Prendre la Liberté
Prendre la Liberté is what I did last week. And I am not just talking Liberty here, actually I finally, after a long time of not crafting on a daily basis (aside from knitting which I do everyday while being on the kindergarten's playground) I enjoyed one whole week of cutting, machine piecing, hand sewing and quilting, planning more quilts, making sketches... I am now dealing with what has been neglecting during this fabulous week, but I think it was worth it. At the beginning of the week I finally took the plunge and started quilting the Liberty Leaves. It'll be a rather dense quilting, so it takes some time till all is done.
While working on the leaves I was thinking that this quilt was supposed to be a quick one which had been started as a simple, machine pieced quilt that could be finished almost instantly... while working on my Pop Stars (which I planned to finish during the first half of 2008)... Seems I find myself in a sort of patchwork spiral because on Friday last week I had the brilliant idea of squeezing in a simple, machine pieced quilt that could be finished almost instantly... this time, however, I am pretty certain I will succeed... but let's see where we are at the end of the month ;)
I took the scraps that were left over after cutting the leaves from those striped sheets, cut small squares, cut strips of solids I had in my stash and made Courthouse Steps blocks in a Denyse Schmidt's What a Bunch of Squares manner. This block really is a quick one and so I had my twelve blocks done in a day. It's a pretty uninspired project but I love simple blocks like the Courthouse Steps or Log Cabin and never get tired of them. And as I said, that one shall really be a quick quilt.
And if I wasn't busy enough, over the weekend I started another quilt... a rather slow natured one, yes, another one of those, because I love accumulating long term quilt projects which make me worry if I will be living long enough to finish them...
It will be the center of my Medallion Quilt. Again I am using leftovers from the Liberty Leaves, seems a bit unoriginal and you may already be fed up with all those tiny flowers, but I feel good using up all those scraps and no doubt it will turn out pretty. So? Why not.
And speaking of scraps: the lovely Kristine of Townmouse recently sent me a wonderful selection of precious Liberty bits... *sigh*
Once again, Kristine, thank you so much for this generous and inspiring gift!
And you, dear readers, be prepared for more tiny flowers projects...
And while we're at it, I would like to finally introduce this adorable guy we got about two years ago. Of course I have been thanking Alison before, but I always intended to blog about him, so, eventually, after all this time, here he is!
And because this blog is for taking record of my all my crafty endeavours... some nicely bedded owls I made a few months ago for an exchange of sweets with Josie over at mr. monkeysuit (oh, what a cute picnic they just had!)
The end.
Have a nice day!
Lovely!
Posted by: Tasha | June 04, 2008 at 02:19 PM
I've been missing you and hoping you were ok!!! What lovely projects, keep them going!!!! Those leaves are going to be extraordinary, and the simple courthouse steps as well, I like simple also, it calms the spirit, even though I tend to do whacky things!!!!
Prends toute ta liberté que tu veux, fais toi plaisir!!!
Posted by: Potiron | June 04, 2008 at 04:03 PM
It's all so pretty. Your quilting on the leaves is beautiful and will be worth the extra effort in the end. Keep showing us your scraps -- it's always inspiring to see how much we can squeeze out of those fabrics we love. And it's very much in the spirit of quilting to find a place for all those last bits.
Posted by: Kristin L | June 04, 2008 at 05:10 PM
what lovely projects !!!!
They inspire me .
Vive la Liberté !
Françoise H ( from France ).
Posted by: françoise Hékimian | June 04, 2008 at 05:25 PM
*soifz*
ach, die eulen sind so süß (wörtlich und im übertragenen sinne *gg*)!
und dein quilt... ein traum. da fallen mir keine worte ein, ehrlich gesagt (passiert selten, daß ich sprachlos bin)... bin gespannt auf das "endfoto"!
und NOCH mehr liberty leaves - mmmmh... ich glaub, ich komm mal gerade vorbei... ;)
Posted by: katrin | June 04, 2008 at 06:10 PM
OOOhhhh! I'm so looking forward to seeing it all finished.
Posted by: Nichola | June 04, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Such beautiful projects! Keep going on the quilt it will be worth it in the end - what a masterpiece! I've been following every step.
Posted by: Nerida | June 04, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Very beautiful !
Posted by: Lutine | June 04, 2008 at 08:40 PM
As ever - totally stunning!! You have such style!!
Posted by: Brie | June 04, 2008 at 09:07 PM
I have been doing nothing this week, and am amazed and inspired by your projects. Love the liberty leaves :)...makes me wanna take a trip to get some.
Looking forward to next update
Posted by: Asiye | June 04, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I love the little flowers, so I don't mind a bit if they stick around. The quilting is looking great, as are the simple courthouse steps. And that bunny! I love it.
Posted by: Tracy | June 04, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Don't worry about not living long enough to not finish your quilts
Sooner or later someone will finish them.
The one I'm working on is 100 years old, and I've only just discovered has never been actually finished.
Just so long as you don't mind it all taking a long time.
Posted by: shula | June 04, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Your Liberty Leaves are beautiful! I would not get tired of looking at them.
I too worry about the life of my projects outliving me... and one day some distant relative finds my stash... and they look at it as the equivalent of hot pink culottes/skort from the 70's. Eek!
Posted by: Anita | June 04, 2008 at 10:27 PM
All the colors and designs are so pretty! Can't wait to see the full finished Liberty Leaves.
Posted by: Sarah | June 04, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I never get tired of your little flowers. I love how you put things together and I love using up the tiniest bits. Yay for quilts, I hope to pick mine back up this weekend!
Posted by: anilia | June 04, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Wow, Alex, your quilty projects are looking AMAZING!!! I'm a huge fan of Liberty, and you are doing some really great things with it here. Love that you are taking advantage of the little pieces to put them to good use. After I finish a big quilt, sometimes I lose interest in the left overs...but I suppose that is less likely to happen w/ those Liberty beauties.
Posted by: Marisa | June 05, 2008 at 01:00 AM
the Liberty quilt and the things looks beautiful!!!
bravo!!!
Posted by: Facile Cécile | June 05, 2008 at 01:18 AM
the Liberty quilt and the things looks beautiful!!!
bravo!!!
Posted by: Facile Cécile | June 05, 2008 at 01:18 AM
Those leaves are beautiful, I can't wait to see your quilt!
Posted by: Steph | June 05, 2008 at 02:13 AM
I am dying to see more of your Liberty quilt! Kristine is the best- as another recipient of her amazing gift of Liberty scraps. I am, as always, impressed by how much you get done! How exciting to have so many new projects! You must be a stay-at-home mom too!
Posted by: Ravenhill | June 05, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Alex, You are a wonder the quilt looks so beautiful. I can see why you would make many more. I love love love the owls and did a thank on my blog a while back, but just in case...THANK YOU! They are so perfect and have a found a very happy nesting spot on Cissie's windowsill where they look out at the moon.
Josie xxx
Posted by: josie | June 05, 2008 at 04:09 AM
Hi! I tagged you, I hope you don't mind... I've been enjoying your blog for a while now and would like to know more about you!
Check my blog for the rules...they are pretty simple. :)
Posted by: gardienne | June 05, 2008 at 04:12 AM
The quilting detail on the Liberty leaves are incredible just as the whole quilt is. I like how you stay focussed on the project. Plus, starting another quilt is by no means going to take forever to complete...you'll always have something to sew, quilt or do! Enjoy it Alex!
Posted by: Lucy | June 05, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Your quilts and pieces are beautiful! Lucky you to recieve such pretty fabric too!
Posted by: tiennie | June 05, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Your quilt is absolutely beautiful! I love those little bits of liberty fabric you got in the mail as well. I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of the full quilt soon. Happy crafting-Jessica
Posted by: Jessica | June 05, 2008 at 09:00 AM