31 July, 2011

One Step Forward...


... and another in reverse.

I'm stitching as fast as I can to keep up with the block-a-month assignments for this, the Hop To It! class; while also working with an eye to the past, attempting to catch up and complete my Southern Album. I'll look back on Summer 2011 as the season of appliqué; it's all I've done, and I have the finger callous to prove it!
__________
A Southern Album, begun in 2008, has been shelved for a while. I
placed the thirteen completed blocks on the design wall months ago and vowed not to take them down until it became a full-fledged flimsy.
One of the last blocks finished, three years ago, was this Tree Of Life with the year embroidered (and Hannes!) has one red leaf, to commemorate Mason's birth:
Before this past week, I had two pieced blocks remaining, the Carolina Lily and Fortress Star. I knew I had to personalize my Carolina Lily block in a similar fashion to honor Lucy Ann's and Gregory's arrivals; it received the year (2010), plus two more red leaves:
As of today I have only one more block (the countdown continues) and then on to the appliqué inner border! A step forward, and another in reverse... the momentum is there, regardless of the direction! I'm stitching as fast as I can.

Life is Good!


16 comments:

antique quilter said...

always love seeing what your working on .
The carolina lily block just spoke to me, its beautiful, great fabric choices....
A tree of life quilt has been on my list of quilts to make forever, I had better start thinking about making it soon!
thanks for sharing
Kathie

Frog Quilter said...

Gorgeous and love the personalization. It truly makes it yours.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Sounds like you are in the forward motion, keep on sewing and it will be done before you know it. That will be one more UFO off the shelf and at least into the needs to be quilted pile, unless of course your lucky enough to get it quilted right away.

Anonymous said...

You are a busy lady! Great looking projects too.

JudyCinNC said...

And the blocks are looking grand. I love that you are personalizing them - since I am not familiar with the series, I assume that is what you are suppose to do since it is your album! Just guessing from Judy C

Karen said...

VERY pretty! Love the little dog.

Shakerwood said...

Great job! I'm still tying to decide if I want to make this one out of cotton or wool applique! Maybe I should take the book off the shelf.

FabricandFlowers said...

Gorgeous! I love the idea of dating and personalizing the blocks. Kiddos will feel very special.

regan said...

That is so sweet to put that special leaf in the block to signify a birth....I love that! And these blocks are beautiful! Stitch a little slower and enjoy it....you're way ahead!

Barbara said...

Love them - that bottom one really looks like a face with pretty hairdo!

Kathryn D. Duke said...

love your Carolina Lilly. I am thinking of using this for my presidents block when my guild members make a block for me...

Janet O. said...

Beautiful blocks, and I love the idea of the commemorative red leaves!

AnnieO said...

You're getting to be quite the expert applique-r, just gorgeous stitching there! How sweet to add those commemorative embroideries. I hope you're planning to add your name and date with a flourish as well :)

Jean said...

What a great idea. I like your little 4 legged friend on the one block too! Good for you... making progress!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the fabrics! Each one is very special, so I know the end result will be wonderful!

Barb said...

Wonderful blocks!!!