Monday, April 15, 2013

Encouragement

meant a lot to me this week as I sat down to finish the tree.
So...thank you for your encouragement and cheering last week!

Funny thing is...I didn't break any needles this time!
LOL

I did however, have to unpick all of the sky swirl stitching from before.
Ack!
I used a variagated Sulky thread and my bobbin tension was off.
Adjusted that and kept on quilting.


This quilt started as an inspirational print from Rett to a "grid" of scraps, to an appliqued tree trunk and branches, to the "starry" lights being placed and on to this:


with the quilting finally finished!

I originally had this blue Kona border because I wasn't sure where to take it after the quilting was done and wanted something to help keep the edges from fraying and shifting as I quilted.
I've since asked hubsy sweets and my LQS guru for opinions and advice.  Hubby wanted to frame it...LQS guru said it should be hung like a quilt.  I started this as a wall hanging quilt and want to finish it as one as well. 

This week will be about removing the blue, adding corners to hang it and using the same brown batik as the tree for a simple binding to "frame" the piece.


This is a close up of the quilting.
I tried to stay "true" to Rett's concentric circles for bark and am really happy with that and the feel of the branches.  I did a horizontal stitch in the tree background continuing the circles around the "lights" (which I've always thought of as fireflies).  The ground/grass is just a vertical stitch and I thought of swaying grass while sewing.  The sky is full of swirling air currents the fireflies are playing on.

I am ever so thankful to Rett for her letting me take her vision and recreate it in another medium.

Linking this up as a "finish" and a WIP at:
and

Go visit these blogs and see all the incredible projects these bloggers are working one!
You never know what might inspire you!




28 comments:

  1. So, so fabulous! Love your process, giving it the time and attention it deserves. You've really honored your inspiration piece, and made it your own, too.

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  2. I love your story behind the quilting--just a beautiful piece of art Dee!

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  3. So beautiful. Remarkable. I'm speechless which is seriously impressive.

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  4. what a beautiful piece! well done

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  5. This looks amazing Dee and the quilting is really beautiful.

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  6. I love this so much! It is so beautiful and striking. I think it's my favorite quilt ever. This is just fantastic and fabulous!

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  7. You did a great job of finishing this work of art, I'm so glad you kept at it! Pure beauty, it will shine as a wall piece ~
    :-}pokey

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  8. Oh my! What an eye catcher......I simply love this quilt!
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  9. That looks amazing! I hope it was worth all the frustration!

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  10. This is lovely! I especially like the warm patchwork behind the tree contrasted with the cool patchwork around it.

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  11. It turned out great! Really great details in this quilt. Glad you didn't break any more needles! Sulky thread is pretty fickle with my Janome, I have to get the tension juuust right.

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  12. This is really amazing! This is my first visit (through Fabric Tuesday) and I am truly inspired. I love how you added so much movement and texture to this piece with your applique and quilting. Magnificent! I will definitely be following from now on - thank you for the inspiration!

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  13. It looks amazing, what a beautiful and detailed work of art. Great colours, in fact I love everything about this.

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  14. I absolutely adore this quilt Dee, and your quilting on it is fabulous. Wonderful hugs to Rett too who designed the original print. One of my favourites.

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  15. WOW! That looks amazing! I love it.
    Greetings from Austria via WIP Wednesay

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  16. Wow! Love these!
    I hate picking out stitches!

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  17. Oh Dee! It is lovely!!! Glad that no more needles sacrificed themselves!!! See you tomorrow!!

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  18. This is amazing. What a wonderful job you have done.

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  19. Love your tree. I love making art quilt wallhangings too.

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  20. Looks really great! Very creative and colorful. I love seeing the process of "art" quilts. Well done!

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  21. That is an outstanding quilt. Very inspiring! Thanks for showing us the print that started it all, as well as the course it took to becoming the fantastic finished work.

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  22. What a beautiful, stunning quilt! Great work!

    Best wishes,
    Tatyana

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  23. This is so beautiful--the colors, the quilting, everything! Truly a work of art!

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