Sunday, September 6, 2009

To finish or not to finish...........................
As I continue looking through boxes and drawers to find which items will be on my "daily list to do" I found this one which was started sometime between 1990 and 1992. It's practically an antique!
I have the 4 sewn blocks, some sewn strip sets, some cut strips, and yardage for the border.
It was my demo sample when I last taught Hidden Wells designed by Mary Ellen Hopkins. I'll have to think about this one, to finish or not............
I finished one more journal cover.
This one is made from leftover pieces from these store samples. It isn't as bright as it looks in this next picture. The fabric was a line that was supposed to look like hand dyes.

If you click on this flower picture and look in the upper left corner you will see a hummingbird. I took 4 photos, 3 where the bird was so blurred you couldn't tell what it was. He was checking out the tall red flowers in one of the pots and then flew off to the green penstemon and it's lavender flowers.

It was another beautiful day yesterday. We haven't had rain all week and now that the Sandwich Fair is coming up next week, they are predicting some rain. If it rains at night that is good because it keeps the dust down from all of the autos in and out on the gravel roads through the fairgrounds. This is the last county fair of the year in IL and it is the largest county fair in the state.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh you must finish that quilt. It is still beautiful no matter how old. I do love the colours, they give the pattern so much depth. You've done so much of it, a shame not to finish.... I think it is amazing. Very clever!

Janet said...

I suppose it depends on how much you love the colors and how intriguing you find the pattern. It's definitely worth finishing. The pattern really catches your interest. Love the journal covers.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Your prettiest journal cover yet.

Eva said...

You are way beyond the old quilt, this gorgeous journal cover proves it. I think the colors of the old quilt are not according to your today's sense of color. I'd give it to someone enthusiastic to finish and keep it.

Unknown said...

I say you should finish the quilt. You most likely will get a great sense of accomplishment having finished it after so many years. This journal cover is just beautiful. A touch of Amish. Today and all week the weather is going to be gorgeous here. We are headed off to the Annual Antique fair today. Looking forward to it. Hopefully, I come back with some good pics.

Unknown said...

You know, in the 90s it was probably good colours, but by today's colour stuff, you do call yourself exuberantcolor...I'd say put it away till you got nothing else to do.
I love hummers and have hundreds of photos of the little suckers, and can only capture one tenth of them in good profile. I have had 2 landing on me, (not at the same time) quite a thrill.
You have a great blog!

Pat Deck said...

You know, those colors never go out of style. You need to finish it. If not the whole thing, is there a way you can truncate it to make a pretty table-topper?

I love your journal covers. Do you have a pattern? What are you going to do with all of them? I wonder if you could adapt the pattern for different sizes? I'f love to make one for my teache daughter's lesson plan book.

Diana said...

That journal cover is my favorite of all the ones you've shown so far. I'd finish that quilt--very interesting design.

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

how many more UFO's do you have to finish? It seems to me you are making progress!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Jean said...

Love the hummingbird pic. I haven't seen any this year, but maybe I don't have the right flowers. You have to be quick to find them sometimes.

As far as the quilt....you could finish what you have sewn and cut to make a throw, & use the rest to back it. Or give it to someone who makes charity quilts if you just don't want to finish.

Needled Mom said...

I loved that Hidden Wells pattern and did one in turquoise.

Cheryl Arkison said...

What a contrast in projects between the green/pink and the journal cover!

It may be like the vanilla quilt, you need to add something to it to get the motivation to finish it. It is a nice pattern.

Sandwich Fair? I love it!

Gari in AL said...

Your journal covers have been wonderful, and all so different. I have made two but they have been quilting practice pieces. And, yes, you should finish the quilt. Even if it is not your cup of tea, you will have something ready to either give away or sell. And what you have done so far is beautiful.

Beena said...

You can always finish that quilt, but make it smaller than you had originally intended if you can't seem to get excited about it. Then it isn't like you'd have to devout more time to it than you want. I think it's really pretty, though.

Another great journal cover. I like the piecing on this one and the subdued colors. It has a lot of personality! Again, you've got me itching to make some journal covers. If I get some of this other stuff out of my way, maybe I'll go on a journal making binge for X-Mas gifts!

And a hummingbird! How delightful!

Barbara C said...

The fabric on your journal cover looks like suede in the photos, and the design is striking.

What a hard call about your UFO. I find it hard to finish something I'm no longer crazy about unless I have a specific purpose for the quilt. Maybe you know someone who would love it? Or maybe there's a way to break up the very familiar color combination by introducing something unexpected that will liven everything up.

Deanna said...

If you're not crazy about finishing the old quilt... I'd give it to someone else to finish.

I LOVE the latest journal cover... the colors and design are great... my favorite of the ones you've done so far!

Fabric Fanatic said...

If you don't want to finish it, give it to a group that makes charity quilts ~ someone will love it. The fabric in this journal cover looks like suede. Love the colors ~ they're very fall-like.

M. Regina said...

Hello, I loved that Hidden Wells pattern. beautiful colors. hugs from Brazil

Purple Pam said...

Finish the Hidden Wells quilt, or box it up and give it to someone else to finish. Your garden picture is beautiful.

I wish I was close enough to attend the county fair. I love county fairs, dust and all.

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda
The quilt top is OK, just not "you" anymore (if it ever was). If you decide to finish it I bet someone will buy it (like the vanilla quilt). I wonder if a touch of yellow would perk it up.
Our "regular" hummingbirds seem to have gone, but we have had some travelers in the past couple days (you can tell as they appear to look puzzled when they come into the yard).
Vicky F

Cathi said...

The hummingbird picture is fantastic! The fabrics in that journal cover do look something like suede!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

I would finish the quilt and either give it away if you don't care for it... or keep it as part of a trunk show to show how fabric styles change over the years. The solid colors are timeless - your journal cover illustrates that perfectly!

Sue said...

Would you consider selling that Hidden Wells project? If so, how much would you ask? I am probably the Queen Lover of Mary Ellen Hopkins's "Hidden Wells" pattern and have made many, many wall hangings from the pattern.

And, at this moment, I have strips cut for (let me turn around & count here...)five (5) more wall hangings and in a tub in my closet I know there are at least 4 more sets of fabric bought specifically to make "Hidden Wells." from.

Let me know.

Diane said...

MMMMMMM ~ journal cover!

Anonymous said...

Your pieces are mesmerizing... I say finish the quilt. Your fabric choices are far prettier than the book cover.

Another journal cover to add to your great stash. In the photo it looks like rich suede.

Would you believe our 'hummers' left about 2-3 weeks ago.

J~MT

imquilternity said...

I recognized the Hidden Wells pattern the moment I saw your quilt. I made one too and it's very similar. It's one of the very few quilts that I've made that I have kept. I say if you don't love it, then give it to someone who will really love it when they get it finished! LOVE the journal covers...they are stunning!