So many projects going on in the sewing room! It’s January right?! It’s been a really busy January, but still have managed to start and finish quite a few things. Working on the hand applique scallops for Bramble Blooms 3. I’m finding myself falling in love with needle turn applique, mostly due to QuiltyFolk’s influence. I’ve always loved her quilts, but until recently my mind was fairly closed to applique because it takes too long, is too fiddly, and I don’t need more hand work because I also like hand quilting so I don’t have time for it.
Yes, these were my excuses, but it’s so satisfying and pretty. Also, it’s very portable to take along while driving. I clearly remember a snippet of a conversation with Alice (hi Alice, I don’t know if you read here:). in which my 20 year old self said that I would never like hand applique, and she replied that I might when I was older. Well. Well. haha, here we are!
I also very impulsively started a temperature quilt! I would NEVER have thought I’d make one. They just didn’t interest me. But then a friend mentioned making one with four patches… aaahhh, that got me thinking! And then someone else made a comment about how very many sunny days we get per year where I live. I felt a swell of pride because honestly most people would not think Central Alberta, Canada was a good place to live. At least for our weather which gets very cold in winter. But it’s so true, we have bright sunny weather most of the winter, and also in spring, summer, and fall. Not much fog and rain and clouds…. so I thought that would be interesting to also record sunny vs. cloudy days.
So here’s my plan for the temp. quilt. 2.5″ squares. Each day is a four patch.
Top right block is the daily high.
Bottom left is daily low.
Bottom right is either sunny, cloudy, rain, or snow. Sunny is a pale yellow, cloudy is a grey, rain is a pale blue, and snow is white. I wanted these four colors to be more muted so they wouldn’t get mixed up with the brighter colors which are used for the daily high and low temperatures.
The top left square is an extra square which I can use a novelty fabric to signify something from that day, or else just an fabric that I like, although nothing too bright or crazy that takes away from the temperature color scheme. Because it’s winter, I’m mostly sticking to muted and wintery colors for this block, whereas in spring and summer I think I’ll add more florals and greens to give a summer feel.
The top bunch of fabrics is for rain, cloud, sunny, and snow. The bottom stack is for the temperatures. Each month will be two rows of four patch blocks.
Two blocks above are skiing days…
A bluejay flying for the day my Grandma died…
And just an average ordinary day… I’ve been having a lot of fun choosing this block for each day! Problem is now I’m tempted to buy more novelty fabrics! I realize that I don’t have just a whole lot of them… Does anyone know of a cute print that has sewing machines on it? The sewing machines would need to be smallish so that they fit in a 2.5″ square.
And another applique project that I’ve been working on for awhile, these tulips. I have 8 blocks made and who knows how many I’ll make before I’m ready to put them in a quilt.
And then a random idea… a log cabin quilt. I’m sorry that I cut the strips 2″ instead of 1.5″. Some of these things can seem like simple differences but they’re not! The sizes of your squares or strips can make such a difference in the look and feel of the quilt. This is why I like to make a sample block or two before I start a whole quilt. But with this one I’d cut a bunch of strips and sewn 4 blocks together already. They’re 14″ blocks, so it felt like I’d gone too far to change it.
So now this top is approx 42″x56″. I don’t want to make more log cabin blocks so I think I want to add a solid border with applique (a la @quiltyfolk once again). Right now I’m not sure exactly what it should be so it goes to hang in the closet to marinate for abit. I love the colors so I feel like it’s worth it to get it right.
And then a new project I’m dreaming about… a row quilt in deep rich colors.
I feel like I may be getting close to maximum projects on the go at once. I’m also still working at hand quilting a few old projects that needed finishing. So I feel like there will definitely be more finishes to show you here soon!
what happiness 🙂
Winter is such a productive sewing season, but then again, when are you not productive? I always enjoy seeing what you have on the go and treasure your two books for inspiration. Stay cozy 🙂
Beautiful goings on! Love the log cabin ‘a little big’, I think it’s perfect!
And your temp quilt! it’ll be so good! ❤️
I just found your blog through the star hollow quilt on Pinterest maybe 3 months ago. And I get so excited now when your new blog post emails arrive in my inbox! I love to see your creations. I’m hoping to get started on my own Star hollow soon! What stands out about your creations are your fabric choices. I love the way you pair vintage & new. My favorite look. It really inspires me!
Where did you find the pattern for the tulips? I absolutely love your blocks!
I look forward to your blogs. You are such an inspiration for me. Thanks for sharing in this way.
I especially love the colours of your fabrics. I also loved the idea of an ongoing temperature quilt but have been daunted by all the exactness I have seen in others. Yours is simplified and seems doable. I also love the idea of small 4 patch squares. A real relief after all the complicated piecing I’ve been doing. And I could use up scraps too. That would mean sorting them out, which is surely a virtuous thing to do! I have seen sewing machine images in prints on panels… but they are probably too big for your project. Try the fabric at Santa Fe Quilt shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have prints that might work. And they are the nicest quilters in the world, imho!
Your log cabin is so lovely! I can hardly wait until we can see that scalloped border quilt all finished!
Thanks for all your inspiration. I do look forward greatly to seeing each new post.
I have been cutting hexagons and would be happy to do some novelty 2.5 inch squares for you!! I think I have a darling vintage fabric with a sewing machine … and I know I have skiers. Would welcome the treasure hunt through my fabric stash!!
Jolene, I love how you always put your heart into each quilt. Again, this is one of my favorite quilts you have mad. [log cabin one]. I especially love all of the gingham logs which bring so much character to this quilt. Love from Maine, Carla
I have to be careful visiting you because I always love your projects and want to make them too which would be fine but of course, I have my own bunch of projects on the go. You are so inspiring! I know Riley Blake has sewing machines on fabric but I don’t know the size and Spoonflower does too.
I love your idea for the temperature quilt! It looks like a project that will bring a lot of happiness. I’ve never done one but now I am thinking seriously about getting started on one after seeing your beautiful work!
Sometimes I feel like you are sending me creative vibes across the ocean. I have little sketches and plans for some very similar quilt projects.
sooo much fun going on here, Jolene! your temperature quilt is the coolest idea i’ve seen for that type of quilt. (sorry to hear about your grandma dying. my condolences.) it’s looking really fantastic. happy sewing!!
Love the tulips!
So many neat ideas! All of your excuses to not appliqué are my excuses too. My adult son asked me to make a fish quilt for him. He described exactly what he had in mind: a background of a grid of fabric (squares or rectangles or whatever I like) and then a fish appliquéd on top of the grid. He didn’t say “appliquéd” but I determined that’s what it would have to be and I just told him I don’t appliqué. I need to reconsider. I requested your new book for Christmas and he bought it for me! One suggestion: when one visits your blog, a pop up for your new book appears. Perhaps add one more selection to click on that says “I have it!” Wouldn’t it be fun to see how many of those responses you get?!
those tulips!! way too cute for words..
Michael Miller -A Stitch In Time
Riley Blake makes fabric with sewing themes. Lots of shops carry them. See if Piece Fabric Co in Grande Prairie AB has any left. Johnsons Sewing in Ed may have it too.
Thanks for the shoutout! You really know how to take a prompt and run with it.:) Loving the way your quilts always give off a ‘you’ vibe. I know that it has a lot to do with the color palette and prints you choose, but it’s so beautiful! Very inspiring!
This print has cute old fashioned sewing machines: She Who Sews Sewing Machines Aqua By J. Wecker Frisch For Riley Blake. Your temperature quilt interpretation is fun! I have wanted to do one for several years, but the process was always better than the outcome. Yours sounds like the final quilt will be beautiful! You are an inspiration!
I love your scrappy quilts and especially your muted colors. I’m always inspired by what you create! I just finished a Four Patch inspired by one of yours and my son says it’s his all time favorite so he’s getting it for his birthday on Feb 15. I got your book a while back and I look through it often. I love hearing your thought process! Thank you for sharing your work with the world.