Saturday, December 12, 2009

999 posts!

Yes this is my 999th post in 2 and a half years AND I'm still having fun. I have used 39% of the free storage space for pictures so I figure I have almost 3 more years before I will have to pay for more space.

I finished the Christmas quilt last night. I ended up putting a lot of quilting in it because I wanted it crinkly and old fashioned looking. I washed it and dried it in a hot dryer.
Here is the full view.
I didn't have enough of a backing fabric that I liked so I split the red and added it on either side of the holly print in 2 different widths. I also used the same red for the binding.
I used 5 different colors of thread on top, deep taupe on either side of the narrow border, black in the outer border and a few places in the blocks, and red, green and cream in the blocks.
I really didn't do a very good job of quilting, just hurried it too much. I didn't even like it when I finished it, and then after it was washed, I loved it.
**********
This was made with the Strips 'n Curves templates by Louisa A. Smith. If you click on the Strips and Curves Label on my sidebar it will take you to more info about them and all of the quilts I have made with them.

42 comments:

Pat said...

It looks very nice! I"m going to make myself a Christmas quilt...someday. LOL Congrats on reaching such a milestone # of posts!!! Keep going as you always have a lot of fun stuff to read and see here.

sosarahsew said...

I hope to get to see this beautiful finished quilt sometime. What do you have special planned for tomorrow's milestone posting?
Sarah

Three Birds Inspired said...

Your Christmas quilt is beautiful!!

Unknown said...

Wow 999! that is terrific! We have enjoyed them all too! I look forward to 999 more. Your Christmas quilt looks just gorgeous. I love it all complete. You worked really hard to get it all done yesterday.

Kerstin said...

youre Christmas Quilt is very stunning.

Pat said...

First, congrats on #999. Not only are you prolific, you are also knowledgeable, informative and interesting. Those 999 posts have enriched all of us -- keep it going!!!

Second, that quilt is might handsome. I did the same wash/dry thing for a quilt I gave my God daughter for her baby, and for the same reason; I wanted it to have that old fashioned crinkly look. I also wanted to drive home the fact that the quilt was meant to be used/loved well and that it could be washed easily. I didn't want it tucked away in a trunk somewhere being "saved" because they felt it was fragile & somehow too good to use.

Joyce said...

Congratulations on your almost 1000. You must post a lot more often than I do because I've been at it since 2005 and haven't reached 1000 yet.
I have Louisa Smith's book but haven't made anything from it yet. Seeing this one, I'm thinking it's time...

Bunny said...

You totally amaze me that is a beautiful quilt to be treasured each Christmas. Love it. Congratulations on your almost 1000 post OMGoodness I will never get there LOL.

Maria said...

Congratulations on 999 posts. Wow that is just fantastic.Will be on my way toPerth tomorrow so will miss your 1000th. Will read it on my return. I also love blogging even though I very new.
Hope you do at least 999 more.
I love you Xmas Quilt. Looks warm and cosy.

Dottie's Daughter said...

Another beauty Wanda. You have a gift at putting fabric together and, thankfully, you are willing to share it with us.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it looks great. It is amazing how some of us love the crinkly look and others love it. I just came from another blog where she was saying she hated the crinkly look that happened to her quilt. I am a fan of the crinkly!
Congrats on so many post - I think I am half way to that point that you are at.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Gina said...

Stunning

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Vicki W said...

Very pretty! I really like the addition of the taupe inner border.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you and your busy fingers, on and off=line!! The Christmas quilt is stunning and how great to have it ready for the holidays!! Keep stitching, your results are why we come to look and read your posts. Merry Christmas Wanda. ;) Gail

Susan Turney said...

Congratulations! And I'm so happy you have so much space left! The quilt is gorgeous. I've looked for those templates at the shops around here but will have to go on-line. A good Christmas present to myself!

Gari in AL said...

Once again, your strips and curves comes out so beautiful. You have really mastered the art of choosing fabric and strip/curve piecing. I LOVE your work.

SpinningStar said...

Congrats on the beautiful quilts and all of your posts. And, I'm glad that you will have plenty of space for those wonderful pictures.

Liz

Needled Mom said...

Beautiful!!!!

999???? That is awesome. Congratulations. You are truly an inspiration to many, and not just because you have completed that many posts. Your work is such fun to follow.

hetty said...

Congratulations on 999! Amazing! Love your quilt. Every time I see a Strips and Curves quilt on your blog I am reminded that I still have to finish mine!

Mary said...

Oh Wanda - this is a gorgeous quilt. Like you, I always marvel at the miracle of washing and drying a quilt. It just about always transforms a quilt that we are ambivalent about into one that we love, doesn't it? Congratulations on you 999th post. Amazing...

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt. Sometimes when I'm not too crazy about one I've made, I wash it, and than I love it too. Hannah

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Another absolute beauty Wanda!! So festive and inviting! Love it!

SandyQuilts said...

I love it ... loved it from the beginning.

You can avoid using any blogger space by using the "link it" function in webshots.com

OR

You can use Windows Live Writer too
http://download.live.com/writer

Either one you never have to resize your photos from the originals.

Love your Blog.

Julia said...

Amazing. You do beautiful work. I read your blog faithfully. I don't always leave comments, but I do read.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wanda, Congratulations!!! Can't wait till
tomorrow! Beautiful Christmas Quilt! jmh

Sue said...

999 posts- you're my heroine!

I just love your Christmas quilt! I carry all of Louisa's templates. Would you mind if I used your Christmas quilt in the gallery on my website to show people what they can make with these wonderful templates?

Congrats on the 999th post- looking forward to the NEXT thousand!

Sue Hauser
www.alderwoodquilts.com
www.alderwoodquilts.blogspot.com

Patty said...

COngratulations on your 999th post. I love the idea of using Christmas fabrics for that pattern. I love it!

Mary said...

that is a stunning quilt. Love it and going to try curved piecing soon

Cathi said...

Your Christmas quilt is gorgeous! So warm and cozy looking and, of course, all that lovely curved piecing. :-) Congratulations on 999 posts.

Patty said...

I reread all about the stripes and curves quilts you've made and taught and they are all super. I read how you use 1 pin to do the curved piecing, but have you ever used the foot made for doing curves? I'm looking for someone who uses it to see if it really works and if it's worth buying.
LOVE YOUR BLOG!!

imquilternity said...

Congratulations on 999 posts! I hope it remains fun for you for a very long time since I love reading you every day! Your quilt is lovely...it reminds me of an old-fashioned christmas with it's muted greens, reds, & beiges. Just beautiful!

Millie said...

Congrats on 999 post...it is always fun and inspiring to visit your blog with all the beautiful quilts.

TB said...

Well they've been 999 posts that we, the readers, have enjoyed. Congratulations, and may you write many more.

Michelle said...

Beautiful Christmas Quilt. Congrat on 999 posts, wow that is a lot of photo taking and journal writing. Amazing, looking forward to reading the next 999.

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda,
Your Christmas quilt is outstanding! I, too, like the taupe-with-gold inner border; it really sets off the quilt.
Congrats on 999 posts. I know I haven't read all of them cuz I didn't know about you! I'm glad when you link to past posts to give us "now and then" perspective.
Vicky F

QuiltSue said...

I love this quilt.

Jill said...

Beautiful! Congrats on reaching this milestone! I love your blog and visit every day :)
My first quilt was a Strips N Curves!
You can see it on my blog here:
http://cre8fmomquilts.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-first-quilt-strips-n-curves-and-now.html

Anonymous said...

WOW! I love it!

Browndirtcottage said...

WOW...I love your Christmas quilt...it turned out FAB....AND
I'm glad you decided to like it too!

Jean said...

This is so beautiful. Do you always use cotton batting?

Maria said...

I really enjoy looking at all your beautiful quilts

Rebel said...

I like crinkly old fashioned-y quilts too! And I know what you mean about hurrying too much, I like having finished quilts and don't like lingering UFOs, so I tend to rush through them not taking as much care as I 'should'. But I think that's just how I am, I'd rather have it done than perfect.