Sunday 29 January 2012

Nearly there......

I'm so close to finishing Butterfly Garden I can hardly contain myself.  But I will try.

I fixed the problems on Block 8 and made a really determined effort on Block 9 this past week.    How about these then....


Go on... count them!    There's 9 mini blocks and they're all finished.  They are... really.  I don't blame you for doubting me.   I can't believe it myself.   I did them all in one week.  Gobsmacking eh.  I've never worked so fast before.

I spent this morning piecing and pressing.....


So that I could show you the finished quilt.   OK... I still have to add the borders but that's the easy part...right.   Here is it in all it's glory.   Star of my design wall......


I confess that this is the very first BOM that I've almost finished.   Yep... I'm good at collecting them but not so good at getting them done.     Heck... I just remembered I have to quilt it now.   That's brought me back down to earth with a bang.


That means I've got to get to grips with this dastardly contraption!   It's time to face my fear.   2012 is the year I will master the art of quilting using this frame.      Maybe this week but don't hold your breath.

Since I last posted I haven't had a minute to myself.   OK... that's a blatant exaggeration but you know what I mean.   I've been flitting here and there like a demented butterfly never still long enough to get anything done.   I spent all of what little time I had working on BG so's I'd have something worthwhile to blog about. 

You should see the bags under my eyes from burning the midnight oil.  You could carry a months groceries home in them with room to spare.   Not pretty.   The price of commitment eh.   On the plus side I've watched a lot of episodes of ER.   I started out with 66 and now I'm down to 31 episodes.   Do you think I'm obsessive?

I'm awarding myself some me time this week.   Lovely time to have a cup of tea (or three) and play in blogland till my hearts content.   Can't wait to see what you've all been up to.  I get serious withdrawal symptoms when there's no time to surf.

Thursday last week Tina came to spend the day with me.    Guess what..... she's caught the bug and started a quilt!!!   She knits.... she paints... she makes gorgeous cards but now she's making these....


and she's making a superb job of stitching them.   Way to go Tina!!!   Actually Tina is a nurse so I guess she's used to stitching things up delicately.    She's using monofilament (invisible) thread.  That stuff has a mind of it's own.   Not the easiest thread to use.   But there's not a stitch in sight.   Her hexies are so perfect a gal can feel herself turning green.

Kitty has been and gone and guess who forgot to take photographs of the projects she worked on.   She was obviously too polite to remind me to get my camera out.    As usual she sewed up a storm... while I whinged solidly while making a complete muck up of everything I touched.    To be fair... I only whinged for one day but it felt like a lifetime... at the time. 

Kitty went home with a completed Advent Calendar.   Rebecca the Rabbit... a DMC kit she's had on her 'to do' list since Adam was a boy.  And a Pat Archibald kit.... a Poppy wallhanging.   Tilly made one just like it when she visited a while back.    Sorry I've no photo's to show you.  I promise to be more on the ball next time.

Before I go I  have to tell you that it's almost my Bloggy Birthday.... 3rd February is the big day!   I can't believe a year has past since I dipped my toe in the surf.  To celebrate I'm going to have another giveaway. So don't forget to pop by and put your name in the hat.... someone will get lucky.

OK... I'd better get going.   I've still got a lot of ER to watch.....now... what can I stitch tonight......

See you soon..... hope you're having fun

Hugs
Josie

22 comments:

Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies said...

Hey Josie! WELL DONE!! Your Butterfly Garden looks FABULOUS!!! And you're right ... the borders are th easy bit ... so why do I always leave them for ages before getting around to it?! :0) Enjoy finishing this pretty quilt and I'll try not to have butterfly envy! :0) Bear Hugs! KRIS

Diane-crewe said...

you CAN do it ...you CAN do it xx

rosie said...

Miss Josie, your butterfly quilt is absolutely gorgeous.. so well worth the effort of finishing it..
Good luck with your monster in your sewing room, let us know how you get on..

Larissa said...

Congratulations on the 'finish' Josie!! That's awesome!! And the completed top looks gorgeous!!!

Kaye R said...

Very well done. That is a huge effort, you may have to go buy a BOM as a reward.........only kidding..... I love Butterfly Garden from the minute it came into a the shop I used to work at, never got the courage to buy it. After seeing yours I really should have.

Karen said...

Very pretty. Your quilt looks like spring.

Anonymous said...

Congrats! It looks amazing

Kathy said...

Butterfly Garden is looking wonderful - and great that it nearly done! I'm sure you're not the only one who has a few not quite done BOMs-in-waiting!

LuAnn said...

Your butterfly garden is gorgeous. There are a lot of us out here that are BOM collectors. Tell Tina great job on the hexagons, too.

Lynda said...

Your butterfly quilt is amazing! Love all the fresh spring colors. Can't wait to see how you quilt it.

LeKaQuilt said...

Well done! Its an nice quilt.
I have the same bom somewhere in my sewing room.....undone....havent even started on the first block.
Im happy for you!

marina said...

You are amazing and so is the progress on your bg quilt. Love it! Now quilt it quickly so we can see it in all it's finished glory.
Tina's flowers are beautiful too.
Happy stitching and watching er!

Anonymous said...

whow Josie your quilt looks fantastic,well done.xx

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous!! WELL DONE!!

Fiona said...

The BG quilt is looking awesome... I am also doing it but have only just started my Block 8... there is so much to each block...
Hugz

Wendy said...

Your butterfly garden is gorgeous Josie, you must feel very pleased to be so close to finishing.

els pontzen said...

Hello,
All the way from Holand I want to tell you that I really like your butterfly quilt. If I ever lay my hands on tthe pattern (is this the right word??) I am gonna make it too.
Good luck with finishing yor quilt.
Els

Raewyn said...

Good on you for the progress on your BG quilt - it's looking great... hope you have success with the quilting frame - I wouldn't know which end to start with!! Great to see you spreading the quilting bug around - Tina's hexies are gorgeous! It's nearly the end of the 3rd here for us so guess you may just about be celebrating your bloggy birthday - congratulations!!

Nicky said...

OMG - you did it!!! You go girl, I wouldn't be able to contain myself either! Good luck for the quilting........
Guess that means I need to get myself moving now too! You are an inspiration.....

Cheryll said...

I just LoVe your butterfly quilt.. it's beautiful!
Good luck mastering that huge frame..lol :)

Bits of Stitching! said...

Oh Wow!!! It is lovely... I imagine all the work that went in putting in making and putting together all those blocks! Very inspiring!

Faye of Bags Under Eyes said...

Wow so lovely. I love the design. Excellent creativity.