh! It makes me think of beautiful sunrises over the sea – yes, I’m hopelessly sentimental – hmmm… there’s a sunrise quilt, kind of like the delectable mountain quilt, percolating in my imagination.
Very nice lily but back to the stars.
Finally finished!
Now to lay it out – on mum’s bed, she’s got this lovely white cover! – and arrange all the blocks – don’t want matching colours touching …
Done! I shan’t study it closely, because once I start doing that I shall start switching around the blocks and then there’ll be a clash so I’ll switch some more and then, polka dots will be sitting next to polka dots and then I’ll fret!
And this is my hopeful border – again there was much deliberating over the fabric for the border. You won’t believe it, but this piece of fabric is called “Serendipity” and I bought it in Sydney a couple of weeks ago! To go with another piece of fabric that I cannot believe I ever thought would go – but look! It’s perfect for this – rosy and warm without being hot or wishy-washy. And there’s even enough. That sure is serendipity.
Unfortunately, I now have no choice but to sew up all my blocks ’cause mum will want to go to bed tonight and I’m hopeless at keeping things ordered. No mum, no! You’re not tired! Sit and watch another program on television!
Wednesday, 12th November 2008
and so the border goes …
Okay – the quilt is sewn up, minus the half stars – which I might add, DON’T take half the time! – and drapped across the sofa looking, if I may say so, gloriously sunny and pretty. I have to wait for Mr. Cable to fix mum’s television, so she’s taken Abigail to school on her way to work and I’m off to an early start.
Pull the scrappy, chopped up fat quarters back out of the scrap drawer – I keep thinking I’m done with them and put them away and then think up some other use for them. And, if I’m to be honest, since Julian’s away, they are not in the scrap drawer, but in a huge nest of fabric and scraps at the foot of the bed – nice and easy to plunder when needed, and stare at whilst in bed, and think of all the patchy possibilities (instead of reading my novel).
So I’ve stitched all day, and have finished two of the borders. Just two to go and then it’s done, done, done! But! Before the light disappears, I’ll take it downstairs to photograph it in the last of the day’s sunlight. Much nicer than the garish light and colour that dogs my night time photos.
Have you found that it’s super hard to take a good photo of a larger quilt? I sure have! Abigail and I tried a cubby house – but despite Abigail and Lucy’s enthusiasm, it didn’t do much for the quilt!
So then Abigail obligingly stood half way up the back stairs and dangled it into the garden …
I’m really pleased with the borders – not so sure about the dark Alice corner stones – we’ll see how it looks when all four are on.
It also serves well as mosquito repellant – just roll yourself up in it and no mosquitoes will find you! This does result in a bit of lurching, but it’s awfully good for a laugh!
19 comments
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What a lovely quilt! I love the photo with Abigail and the dog! Good flow on also here!
The cream borders around the blocks.. perfect!
I was nodding in empathy about the taking a picure of a full quilt top dilema.
it’s really horrible…send it to me, I’ll dispose of it for you (by putting it on my bed)
mwahahahahaha
No…seriously…it’s fab. But still send it to me. ;)
That quilt is beautiful!! I love the orange in it. you make them so fast! i wish I had the time and ability to do that.
congratulations.
I love the half stars as a border. What a clever idea! And I love the orange. It’s my favorite color.
What a fun and pretty top, Lily! I was laughing through each day’s progress with you. Have you found that laying the blocks out on your mum’s white cover results in a very thready white cover? I find that with my green cover–it gets all kinds of added embellishments when I’ve been laying out a quilt on it. The design and colors you’ve used complement Alice so well–such whimsy. I’m also glad you commented that making the half stars strangely enough DOES NOT take half the time! ;-) Thanks for taking us on your journey, Lily!
I love stars and orange and I love your quilt;) It makes me smile;))) Great job!
What a beautiful, sunshiney quilt! I love those half stars for the border. It was an inspired decision.
Lily your blocks are always so great. This quilt is fantastic. I love stars like these. Scrapier stars. They speak to me. The border is lovely too. Always a nice project on BLock-a-Day
I keep repeating myself on this blog – but what a lovely quilt! You have such a wonderful way with colours, and always seem to come up with some new and exciting twist. Those blocks between the stars are just inspired!
Great job! Looking at it makes me think of a juicy watermelon.
Hello Lily! I found your blog because MichelleB mentioned how much she loved your doublestitch quilting, so, naturally I had to come over and check it out! Now I love it too. Love this star quilt too!
I love the way you write. Very good looking quilt and the half stars were a grand idea!
This is just a quik stop by to say I was lucky enough to get one of your Christmas cottage blocks, I love it so much. i am going to add you to my favorites and come back for a long visit with a nice cup of hot coffee.
You astound me as always! I hope your sunny quilt brings sunshine to your day.
It is beautiful Lily! So so beautiful! And the black Alice fabric looks fantastic with all the pink and orange :)
The border is wonderful too!
Wow! You worked that up super fast! It’s beautiful.
Love this quilt and you are very quick. Are you working again?
Might bump in to you at Peppermint Stitches be nice to have a chat.
cheers
Christine
Ohhhh, this one is so beautiful. The 1/2 star border is totally inspired. Thanks to Abby for the shoot styling…it looks so beautiful! I have to say that I am getting more and more excited about using FQ in quilts…because once they are gone you just have to come up with another option and that creates the most lively quilts. Thanks for the inspiration…again!