1/19/15

Sunrise, Sunset

Yesterday, I spent the entire day outline quilting the applique, and then quilting the cornerstones and sashings for Shoot the Moon. I thought I might get it finished, but after spending so much time on it, I was tired of looking at it. It's about 3/4 finished, and it seemed like a good time to take a little break from it.

The new theme for

Project QUILTING

was announced yesterday. Did I give it away with the title for this post? Yes, you've guessed it: "Sunrise, Sunset". My mind went immediately to a project on my to-do list from this book:


This, "Sunset" quilt:


The whole thing caused me to abandon my planned project for the month for Let's Book It, 

and to do this one instead. I can do the other project next month (unless I get distracted by another challenge of course). These are stained glass applique projects, and they require doing a sort of reverse applique technique where one creates the "leading" for the stained glass from fusible and then the colors are fused in the reverse. I know...that doesn't make a lot of sense, but you can read this post if you want to see how it's done in more detail.

Anyway...I very carefully traced out the leading onto Heat 'n Bond yesterday, and today I cut out the leading.


Those of you with sharp eyes are going to look at that and say "Hey! Wait a minute! That's not what the original quilt looks like!" And you will be right, Grasshopper. That is because when I was cutting out the traced template, I made a most unfortunate and irredeemable error in my cutting. (Don't ask me because I don't want to talk about it.) I briefly considered stabbing myself in the throat with my scissors, but then recalled the wisdom of some folks on The Quilting Board who correctly opined that:

A mistake is just an opportunity for creativity

Besides, it's far preferable to stabbing oneself in the throat with one's scissors. And so I rotated my quilt 90 degrees and decided to put grass at the bottom. You'll see in just a minute.

First, I needed to set a trap for my little helper cat. Enter one empty box. It didn't take long, and I'd caught a cat.


He helped me hold the template down as I worked.


You would be right to wonder if this was truly a part of a plan, because it wasn't. Still, one must make the most of any situation.

So I got to work adding the color to my stained glass. I took a break for lunch when I got this far.


Then, I did a little housework, and went back to finish the rest of the quilt top. Honestly, I had no expectation that I would finish this today, but there you go. Persistence pays off.


Tomorrow, I'll sandwich and quilt it, and with a little bit of luck, I'll have this finished by Wednesday. 

The Project Quilting Challenge only gives us a week to finish our quilts. Since I'm going to be spending Thursday through Saturday at the Stitches in Bloom Quilt show this week, I need to have mine finished early. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I missed the deadline, but it would also be fun to meet it.

Tonight is my guild meeting. I've missed the last two. I'm forgetting right now who our guest speaker is tonight. With that in mind, I still need to finish up a couple of things around the house and eat something before it's time to take off. 

I had breakfast with Erik this morning, I did a little housework, and I finished a quilt top...all in all, a pretty good day.

15 comments:

Kate said...

Your creative interpenetration looks great! All that in a couple of days, you are a quilting wizard. Enjoy your guild meeting tonight.

gpc said...

It's true. A freaking quilting wizard. Beautiful.

Shari said...

I like your design better for sunrise/sunset. One half of the sun is going up and one half is going down!

WoolenSails said...

Love the quilt and I think it would be fun to do a stained glass piece.
I found a few I like, so one of these days I will sit down and try one.

Debbie

quiltzyx said...

Wow! I think I like the vertical split better too. Great color choices too. Yay! All-in-all, not such an unfortunate error to be sure.
Good catch with the box too. I have a few empty boxes around here, but so far, no catches. Hope you had a good time at guild!

Kaisievic said...

Wow! Barbara, I am so impressed, your quilt looks fabulous.

Denise :) said...

It is very impressive -- but then, you're that kind of quilter! And I adore your helper. And thanks, I'll now being singing from The Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack for the rest of the evening. :)

Michele said...

Wow that is really fantastic and I'm glad you had an easy time trapping your helper.

Dana Gaffney said...

I like yours better, it added a little more color that makes it more interesting. Yea for mistakes.

Debbie said...

A most excellent take on a mistake....turn it into a point of creativity. This is just great, I love that you put your personal twist on the pattern. Remind us when to vote....I will jump right on it!

LethargicLass said...

Your fabric choices are absolutely perfect!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Beautifully done and set upright I think it looks more like sunrise/sunset - the other looks more of a reflection on a lake. Boxes are such easy traps for furkins.

Brown Family said...

How fun! A quick challenge that is complete in a week! I love how you have done this. I have several of those cat traps around the house!

Junebug613 said...

What a stunning project! Yes, those boxes are the best traps ever! Ha Ha.

Kate said...

I'm glad you didn't stab anyone with the scissors. It's gorgeous this way! (Also, I have a box and a cat bed next to each in the family room. Guess which one they sit in?)