Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Another finish

I finished the binding on this zig zag version of Strips that Sizzle. I showed the top a long time ago, showed it on the basting table in late August and now the quilting and binding are done. This one is 52.5" x 74", a good couch (sofa? davenport?) quilt. I feel like I quilted this one to death. I usually depend on a lot of ditch quilting and a little free motion. On this one I only ditch quilted the border seam and along the zig zag colors and all the rest is free motion.
I have seen a lot of vivid blue skies in pictures on other blogs and yesterday we finally had that terrific blue. I took my camera along on my walk to the post office and took these on the way home.

I live in a small rural town with no curbs on the side streets, just on the main streets. We have a lot of poles and wires, and trees trimmed to go around the wires. I have been in this town 49 years and in the same house 36 years. My parents who only moved here 10 years ago are amazed at how many people know me and speak to me when we are out eating or shopping. Living in a small town is nice. It is the big city to me since I grew up on a farm.
We are on the very edge of the building boom from a few years ago. All of the towns east of us (toward Chicago) have grown considerably and we have stayed pretty much the same. Several subdivisions proposed their plans just before the bottom fell out so I'm sure we will have change. Like they say, the one thing you can count on is change.

23 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

I guess it's been awhile since I've seen a photo of the whole top, so your finished quilt took me by surprise this morning. Nice!! It has such a lovely, flowing look.

"Davenport" is a word I haven't heard in a long time!

Three Birds Inspired said...

Nice finish on the quilt. It looks terrific!

The Calico Cat said...

Lovely quilt!

hetty said...

Your "Strips that Sizzle" looks great!

zizzybob said...

It is sad to see how the power companys butcher the trees, even here in So Florida. But then, why do people insist on plantin trees directly under the power wires?
BTW, love your quilts, wonderful color.

Anonymous said...

The quilt is stunning. So is that sky! It looks the same here (just 2 hours NE).

teri

Elsie Montgomery said...

Great post. Nice to see your finished project (motivating too), and the small town photos. I grew up on a farm and have lived in a city ever since high school... and have such a yen to be out of this concrete and busyness. Can I come and visit!!

Anonymous said...

As you stated in an earlier post, "Blue water and green leaves" and it is still the best description for this piece. Just lovely. And I certaninly apprecitate every stitch you made.

Fun to see some familar photo's of your community.

J~MT

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Congratulations on a beautiful finish! The quilt made me think of blue skies as well - how nice of you to share pictures of the blue sky in your town!

meggie said...

The quilt is another triumph.
Your town looks very nice. I like living in a small place, with no hassle or rush.
Wonderful rusty orange tree!

Chris Daly said...

Davenport? Isn't that in Iowa...My grandmother from Des Moines always called it a davenport. I figured she had to be right. I love how your quilt turned out. I'm new to your blog so you've been enticing me with little snapshots for a while.

Cathi said...

The picture of the tree against the blue, blue sky is wonderful!
And the quilt -- well, the quilt is another stunner. Love it!

Elaine Adair said...

you left out ..."Another BEAUTIFUL finish"! 8-)))

jacquie said...

i'm standing on the rooftop and shouting, "that is the most FABULOUS quilt!" did you hear me?

Vicki W said...

What a great quilt! Of course I love heavy quilting on a quilt. You live in a beautiful place.

Anonymous said...

Pretty please may we see the back? I am a huge fan of blues and greens and this quilt really appeals to me. I love all your colorful quilts, but I'm going to call this one my favorite.

I grew up on a dairy, and I don't want to go back. In a very small town now,(do not like the city life) but the dairy was way too much work. Cows don't take days off.

Jean said...

This quilt is so beautiful...I love it. You did an awesome job!

Wanda said...

Such a colorful fall. We are already into the fairly ugly and bare stage here. Not quite everything has fallen but there is hardly any brightness anymore. And today it looks like the fog will be here all day. Time to snuggle in for the winter I think.

Anonymous said...

oooooooo, I love this quilt! The use of differing values to get that shading is fabulous! Beautiful fall color in the trees, too!

Rebel said...

That quilt is amazing. I really like the interaction between the cool colors and the black & white. And as usual, it always comes together once it's quilted! Good job!

Lynda said...

Sizzling strips is such a versatile pattern, especially when the maker has such an excellent eye for colour! The blues and greens look great together!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Very nice. I must search the archives to see the earlier posts.

verobirdie said...

oh, this contrast between black and colors is just beautiful. Great job!