End Of Vacation Marks End Of Quilts

It is 10:30 Sunday night, and I have just completed the last of the quilts for the grandchildren for Christmas.  Tomorrow, I am back to tending two of my grandchildren while their mother goes back to work at school.  I vowed at the beginning of the summer vacation that I would finish the quilts before school started back up.  I was able to keep that vow and accomplish the goal tonight.  I had finished the embroidery work last week, but since I spent this week in Maine enjoying my last days of vacation, I was unable to assemble the quilt, and cut, baste, tie, and sew on the trim until this afternoon when I got back.  I started right in, and was able to finish with a great amount of satisfaction of accomplishment.

Dot's Cinderella quilt with the embroidered story blocks.

I was able to accomplish some more knitting on the last afghan while I was traveling in the car to and from Maine.  I have almost finished all ten of the side triangle blocks.  I ran into quite a snare with these blocks and had to do some real reorganization of the last seven blocks.  For some reason, my first three blocks were bigger than the pattern called for.  I don't know how it happened, but it did, so I had to alter the pattern to make the last seven blocks be the same size as the first three which fit the square blocks of the afghan perfectly.  It wasn't easy to just add to the pattern, because it varied over a eight row sequence pattern.  I had to take into consideration, the reduction stitches and still maintain the correct pattern.  It took some figuring, but I finally got it right.  That is the reason I finished all of these blocks at the same time.  I didn't want to forget how I did it, so that I could have the last blocks match the first ones.

Another Productive Day

I was determined this morning to get the Cinderella quilt finished today.  Well, I almost did.  I have everything done, except for the hand sewing on the binding.  I was able to assemble the top, cut the back and the batting, baste the quilt together, tie it, and do the machine sewing on the binding.  I also have pinned the back of the binding, so now I am ready to do the hand sewing.  I will finish it tomorrow, but here is a picture of the quilt. 

I took the picture on a full sized bed so that the story blocks on the side could show up a little better.

I had to buy a different sheet for the backing of this quilt so that I could get pink.  It is a very silky feeling material, which will be great for comfort, but was very difficult to work with.  It kept slipping and my cutting was horrible.  I also had a problem sewing on the binding because the material kept folding over.  I didn't realize it was happening until I was finished because it was the bottom layer. I managed to get it all tucked back under so that it does not show out the edge of the binding.  I have never had this problem before, and I was shocked to see it. I have to fix one more pucker in the bottom right hand corner where the tie is not flat.  I will get to that tomorrow also.  This quilt will be for Zoe.  I think she will like the pink and somehow I think the yellow is more fitting for Dot.

I Wish I Had Thought Of This Earlier!

After taking several days to complete just one block, I decided I needed to do something a little different with the second set of Cinderella story blocks. The embroidering was taking a long time, and it was so difficult to get the fine detail into the pictures with needle and thread.  I started this morning to try using fabric markers for the second set, and I was thrilled with the results.  I cannot get as many color variations with the markers as I have with thread, but the process is so much easier and quicker to do, that it is worth it. I was able to complete the whole set of ten blocks in just a few hours.  Now, I will be able to complete another quilt.  I will be able to assemble the quilt top for one of the Cinderellas.  Here are the results of today's work.

This is block 1, and shows the embroidered one (L) and the marker one (R).

Block 2 embroidered (L) and with marker (R).

Block 3 embroidered (L) and with marker (R).

Marker Block 4: Cinderella on her way to the ball.

Marker block 5: Dancing with the Prince.

Marker block 6: Midnight is almost here.

Marker block 7: Prince views the lost slipper.

Marker block 8: Slipper fits Cinderella perfectly.

Marker block 9: A new home for Cinderella.

Marker block 10: New couple enjoy a horseback ride together.
I am not looking forward to doing this one with embroidering.

Sorry about the smudge on the camera lens.  I have tried, without success, to get it off.  Anyone know how to get rid of a smudge on a camera lens?  Please let me know if you do.

Why Did I Choose Embroidery?

Well, I have begun my embroidery of the Cinderella story blocks. I didn't realize when I chose to embroider the blocks that it would be so difficult to do.  The detail on the faces and hands, in particular, or so small that it is hard to get the true look with needle and thread.  I will continue to do this set of blocks with embroidery because I have started it, but I think I will switch to using fabric markers to do the second set.  I think I will be more successful in getting the look that I want.  Here are the first three blocks that I have finished.

Cinderella wishing she could have gone to the ball instead of staying at home to cook and clean.

Cinderella gets her first magic from her Fairy Godmother and is dressed for the ball.

Fairy Godmother casts her magic on the pumpkin.

I had to take a little break with my embroidering and do some more knitting.  I have a new student in my Sunbeam class at church.  I needed to make him a puppet.  It is a good thing that they take so little time to do.  I sure hope I can learn to do better with the hair.  I'm still having a hard time, particularly with the boys.

I hope he has brown eyes.  I forgot to take a good look at him on Sunday. At least it will be easy to change if I have to.

Another Step Completed

I now have completed six of the eight quilts.  I cannot do any more on the other two until I get the embroidery work completed.  I now have to either get back to the afghan or continue to do the embroidery work on the quilts.  It doesn't really matter which, since I need to get them all done before Christmas.  I have plenty of time since these are my only projects I plan to do for Christmas.  I do have to decide on one more thing to make for baby Ezra, since he is not getting a quilt.  I haven't yet decided what I will make for him. Here is a picture of the pile of quilts I have finished.

Top to bottom: Jackson's Thomas and Friends, Joey's Super Heroes, Ellis's Super Heroes,
Lexi's Dora and Boots, Portia's Maine farm, and Lucy's puppy/kitty.